Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa Renews Your Soul

There's something about a vacation that you don't have to cut up someone else's food, hear bickering about who got more chicken nuggets or clean up the ketchup spills on the floor.

A vacation away from the kids and just with your honey is like a renewal for the soul, mind and body. And we found just that place at Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa.

Wow. I've heard about Sandals all-inclusive resorts before. But until you experience one of them, you'll never want to go back to the usual vacations of paying for every drink, meal or snack.

One of the best parts of the resort is that there were no kids, at all, anywhere. Sure. I love my sons. But here you are just adult to adult - living, laughing, having fun and drinking those frothy drinks with pineapple and cherries on top.

We went to the resort with two couples we knew and two couples who were mutual friends of our friends.

We left Chicago on one of the coldest mornings and arrived in Jamaica four hours later to a balmy Montego Bay. OK. The two-hour bus ride to Negril from the airport was not a load of fun. We were tired, thirsty and ready to start our tropical experience.

Once arriving at the Five-Star Diamond Award resort, a feeling glides over you. This is paradise. All the bright colors of the chairs, walls and fixtures just get you in the mood for fun, romance and adventure (if you want it). Your schedule is your schedule. Let the relaxation begin.

Our room - which we just went for the most inexpensive room - was nice, nothing fancy. The king-size bed was so tall that you practically had to jump onto it. Basically, you had a desk, chair, bed, lamps and a bathroom. But that was OK. It was clean, had an island décor and sufficed for our first trip to a Sandals resort.

The outdoors is where your senses get enticed. The best thing is standing by the big swim-up pool and being able to just walk to the beach a few steps away. The pool was very cold. I know because I exercised in it every morning. I can't believe they don't heat it. The ocean was warmer than the pools. Thank heavens the warm whirlpools sit right next to the pools.

During the week, activities surround the main pool like salsa dancing lessons, jerk seasoning cooking classes, wine tasting, honeymoon games, water aerobic classes and more.

Lounging in the chaises and having waiters serve you strawberry margaritas became a favorite pastime.

The night's activities weren't as spectacular as cruise ship entertainment. But we didn't seem to mind. We played games, sat around the piano bar and sometimes just sat in the comfy lounge chairs sipping those drinks. Remember, you don't pay for anything while you are there unless you want a special bottle of wine, any gifts, or spa treatments.

For those with more money and better rooms, you can receive 24-hour room service and butler service. But I like a vacation where the staff doesn't bother you too much. This staff was the best. They cleaned your rooms when you needed them to, they smiled and were so friendly. The bartenders were phenomenal and the cook at the little hamburger hut just sparkled with personality.

My husband loved that he could get hamburgers and French Fries almost every day. The resort had four restaurants plus the beachside hut. I loved the Kimonos Oriental restaurant where they cook the food in front of you. It was relaxing, fun and just a great evening with friends.

The Bayside restaurant is where many of the meals were offered, including breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Most of the food rated very high with us.

My husband and I don't drink that much, but you tend to go a little overboard at an all-inclusive cause you already paid for it in your bill. But there's nothing like taking your drink, holding hands with your loved one and strolling that immaculate, white beach.

Sandals keeps the solicitors at bay so they don't bother the guests. But if you want to buy crafts and goods from them, they definitely are friendly to help you purchase what you need.

The resort offers a full exchange privilege with the two other Sandals properties in Negril. We only took advantage of it once by walking down the beach to their Beaches property where families vacation. We ate lunch along the beach and then walked back to our place. It's a nice change of pace.

We spent a week at Sandals and know that we will plan to go to one of their other properties in a few years. In fact, we are planning my 50th birthday at one of their St. Lucia resorts.

Sandals has 12 resorts in Jamaica, Bahamas, St. Lucia and Antigua. They definitely are not inexpensive vacations, but you can bet your relaxation barometer will kick into gear once you experience the ambience and hospitality.