Trip Report - Breezes Golf and Tennis Resort, Runaway Bay, Jamaica 12/5/99 to 12/12/99
This trip was different for two different reasons. 1. This is the first time we have returned to a previously visited resort. We celebrated our 25th anniversary at Breezes in 1996. Since that time we have gone to all three Lido resorts. 2. This is the first time we have gone with another couple. It can be more difficult to "let your hair down" when you go with another couple.
We left St Louis after staying the previous night at the Renaissance Hotel directly across from St Louis Lambert airport. Our flight left at 1015AM 12/5/99 on TWA flight 134 to Montego Bay. The trip was uneventful, off on time, arrived on time, etc. We arrived at Sangster Airport in Montego Bay, went through immigration/customs with no problems and after a short wait at the Superclubs desk, we were off to Breezes Golf and Tennis Resort on a fairly large bus. We always hope to get the larger busses as the smaller vans seem to keep the hair on the back of your neck in a more upright position.
We arrived at Breezes R.B. with no problems but were disappointed in the reception. Normally, it's a drink and if needed, a cold towel. This time, maybe it was because we arrived later in the day, we felt we were checking into a Super 8 Motel instead of an all-inclusive resort. After no one waited on us, we went to the desk to check in as if in a normal motel. There were no problems, just different from what we are used to.
There have been a few changes in the resort since our previous trip. This is still one of the best bargains for the money. It is an active resort and the entertainment staff does a good job keeping everyone involved that wants to be. If not, relax and enjoy that.
Eating: After visiting all three Lido Resorts, I believe Breezes R.B. has the best buffet meals of any resort we have stayed. While the Italian restaurant, Martino's, is a nice restaurant, it doesn't compare with the French restaurant at Braco. They have added another restaurant outside the main building which is outdoors. It is basically just another buffet but with not as much to select from. It appeared you can also order from a menu. It may have been a Martino's menu, I didn't see it. We ate a little at the buffet but moved on the main Terrace where we had more to select from. The Terrace Restaurant was the open air/covered buffet overlooking the beach. Great food. If you go away hungry, it's your fault. We ate at the Italian restaurant once, then ate all our meals at the Terrace.
Pool. The pool is a large pool. No problem with chairs as there were plenty. There were probably more people at the pool than normal as many were forced from the beach due to the weather. We have been to Jamaica four times and this was the worse the weather has been. Most days were cloudy for a good deal of the time but the problem with the beach was the wind. I have been reading the bulletin boards and trip reports where people were talking about the weather. It makes no difference where you are, Negril or north coast, as far as the weather goes. It rains or is cloudy totally dependent on the weather. But, GL Negril or Couples Negril would have an advantage over the wind as they have a protected cove. This is the first time we really considered the weather a problem. We spent some time on the beach, but, most days we were forced to the pool. The pool was as nice as any textile pool of the resorts we have been.
Beach. As I said, the beach was windy almost every day. We spent some time there but after the sand pelted you in the face and your camera bag and totes were nearly covered with sand, it was time to move to the pool.
Nude Beach. Earlier I said you sometimes do things differently when you go with others. While we enjoyed the nude beach on our last trip, we only used the nude beach once this time. Our friends went on a horseback excursion so we thought we would check it out. A couple of changes were evident. 1. They now have bathroom facilities on the nude beach along with a much improved self-service bar. This was a plus. 2. A minus was the fact that FDR appears to have built an area right next to the Breezes R.B. nude beach and you feel like you are on display. Also, the textile beach now has a trapeze and they either took out some shrubbery or at least moved some chairs down the beach closer to the nude beach. We used the chairs on the west end of the textile beach and were almost right next to the nude beach people. If privacy is an issue, this is not the best beach.
Golf and Tennis. We didn't bring our clubs this time. We did previously and really enjoyed the lessons and course. We talked to several people who played and they said the course was in good condition. They built a new clubhouse since we were last there. The old one burned down. It is a beautiful clubhouse and all the golf carts looked new. I'm not sure on all the prices since we didn't play.
Overall, it is still a good resort for the money. Will we return again? Probably not, but I can see where people might. While we did enjoy this resort, we apparently were spoiled by the extra pampering you get at the Lido resorts (although you usually pay for it).