CSA Review – Feb. 26 thru March 6, 2011

**warmweatherfriend** · March 17th, 2011, 09:27 PM

Having spent last year’s vacation at Couples Negril, we hoped we had made the right choice in trying a different Couples locale since we LOVED Couples Negril. No worries!!! Our 8 nights were absolutely wonderful at CSA. To us, there is a different vibe at CSA then CN. Overall, the resort is just a little more casual in the evenings; and the resort is more spread out with a narrower beach. Because the beach is public, there are a lot more vendors asking you buy their wares but a simple no thank you, if not interested, usually sufficed. The activities team though was a key component in getting the guests involved and entertained. Kudos to Garret and his team at CSA. We had lots of fun with all of you – especially Tresina, Akeem and O’Neil!!! Same goes for the dive team - Anthony & Franz - and water sports staff. We took full advantage of diving, snorkeling, water skiing, glass bottom boat and kayaks. Thank you!!!

We stayed in an Atrium Suite and it was better than expected. The floor to ceiling wooden shutters, cathedral ceiling (in top floor rooms) along with extra large balcony w/hammock was awesome. We lucked out and had a partial ocean view as well, so at night, we could listen to the music at a distance from the Palms and once the resort got “quiet”, we lulled off to sleep by the sound of the frogs and the sound of the ocean. Very nice!!!

Feathers & Lemon Grass are the two restaurants requiring reservations. We dined at both. Excellent meals and service. Patois Patio does not require reservations but you do choose your meal off of a menu. We had a very good lunch here one day but did not get to dine here for breakfast since they opened a little later in the morning than the Palms. Next time, we will make it to Patois Patio for the famous banana stuffed French toast. We get moving a little earlier in the day so we ended up dining at The Palms each morning for their breakfast buffet. Very good! The Palms also is the location for the evening entertainment so typically, we would get seated around 7:30 pm and dine slowly and then just stay in our seats for the evening entertainment. The Steel Drum Band (Silver Birds) and the Jamaican Fair Night were exceptional. We thought very highly of a waitress name “Sandia”. She was our server on many nights and she was as proficient, sweet and nice as could be. One could tell that she truly loves her job. Thank you Sandia!

The bonfire on the beach was so peaceful and romantic. Shyam Moses is a wonderful singer and with the lounge chairs set in twos around a bonfire along with the opportunity to listen to Shyam, it was a nice way to end the evening.

We attended the Repeaters Dinner Monday evening. Because of the large turnout each week, they tried a different scenario by splitting the group and having two different seatings. The meal was excellent: Lobster Ceviche as appetizer; Tomato Bisque for soup; Surf & Turf for entrée which included Grilled Jerk Chicken & Smoked Beef Tenderloin and Chocolate Bouquet of Jack Fruit Mousse for dessert. It was more of a formal type dinner –I suggest that ladies wear a dress - and it was nice to meet the management of the resort along with the chef. There was lovely background music as well.

We left the resort two evenings only, once to go to Rick’s Café (it’s a must for us for the fun & spectacular sunset) and to The Sands(more laid-back atmosphere) which is the private bar for the exclusive Caves that is opened to the public on occasion. Again, we had a few drinks here, sat around eating jerk chicken and watched another incredible sunset on the cliffs. Nice!!!

Instead of being just the two of us this time, we brought along two other couples. They all fell in love with CSA and Jamaica. I think both couples will go back and we are trying to figure out just how soon we can go “home” too.

We had one negative issue, which happened at the very beginning of the trip. I feel it should be addressed by Couples Management immediately. Upon meeting in the Couples Lounge after going thru Customs, we were whisked off to our shuttle bus in no time but before we could literally get on the bus, the man who escorted us stood between us and the door entrance of the bus. He told us that we needed to give him money before we could board. One other passenger said outright that she felt like this was extortion. It did feel exactly like that. We were a little appalled that this would be done in such a blatant way, but it happened. What choice did we have other than causing a scene? So…we all paid up, but we may have given him a larger tip if it had been left up to us to decide rather than being forced to “pay up”. Couples – why is this going on???

But back to our wonderful trip……Now that we’ve been lucky enough to spend time at both CSA and CN, I’ve conjured up MY perfect trip to Jamaica. I would take the wider, more serene beach of Couples Negril along with my favorite restaurant, Otaheite, and combine it with the Atrium room from CSA and add BOTH activities team members from both resorts to our stay. The Activities Team at both resorts is exceptional and is a valuable asset to Couples. After our second trip, I can only repeat the now famous saying of “once you go, you know”. Happy Travels to All!

CN - 2010
CSA - 2011

**randymon** · March 18th, 2011, 07:44 AM

Hi Warmweatherfriend;

Thank you for the very nice review.

RE: airport skycaps. While I agree that they all could use a lesson in tipping etiquette, they are not employees of Couples Resorts. In fact, all Couples Guest SHOULD be told by our airport lounge staff that you have the option of carrying your own bags - for free - OR use the skycap, in which case there is a mandatory charge of $1.00 per bag.

**Sonofthebeach** · March 18th, 2011, 08:02 AM

We always carry our own bags, but always tip the handelers & driver. You must carry yourself well, or people will try to take advantage of you no matter where you go. Only once did one of the baggage guys try to hustle me, it didnt work for him, lol..I always tip $1 a bag, he asked for $5, I told him I'll control what I tip & if he's not satisfied with $1, he gets nothing, his choice. That was a one time isolated incident. If you act or look vulnerable, people will sense that & try & take advantage of you, I'm not an easy mark & my appearance & attitude tells you that so I rarely have these problems. It's all in how you carry yourself.

**sherrynchuck** · March 18th, 2011, 08:34 AM

I enjoyed reading your review, brought back memories of our October trip. We had Sandia as our waitress several nights as well and we loved her. Dreaming of our next trip!

**cypresspeeps** · March 18th, 2011, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by randymon

Hi Warmweatherfriend;

Thank you for the very nice review.

RE: airport skycaps. While I agree that they all could use a lesson in tipping etiquette, they are not employees of Couples Resorts. In fact, all Couples Guest SHOULD be told by our airport lounge staff that you have the option of carrying your own bags - for free - OR use the skycap, in which case there is a mandatory charge of $1.00 per bag.

I have never heard of this mandatory charge. We usually tip at least $2 a bag by rounding up to the nearest $5 or $10. If the fee is mandatory, I would suggest posting it someplace in the lounge.

**beach** · March 18th, 2011, 10:37 AM

I wondered about being asked for money to board the bus. When we went to CSA last September, we carried are own bags to the bus but was still asked for money before boarding the bus but individuals that were not even helping carry bags for other guests. I thought it was very odd but felt like I did not have a choice but to give them money. Maybe someone at Couples should be at the buses to monitor this...

**madtown mom** · March 18th, 2011, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the great review! I can't wait. I love cn, but in 20 days I get to give csa a try.

**warmweatherfriend** · March 18th, 2011, 09:33 PM

IMO, the baggage handlers act like they are staff of Couples and snag you immediately as you are walking into the door of the Couples Lounge. It comes across to a person that this is the "routine" when staying at a Couples Resort so you just go with the flow. The Couples staff never even has the opportunity to explain to the guests that this is optional. The demand for money did not happen to us last year so I think I had the "deer in the headlights" look when it happened this time. We had two, newbie couples with us and I don't think it was a good "first impression", to say the least. Regardless, I had all intentions of having my bags taken out for us by the skycaps; I just never imagined that a person would stand in between the door of the bus and us guests and demand money. Just sayin'...

**warmweatherfriend** · March 18th, 2011, 09:45 PM

Here are a few pics to add to the anticipation...you will LOVE CSA, but probably in a different way than CN. Keep an open mind...as it's the same wonderful Couples experience as CN with a slightly different twist because of the different room types, layout of resort and restaurant choices. I wish I had 20 days to go again....ENJOY!

**madtown mom** · March 19th, 2011, 01:18 PM

Thank you so much. My mind is wide open, as is my heart. I actually love the style of the csa rooms much more(at least from what I can tell from photos). I also think we will trade places one day as
my love has never been to cn.

**kaityogill** · March 20th, 2011, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the review. We have gone to CN ten times and just love it! My husband says we have to try CSA. I am bummed because I just really want to go HOME! Your review was helpful to me. I know many people love CSA and I will too!

**Sublimebrad** · March 21st, 2011, 09:31 AM

We had the same thing happen to us in 2009 at the airport. As soon as we got close to the Couples lounge, a guy grabbed our bags and tagged them for CSA. Didn't bother me at all. I didn't tip him as I was under the impression of no tippig allowed. Once we had our drink we were told to board the bus. I made sure my bags were on the cart and followed behind as I don't like people handling my bags because of an incident years ago. We get to the bus and before they take the bags off the cart, they guy who rolled them out there says he must be tipped since he doesn't work for Couples. No problem. Tipped him $5. The bags are still on the cart. So another guy says he will load our bags onto the bus and that we should wait till we see our bag loaded before we get on which I planned on doing anyway. After the bags are loaded we were told to tip that guy. I start to see a pattern and I'm running low on small bills so I gave him about $3.

The same thing happened once we arrived at CSA as well. I don't mind tipping but don't like being told to do anything. I also wasn't prepared to tip anyone since Couples has a no tipping policy. If this is how these guys make a living then tip them but it should be mentioned before you arrive so you know what to expect. On the way back though I got my own bag off the bus an went on my way. The same thing could be said for the spa as I found out later that you can/should tip them.

**Papaya** · March 21st, 2011, 02:15 PM

Your pictures are FANTASTIC. Real professional looking. I am glad you enjoyed CSA. The bus incident would have made me a bit uneasy also. And I likely would have paid too even IF I had handled my own bags. I mean I'm sure it was confusing, you are just trying to get to your destination. But unfortunately that is a part of Jamaica too, it's a poor country and lots of people are hustling to make a fast buck, and it does happen FAST!!! I guess you just have to be cautious. That's REAL though and all part of the experience, I guess. Glad it was good after that though. CSA is the BEST!!!

**warmweatherfriend** · March 23rd, 2011, 08:51 PM

Papaya: Thank you for the compliment! I took so many pictures this trip, ~250, and with such beautiful scenery all around in Negril, how could they come out bad?

Here's a few more of my favorites...sunset is from Rick's!