An Inside Look at Beaches Negril’s Suites & Villas

Beaches Negril opened its doors to family vacationers in 1997. In its nearly three decades of operation, the resort has become a favourite destination for many, thanks to its gorgeous Seven Mile Beach access, friendly service, and chill atmosphere.   

The resort recently got a major upgrade. In 2022, Sandals Resorts International announced that Beaches Negril would be getting 12 new suites and villas, as well as other enhancements like a new building for kids’ club Camp Sesame. TMR was recently invited to experience the property.

Clearly designed with multi-generation travel in mind, Beaches Negril opened the suites and villas for booking last year. These accommodations are the highest room categories available on the property, and include the resort’s Butler Elite service.

Eventide Penthouse Suites 

Beaches Negril offers six Eventide Penthouse suites, located in the Calypso Cove region of the resort. Guests can choose from three- or four-bedroom options with either walkout, balcony, or balcony and rooftop terrace. 

We stayed in the three-bedroom balcony suite, which included a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, a central open-concept kitchen and living area, a second bedroom with two double beds, a third bedroom with twin bunk beds, and three and a half bathrooms.  

Penthouse suite basics

The suite was split into three areas that each had their own main door and balcony access, with one-way doors separating each section. The kitchen area was the central living space, with the master suite on one side and two smaller bedrooms opposite. In other words, it was like have three adjoining rooms. 

The master suite features its own dedicated seating area/dining area, minifridge, balcony access, bathroom, and closet/wardrobe area with a vanity and full-length mirror. The second bedroom also had balcony access and a minifridge, but shared a wardrobe area and mirror with the third bedroom. 

The smallest bedroom is designed with young kids in mind. It features a twin trundle bunk bed and its own full bathroom with a shower/tub combination. This was the only bathtub in the penthouse suite, and lacked the luxurious feel of the soaking tub found in the Firesky Reserve Villas – but was perfect for scrubbing the kiddos clean of sand and ice cream.

My kids loved having their own room and bathroom. The bunk bed has an adventurous feel to it, thanks to the netting on the side. There’s a little shelf for each bed and a night light the kids can use to read. These beds would likely be too small for teens or adults, but are just the perfect for younger guests.  

Who should book a Beaches Negril Eventide Penthouse Suite

The three bedroom Eventide Penthouse suites can accommodate up to 12 guests, while the four bedroom option can hold 18. We were unable to view any of the other penthouse suites, but the layouts are very similar to what we stayed in.

There was at least one bathroom in each suite section and a pullout sofa in the kitchen/living room section. Theoretically, three parties could stay in the suite and opt to keep the areas separate; however, the middle section lacks shower access or a wardrobe, so this isn’t recommended. 

The suite’s layout is great for either large families or multi-generational groups that would benefit from some occassional privacy. Grandparents, for example, could take the master bedroom and just close the door when they need some quiet time away from the grandkids. Large families could stick all the children on one side of the suite (up to seven across the two bedrooms!) while the parents get some peace on their side. 

And if the kids accidentally lock the parents out, the adults can still get in via the balcony (I know this from lived experience). 

An ideal group size for this category would be six to nine guests, assuming at least two are children. While 12 would fit, it would mean some guests are sleeping on pullout sofas – that might be good for teen or adult children, or a solo family member or friend tagging along. In other words, someone who isn’t going to be annoyed about sleeping on a couch.   

Eventide pros and cons

The Eventide penthouse suites are massive, especially the central living area. They feature a fantastic kitchen and dining area, perfect for enjoying a private chef-prepared meal with a multi-gen family. The room comes with the nicest De’Longhi espresso maker I have ever used, as well as a full fridge, a wine cooler, and a pantry full of snacks. For a larger group that wants to spend private time together away from other resort guests, the Eventide suites are the best option on the property.

While all this space was certainly luxurious feeling, my family personally found the accommodations far too large for our purposes. It was a bit lonely! We would have preferred something like a two-bedroom family suite; that category still comes with a butler (which is fabulous) but it’s a bit more cozy. If we were sharing the suite with another family or my parents, the extra space would have felt more necessary.

The Eventide building is located near Calypso Cove, which is a quieter area of the resort. This comes with its benefits and drawbacks. On the one hand, it feels very private. The beach views are spectacular, and you have lots of space to lounge and play because most guests will be on the other end. The suites include either private loungers or a cabana too, so there’s always a place to sit – and your butlers will set the area up each day with fresh drinks, toys, and (if applicable) linens.

On the other hand, the building is far away from everything. It can feel a bit eerie being so secluded. Furthermore, if there’s a wedding happening, it’s going to be right beside you, and that can feel awkward. This is true of the Montpelier Buildings as well though.

There are also some quirks of the three-bedroom suite we stayed in. The door separating the master bedroom area from the central living area was very awkwardly placed. When it was open, it blocked the doorway to the bedroom and the wardrobe. But you couldn’t keep it closed either since it only opened from one side. 

Other little details raised our eyebrows: The vanity in the master suite didn’t have a mirror; the desk didn’t have a chair; there was a TV at head height above the banquette seating so you couldn’t sit there; and (this one might be our own incompetence) we couldn’t figure out how to use the shower without flooding the bathroom. These were all very minor points though, and I personally would book this accommodation again.

Firesky Reserve Villas

I had the opportunity to tour a Firesky Reserve Villa during my stay. These three and four room villas are located on the opposite end of the property from the Eventide building, and are closer to the amenities like the Aqua Center, the waterpark, and the child care facilities. 

The Firesky Reserve Villas are similar in design and even feature some of the same furniture and decor as the Eventide Penthouse Suites; however, they are a step up and the price reflects that. The decor is a bit more colorful, and the overall vibe is comfortable and fun. The rooms are a little bit nicer, the master bath includes a soaking tub, and each villa comes with its own small pool.

Firesky Reserve Villas: first impressions

The 3,700 sq. ft. villas feature four bedrooms across three stories. Like with the four-bedroom penthouse suite, the villas include a master bedroom with a king-sized bed as well as a bedroom with double trundle bunk beds. There is also a bedroom with two twin beds, or a “split king,” that has its own attached bathroom (and a vanity with a mirror!), as well as a fourth room with a queen bed.

The villas’ design is superior to the suites’. The rooms are smaller, but they feel spacious; overall, there’s less wasted space, and I didn’t encounter any annoying layout quirks. (Take this with a grain of salt: I might have discovered some if I stayed in the villa!)

The villas feature more common areas for guests to mingle. The main floor has a smaller living room and kitchen, which I personally prefer. There is another small recreation space on the top floor, complete with couch and TV. Each story has an outdoor space to enjoy; on the first floor, this is the pool and patio table, while the second and third floors have balconies.

Who should book a Beaches Negril Firesky Reserve Villa

The Firesky Reserve Villas are best for clients who will pay more to have a private, luxurious family vacation. Not only do guests get all the benefits of the Butler Elite status, but there’s also the private pool, the master bedroom soaking tub, and the close proximity to the Red Lane Spa The villas are nicer than the suites, and would be perfect for a mid- to large-sized family with older children.

Group size is a factor to consider when choosing between the villas and the suites. While they might seem larger than the Eventide suites because of the multiple floors, the rooms are actually smaller. The four-bedroom villa is rated for 10 guests maximum. The four-bedroom penthouse suite can fit as many as 18.

The penthouse suite is friendlier for multi-gen families travelling with small children. The double bunk beds in the villa are more welcoming to adults, but they aren’t as fun for the little ones. The stairs may be an issue for older travelers with mobility concerns as well, and potentially a safety concern for clumsy toddlers and preschoolers.

There’s also a bigger dining table in the suite than in the villa, and guests staying on the first and second floor have a patio table on the covered balcony – something to consider for guests likely to order food to their rooms (especially during rainy season).

Additionally, grandparents may prefer the suites for privacy – especially if they are paying for the trip. The villas’ bedrooms are separated by floors rather than the one-way doors, so you can’t section the areas off, and the master bedroom is on the second floor, right in the middle of the action.