My new wife and I had never been to Jamaica before and were apprehensive when we landed at the Montego Bay Airport and endured the bus trip to Negril. However, from the second we stepped into the Swept Away Resort our worries vanished. I’ve been to other all inclusive resorts in Tulum, Cozumel, and Cancun but none can compare. It was truly paradise. The grounds, the rooms, the food, the entertainment, the beach, the restaurants, the people, the sports facilities, the bars were all exceptional. We seem to float about in a dream for the first two days (we were there for 5 days) and then still couldn’t get over how wonderful, peaceful and beautiful the place is.
Some specifics: The grounds were constantly being maintained. We were told Swept Away is 12 years old. It looked brand new. Paths wind their way along the 10 acres of the beach side of the resort (there is an another 10 acres of sports facilities across the street). Palm trees, exotic flowers, manicured grass, a fountain, gazebo for weddings and land scape lights separate each of the four room bungalos. We had a garden view room (middle price range) that had an incredible view, even without the ocean.
The rooms are beautiful, with tile floors, red wood venetian blinds, comfortable king size bed with a ceiling fan, a spacious bathroom, with a walk-in shower for two, and AC if you want. An open veranda that was at the same time private due to the palm trees and other tropical foliage surrounding it. We woke each morning to the sound of the ocean and a breeze that constantly blew. The food was constant, varied, tasted great and always decoratively presented. The main dining room was spacious and comfortable while the exclusive restaurant “Feathers” was more intimate and the food even better. We didn’t think that was possible. This is not kids’ food. The service was exceptional. Drinks were great and they could make almost any type of mixed drink. Their specialty was tropical drinks of course and tasted better when they went easy on the rum, which you had to ask for.
Swept Away is a couples only sports resort with tennis, racketball, squash courts, gigantic weight room, aerobics room, spas, massage facilities, jacuzzis, running track. All separate (across the road) from the rest of the resort and always available. The clinics (tennis, racketball, massage, weight lifting, aerobics, yoga….) were taught by resident experts and professionals flown in from all over. There were classes for beginners, intermediate and expert in all subjects. Just not enough time to take full advantage.
The beach…undescribeable. Clean, warm water, surf that doesn’t knock you down, sand that is a soft, pure white massage on your feet. The resort has snorkeling, scuba (including a resort certification for beginners), wind surfing, skiing, padel boats all included in the package. If you don’t know how to do some of this stuff, they would teach you. The instructors were professional, patient and personable.
The professional entertainment at dinner was different and enjoyable each night. We especially enjoyed the Heritage Culture Dancing and Singing and Regaee contest. (Mainly because this two-stepping couple from Texas won.) Swept Away also does not overwhelm you with structure entertainment. You can pick and choose when you want to attend clinics, tours or outings. There was always something going on that you could join in with, but no over acting hyperactive entertainment director.
Privacy. Swept Away is a couples only resort, no kids and no single males on the hunt. You can stay off by yourselves or easily meet other couples for activities, dancing, eating or whatever. The beach isn’t clothing optional, but a few chose to anyway and no one bothered them. The folks seem to be mostly middle age and surprisingly not overly athletic. We went in May and there wasn’t a crowd. Maybe we waited in the buffet line for 1-2 minutes at each meal. They said it was more crowded in December.
I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the picture. Listening to other couples on the flight back, they had good stories about their resorts but usually one or two negative things to say also. We definitely will go back and stay at Swept Away again. If you have older kids, you aren’t out of luck either. Just next door but separated by about 100 meters of beach and more tropical vegetatian is a resort (Beaches) that caters to families. Parents could stay at Swept Away while the kids stay at Beaches. Our kids will be 12, 14 and 17 when we go back and that’s our plan. They’ll get their private time and so will we, but we can share this Jamaican dream together too.
Swept Away has a web page. Check it out, the pictures and write ups are accurate. I would recommend the Garden view rooms (middle price range) but even the Atrium view seem to be nice inside, just closer to the road and more in a small motel pattern than the bungaloo style of the garden and beach view.
