I enjoyed my stay at White Sands. However, I thought I should share my experience because I think that you really need to know where you're going if you want to have a good time at White Sands. In simple words, some sections of this hotel are absolutely terrible! Therefore, if you're planning on going there make sure that you do not get any room in the "B" ocean side section. I booked my stay through Expedia and got one of these rooms, so be careful if you use Expedia. I went to White Sands expecting just the basic comfort, but these rooms are bellow everything I've ever seen! I complained and got a better room, which was still just basic. There are some really pretty rooms in the "C" section and in the garden side section. I recommend you book directly with Francis, the owner and request one of the afore mentioned rooms. I can tell you right now that they are booked next February.
What makes White Sands special is the people who stay there. They are mostly returning guest who already have a very nice relationship with owners and know which rooms to ask for. If you end up going there make sure you talk to the other guests: they make up for all the shortcomings of the hotel!
The hotel is at the best location on the beach: right in the center of it, so you can walk both ways.
Hotel restaurant is also basic, but the food they serve is pretty decent. Coffee is great and the French toast. However, prepare to wait.
Vendors on the beach can be annoying at times, but the beach is small and they get to know you soon, so they leave you alone. Of course, they can deceitful and play with you sometimes. For example, they engage you in seemingly disinterested conversation. However, at the end of every story they will ask you for money for something. However, people are nice and the more you know them, the nicer they will appear. Also, make sure you bargain, because otherwise they'll charge you whatever they want.
I would say you should try the patties they guy on the bike sells, but everyone finds out about them anyway. At some point, usually around 1 PM you will see scores of people moving towards the guy pushing a bike: that's a sign for you to run to him and get one of the delicious 1.5$ patties or coconut bread.
As far as the food is concerned you must try Erica's place, which is in the town. You can ask Francis about it. By far the best food in Negril, but not one of the fancy places. Cosmos on the beach is very good for seafood.
The bottom line is that I will be going back to Negril and to White Sands and would definitely recommend the place. However, if you can't compromise comfort, if you need television and heavy-duty air conditioning you should stay away.

I dislike staying at all-inclusive resorts & wanted to experience Negril for itself. After reading many reviews, I decided upon White Sands. As a solo, female traveler, I didn't know what to expect & was expecting the worse. I booked a roundtrip ticket with Jamaica Tours for about $40 to take me to/from the hotel & I had no problems. It was a very smooth transaction. Once I arrived at the hotel, I was able to check in with no problem where someone escorted me to my room. I was on the non-beach side & got the standard garden room. "Wow", I was really delighted of how spacious, clean the room was. Also, I had a refrigerator, balcony with a mango tree right in front of it. Yes, the sheets, blankets, etc...are a little outdated, but that did not matter since I was only there to sleep/shower. I rarely used the ac since there was a nice breeze from the ocean, but I would suggest bringing some type of radio/mp3 because there was no tv/radio. Some reviews said that the sheets/towels were not replaced everyday, I beg to differ because mine were. Even though there is no safety deposit box in the room (located in lobby), I felt very safe to leave my belongings in the room & felt very safe being a solo traveler. After walking along the beach & checking out other hotel beach fronts, I feel that White Sands had the best beach. So many hotels have built on that they are so close to the shore where White Sands had plenty of beach area from the bar to the shore. Overall, I loved this place & I can see why people keep coming back. I will definitely book here next time & hopefully its soon!!!

My cousin and I decided that our hubbies needed to take us back to Jamaica. We'd done the all-inclusive, big resorts a few times, but wanted something more homey and less expensive. Surfing the web, I came across White Sands. There were a lot of positive reviews and some negatives, but we decided to keep an open mind, and give it a try.

We had the BEST time there. It's older, and could use some updating, but our rooms were clean, the staff was friendly (except one lady at the desk - but I think that's just her personality), Francis was more then helpful, the food was good and the sea & beach were beautiful. What more could we ask for. Our only disappointment was that the main pool really needed work - but we just went to the beach.

We enjoyed it so much that we are coming back this summer, and bringing 4-other people with us, to stay in the villa.

If you want a laid back atmosphere, where you can meet some real Jamaicans, this is a good place. Since all we wanted to do was unwind, and chill - it was perfect for us.

My husband and I (age 25-29) booked a 3 night trip to Negril Jamaica online. I loved what i read about White Sands online. I wanted something really simple, I wanted to experience Jamaica, not be stuck somewhere in a All Inclusive Hotel with nothing around you. White Sands is perfect !! didn't matter where you walked along the beach, lotz of restaurants, bars, Live music every night somewhere around. Nice little shops to buy crafts and spices (a must to take home).
The beach is perfect for snorkeling, we went on a boat for abt 2 hours with one of the natives for abt 20 dollars each with the gear and everything, really amazing the ocean and the coral reef, we saw a huge stingray right beneath us :) Sooo amazing.
The rooms are simple, and that's all you need... we where out right after we woke up anyways. U have a fridge to put drinks and fruits in. Simple bathroom and little balcony. Defiantly recommend it to anyone who is just looking for a perfect getaway !!
Staff is great to. Tip the bartender and your drinks get nice and strong ;)
Enjoy