We just returned from a a very relaxing stay at Crystal Waters in Negril, Jamaica. The property, which includes 10 cottages, is located on the famous 7-mile Negril Beach. The beach was wonderful, with powdery soft white sand and crystal clear water. Thatch huts, deck chairs, hammocks, and benches are provided on the beach and around the pool. There is even a small play area for the kids. A security guard is on duty on the beach throughout the day.

The owners and staff are very friendly and helpful. The cottages are well-appointed, very clean and quite comfortable. Each cottage comes with a house-keeper/cook who cleans and prepares up to three meals a day. However, you do have to provide your own food which can be purchased from the grocery stores in town which is a short drive from the property (taxis are available). Vendors also come to the property on certain days with fresh vegetables/fruit and seafood for sale and your housekeeper/cook can purchase these items for you. There are also several resturants available (many within walking distance) along the beach where you can get authentic Jamaican cuisine. Cosmos, located about two miles from Crystal Waters, is a good value. Jimmy Buffet's Margaretaville is located next door for those who want to do more than lounge on the beach. Also visit Rick's Cafe on the Westend for a specatacular sunset and to watch divers jump off the cliffs into the deep blue water. You can even take a dive yourself.

We had a great time at Crystal Waters and would definitely go back again.

Visit: April 2006
What a lovely vacation! What a lovely place! Crystal Waters sits on a nice piece of property on 7-mile beach. What makes this place truly special are the staff. Nehru and Ena (owners) will do all they can to accomodate, our cook Cathy was wonderful, the gardner worked hard and had the grounds looking beautiful, and Kemel (sp?) and Clifton the security guards watched out for us. When we were visiting, Clifton had the day shift. He had my beach chair waiting for me every day, kept away any beach hustlers while I was tanning, jerked chicken for us one night after his shift, and always met us with a smile.

One of the many reasons we decided to try Crystal Waters was that a cook was provided and Nehru assured me that they could accomodate my dietary needs. I cannot eat gluten, so I wanted to be sure that my meals were gluten free. Nehru told me that they were not familiar with this, but all I had to do was tell them and they would do whatever I needed. I emailed them some basics about my diet and figured I would give more specifics when I arrived. Once we arrived and settled in we met Ena in the office. She assured me of what they knew about eating gluten-free and I was TOTALLY impressed. She said that we had Cathy as our cook who was already versed on my diet and would check with me if she had any questions. Cathy cooked wonderful dishes. In fact we went out to eat a few times, but stopped because the food that Cathy cooked was SO MUCH BETTER!!! Cathy made a modified jerk chicken for me, lobster, shrimp, and red snapper escovitch to name a few yummy dishes. Actually, when I was checking out Nehru told me that another lady was checking in soon who required gluten-free foods and had other food allergies.

Tips/Ideas that I found helpful
There is a decent size pool, kid wading pool, and whirl pool (not hot when we were there)
There are hammocks on the beach, shaded beach areas, and I always saw people able to get a beach/lounge chair whenever they came to the beach (I've stayed at places where you have to race to the beach to save your daily beach chair)
Just about every day the fish man came and a few times a week the fruit/vegetable man came. We just gathered around the truck and picked out what we wanted (or you can have your cook do this and she will give you the bill- you pay cash).
Also, I would check with your cook what foods she can get for you before going to the grocery store. If she gets foods/drinks for you, you will have to pay cash. If you are going to do this, then take plenty of cash.
I would also take small bills too because most times you pay with US money you will receive JA money back.
I would check with your cook what foods she needs to make certain dishes before going to the grocery store. There is a grocery store in town that accepts visa/master card. It has snacks, pop, beer, rum, veggies, fruits, meats, ect.
Eventhough there isn't a restaurant/bar at Crystal Waters you don't need one here. On both sides - steps away (honest) there are places to eat and drink.
In the kitchen there is a microwave, blender, stove/oven, fridge/freezer, coffee maker, dishes, pots/pans, glasses, and silverware -everything you need.
There is a computer/internet access available
There is a washer and dryer available

We had such a relaxing, wonderful time we are booked to go back in five months!!!

Crystal Waters will forever be remembered as my home in Jamaica. I really did not know what to expect when I arrived. What a pleasant surprise and to know that we had two weeks ahead of us here left me pinching myself. My sister and I took my mom here to celebrate her 60th birthday and a freidn came along.

Nestled on the world famous Negril beaches, this resort provides the laid back, down-home Jamaica feel. The villas are middle road in terms of style, but you get far more than in any typical hotel. Our villa had two bedrooms and two baths. We also had a living room, dining area and kitchen. This surely beats any hotel. One of the best parts of our trip was our cook, Annette, a lovely lady. Upon arrival, she had dinner all prepared and there were sodas and red stripes in the fridge. As we arrived late, Annette left us to unwind and unpack and enjoy our dinner. We also had enough food for breakfast which Annette cooked for us when we woke in the morning. This was arranged prior to our arrival and you do pay for it as food is not included. We arranged with the transfer bus driver to make a stop at a supermarket in Montego Bay and had plenty of food and drinks which we could have gotten in Negril.

After dinner, we went to the beach for the traditional Negril watching of the sunset. As Negril is on the Western tip of Jamaica, the sunsets are truly incredible. One night we watched the sunset in the west and looking inland at the east, saw a beautiful rainbow. Simply unbelieveable sights that words cannot begin to explain.

The staff at this establishment is truly awesome. Clifford and Camel (spelling?) were our guards and Camel even cooked some jerk chicken for us one night. Someone was always on the grounds and down at the beach to make sure that no one was trespassing or bothering us. If you wanted something from the many beach hustlers, all you needed to do was ask the guard on duty and he would know who to ask on the beach.

The beach was awesome. Everyone gets to walk on all of the beaches in Negril, but the Crysal Waters prohibits anyone but guests from hanging out or sunbathing. There are a number of grass huts and beach chairs that you can use as well. The pool is somewhat small and not the best, but in reality who needs tht when you have the incredible Carribean Crystal Waters to bathe in. I could not see using a pool anyway.

This family establishment is owned and managed by Nehru who is very willing to accomadate all of your needs. He is fredindly and he and his office staff are helpful and courteous. They can arrange cabs rides, day trips, and more. Nehru's style is laid back but very professional. The customer service is excellent, top-notch and truly like nothing I have ever experienced anywhere else.

Aside from some noise from Marguaritaville next store, there really is not anything that I can complain about. Although food is not provided, you can take cabs into town, or have your hosekeeper/cook take care of it for you. (By the way, not only do you get a cook all day, but she cleans as well. And Annette was awesome in both departments.) A vegetable truck and a food truck came by twice a week as well. One night we got lobsters and Annette made us a delicious dish. Your cook can provide traditional Jamacian flare, or more traditional dishes or just about anything you want. If she des not know how to make a request, she will ask you how to prepare it. It is good to coordinate your shopping list with her.

Our first week was spent just vegging out and hanging at Crystal Waters. Jimmy Buffet's place is next door and other beach bars up and down. We also spent a night up on the cliffs and a day as well. There is lots to do up the cliffs as well and some of the bars have spots where you can jump from the cliffs, or swim and snorkel. The second week, Nehru arranged some tours for us and we went to YS falls, Appelton Estates, and the Black River.

I cannot wait to return. I dream of this place. I stayed in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and several places in Negril, all-inclusives and bargain basement. However, nothing was like the stay at Crystal Waters and any trip to Jamaica will land us right back there, our little home in Jamaica. Be sure to check out the pictures!

We literally just returned from a week at Crystal Waters (my wife, 10 month old daughter and I). We stayed in one of the smaller one bedroom villas. If you are looking for posh accomodations with all the amenities, Crystal Waters is probably not for you. But if you want a nice simple and friendly place to stay right on 7 mile beach than this is for you. The owners and staff are incredibly warm and friendly. Because it is such a small place, they know everyone by name. One day, we left a burp cloth at the beach...it was delivered to us at our villa a half hour later! I certainly would never have missed the burb cloth, but its nice to know that if it were something more significant, it would have found its way back to us.

By far the best feature of Crystal Waters was the housekeeper/cook. Ours (Tamoy) was great. She prepared wonderful meals each day, helped us with shopping and getting fresh fruits/veggies and fish. This is what makes staying here so luxurious feeling, to know that you can return from a day at the beach and have a warm home cooked meal waiting on the stove for you.

The villas themselves are nice, small, but comfortable. There is an airconditioner in the bedroom only which we ran for a total of one hour the entire week. Ceiling fans more than kept us comfortable (maybe asking a bit much in August, but for January it was great).

So, the downsides...you need a lot of cash (there are ATM's though, so you don't have to bring it all with you). There is a 10% service charge which you pay at the end of your stay in cash, also, any stuff they buy for you (meat, fish, fruits, veggies, water etc.) must be reimbursed in cash. They also stock the place for your arrival with some basics and have dinner ready the first day as well (Tips on this--my wife is a vegetarian which we informed them of in advance, so the first night's meal was fish--also they bought sodas for us which we don't drink and so on request, they took them back and credited the bill for us). If you go shopping for yourself, you can use a credit card at the market. Last gripe, our villa was closest to the street and apparently the young people of Negril fancy themselves road racers at night which gets a little noisy. On the other hand, the villas near the water are right next to Margueritaville which isn't always too quiet either).

Bottom line...if you want a nice relaxing Negril vacagtion, than this place is great!