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N-Resort Trip Report
#18675
02/28/2013 03:03 PM
02/28/2013 03:03 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 9
BruceS
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Posts: 9
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I just returned home from a week at N-resort and thought I would post my impressions.
First off, the resort buildings remind me of many Up North Wisconsin resorts. The rooms are all finished in knotty pine and have massive beams. Like most resorts we see in Up North Wisconsin, the resort is showing some age (I do not think this is necessarily bad). I spoke to other guests from Michigan and Canada, and we all had the same impression. The guests from Michigan thought it looked like Up North Michigan, the guests from Canada thought it looked like every fishing resort in Canada.
Being this is an older resort, the plantings around the resort have had a chance to mature. This means the grounds are lush. They have many types of tropical plants around the resort. The gardener is very proud of his work (and should be), and will be happy to show you around and talk about it. I won't go into detail, but if you go, be sure to look around and talk to the gardener.
They have a nice beach. You would never confuse it with Orient Beach, but it is head and shoulders above the beach at Hidden Beach. It was a white sand beach, with a gentle slope into the water. There are a few rocks, but nothing that can't be avoided. Nobody needed water shoes to go into the ocean. The water was calm in the morning, and I was able to use one of the available kayaks then, but by early afternoon, the water was too rough for that. There was never a problem swimming in the surf. The resort had workers on the beach all day, raking up the seaweed.
The pool is large enough that early in the day, people could swim laps (not me, that's too much like work). They have a large slide, which is a blast. A common activity is a slide compition to see who can slide down the fastest. The fastest time I saw was 5.5 seconds, my best was 6.02 seconds. There was daily volley ball played in the pool.
I think the food was great. I tried to stick to local foods, so I ate a lot of seafood, jerked meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables. I ate in the Italian resturant one evening and had a seafood pasta, which was very good. Most evenings I ate in the main dining room. On Jamaica night we ate Curried Goat, Braised Oxtail and breaded Conch, it was delightful. They have a different menu for each night in the main dining room. If you go, be sure to try the Blackened Snapper the night it is offered, it was superb. The liquor was good and plentiful.
The people working at the resort are all friendly and helpful. They want their guests to be treated just as good as anyone staying at the large resorts. We rode a large bus from the airport. N-Resort is the first stop the bus makes. Because they have a small driveway, the bus driver wanted to drop us off on the street outside of the resort. The gate keeper told the bus driver in no uncertain terms that he had to drive in, we were not to be treated as second class just because this is a small older place. We were properly delivered to the front door and greeted with beer and rum punch, the same as other all inclusive naturist resorts we have been to. We got our keys, and then had to wait for someone to take our bags, they would not allow us to carry them because we the guests.
I am sure that I have missed something, but that is all I can think of now.
All told, it was a delightful time, and we will go back.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: BruceS]
#18676
03/01/2013 01:15 PM
03/01/2013 01:15 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Nice review. We also spent a week there, 14-21, and our review is posted under N-Holidays Resort. You certainly captured a lot of the positive features of the resort. We also will go back.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: sand]
#18679
03/01/2013 05:21 PM
03/01/2013 05:21 PM
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Anonymous
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It's in Falmouth, Jamaica, about 45 mins from Sangster airport, Montego Bay. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
#18680
03/01/2013 09:03 PM
03/01/2013 09:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
chazo
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: mickeyandmary]
#18683
03/03/2013 05:35 PM
03/03/2013 05:35 PM
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Anonymous
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We booked through Expedia and flew Westjet from Toronto. There are recent reviews on N- Holidays Resorts as well as a comprehensive thread on the Falmouth forum on Tripadvisor. Ask on.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
#18684
03/03/2013 06:50 PM
03/03/2013 06:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
chazo
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
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We booked in December via Expedia and have booked a trip in May via Travelocity. In both cases we booked a vacation package including airfare and it was considerably cheaper than any other option. The package discount was over $400 in both cases.
In Expedia, you can search on the home page for N Resort Falmouth and you can find the hotel page. If you are booking a vacation package, tell it you want to travel to Falmouth, Jamaica and it will take you right to N Resort.
On Travelocity, for any search of Jamaica hotels, enter "natural" for "Hotel name contains" and it will take you right to it. Lately, Travelocity has taken to giving me an initial page of "choice" Jamaica hotels first and I have to hit View More Hotels to see more than that first 10.
I very much hope others will find this resort and book it. We loved our trip and are heading back for a longer one. But, with occupancy so low, I don't see how then can be that long for the world and their marketing is PATHETIC, so not many people know about this resort. When we went, the first thing people would always ask when you met was "how did you find out about this place?"
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: Halfwindy]
#18686
03/03/2013 08:28 PM
03/03/2013 08:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 115
banude
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 115
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We visited in February. The beach walk is fine, but it's not a gorgeous, idyllic romp on a secluded, amazing beach. You've read that there are boys raking the beach at the resort all day long to clear the seaweed, right? There isn't anybody doing that on this 2 mile beach walk.... We made a point of checking the tide tables and taking our walks at low tide, at least then you can walk on clean, wet sand rather than seaweed and trash. Inland of most of the beach walk is dilapidated buildings, chain link fencing, or thick overgrowth. I would say at it's widest point at low tide, the sand is probably 20' between the water and the bushes, fences, trash and seaweed. We enjoyed it enough to do it twice, but it wasn't because of the scenery, we did it because we could walk nude on the beach for 2 miles.
Oh, and by the reports we heard, the snorkeling is pathetic. Don't plan on much. We're SCUBA divers, so we don't get too spun up about snorkeling, but even the people that made the effort came back sorely disappointed. We were on the 2nd floor of block 10, which gave us a nice view into the calm waters, and as far as I'd be comfortable swimming out to sea it was nothing more than sand and sea grass. There may be an opportunity to go out on a snorkel boat to a better area, but what was just off the resort beach didn't look good for snorkeling.
Last edited by banude; 03/03/2013 08:31 PM.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: banude]
#18687
03/03/2013 08:51 PM
03/03/2013 08:51 PM
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Anonymous
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Snorkeling is great in a pool. As a Scuba Diver, I get all worked up about snorkeling because there is great freedom in no tanks, weights, BC, etc not to mention the safety risk that we all train for with diving. I only love Scuba when there is something to see that I can not surface dive to. I've never scuba dove naked, but I have snorkeled.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: Halfwindy]
#18690
03/04/2013 12:15 PM
03/04/2013 12:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
chazo
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
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Halfwindy said: The newest review on Trip Advisor Falmouth states that there were 60 people staying there the week it was reviewed. That's a lot more than when we stayed there. That's 10 times as many as when we were there. But, it's also less than 30% occupancy during high season, which is bad. Meanwhile, Hidden Beach is sold out (and is much more expensive) and Club Orient is sold out in all but two room categories. They really need to learn how to market this place properly.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: banude]
#18692
03/04/2013 02:03 PM
03/04/2013 02:03 PM
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Anonymous
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banude said: Theme nights are listed on the website, there's a theme for every night. During our stay, I'd estimate that 20% of the guests dressed according to the theme. That's because the others were there NOT to dress. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: Halfwindy]
#18694
03/04/2013 03:18 PM
03/04/2013 03:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
chazo
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Posts: 130
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Halfwindy said: If I'm not mistaken, N is still run by the Jamaican government. Name a government that knows anything about business. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Unless it has been sold (there are rumors), the property is owned by the Development Bank of Jamaica. It is in receivership. They have been trying to sell it for several years now (anyone got $10M to spend?) They are leasing it to Franklin D. Rance, who is running it. He originally built it as FDR Pebbles resort and owned it before it was taking into receivership and I assume they figure they are better off letting him continue to run the resort rather than letting it go empty (and return to nature pretty quickly). Rance is the same guy as FDR Resort and if you book N, you will do so through the FDR Resort people. I would assume that, since it could be sold at any time, that they don't want to invest in marketing. I think that's an unwise choice, since they could likely be filling the resort more in the short term and maybe buy it back (they owed $4.5M, BTW). Interestingly enough, the resort had been for sale at http://www.liquidateitja.com/properties.php for a couple years, but is not listed now. That may be a sign it has been sold. Gleaner article about the property (early 2012)
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: BruceS]
#18695
03/06/2013 08:43 PM
03/06/2013 08:43 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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My wife and I are going to the N resort in April. What to people wear for dinner and the entertainment at nite
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
#18696
03/06/2013 09:24 PM
03/06/2013 09:24 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I had these same questions before we visited in February. What we found was that there was a pretty wide range of attire for dinner, but the vast majority of couples were wearing shorts and shirt on the men and a dress, shorts or coverups on the ladies. There were very few that were nude at dinner, or even topless. Most wore clothing that could pass at any tropical resort. My wife wore sheer coverups with some structure and fit right in, I wore shorts and a light resort style shirt.
There is a list of the theme nights on the N website, but we found very few that dressed in accordance with the themes. For breakfast and lunch, towels, wraps, bathrobes or nude was the norm.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
#18698
03/07/2013 05:18 PM
03/07/2013 05:18 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Thanks for the information concerning the dress code. I prefer to be nude all the time but I guess I will have to go with the flow. We went to Sorobon years ago and nude was the norm.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
#18700
03/07/2013 08:11 PM
03/07/2013 08:11 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous said:
Thanks for the information concerning the dress code. I prefer to be nude all the time but I guess I will have to go with the flow. We went to Sorobon years ago and nude was the norm. If being nude is your preference, since it is a " nude resort", it is important to the integrity of the resort and it's future to uphold that standard. We are of your mind, and do wonder how younger people, perhaps less confident, are encouraged to feel comfortable in their skin when others are textiled. The flow may be negative. Hope you have a lovely time.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
#18703
03/09/2013 06:57 AM
03/09/2013 06:57 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 590 England
tiger79
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 590
England
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Anonymous said:
Thanks for the information concerning the dress code. I prefer to be nude all the time but I guess I will have to go with the flow. We went to Sorobon years ago and nude was the norm. Ah, Sorobon was the most relaxed naturist resort! We still can't understand why it changed to textile; what a shame. Just thankful for the many happy stays there when it was naturist.
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Re: not a dress code at all
[Re: chazo]
#18704
03/09/2013 02:23 PM
03/09/2013 02:23 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Where on the web can I find the {Nudist wear}. Going to the N resort and want to buy something sexy for my wife
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: tiger79]
#18705
03/09/2013 04:23 PM
03/09/2013 04:23 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Another vote for Sorobon, where textiles were not considered. Naturism is so much easier.
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Re: not a dress code at all
[Re: banude]
#18706
03/09/2013 06:08 PM
03/09/2013 06:08 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 285 North Carolina, USA
sand
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 285
North Carolina, USA
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banude said: One asked where we purchased the dress she was wearing.
Where did you purchase it?
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Re: not a dress code at all
[Re: sand]
#18708
03/09/2013 07:07 PM
03/09/2013 07:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 115
banude
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Posts: 115
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sand said:banude said: One asked where we purchased the dress she was wearing.
Where did you purchase it? I bought almost everything on eBay, probably 15 outfts and 4 pairs of shoes. Most things I bought were only around $20 each. The one that she liked the best was a very thin gauze-like above the knee peasant dress with a rope tie around her waist. It flattered her shape very well and was very light and breezy. She liked wearing something to dinner because she didn't need to carry a towel with her and the outfits she wore made the vinyl cushions on the chairs more comfortable.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: Canadianeh]
#18709
03/09/2013 07:41 PM
03/09/2013 07:41 PM
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Anonymous
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We used to rent a car and drive all over the Jamaican countryside/plantation areas in the 70's and walk all over Montego Bay. We never felt a hint of threat day or evening. I guess the Brits has things under control. Haven't been back since, heading mostly to the Virgins and St Maarten. I guess greater independence hasn't resulted in greater tourism safety. We do plan to go to Jamaica but expect the dash from the airport to resort confinement.
Haiti is the sameway now. We stopped in Cap Haiten and took the trip up the Citadel and mingled in town. Very impoverished country but did not feel threatened. Now the cruise ships go to a guarded, fenced compound-------no thanks for caged fun.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: banude]
#18712
03/09/2013 07:56 PM
03/09/2013 07:56 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Geeeeeeez, that makes me feel better.
I know wayback the Brits in Africa used to send in squads from the Motherland to take guys out.
I guess I miss the fairy tale of 40-50 years ago. I didn'trealize howthey kept order I just know there was order. Like I said greater freedom hasn't broughtgreater safety.
Throughout the Caribean, I'd say things not as controlled as in the past. Not only governing freedom but successive generations may have bred some resentment of their economoic condition and the tourism industry (by some) that they don't want to grow up and be our taxi drivers and maids.
I love the Caribbean and I wish all of the peoples the best ---they defintely have a bit of paradise we do not.
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
#18713
03/11/2013 12:39 PM
03/11/2013 12:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 251 Toronto, Ontario
Kevin_B
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Posts: 251
Toronto, Ontario
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Next week will be our 3rd trip to N in 3 years. The first 2 years their website said that that coverups WERE required in the dining rooms. The first year, Freddy the GM told me that you had to wear "something" in the restaurants. Last year, his attitude was "whatever, do as you please!!" Our friends just came back last week and had travelled with just their airplane clothes. They said that each room had a printed sheet on the table saying that coverups were NO LONGER required in the restaurants, and that they had a stack of clean "bum-towels" at the entrance to each dining room and a bin for used ones. Their website now says Coverups were NOT required. I will be going with only my travel clothes!
Kevin
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Re: N-Resort Trip Report
[Re: BruceS]
#18714
04/29/2013 06:07 PM
04/29/2013 06:07 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Just got back from 6 days at the N resort. Great everything. People do dress for dinner. Wish we were still there. We will go back
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