Resting on Negril’s famed Seven Mile Beach, the AAA Four Diamond hotel is a gourmet all-inclusive property offering butler service, swim-up suites, nine restaurants, seven pools and a luxury spa. For many, all-inclusive resorts mean average accommodations, lackluster food, watered-down drinks and over-crowded public spaces. But this is what Azul is hoping to change; the idea that all-inclusive can’t also be high-end.
The hotel is located behind a private gated area with 24-hour security, giving guests an extra level of safety while staying at the resort. Upon arrival, guests are treated to a Champagne welcome and an easy check-in process done while sitting on comfy chairs rather than at a front desk.
When it comes to accommodations, the resort has 285 guestrooms which includes a newly-debuted 149-room premium section. This all-suite portion (some with swim-up patios) comes with king-sized beds, terraces with loungers, full-size liquor bottles (one of our favorite perks!) and a fully-stocked mini bar with snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of mixers.
One area where Azul really ups the all-inclusive game is with its dining choices. The property has nine restaurants, many of which use locally-sourced ingredients, and offer a variety of cuisines such as Thai, Caribbean, Italian and Mediterranean. Having experienced just about every restaurant, it’s easy to say that there’s not a bad eatery on site. At Hua Hin, guests can dine on contemporary Far East cuisine inside an elegant dining room dressed in East Asian décor. The atmosphere itself is fun and sexy while the food is flavorful and eclectic; a far cry from the typical all-inclusive fare.
When you’re not dining on fresh seafood and Jamaican fare, there is also plenty keep you busy. Along with seven pools (including kid’s areas), guests have access to the on-site watersports center where they can book a variety of activities for the day such as kayaks, paddleboards, boogie boards, canoes or Hobie Cats. There are land activities like ping pong; beach volleyball; basketball courts; yoga, dance and cooking classes; and a kid’s center for children aged 3-12. Of course, we wouldn’t judge you if choose simply to grab a floatie and spend the afternoon soaking up the sun in the island’s clear blue waters.
