Negril: June 2006 Trip Report
Jun 22nd, 2006, 07:58 AM
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Negril: June 2006 Trip Report
My boyfriend and I just returned from our 8 day trip to Negril, planned with help from many on this Board. Thanks so much again!
We first stayed at the Rockhouse, which we absolutely loved. The setting was perfect -- the warm water in lovely shades of blue, always finding a lounge chair and umbrella on a secluded, rocky cliff, and the rooms both stylish and thoughtful. We stayed in a premium villa for two nights and a standard room for two nights (all they had available). We loved both. I highly recommend Rockhouse, and I can honestly say that it exceeded our very high expectations. The staff is wonderful and the pace relaxed. We can't wait to return.
Because the premium villa was a bit over our budget, we wanted to save on the second hotel. We sadly left Rockhouse and went to the beach to the White Sands. It was immediately clear that it was not for us. Our room, which was on the beach side, was dirty, smelly, and tiny. We feel unsafe -- we were close to the road, there was no security guard, and the lock was flimsy. I've heard the rooms on the garden side were nicer, but we wanted to stay on the beach. We quickly checked out and went to Coco La Palm, which had rooms available. We wanted to go to Idle Awhile, based in large part on the recommendations on this board, but we would have had to move each night. But they are all on the same part of the beach, which is the nicest stretch of beach in my opinion. CLP is nice - we stayed in room 828 which is on the more run-down side of the property. But it was worlds away from White Sands, and we were fine with the accommodations. They do not have umbrellas, which was very important to me, and we sat under the trees, which would have been nice except for the ants. CLP is a clean, pleasant place to stay. The staff is great. I wouldn't go back - nothing really stands out - but it did the job. We learned a lot about our travel selves on this trip -- apparently, we don't just want a "room by the beach"; we want charm and a good deal. That's what we found at Rockhouse, and we'll definitley be going back.
For food, we really enjoyed ourselves, and took a lot of recommendations from the Board and tripadvisor. We went to the following restaurants:
ROCKHOUSE -- we really liked it here. The jerk chicken by the pool was great, the coconut shrimp in the restaurant was divine. The service is wonderful and the view beautiful. A definite recommend.
THREE DIVES -- My boyfriend loved the curried goat; it was his second favorite meal. I found the jerk a little dry, but the rustic experience was cool.
SIPS AND BITES -- next to the Rockhouse, great for a jamaican breakfast. Yum!
HUNGRY LION -- food was fine, not outstanding, but certainly flavorful. Nice change from the Rockhouse, but not a must-do.
KUBAYA -- I'm not sure what all the fuss was about. I found the food expensive and uninspired. Just ok. And when we were asked to rate the restaurant on a piece of paper, the manager came to quiz me about why I put a "3." Didn't I like my food? It may have been a culture thing, but I didn't like it.
NORMA'S -- we really liked our meal here. I had a grilled snapper which was nice and my boyfriend had the coconut chicken. If you're going to eat on the beach and want something a little fancy, I'd recommend here. Contrary to other posts, the prices are pretty much the same as other places.
IDLE AWHILE -- had lunch here. Just ok.
MISS SONIA'S PATTIES -- delicious! Again, a pretty rustic setting, but so good! She makes them from scratch and we loved our lunch.
SWEET SPICE -- My brown stew fish was delicious! This was a basic, good meal.
For an excursion, we took everyone's recommendation and used Talk of the Town to the Black River Safari Deluxe. THANK YOU ALL!! It was a hilight of the trip -- the guides were amazing (Sienna and Soloman) and the perfect hosts. We had Captain Dennis, who showed us dolphins and crocodiles. This was an intimate trip and we loved it. On our way back to Negril, we stopped and ate off the road at SCOTT'S COVE. That was really great -- grilled fish, corn, shrimps, bread called "festival," lots of spices.
Thanks, everyone, for your recommendations. It was my fourth trip to Jamaica, second to Negril, and I again loved the people, the sea, and the food. Now I get to add Rockhouse to my list! It took the usual time to get used to the constant asking for "smokes," but these are definitely salesmen who can take no for an answer.
Lynne
We first stayed at the Rockhouse, which we absolutely loved. The setting was perfect -- the warm water in lovely shades of blue, always finding a lounge chair and umbrella on a secluded, rocky cliff, and the rooms both stylish and thoughtful. We stayed in a premium villa for two nights and a standard room for two nights (all they had available). We loved both. I highly recommend Rockhouse, and I can honestly say that it exceeded our very high expectations. The staff is wonderful and the pace relaxed. We can't wait to return.
Because the premium villa was a bit over our budget, we wanted to save on the second hotel. We sadly left Rockhouse and went to the beach to the White Sands. It was immediately clear that it was not for us. Our room, which was on the beach side, was dirty, smelly, and tiny. We feel unsafe -- we were close to the road, there was no security guard, and the lock was flimsy. I've heard the rooms on the garden side were nicer, but we wanted to stay on the beach. We quickly checked out and went to Coco La Palm, which had rooms available. We wanted to go to Idle Awhile, based in large part on the recommendations on this board, but we would have had to move each night. But they are all on the same part of the beach, which is the nicest stretch of beach in my opinion. CLP is nice - we stayed in room 828 which is on the more run-down side of the property. But it was worlds away from White Sands, and we were fine with the accommodations. They do not have umbrellas, which was very important to me, and we sat under the trees, which would have been nice except for the ants. CLP is a clean, pleasant place to stay. The staff is great. I wouldn't go back - nothing really stands out - but it did the job. We learned a lot about our travel selves on this trip -- apparently, we don't just want a "room by the beach"; we want charm and a good deal. That's what we found at Rockhouse, and we'll definitley be going back.
For food, we really enjoyed ourselves, and took a lot of recommendations from the Board and tripadvisor. We went to the following restaurants:
ROCKHOUSE -- we really liked it here. The jerk chicken by the pool was great, the coconut shrimp in the restaurant was divine. The service is wonderful and the view beautiful. A definite recommend.
THREE DIVES -- My boyfriend loved the curried goat; it was his second favorite meal. I found the jerk a little dry, but the rustic experience was cool.
SIPS AND BITES -- next to the Rockhouse, great for a jamaican breakfast. Yum!
HUNGRY LION -- food was fine, not outstanding, but certainly flavorful. Nice change from the Rockhouse, but not a must-do.
KUBAYA -- I'm not sure what all the fuss was about. I found the food expensive and uninspired. Just ok. And when we were asked to rate the restaurant on a piece of paper, the manager came to quiz me about why I put a "3." Didn't I like my food? It may have been a culture thing, but I didn't like it.
NORMA'S -- we really liked our meal here. I had a grilled snapper which was nice and my boyfriend had the coconut chicken. If you're going to eat on the beach and want something a little fancy, I'd recommend here. Contrary to other posts, the prices are pretty much the same as other places.
IDLE AWHILE -- had lunch here. Just ok.
MISS SONIA'S PATTIES -- delicious! Again, a pretty rustic setting, but so good! She makes them from scratch and we loved our lunch.
SWEET SPICE -- My brown stew fish was delicious! This was a basic, good meal.
For an excursion, we took everyone's recommendation and used Talk of the Town to the Black River Safari Deluxe. THANK YOU ALL!! It was a hilight of the trip -- the guides were amazing (Sienna and Soloman) and the perfect hosts. We had Captain Dennis, who showed us dolphins and crocodiles. This was an intimate trip and we loved it. On our way back to Negril, we stopped and ate off the road at SCOTT'S COVE. That was really great -- grilled fish, corn, shrimps, bread called "festival," lots of spices.
Thanks, everyone, for your recommendations. It was my fourth trip to Jamaica, second to Negril, and I again loved the people, the sea, and the food. Now I get to add Rockhouse to my list! It took the usual time to get used to the constant asking for "smokes," but these are definitely salesmen who can take no for an answer.
Lynne
Jun 22nd, 2006, 08:28 AM
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Thank you for posting your trip report. We're going there next month, staying at Idle Awhile. We'd love to stay at the Rockhouse but we're with our 4-year-old on this trip.
We're using Talk of the Town for our excursions so it's great to keep hearing great stuff about them.
All the restaurants you mentioned are on our list. So we'll see how we like them.
Thanks again!
We're using Talk of the Town for our excursions so it's great to keep hearing great stuff about them.
All the restaurants you mentioned are on our list. So we'll see how we like them.
Thanks again!
Jun 27th, 2006, 10:39 AM
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Adding my thanks....good to get the foodie reviews and to TOTT/BR trip too 
I used to love Kuyaba, the last two times I've been disappointed so have stopped going/recommending.
I have never had the goat at 3 Dives, I'll add that to my list
I'm with you on needing charm. On the beach we have loved Whisting Bird, Nirvana, Beach House Villas and Rondel Village (to a lesser degree, BHV and RV are our "we are travleing with someone that must have AC and TV" choices).
All have a nice Caribbean feel, spacious beachfronts, and feel very quiet and remote once you are onthe property. I really am not a fan of concrete block motel-type hotels at all.
Do you recall where Scott's Cove was? Sounds neat...
I used to love Kuyaba, the last two times I've been disappointed so have stopped going/recommending.
I have never had the goat at 3 Dives, I'll add that to my list
I'm with you on needing charm. On the beach we have loved Whisting Bird, Nirvana, Beach House Villas and Rondel Village (to a lesser degree, BHV and RV are our "we are travleing with someone that must have AC and TV" choices).
All have a nice Caribbean feel, spacious beachfronts, and feel very quiet and remote once you are onthe property. I really am not a fan of concrete block motel-type hotels at all.
Do you recall where Scott's Cove was? Sounds neat...
Jun 28th, 2006, 05:55 AM
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Thanks everyone. Scott's Cove was on the way to (and closer to) Treasure Beach, a group of food stands. I recommend the TOTT tour, which took us to Scott's Cove. Serena and Soloman are so nice that if you emailed them, I'm sure they'd give you the exact location. They are a foodie tour -- they bought fruit on the side of the road to let us taste. Can't recommend them enough!
Jun 28th, 2006, 07:56 AM
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I really enjoyed reading about your trip.
I'd like to get your thoughts on the different accommodations at the Rockhouse. Is the primary difference between a villa and premium villa -- a sunset view? How did you enjoy your rooms?
I'd like to get your thoughts on the different accommodations at the Rockhouse. Is the primary difference between a villa and premium villa -- a sunset view? How did you enjoy your rooms?
Jul 7th, 2006, 10:46 AM
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I was only in the standard room and the premium villa. The standard was small, but comfortable and stylish. The premium was new, beautiful, and had a lovely porch. Many of the regular villas have private paths that lead directly to chairs and ladders to the water, and we decided that we would have preferred this access to our nicre premium villa rooms. Of course, we didn't see inside them, but we imagined they were at least as nice as the standard. The studios are set back in the property, and we decided we were happier in the standard than the studio (again, without seeing inside the studio). Hope this helps!
Also, the White Sands has now refunded our money. Very happy about that!
Also, the White Sands has now refunded our money. Very happy about that!
