14 Best Hotels in Negril, Jamaica

This family-friendly all-inclusive has something for everyone: a prime Negril Beach location, upscale dining for adults, and multiple attractions for kids and teens—a chief asset is the impressive 18,000-square-foot water park, Pirates Island. Also keeping everyone happy are an Xbox lounge for kids (and plenty of adults); Sesame Street characters, who roam the grounds ready to interact; nine restaurants (plus seven bars for the adults); a supervised kids' program; and scheduled teen activities.

Surely one of the prettiest properties on the West End cliffs, this place proclaims "to rekindle the romance," perhaps because the grounds are decorated with pink bougainvillea and other tropical plants, and you can sunbathe or read privately with your loved one in secluded spots throughout the property. The small boutique hotel has nine stylish, thatched wooden cottages, seven equally attractive suites, all with private patios, and one budget room—honeymooners love Sagittarius Cottage, which is at the edge of the cliff and has a designer outdoor shower room for two overlooking the sea. Ivan's Restaurant is private dining during the day but opens to the public at 5 pm with a lively bar scene and great views overlooking the sea.

This quiet, family-run hotel, on one of the nicest parts of Negril Beach, is built hacienda-style around a central courtyard, where there's a round swimming pool and a lush garden. Rooms have lovely big beds and a patio or balcony. All furniture is locally made and all food used is grown on the hotel's private farm. Many guests are repeat visitors, but newcomers are soon drawn in by the friendly atmosphere. The hotel has live music on Thursday nights and pure jazz and blues music on Saturdays.

This beachfront, couples-only resort emphasizes romance and relaxation and is a more laid-back alternative to the nearby Sandals Negril. Located along Bloody Bay, north of the funkier Seven Mile Beach, the property is decorated in bright colors, and lively art by local craftspeople peppers public spaces. Rooms are similarly bright and roomy but are not luxurious. All rooms are air-conditioned and have king-size beds and ceiling fans; oversize bathrooms have a double vanity and Jacuzzi bathtub; every room has a flat-screen TV, bathrobes, an iPod docking station, and a minibar stocked with beer, wine, juices, and soda (replenished daily); and hors d'oeuvres are delivered each evening. All rooms also include balcony or patio, and suites have hammocks.

For sports-minded couples, this all-suites resort is known for its expansive sports offerings, top-notch facilities (Jamaica's best and among the Caribbean's best), and healthy cuisine. If you're looking for an active vacation sprinkled with romance, this is the best option in Negril. Suites are tucked in bungalow-style buildings—each with a private verandah overlooking the sea or a lush garden area—spread along a ½-mile (¾-km) stretch of gorgeous beach. Across the road lies one of Jamaica's best sports complexes, with classes and high-end equipment and instruction. There are 10 tennis courts, a full-service spa, and a fully equipped fitness center.

At this go-to resort for the uninhibited that promises a perpetual spring break for adults, most visitors are drawn to the legendary party atmosphere. You can find "prude" activities, such as those in the large gym, but it's the nude side that's regularly sold out. Many nudist groups plan vacations en masse here several times a year; another peak time is Halloween, when guests celebrate the resort's anniversary with wild costumes and decorated rooms. All the resort's premium suites have private terraces with ocean or garden views and hot tubs. In addition, all rooms have multi-head showers and mirrors over the beds. It's also a great choice for fans of nightlife.

At the far north end of Negril on Bloody Bay, this massive beachfront resort delivers good bang for the buck, with decent food and extensive activities and facilities. Guests can relax and be pampered at the Renova Spa with a variety of beauty treatments, or enjoy the many water sports that the hotel offers. The programs for kids are slightly better here than at the equally large Riu Tropical Bay, which is next door.

A sign reads "Spa Zone—Keep the Vibes Calm," which is not a tall order at this beautiful boutique hotel that attracts discerning travelers, honeymooners, and celebrities who appreciate the cottages and villas placed along a cliff and the rustic but stylish accommodations. The cottages are built from rough-hewn timber, thatch, and stone, and each has a four-poster, queen-size bed. Where else can one stay in a thatched-roof hut that offers all the comforts including air-conditioning? Lush, tropical gardens ensure privacy at every turn. There are steps down to the sea, with bridges over gaps in the cliffs, where the water has carved out spectacular caves. A highlight is the spa, which is open to the public. You can indulge in one of the treatment rooms or a cliffside cabana. There is also a yoga deck and a saltwater pool for guests only.

Couples looking for a sports-oriented getaway and a casually elegant atmosphere flock to this resort on one of the best stretches of Negril Beach. You can wear dressy shorts to dinner, but men are required to don a collared shirt at the classy Sundowner restaurant. Water sports, particularly scuba diving, are popular; the capable staff is happy to work with neophytes as well as certified veterans. Tennis and other activities are included for landlubbers. There's a huge swim-up pool bar for when you're through exerting yourself. The range of spacious accommodations includes some two-story suites; personal butler service is available in top categories. The property features seven restaurants and a classy piano bar.

This small boutique hotel, opened in 2012, is a good value, particularly since it's on a lovely stretch of Negril's famed Seven Mile Beach. The oceanfront rooms are especially nice, not just because of the view but because of their huge claw-foot bathtubs. The hotel's contemporary design includes wooden floors, photographs of Jamaican scenes, and other stylish touches. Wi-Fi is available on the balconies and throughout the public areas. There's also a gym and full-service spa that offers a range of services. There are also two restaurants and a bar.

Surrounded by lush forests and palm trees, this relaxed all-inclusive is a favorite with ecotourists thanks to its emphasis on environmental sustainability. Rooms here are in tree-house-like cottages amid towering royal palms. Open and airy, rooms have floral bedspreads, gauzy curtains, natural-wood floors, and high ceilings. The beach is across the street, along with such activities as nonmotorized water sports. Nature enthusiasts can also take a walk with the resort's resident gardener.

This rustic but elegant resort is hip without being pretentious; it's a top spot for affordable chic and the kind of place that makes you want to check in and just laze in your room, or in a hammock, with a book. The cottages are made of stone and wood with thatch roofs; some are on stilts, and they all have big beds. Continental breakfast is included in the reasonably priced room rates; you can have all your meals at the hotel's restaurant or go out and explore the nearby restaurants on Negril's West End.

At this boutique resort that's part of former music mogul Chris Blackwell's Island Outpost group, the thatched-roof cottages are individually designed and furnished, most with balconies overlooking the deep water off Negril's West End honeycombed cliffs. These arty accommodations are constructed above huge caves that reach deep inland. There are steps that lead down to caverns, where you can arrange private dining. There is also a cave rum bar, illuminated by dozens of candles. With fabulous sunsets, magical surroundings, and great service, the hotel is a hit with A-listers. Little touches such as incense lit at turn-down time and music in your room upon arrival give the resort a homey feel.

This boutique resort on the cliffs features spacious cottages that are handcrafted from stone and thatch, with cedar and mahogany furniture and fittings that were made on-site. The property was designed by architect Shane Cohen, who owns and runs the resort with his wife, Christine. Relax by the saltwater pool or indulge in natural spa treatments in the open-air cabanas on the cliff or on the large covered yoga deck, which is surrounded by a lily pond. Various meal plans are available.