Best on the Negril's cliffs?

Old Jan 1st, 2003, 06:44 PM
  #1  
Steve
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Best on the Negril's cliffs?

My wife and I are trying to decide between Rockhouse, Xtabi, Tensing Pen, and Banana Shout. Does anyone have an opinion as to which one might be the best place to stay. We're in our early 30's and want a hip, funky, eclectic and tranquil place with views and access to the water for snorkeling. Any comments?
 
Old Jan 2nd, 2003, 03:11 AM
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tivertonhouse
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Stevef your list:Tensing Pen. If you've got more bucks to spend:THE CAVES --see islandoutpost.com
 
Old Jan 2nd, 2003, 07:04 AM
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kath
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Steve,
I've stayed at Xtabi and visited the other 3.Rockhouse is nicest but water access isn't too great. Tensing Pen and Banana Shout are more rustic/funky , with TP probably fitting your description best. Although, it seemed that TP had more of a communal vibe than the others. My preference is Xtabi, a real feeling of seculsion in the cottages and the best location of the 4 IMO for swimming, snorkeling, floating, etc., and a couple of good spots for diving. Cottages #1 and #3 are two of the best places to saty on the cliffs, no question. Nice restaurant/bar also. If you do have the bucks, ignore all this and go to the Caves.
 
Old Jan 2nd, 2003, 07:33 AM
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gingele
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Hi Steve -

We love the cliffs. I personally have stayed at both the caves and tensing pen. We walked through xtabi and rockhouse while there in november.
Have not seen banana shout.

here's the short version -
Rockhouse: pros = bar, restaurant, pool onsite. Nice looking cottages, nice grounds. cons = larger number of rooms, so may be more crowded depending on time of year, some cottages were right on top of one another, not as private or secluded-feeling.

Xtabi - pros = also has bar and restaurant on site. cons = grounds, cottages not as nice as the other places you mention

Tensing Pen - (my personal favorite) pros = beautiful grounds, probably the prettiest setting up on the cliffs. Great cottages, each one unique. Amazing, tranquil atmosphere and great sense of privacy if you want it. Great masseuses on site. Cons = (not really a con for us, but could be for some) no bar or restaurant per se. They do offer fantastic dinners for guests a few times per week, and breakfast each morning (continental, not full). Also have fridges in each cottage for cold water, beer, etc. As stated, not a problem for us since there are so many amazong places to eat both on the cliffs and elsewhere in negril that we wanted to try a different place every night.

the caves - pros = beautiful rooms, full service a/i option with great food, open bar 24/7 (serve yourself after 11pm), small aveda spa on site, (though you can get massages at any of the resorts), nice grounds. cons = pricey, and most rooms are in two story cottages - only 2 are stand-alone, so might not be complete feeling of seclusion.

My husband and I are also in our 30s and since staying at tensing pen we would not stay elsewhere. It had all the other places beat hands down for the exact reasons you list - hip, funky, eclectic yet tranquil and oh so serene...

email me if you'd like. I love talking about negril (especially since our next trip is not until next winter!)

happy new year,
amy
 
Old Jan 2nd, 2003, 10:35 PM
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Steve
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Thank you for such detailed responses.

I think I'm even more confused now. My gut is telling me Tensing Pen, but what's with the communal thing? My wife and I are not prudes but we are not into swapping partners, or exposing our goods. Is that what we will get on the cliffs? I hope not. We just want to chill out, do some yoga, snorkel, have some wine, maybe mingle with some other couples. We want to be close to the beach as well. Maybe we should do a few nights at each? What do you think?
 
Old Jan 3rd, 2003, 05:03 AM
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tivertonhouse
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'Communal' as in 60s Taos and trustafarian vibe and laid-back runnins is more the nature of TP. You needn't fear for your virtue --it's NOT about a Hedonism scene. Jackie's on the Reef -- serious about yoga -- might be a good waterfront place to dip into. Or, split your time between Tensing Pen and Jake's, 2.5 hours further down the coast in Treasure Beach for what Negril used to be like,30-40 years ago. If hip funky eclectic yet non-touristic are what you seek, TP in Negril comes in first. Always follow your gut
 
Old Feb 22nd, 2003, 08:19 AM
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Tensing Pen is definitely an incredible place. We just booked our next trip there. Beautiful rooms, great layout and a whole lot of charm right nearby... a fun little bar/restaurant in a short walking/swimming distance called the LTU.

To answer your question about the communal thing, I think what they meant was, because it's a small resort, if you do choose to have dinner in the kitchen when they prepare it, then you get to know the people there (not talking or bearing your goods...don't worry). So, it's a small resort and that gives it a communal feel but there are absolutely NO activities...and you can certainly just hang out by the water or lay in a hammock with a good book. It's not a busy/active place...it's a hidden gem.
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Old Feb 22nd, 2003, 02:32 PM
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We've stayed at both Tensing Pen (Nov 2001) and Rockhouse (April 2000). Some of you may recall that hurricane Michelle brushed by Jamaica in Nov 2001 - yup we got wet. We loved them both but I'd have to say ultimately that I preferred Rockhouse, as long as you stay in one of the thatched roof huts. They both have outdoor showers which we love (yes, they're perfectly private); they both have access to the amazing clear water for snorkeling - and we saw a lot more at Rockhouse than we did at TP - could have been theh storm though. TIP - take a couple of cheap air mattresses for floating Just leave them when you go home. Rockhouse has a fantastic pool though, which TP does not. And Rockhouse has a first-class restaurant. It's also closer to Just Natural, our very favourite restaurant. If you'd like to see pix, you can check out my albums at Club Photo: http://members3.clubphoto.com/carol251808 If you have any problems with the link, please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]
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