We are spending 15 days in Jamaica in July and have chosen these resorts to split our time in: Jamaica Inn, Mockingbird hill, Tensing Pen and Kuyaba. We did not choose an AI because we enjoy doing many sighseeing activities on our own and meeting the people(less crowds, etc.) We are interested in the best reefs for snorkeling, hiking, good restaurants and spas. If you have any feedback on these/ other resorts and/or excursions we should consider please post. Thanks.

Mockingbird Hill is the only place I'd delete and substitute perhaps Fern Hill for a far better value and location -- unless you can't live without tofu and $5 cups of coffee. Reitch and Somerset Falls, Long Beach and Cool Runnings restaurant there,esp.when there's live music on, Boston Bay for jerk are the 'must-sees and do's'.

Here is my review of the Jamaica Inn - GREAT choice!

This is the MOST fabulous place we stayed on our 10 day, five hotel/town visit to the island. I highly recommend this spot to anyone. The setting is perfect and exactly as it looks on the website (even better, actually!) and we would not hesitate to stay there again - next time for longer though! The service is impeccable, and the rooms are immaculate and private - definitely worth a trip to Ocho Rios just to stay there!

See the website: www.jamaicainn.com

You can choose to have a meal plan or not - which is so convenient, as opposed to the all inclusives. I wouldn't suggest that you take small children there - part of the charm was that it was so quiet.... I believe they 'suggest' ony 12 years old and up.

Have Fun!

just returned from port antonio myself - but keep in mind this area is very quiet. there were barely any other tourists around! and fyi cool runnings is currently closed for renovations but should reopen by month end. don't forget to go to frenchman's cove - lunch is served there too (full beach service w/ drinks, tablecloths even!). try the jerk at mickey's in boston bay. fun local restaurant/bar with pool tables on the harbor is anna banana's.

We jut did 2 weeks driving around JA last month and had a ball. Fern Hill was great - we checked out 3 hotels first and it was definitely the best value, and a stunning property in terms of views and such. Don't miss Reich Falls, Blue Lagoon, Long Bay and Boston Beach.

Tensing Pen is a great choice on the cliffs, Kuyaba is nice though can be a little loud (live music next door). You might check Idle Awhile instead, if you want things a little quieter, also I like the beach better a little further up.

I took a lot of photos of the areas you're considering:

http://gallery.hookahheads.com/gallery/albup08

All great choices, I second Tiverton House's comments.
But be warned...Tensing Pen? BRING MOSQUITO REPELLANT! LOTS OF IT!!! Beautiful property, nice rooms. Very laid back. But those mosquitoes! We stayed there for three nights and I don't think I got four good hours of sleep during the whole stay there because of the mosquitoes!

Boston jerk is a definite must in Portland.
Have fun.

Tensing Pen is amazing, I loved it there. Very laid back as Jagirl said, and gorgeous property. Breakfast is included in your room rate which is nice, and the kitchen is communal - you can run across the street to the local grocery shop and buy ingredients for mixed drinks or cook your own snacks if you like. They don't cook dinner every night of the week. As for the mosquitos, they're a problem anywhere you go in Ja in my opinion - and not to worry, even at TP you get Vapemats in every room and don't forget to tuck your mosquito nets in before sunset to keep them out!

For only a little more $$ you can stay at the Rockhouse and get air conditioning, restaurant and a cool infinity pool. You can swim in the cliff coves at TP but if the sea is rough, it's not very relaxing.

Personally I prefer the cliffs to the beach. You can spend your days on the beach and escape to the quieter cliffs at night.

Have a great time!