Negril Cabins lately? I would love hearing about either one of these properties.

Dan:<BR>I'm leaving Thursday for the Rockhouse -- will post a trip report when I get back in early Dec.<BR><BR>Racy

Dan - <BR><BR>Walked thru the rockhouse last week. Looks very nice, if not a little crowded for my tastes. They have added several villas and now they are really close together.<BR><BR>We stayed on the cliffs last week in a place called tensing pen. I would highly recommend it - it is truly unique and beautiful, fantastic villas like rockhouse, but with even more charm and character. Main difference between the two resorts is that tensing pen is a bit smaller (and has a better alyout), and there is no restaurant per se - they do cook for guests a few times per week, though. And no bar. But there is a fridge in every room to keep those red stripes cold. <BR><BR>feel free to email me.<BR><BR>best regards- amy

Or Xtabi or Caves?

We stayed at Rockhouse about 5 years ago in August. There were just a few people there. It was really hot and they only had fans over the bed which moved very slowly. Misquitos were terrible so we got a coil from the desk. If you went in the winter it would probably be better. They have a great Zen pool and the people that worked there were very friendly. You could snorkle right from the rocks. I kind of missed having a beach but you could drive to the beach if you wanted. They also had an outdoor shower which was neat. My husband could see over it to the gardens when he showered.

Got back from the Rockhouse last week -- it was absolutely amazing and I could have stayed indefinately.<BR><BR>We had a studio room -- half a villa -- and it took us 2 days to figure out who was staying in the other half, it was that private. The room was smallish, but suited our needs quite well. There was air conditioning, as well as a ceiling fan and a standing ocsillating fan.<BR><BR>The sea was rough, and it seemed to crash right up against the walls! Helped lull me to sleep (as if the rum didn't help) and added to the atmosphere.<BR><BR>To me, it never felt crowded. There was never a shortage of chairs by the pool, for example. A lot of couples, so people tended to stay to themselves a bit. No real loud partyhing.<BR><BR>The restaurant was excellent, with breakfast perhaps the weakest meal. Lots of fresh seafood and tons of fruity rum drinks! For lunch, the pool bar was great for sandwiches and drinks -- jerked chicken sandwiches, etc. <BR><BR>The water was pretty choppy (lots of rain at night) so we didn't try any snorkling, although I hear about a ray and a turtle that lived right by the cliffs. Did do some jumping, though -- hang on to your rings if plan to try it! The glass bottomed boats come around to pick you up, and Rick's is within walking distance, I'm told.<BR><BR>The beach is about a $8 cab ride away, and the sand is lovely and white.<BR><BR>We didn't really tour any other properties, so I can't comment on them. Xtabi appears to be on the other side of the West End Road from the water (only restaurant is on the water, it seemed). Don't remember seeing Negril Cabins, although Negril Gardens looked like a nice beach resort.<BR><BR>HTH,<BR>Racy

Bummer that the water was rough...when that cove is calm the snorkeling, swimming and floating are unbelieveable and the water is SO clear.<BR><BR>Xtabi has rooms across from the water and also little cottages on the cliff edge, kind of like Rockhouse.<BR><BR>The Caves is really expensive if you don't get a discount/auction something. Very private.<BR><BR>Other neat hotel/cottage/villas in that area: Home Sweet Home, Villas Sur Mer, Banana Shout, Catcha Falling Star.

I forgot Tensing Pen!

Thanks Racy for responding as promised. I've been anxiously awaiting your trip report. It's too bad it was too rough to snorkel. How were the prices at the restaurant? Did you do any tours? What other restaurants did you try? Thanks again for your trip report.

Dan:<BR><BR>Prices weren't cheap, but they weren't inflated like US resorts. A Red Stripe was $2.50 by the pool; a lime daquiri was $3.50. Pepsi or Ting was $1.50 a bottle. Sandwiches were about $8. I live in Chicago, so these were normal prices for me.<BR><BR>Dinners ranged from $12 or so for chicken to $20 for lobster or filet mignon (a special). Drinks were 2 for 1 from 5 to 7, and the wine list was very affordable (although we had so much fun with the rum/fruit drinks, we never drank wine).<BR><BR>We went to lunch at Cosmos the day we went to the beach -- bill came to about $20 for chicken, curried shrimp and a couple of drinks. We were going to go out again our last day there, but I picked up a virus and had to head back to bed after an exhausting morning at the craft market (it was hot and 100% humidity, so it wiped me out!). We kept MEANING to leave, but the Rockhouse was so practically perfect, the effort was too great.<BR><BR>I have never been such a complete vegetable on a vacation in my entire life, but it sure felt good! All my stress evaporated.<BR><BR>Excursions were expensive only because you need to hire a driver. A trip to Mayfield Falls costs $100 for the driver alone -- which wouldn't be so bad if you split it with another couple or something. Driver costs, and our absolute lethargy, prohibited us from doing anything so strenuous. If we were there longer, I would have had enough of the pool and needed more activity. As it was, I was more than happy with my books and a pool chair. And a delightful rum buzz. I'm already planning to send my (as yet still not concevied) children to Dennis the bartender and Seymor the grill cook for lessons in lime daquiries and jerked chicken...<BR><BR>HTH,<BR>Racy

Thanks again. Sounds like the perfect vacation.

Racy,<BR>Are the studio rooms oceanfront or are they more set back? Can you compare them to the villas? I've always heard that the villas at Rockhouse are much better so I'm curious to hear how you think they compare. Did you have any problems with bugs? Thanks.

Actually, I think some of the villas (by the pool area) were set back farther from the cove than we were -- we had 2 bridges just steps from our doorway.<BR><BR>I didn't see inside any of the villas, I just imagine they were the whole hut rather than the half-hut we had. I can't speak to furnishings, etc. The studio was rather spartan compared with a US hotel room.<BR><BR>I did get mozzie bites, but that was about it. We did have netting over the bed, which probably helped.<BR><BR>Really, I cannot say enough nice things about our experience there. We absolutely loved it.<BR><BR>HTH,<BR>Racy

Thanks, Racy!

we are trying to go in the begining of june 2003. nay pros or cons to going at that time. and we want to stay in the BEST bungluo. which one would that be. <BR>any other info would be greatly appericated. thanks<BR>casey