Thinking of going to Jamaica Inn. Wondering if the $110 extra per day for West Wing Premier Verandah suite is worth the extra over the lowest price balcony suites.(We like being off the ground lavel for privacy)
Are the views more spectacular; can you hear the ocean below; do you need the ceiling fan on the verandah (which I believe the balcony suites don't have)?
Any input from J.I. visitors would be welcome.

we stayed in the 'basic' balcony suites which are on the first floor and thought they were more than adequate, but I think that it depends on how much time you spend in your room - we spent more time on the balcony and they all seem to be the same size.

i think the view was better from the second floor but since we were in the centre of the beach we couldn't really hear the ocean - the waves weren't that big. We did have a ceiling fan in the room and on the balcony.

BTW, make sure any any male in your party who is expecting to eat dinner at Jamica Inn packs his 'tall trousers' - the Porter's words not ours but they never failed to raise a smile just before dinner.

Regarding dinner, if you're not thinking of going AI, dinner is $60pp per night but well worth it - it just doesn't mention the price on the menu.


Hope this has helped.

I don't really think it's worth the extra money, but we spend so little time in our room. I guess it is a personal decision.

We had one of the beachfront suites, and it was nice being that close to the water, but I would not have paid $100+ per night extra for any classification of room there - the whole property is wonderful.

I agree with Diana, all the rooms are lovely.

However, since you posed the question, I'm assuming that you want to know what might be best ;-)

I stayed at JI for two weeks last Spring, and stayed in the West wing premier (it was my request) and I didn't like it.

I moved to a premier beach wing suite and loved it.

The beach wing is directly on the sand. The verandah is larger than any of the others. You access the sand and your palapa by swinging your feet over the balastrude and you're ON the beach.

When you order room service for breakfast or lunch, the server doesn't have to enter the room. He sets everything up from the beach.

It is really unique to JI and I'm not sure I have explained properly...but it was worth the extra money to me.

Whatever your decision, I know you will enjoy JI !

Marion

We stayed in a west wing premier suite our first trip and loved the directly over the water location, sunset views, and privacy. On subsequent trips, we've stayed in the ground floor deluxe suites (in both the east and main wings) and have found those very nice too. The verandah's on the deluxe suites do lack a bit of privacy but are directly accessible by the staff to set up your breakfast, tea, etc. We tend to take many meals on our verandah so that's a plus for us. I haven't stayed in one of the upper floor balcony suites but they would probably offer more privacy and better views than the deluxe suites. I think what you give up is the size of the verandah. There are pros and cons to all of the suites and it's such a personal decision. For us because we tend to spend a great deal of time on our verandah, we prefer the larger ones which are available on the deluxe and higher categories. Whether you need a ceiling fan probably depends on the time of year. We felt it was necessary in May and November, the two months we've visited.

We are leaving in one week to go to Jamaica Inn. We are going with their mos basic room category. Hope it's okay.

It will be absolutely fine ! As the JI website states, their "rooms are their crowning glory" and it's true.

It's a unigue concept, where the blacony/verandah is furnished as an outdoor living room..and all offer great views.

Enjoy every minute of your stay at this lovely property !

Marion

Gerry and I were at the Jamaica Inn in January 2004. We stayed in the premier west wing suite which we loved. I thought the "basic" balcony rooms were quite nice. The only point I would make is that they are closer to the street so you might here some traffic although who stays in their room when you have a beautiful beach!