Diana

Hi guys!

I am planning a 2 or 2 1/2 week trip to Jamaica (my first) in April and need some advice.

Which of these 2 Negril resorts would you suggest - Rockhouse or Tensing Pen? Looking for quiet, laid back and private, but still nice. (Due to the fact that I get EATEN by bugs, need A/C.)

Will we need to take a taxi to get to Negril beach rests/bars or is it safe to rent a car, and are there places to park if so? (I'm assuming it's too far to walk?)

If we stay in Negril and then want to stay in Porty, should we:
1. fly from Mo Bay to Kingston, or
2. Rent a car and drive it, or
3. Get someone to drive us, or
4. Stop and stay somewhere along the way for a night or two or more, and if so, where would you recommend?

Thanks for your help!

_holly_25_

Hi Diana, I'm not who you're looking for but I remember you telling me about this trip a while back when I was planning mine (for January).

I think you'll get some great suggestions if you post this question on www.jamaicans.com under westside wandering.

I'm also planning a trip around the island and have booked Carolyn Barrett to drive us: www.barrettadventures.com

I have also heard great things about Soloman: [email protected]

And Chef and Libby: http://www.sealawncoralbeach.20megsfree.com


Happy planning!

Patty

I haven't been to Negril yet (going next May) but just wanted to say that I don't think any of the cottages at Tensing Pen have A/C. I have the same problem with bugs so that was something that concerned me as well.

Rockhouse and Tensing Pen were also 2 of my top choices but I ended up booking Wild Grape villa after reading some favorable reviews on negril.com. You might want to check that out as well www.seagrapevillas.com

Diana

Thanks Holly. I do remember you and was hoping you were still planning on going. I'm glad you are, and I'll look forward to your trip report.

I had decided to wait until spring to go to Jamaica since late Oct. and Nov. are rainy season there, so we went to the Virgin Islands instead. How was I to know they would get 15" of rain in less than a week and have $20 mil.in damage there?!

Luckily, the rain didn't start till we had left, but I feel very sorry for the folks who got caught on vacation or the people who live there who had damage.

I will take your suggesttion and post over on jamaicans.com also, and am looking forward to hearing from anyone else with info.

Thanks again!

Diana

Hi Patty!

Sea Grape was actually my third choice, so I will keep it in mind. It looks very nice.

I believe Tensing Pen now has A/C - at least that's what the website says.

It looks to me like any of those three choices would be very nice, so I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever I pick.

jray

Great choices you've made - both are very nice, however, I would recommend Rockhouse over Tensing Pen. Would even go as far as to suggest you split your time between the beach and the cliffs. Visist negril.com for more info - great site. No need tor rent a car - taxis are plentiful. Everything in Negril is within walking distance or a short cab ride.

As for your other questions:

1. Fly into Montego Bay
2. Take the JUTA bus.
3. If you need tours you may hire a driver.
4. No - just head straight to Negril.

liza

Hi Diana,

"Rockhouse or Tensing Pen"
I'd check and make sure TP has AC now because last i heard it did not. The Rockhouse villas do have air, it was added after a big storm a couple of years ago, they redid all the villas.

"Will we need to take a taxi to get to Negril beach rests/bars or is it safe to rent a car, and are there places to park if so? (I'm assuming it's too far to walk?)"

It would be a nice long (and no doubt hot) walk from Rockhouse, I wouldn't try it from Tensing Pen, it's a couple of miles further up the cliffs.

I'd do taxis myself...even when we have rented a car we give it back for the Negril part, it's not worth having with taxis everywhere and much of the time we're coming back from dinner or being out and have had a few drinks anyway.

"If we stay in Negril and then want to stay in Porty, should we:
1. fly from Mo Bay to Kingston, or
2. Rent a car and drive it, or
3. Get someone to drive us, or
4. Stop and stay somewhere along the way for a night or two or more, and if so, where would you recommend?"

This is a tough one. If it is your first time in Jamaica, I would not rent a car...see how the conditions are and decide next trip if you want to do that.

Not sure it's worth flying from MoBay to Kingston to get to Porty since it'll take over an hour to get to moBay and then 2 hours from Kingston....the drive is about 5 hours. You can make a nice all day trip out of it, leave early and do a thing or two along the way.

Staying a night on the way is really up to you...do you need to break up the 5 hours and/or is there an area that you are wanting to spend time in? Is it worth unpacking and repacking for one or two nights?

_holly_25_

Yes, I'm glad that we are still going too. I can hardly wait!

cartera45

Another consideration with hotels is whether there is a pool. I do not believe Tenseng has one and I had been told that sometimes the water at the cliffs is a little rough. I think the pool at Rockhouse is very nice. I would get a driver for the trip from negril. Post on www.negril.com to get recommendations.