Hi, am considering a Jamaica trip in late October and came across a cute little hotel in Negril, The Skylark and wonder two things...

First, as Negril seems to be a 2 hour drive from MOntego Bay, I wonder is Negril worth travelling 2 hours for a 4 or 5 day vacation?

Second, anyone know about the Skylark in Negril? It all looks small, quiet, maybe off the beaten path? I can't seem to find anything on it here.

Thanks,

Jordan

Jordan, Sorry to be so late answering. I have been to Negril a few times over the years but always stayed up on "the Cliffs". Only visited the beach a few times. You can see the location of Skylark - it's definitely not "off the beaten path"... it's right in the middle of 7-mile beach! See it on this map (super helpful website for Negril). I've used a shuttle from the airport (remembering 90 minutes but maybe it is a bit longer), was no big deal (beautiful drive actually) and definitely worth it to be in Negril.
https://www.negrilonestop.com/

Soho, maybe check out an alternative base in Pt. Antonio?
The market there is the real McKoy. Frenchman's Bay is one of the loveliest little secluded beaches anywhere on the planet.
Also you'd be near both the famed falls plus that outstanding bamboo river raft ride--bliss.
I am done. the irie heights

zebec, this post was from last year, for a trip last fall

For anyone else who happens to pull up this thread in the future, you too zebec

Yes going out to Negril is most definitely worth the effort! Highly recommended. It is unique for many different reasons. Clive's is the transportation I've used from the airport and they've been around 'forever', but I thought it was more like 90 minutes to get out to that end of the island? I've done trips solo, couples, as a group. The very first trip was on the $1 'chicken bus' but that was a looong time ago. My trips (3x) are not recent but Negril doesn't change much over years and still holds a special place in my heart.

Thanks for the clarification, Suze--I had not noticed.

Btw, Negril was our first experience of a nude beach, the one just below *Hedonism II. The irony that sunrise was that the prudish German gals who sprinted into the water so that I could not see their bums as we all undressed, did not realize that without glasses my eyesight is not very good. They could just as well have been manatees splashing into the waves with my weak sight!

We picked up on a certain phrase there in Negril. A veteran reggae band leader was livid after his doltish nephew/road manager had forgotten to bring all the mics for their gig. The still-angry leader had a chat with us, wherein he spat out the following:
"Dem young folks, dem idiots and their music. All dey listen to is chanted foolishness!"

For the past 35 years, whenever one of us hears what we perceive as intolerable speech from the other, my wife and I jokingly accuse each other of 'chanted foolishness'.
I am done. the ya mon

*my wife and I wrote, then went into a professional studio to record our jingle for that resort after the trip. But alas in the end, the management passed. They sent us t-shirts though (sound of fanfare).

Anyone here been to the south coast off the island, near Treasure Beach?

Sorry, not me, I've only been thru Montego Bay to get out to Negril. If I return, would definitely do the same again.

If anyone is in Negril or even researching trips recently, I would love an update on these places: Charela Inn & Le Mirage (sister properties one on the beach one on the Cliffs) and Tensing Pen and Catcha Falling Star, both on the Cliffs. And is the HiLo still the main grocery store in town?

For the record, we did not stay at HedonismII. Rather we were at a nice budget place just south, right by that nude beach.
We wrote that jingle after Mrs Z saw a HedonismII truck drive by with their then-slogan written across its side.
We co-opted that slogan coz it meshed perfectly with the original song that I was then currently completing to contribute towards an upcoming band reunion.

I am done. the half-a-donkey