Any recommendations for either? Which is better for "experiencing" Jamaica?

We're spending most of our honeymoon in Negril, but want to get out and experience people, natural beauty, no tourists...

Thanks

An 'apples and oranges' choice...
SH is luxe Ian Schrager-in=the-tropics/Jake's bohemian rustic funky stage-setty.
SH is 5 hours from Negril and is in the mts.overlooking the lights of Kingston 45 min.below. SH has Aveda spa, very good restaurant, chic styling, gorgeous gardens and grounds.
Jake's is in TB -- one of my favorite places on island -- a remote but becoming well-known series of fishing villages 2 hours from Negril. It's in Calabash Bay, but not on one of the better beaches. Since you're honeymooning, would go SH over Jake's.
BUT since the TB area is a better choice for its people, natural beauty and lack of tourists (SH is a destination all its own). I'd recommend MAR BLUE, THE BUCCANEER, UNFORGETTABLE or COQUINA (see www.jamaicaescapes.com), private villas in TB with guide services to help you explore.

For a new look at Treasure Beach and Jamaica's South Coast, preview http://www.jamaicaescapes.com/treasu...eretostay.html

Strawberry Hill is nice and pretty and expensive. Once you get up there, there you are, and you seem pretty isolated, for better or worse. Not a quick trip to / from Kingston. Jakes is a collection of funky-ish buildings on a pretty quiet part of the island, not much of a beach right by Jakes but a short walk takes you to better beach. Jakes appears to be nothing special but is laid back and there seem to be some decent restaurants in the immediate area. Neither is a good bet for "no tourists." Funny how tourists always want to avoid tourists. If you want the "real" Jamaica you'd be better off heading for the hills or for the decidedly non-touristy parts of Kingston. But you might quickly find that the "real" Jamaica is a bit too "real" for your tastes. Shooting for the "semi-real" Jamaica seems a much better bet, and for that a place like SH or Jakes will probably do just fine. Bring your wallet to either.

True about tourists wanting to avoid tourists...

Anyway, thanks for the advice.
Hope Jamaica is going to be ok!

Though you'll need/want a car/driver/guide to explore, staying up in the Blue Mts, an hour out of Kingston might be a good contrast to Negril. See www.farawayjamaica.com
No tourists, btw

Thanks Tivertonhouse--

Faraway looks beautiful! Where is it? How do you get there? How far away is it from Negril and Orcabessa?

Thanks.

Nissim: Though she's currently bunkered down behind plywooded-windows waiting out Ivan now off the coast at Alligator Pond, Rebecca Wiersma at [email protected] is your contact point for FarAway. There's a 3 night minimum/food and cook are included. It's an hour from Hope Road
Kingston up in the Mavis Bank/The Gap coffee plantation area of the Blue Mts.
You may well NOT be able to get through to Rebecca right now/if not, e-mail me through [email protected] if Faraway's of serious interest and I'll get messages down to Rebecca. She can provide transport from Negril to FarAway
--a day's travel or meet your plane from Negril to Kingston airport and have a driver there for you/ and-or during your stay.

From Orcabessa, the drive's not quite as long but still long/you might be able to make flight connections tho
through the Boscobel Aerodrome just 5 min from Orcabessa to Kingston which would save you considerable time.