Newbie First Trip to Negril In May - Where to Stay?

Hi all,

I've been lurking on the forum for a few days after deciding to spend a week in Negril this May. Great site!

I've always dreamed about Jamaica ever since listening to Bob Marley/Peter Tosh as a youth. :cool: Being a musician, I've really been inspired by reggae music and its culture.

Anyway, my wife and I thinking about a few places in Negril ... she wants to be on the beach, I was thinking I might prefer the cliffs. Of course, I have already lost this battle , LOL.

However, I would like to find a nice hotel on the beach that would be fairly peaceful, safe, and chill. This will be my first non-AI trip down south having been to Varadero, Cuba and the Mayan Rivera in Mexico in the past.
I plan to sample much of the local food, music, drink, flora, and fauna ... :D

Does anyone have any suggestions for a mid-price ($90-$160) lodging that is close to good music, but fairy laid back later in the evening? We are in our late 30s and like to party a bit, but would like a chill place during the day and a peaceful night sleep.

Also, any tips for a newbie couple from Nova Scotia, Canada would be greatly appreciated!
Peace and thanks!

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Originally Posted by SriJah

Hi all,

I've been lurking on the forum for a few days after deciding to spend a week in Negril this May. Great site!

I've always dreamed about Jamaica ever since listening to Bob Marley/Peter Tosh as a youth. :cool: Being a musician, I've really been inspired by reggae music and its culture.

Anyway, my wife and I thinking about a few places in Negril ... she wants to be on the beach, I was thinking I might prefer the cliffs. Of course, I have already lost this battle , LOL.

However, I would like to find a nice hotel on the beach that would be fairly peaceful, safe, and chill. This will be my first non-AI trip down south having been to Varadero, Cuba and the Mayan Rivera in Mexico in the past.
I plan to sample much of the local food, music, drink, flora, and fauna ... :D

Does anyone have any suggestions for a mid-price ($90-$160) lodging that is close to good music, but fairy laid back later in the evening? We are in our late 30s and like to party a bit, but would like a chill place during the day and a peaceful night sleep.

Also, any tips for a newbie couple from Nova Scotia, Canada would be greatly appreciated!
Peace and thanks!

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How about a split stay? You are at the beginning of low season and can stay at some nice places with that budget. I would look at either Country Country or Nirvana for the beach and Catcha Falling Star on the West End. The beach is more lively, so it's up to you which one you choose first. Country Country has a restaurant on site, Nirvana does not. However, Nirvana has the best beach in my opinion and has many food and drink options close by. Check out their websites to get a feel for each place.

For a nice place to chill on the beach we really like Idle Awhile, it's centrally located and has a nice beach with some shady spots, and a good restaurant too. (chill awhile) Check out these guys for some info on places to stay, they are great to deal with, and they are fellow Canadians :) we book through them every year.
http://www.negrilonestop.com/

Thanks for the tips. Its a difficult decision (but a fun one). I am considering the split stay, then we could get a feel for both spots.
Does anyone know what the average price for a meal is? I realize the are lots of options, but if I was to eat at a jerk chicken joint one meal and a resort restaurant the next ... what's the price spread? Also, what's best price/place to buy beer? :p
Pretty excited and the trip is still 9 months away.

Cliffs :::::>>>> catch a Falling Star. Breathtaking views, good food, excellent service! :::::: We just returned from our stay in sky cottage. It was awesome!
Beach :::::>>>>> Idle Awhile, Nirvavna, Charela Inn, White Sands, Rooms :::::: all good.

You can buy your beer at Wise Choice, right across the street from catcha. Stock that fridge up!

the beach II suggest Rondael Village for the cliffs I recommend Catcha gardens across the street from Catcha falling Star. Its cheaper if you are on a tight budget , nothing fancy but very nice ppl and safe and a big veranda and pool. You would love the 2 dogs there plus its across from LTU which is a must visit,esp. to mingle with the locals and learn a bit of culture

Beach: Negril Treehouse or Charela Inn
Cliffs: Blue Cave Castle

"Peaceful, safe & chill" = Catcha Falling Star (I hope my video upload works)

Srijah, If you can include the last Friday in April you'll hit the annual boardie bash. So much fun! As a musician you'll also appreciate "Drifters" for the sessions on Friday and Sunday afternooons. Lots of deals on the beach for May. Wait for a good one. Meals are@5-8$ local places up to 18-30$ seafood. Being from Halifax the seafood may disappoint. But I haven't had a bad meal ever in Negril. We love the beach (Treehouse) but almost always end up on the cliffs for dinner and bars. Most restaurants offer free pickup from the beach. For a special dinner or "last supper" you can't beat Ivan's at Catcha. Enjoy!

No suggestions for the cliffs but we stay at Nirvana often. I think March will be our 7th stay there
Waving from across the Strait, summering at our cottage in Wood a Islands PEI. :cool:

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Originally Posted by dash

Srijah, If you can include the last Friday in April you'll hit the annual boardie bash. So much fun! As a musician you'll also appreciate "Drifters" for the sessions on Friday and Sunday afternooons. Lots of deals on the beach for May. Wait for a good one. Meals are@5-8$ local places up to 18-30$ seafood. Being from Halifax the seafood may disappoint. But I haven't had a bad meal ever in Negril. We love the beach (Treehouse) but almost always end up on the cliffs for dinner and bars. Most restaurants offer free pickup from the beach. For a special dinner or "last supper" you can't beat Ivan's at Catcha. Enjoy!

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What Dash said.
PS. I never buy lobster in JA. Ours is so much sweeter and not as tough. The only time I would order it is at Ivan's for their lobster Thermidor otherwise, I eat it at home.

Love Country Country (beach), stayed 2x. Great breakfast included and awesome restaurant for dinner. Cliffs, I've stayed at Mirage and also loved it. Close to restaurants and bars but neither on property. Trying out Catcha Falling Star Gardens next trip. Also no bar or restaurant on site but as mentioned, LTU restaurant and bar right across the street and close to many others. Both are very reasonably priced.

Wow! You guys are super helpful! Thanks for all the replies. Nice video of Catcha ... I'm sure I'll have few more questions soon.

:)

OK ... I've narrowed it down to either 4 nights at Country Country or Charela Inn on the beach and then a move to cliffs for 3 nights at either Tensing Pen or Catcha Falling Star.

Anyone want to persuade me in one direction or another? :) Or perhaps another hotel option I'm not thinking of? (I prefer the properties with breakfast on site.) I'm thinking of booking through Negril One Stop ... since I am new to the Negril scene I figured they could be helpful. OR should I do it myself to possible save some dough?

Apologies for all the questions ...:o

Thanks again ...

Book through Negril One Stop, it won't cost you any more than if you did it yourself and they are very helpful.
As for the beach resorts...You can't go wrong with either Charela or Country Country. I might pick Charela for the location but they are both nice. Of the two cliff resorts, it depends what you are looking for. Tensing is a beautiful property and very quiet. Catcha is also a beautiful property, smaller, and a better bar scene...I have stayed at both and would choose Catcha again mostly because of the awesome staff.

Thanks Lorax2!

We had our first trip this year we did a split stay 4 nights in seastar and 10 nights in Coco la Plam best of both world when we go back again we will do the same thing.We found that it was fairly cheep there to eat and drink but of course that depened on where you when we also found we were there late april and it was very very quite every place we when.A btl of beer was around 3JD we when to the 100 candle lit dinner at ivan which was they most expensive.We averaged out around 150€ per day for both of us but we ate well and drank well for the while we were there and did 2 day trips and also the one love bus crawl which was well worth it.

If you go try seafood and more next to borboun beach great food for a small restraunt

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Originally Posted by dash

Being from Halifax the seafood may disappoint.

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Originally Posted by Lady Jane

What Dash said.
PS. I never buy lobster in JA. Ours is so much sweeter and not as tough. The only time I would order it is at Ivan's for their lobster Thermidor otherwise, I eat it at home.

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These are interesting comments. I've never heard anybody say they were disappointed in the seafood in Jamaica. Of course, there is always the debate between spiney lobster (the kind found in Jamiacan waters) and the American lobster (found off the shores of Nova Scotia and Maine, etc.), and the consensus will usually agree that the North American variety is tastier. However, the lobster prepared in Jamaica is still very good and there are few things I enjoy more than a grilled lobster on the beach, with a cold Red Stripe. Also, many other Jamaican seafood dishes are worth trying, only because it's hard to find that kind of preparation anywhere else; such as pepper shrimp, pan fried snapper or escovitch fish.

I have no doubt that the seafood in Nova Scotia is excellent, but it's hard to beat the freshness of a seafood dinner that was just caught that morning.

Mike, NovaScotia is almost an island. Not hard to get fresh fish and seafood. Bay of Fundy shellfish is shipped round the world and sought after, for a reason. Nothing like a Digby scallop. Just as we Canadians have fished out the Grand Banks Jamaica fishing is not at it's healthiest right now. Agree with you on the spices. They know how to prepare them!

While the seafood in Nova Scotia can be good, you can get bored of the usual. I love variety and the fresh fish from the Caribbean is awesome! I love to eat all kinds of different foods. I used to be a vegetarian, so I'm keen on trying some ital foods. I've attempted Jerk Chicken at home, but I'm sure the real thing will blow my mind.

Looks likely that I'll be staying at Country Country for 4 nights and Catcha Falling Star for 3 nights. Can't wait!! Peace, Love, and Music! :cool:

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Originally Posted by Mike_D

These are interesting comments. I've never heard anybody say they were disappointed in the seafood in Jamaica. Of course, there is always the debate between spiney lobster (the kind found in Jamiacan waters) and the American lobster (found off the shores of Nova Scotia and Maine, etc.), and the consensus will usually agree that the North American variety is tastier. However, the lobster prepared in Jamaica is still very good and there are few things I enjoy more than a grilled lobster on the beach, with a cold Red Stripe. Also, many other Jamaican seafood dishes are worth trying, only because it's hard to find that kind of preparation anywhere else; such as pepper shrimp, pan fried snapper or escovitch fish.

I have no doubt that the seafood in Nova Scotia is excellent, but it's hard to beat the freshness of a seafood dinner that was just caught that morning.

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Mike, I was referring to lobster only, not seafood. I agree I love fresh snapper etc in Negril that's been caught that day. And I love
the lobster here at home that I get directly off the lobster men at the wharf a mile from my cottage.

We're beachers and generally stay at Charela, although we have also stayed at Country Country. Both are great but after 30 years at Charela, it feels like home. Can't wait to get back in the winter. Highly recommended -- and the restaurant is also very good.

Stayed at Charela and loved it. Great beach I personally thought restaurant was overpriced and so-so, but I don't eat big meals, so coco bread in the morning and a patty for lunch does me fine. I'm staying at Cocolapalm this next trip using the groupon. But can't really go wrong at Charela.

Hello All !!! I haven't been on here for a while but I read post daily. When we planned our trip to Negril I wanted cliffs , hubs wanted the beach, so we did a split . He was sure he would be bored, We walked through the gates of CFS and he was hooked. I really feel any room here would be fine, whatever fits your budget. There is plenty of quiet places to sit all around the grounds. The staff is top notch . Plenty of restaurants to walk to. This year we are trying a cliff / cliff split.

Thanks for all the input. I'm definitely sold on Catcha Falling Star. :) Now, I just wish I was going sooner ...
How is the noise at night at Country Country vs. Charela or Treehouse?
I heard Margaritaville can be a bit loud (Maybe not so much in May?).
I love music ... but I don't want to hear dance-hall blasting at 2 am if I'm trying to catch some zees (zeds, eh?) ...

I've stayed in two of the beachfront cottages at Country Country. Margaritaville has a party Friday nights until 2 a.m. I could feel vibration from the music but had no problems falling asleep. The other nights were very quiet with only the sound of tree frogs and sea waves lulling me to sleep. Treehouse is right beside CC so rooms on that side, beachfront would get similar noise/vibration. Charela isn't close to party venues so should be quiet. Charelas restaurant is more formal than CC, no beachwear. A lot of Charelas guests are in the 50-60 age range. CC's guests tend to be a more varied age group. CC and Charela have the best hotel restaurants on the beach IMO. CC not as expensive as Charela, and breakfast is included.

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Originally Posted by SriJah

How is the noise at night at Country Country vs. Charela or Treehouse?
I heard Margaritaville can be a bit loud (Maybe not so much in May?).
I love music ... but I don't want to here dance-hall blasting at 2 am if I'm trying to catch some zees (zeds, eh?) ...

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We could hear it when we stayed at CC, but only on Friday night when M'Ville has their beach party. You could hear it, but it was only the one night, so it really wasn't that bad. The rain on the tin roof was actually louder one night :) That was in December, May may be quieter??

Thanks for the replies. I plan to stay at CC for the first part of the week and move to Catcha Falling Star for the weekend ... so I'll miss the party at Margarita-ville.

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... only the sound of tree frogs and sea waves lulling me to sleep.

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This sounds lovely!

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The rain on the tin roof was actually louder one night

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:D Yeah, I bet! ... that can be pretty loud. I've been woken up at home a few times during tropical storm torrential downpours on my asphalt roof.