And The West End Hotel Winner Is......

Catcha Falling Star Gardens!!!

Thanks to everyone who responded with their advice and recommendations. In the end this one fit the best. Cliff side would have been nice, but since my dates are still during high season it just wasn't going to work with the budget.

It's kind of a strange feeling, because I've been to Negril so many times but always near the beach..this almost feels like I'm going to a new destination! I always knew what to expect at my "usual" spot. I have a good feeling about this though.

So, who has stayed there?

Congrads...Its a great place-excellent location-great staff-large rooms with nice balconies-and they have the new pool !!!! I have a feeling you may become a regular hanging out at LTU ...(LOL)

You are going to love it!! Just returned from having stayed at SS and Catcha Gardens. Really kicked back atmosphere, great staff, awesome pool, great resort dogs...and I could go on and on. Plus, just a quick step across the street to LTU, which I think has one of the best views pon da cliffs.

Enjoy!! Wish I were heading back again. Give my respects to Jane, Joan, Veronica, Loretta, Wayne, Marshall and of course...to the resort dogs, Pumpkin and Bell. :)

I stayed there for 3 weeks last year in late March/early April and loved it. Great room, great staff, two very friendly dogs with good manners and a fantastic pool area. Frigs in all rooms. Rooms are very comfortable and quite large; large veranda with table and chairs & hammock. LTU right across the street; Sharks restaurant a short walk down the road; good jerk chicken right across from Ricks, and the well stocked L&M Market is also just a short walk away. I liked their security set up (security guard there all night; front access to property locked at night but there is bell which summons the security guard who will either bring your guest to your room or will come tell you someone is there to see you. Route taxi's run frequently during the day, and if you need a taxi just go over to LTU as there are usually several drivers there (I used Niah when I needed taxi at night).

That was my first stay on the west end after many many years on the beach and I quite enjoyed it (although I did miss hearing the music from Alfreds on concert nites). The only things I would do different would be to take a coffee maker with me (no coffee at LTU until about 7:30 am and I am an early riser) and would take my laptop (good wifi at both Catcha Gardens and at LTU).

You can swim from LTU as they have steps leading to the water or you can go to Ricks and swim. I on the other hand would simply take a cab to the Wild Parrot for some beach time as they have a wonderful spot with a cool bar, shower, and changing rooms.
Friday nite Oldies Party at LTU is cool. 22 pac plays old mow town and reggae. When I was there in November, a lot of folks showed up for that one. I liked it because it was an excuse for me to wear my good shirt.

BCBud.....good idea re the coffee maker

Rastagal, We will be there next week for our 1st 3 nights and can't wait. I also love the beach, but last year stayed
at CF Star, and loved it. We are trying the Garden side this year - the only rooms they had left during our week were the very expensive ones. I can't wait!!

Welcome to "the Gardens" family!! I am a beach girlie, but have to spend a few nights there. It is so peaceful. Love the upstairs room at the front of the property. You still get a partial view of the road activity. Soon come!!

Good pick...I can't to have dinner at Ivan's...soon come..2weeks from today!!

catcha is great...however...one word of caution.....there is a jerk stand across the way called leroys, and last I knew he also worked at Catcha......you want nothing to do with him...trust me.

Leroy does not work at Catcha...

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Originally Posted by ed kennedy

leroys, and last I knew he also worked at Catcha.......

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Leroy's Chicken is an Institution and been around for years and years..........and very successful.......
and him doesn't work for anyone but himself......you got your bad man and Leroy mixed up for sure........

Cool Runnings, Marko

Hmmm. I never thought about the taxi situation at night. I guess I can always call a driver to go down to the beach at night. I don't usually head out until around 10pm or so and I'm guessing there won't be an abundance of taxi's driving by the hotel at that time of night huh?

There are route taxi's at nite too ... just not as many as during the daytime. No problem getting a regular taxi at night and they will negotitate on fare rate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ed kennedy

catcha is great...however...one word of caution.....there is a jerk stand across the way called leroys, and last I knew he also worked at Catcha......you want nothing to do with him...trust me.

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Hey Ed,
What's the deal with Leroy? He cooked me up a great meal in May. In October I saw him kicking back and had some conversation with him, but he hadn't opened up shop as "tangs are sloooow mon." This is the first time I have seen something less than desirable with Leroy posted.

We stayed at Catcha Gardens last January. Just about the best value I've found in Negril. Room was great, dogs, staff and pool all good. LTU is a great place to eat and lots of taxis hang out there. If LTU has the Sea ladder in that makes it perfect!

Patrick Tate has out at LTU
Good driver and good sole.
Good rates too.

regarding Leroy...prefer not to post details here but I know of what I speak.....glad to hear he no longer works at Catcha

Just let security know and he can hook you up. We went out late to the Jungle and had no problem getting a taxi.

I stayed at Catcha and ordered some food from Leroy.....He tried to charge me some stupid amount and I refused to pay...Very nasty guy......However,2 days later I went across the street and gave him my case of empty Red Stripes to cash in at the store anyway....

@Marko..I can assure you that you do not know Leroy and I do not have two people mixed up......I can guarantee that!

Thanks for the taxi advice! That was really my only apprehension about staying on the cliffs. I go out most nights and wasn't sure if it was going to be inconvenient being up there and having to make the trip down to the beach each night.

I'll make sure to be on guard for the person in question above. Thanks for the heads up!

Regarding taxi's, generally there are drivers around LTU. Never had a problem getting one, just negotiate your price first. Enjoy!!

Does anyone know where Coffee Rose or Bella Villa is on the property? I have one and my friend has the other. They said they were relatively close to each other? Thanks in advance.

They are all really close.

I stayed there soon after Catcha took it over, before the pool. Loved it. Really comfy and friendly and secure and already thoughtfully placed garden chairs and such.

As for Leroy, he did sort of work at Catcha as a groundskeeper years ago. He has a food stand across the street, which I have patronized and enjoyed. I haven't had a bad experience with him but anything is possible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rastagal

I go out most nights and wasn't sure if it was going to be inconvenient being up there and having to make the trip down to the beach each night.

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before midnight getting a ride down to the beach by route taxi from the Cliffs is okay..........
the closer to midnight though the less route taxis you will see on the Cliffs.......
getting a ride back in the wee hours of the morning from the beach to the Cliffs........
you pretty much need to get a driver or use whoever is going up the Cliffs......
at night mi usually spend $200J's by route taxi to get to the beach action from the Cliffs..........
when mi return in the wee hours of the morning........
mi usually pay between $500J's to $800J's to get from the beach back to the Cliffs......
but that is for a car full of people and not per person to get back to the Cliffs.......lol
so grab a bunch of people when you heading back up to Catcha Gardens from the beach in the wee hours of da morning......like from the Jungle or maybe even XXX.....lol....cause it normally doesn't cost anything extra.....lol

Cool Runnings, Marko

Good advice Marko! LOL. The more the merrier!

Yah, there are generally taxi's around LTU hanging out sometimes, even at night, so getting one shouldn't be any problem at all. :)

where is Wild Parrot? thanks

Wild Parrot is next to Chances on the beach.