Considering a May trip and would be our first time on the Cliffs. How is Banana Shout?? Looks nice but would love some feedback!! Thanks in advance
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Considering a May trip and would be our first time on the Cliffs. How is Banana Shout?? Looks nice but would love some feedback!! Thanks in advance
We didn't stay at Banana shout but I did have an opportunity to tour the grounds. I walked over from Catcha on our last trip to check it out. I was curious too, especially after reading the book.
The groundskeeper was very friendly and accomodating. I also got to meet the owners. Really cool people. The grounds are beautiful. The resort is small but It's got a very cool and funky vibe. We're looking at Banana shout too for our next trip. I'm debating between banana shout, Tensing Pen and Citronella for our anniversary night.
Here are some pictures that I took while I was there:
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...anashout10.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...nanashout3.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...nanashout5.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...nanashout2.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...nanashout6.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...nanashout8.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...nanashout9.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...nanashout7.jpg
(little cave area on the bottom of the cliffs)
Very awesome place!
Clarity, thanks so much for pics of Banana Shout! Nice
Ah perfect timing for me to be lurking around on here! Thanks for sharing those pics. I've got reservations for 3 nites at Banana Shout (then 4 nites at beach after that) in May for our very first trip to Jamaica ever. I had a few others bookmarked forever but when it came time to push the button, just something made me decide to go with Banana Shout. It just looks cozy and private and sweet.
For $100 a night in the off season the place looks like a great value. It is right next door to Catcha, so same view and vibe. It's on my to check out list also.
If you are a person that needs AC, you may not like it. I personally was too hot to sleep there.
cottages by the water are excellent...no noise, great breeze, beautiful...the ones nearthe road do have a noise issue
Also the book is so great. Was sad when I hear that the author died last month at the age of 63.
I'd stay there in a heartbeat.......have checked it out a couple times.......very nice
great sunsets and great snorkeling there.......
Cool Runnings, Marko
@Marko...unless you have actually experienced the rooms by the road you might not say that....yes, BS is great, but only the rooms by the water are comfortable to be in for the breeze and the quiet
Thourgh the years, we have stayed in every cottage there. I would definately not book the ones near the road. All night it is "bark, bark" and "beep beep". The ones by the cliff enjoy the swooshing, crashing of the waves. It's like a white noise machine to go to sleep by.
Respect,
Col. Andy & "Wildcat" Pam
We got the Dolphin Bay and it really does look like it sits at the edge of the world. The Catcha was full-up, so this seemed like next best thing as far as what we were looking for. Swooshing, crashing of the waves is exactly what I was hoping for. We need a hideout!
we stayed there in march 2009 for a few nights in the red rooster closer to the road, there was a bit of noise and it is pretty dark at night and a few bugs but the view is great and beautiful woman who use to date the owner and worked there is so incredibly polite; beleive she was Miss Jamaica back a few years ago
Jim and I also enjoyed our stay at Banana Shout. We had the tree House room. It was a bit noisy, and the stairs down to the bathroom after an evening of drinking were DANGEROUS!~~ But the view was so sweet~~ Now when we were there was NO pool NO bar NO food, We were supposed to have breakfast included NO breakfast..... No coffee......... Just a nice room. But with new owners somethings might have changed.
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Great pix. Thanks for sharing. Yeah, I got the feeling we were basically getting a room and not much else...unfortunately Catcha was full-up except for a 2 bedroom. We're only doing 3 nites at the BS and then 4 at the beach at a place with more amenities...but that view. It's like you're at the edge of the world.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim-Donna
We have stayed at Banana Shout twice. We love Dolphin Bay. Nothing fancy, no frills. Great little cottage with the most amazing view. No A/C which was fine for us because we went both times in late November.
We did have Tree House for a few days and we liked the huge deck and the room was small but all you need. However, the bathroom is down the stairs and that took some getting used to and it is loud from the street noise.
Definitely choose Dolphin Bay or Dolphin View.
Milo and Marianne are wonderful and consider them friends and will do anything to make your stay perfect.
Mrs. Peel really wants to stay at Catcha next time.
I have to say Banana Shout is playing the siren's song for me.
I like the boutique vibe.
I love the history.
So are you saying the two rooms/cottages by the sea both have Dolphin in their name?
There are so many good places to eat in the vicinity that I don't see them not having meals as a problem.
I stayed in the Red Rooster room (before the renovation). The cottage itself is nice but really dark at night. It has a cool loft bedroom BUT I couldn't sleep there either due to barking dogsacross the street and if you close all the slat windows it's too hot. Also we were under the impression there was breakfast included but there was not. I think it was 2008 when we stayed there so things might have changed.
I did love the grounds and the grotto. If you are into rustic cabins and don't mind the noise or going off property for every meal it's cool.
Also the noise from Ricks was only around sunset after that it's all street noise!!
I would stay there again knowing what I know now but in one of the sea front cottages only!!
Yes the two cottages are Dolphin View to the left closest to Rick's and Dolphin Bay to the right closest to Catcha. I have only stayed at Dolphin Bay and request it each time.
In November we did 8 nights at Catcha in Libra and 5 nights at Banana Shout. Love Catcha a lot and definitely would stay again. What brought us back to Banana Shout is that we love our little Dolphin Bay cottage and Milo, Marianne and Plug. They are like family and that is why we will always go back there. If you have the time, a stay at both Catcha and Banana is a great way to go.
Love the pictures posted above. Really takes me back.
Oh cool to hear about Dolphin Bay...that's the one we're staying in. I just love the looks of that little place and really want that feeling of being at the edge of the world. I was bummed we couldn't get into Catcha but glad to hear you felt happy with BS as well. Is there an easy way (secret path or something) to get to Catcha from BS (like if we wanted to go next door for dinner...)?Quote:
Originally Posted by Aud-A-Sea
Hey MissFussy....yes, you can easily make reservations at Ivan's for dinner. Because we stayed there for the 8 days prior to moving to BS, they allowed us to come there every morning also for breakfast.
I know it is not the right thing, but I do love having a swim in the pool, so I would swim over to Catcha, climb up the ladder, rinse off at the cliffside shower, and then swim in their pool and then swim back over to BS.
We would also swim over to Tensing Pen (next to Catcha), and go up their ladder and walk across that really cool wooden bridge that expands over the water and then head down the other ladder and back into the sea.
If you like to snorkel, head toward Rick's and Citronella and out to the far left side of Catcha about 50 feet out there are hundreds of starfish. It is amazing.
Enjoy your trip.
Hey Aud a sea,Quote:
Originally Posted by Aud-A-Sea
Are the starfish to the left if you are facing the water, near BS? Thanks
Booger, you beat me to that question....I reread her post a few times trying to figure it out....I want to see the starfish!!!
Lovely! Thanks so much. I haven't really snorkeled before but I can't think of a better time to try if there are starfish waiting to be seen!Quote:
Originally Posted by Aud-A-Sea
How far in advance would you suggest making reservations at Ivans? And just call the number on the Catcha site I would think?
If you are facing the water it would be to the left of Citronella. But not too far left.
When we were there 2 yrs ago, we came out of the water first, but our son-in-law was still behind us. When he came up the ladder he told us of all these starfish out there. We were thinking of going back out, but thought maybe it was just a few.
After he passed away, we went back to Jamaica and snorkeled from BS to the lighthouse closely to the shore. On the way back, we were tired, so took a straight shot back to BS and there they were...so many I cannot even count and that was 10 months later. Since it was our 1st trip back since he passed, it was really magical to see starfish as far as the eyes could see. We call them Joey's starfish.It really was amazing and I wish everyone could see what we saw. it is just too cool.
You can walk right over to Catcha and make reservations right at the front desk.
We booked Banana shout for the final days of our April trip.
I also experienced that siren call that Rumpolephoreskin described...
I fell in love when I toured the grounds and milo is so friendly.
The price is really good and it would be amazing to hear the ocean while we're falling asleep at night.
We booked the dolphin view. Does anyone have any experience with that room?
I saw what looked like a bar in the center of the property, is it ever open? Do they serve any food?
So you're staying at Catcha and Shout? Sounds like fun!
I think they are staying at 4 or 5 places. Nomads they are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Coco
Clarity-
We can wave to each other :) My view of Banana Shout from the hammock on the porch of Sagi is quite nice.
And if the bar and restaurant is not working, just walk next door and we will meet you at Ivan's ;)
*Pay no attention to booger who will be showering in the outdoor shower- he already called dibs* LMAO
Yes, Nomad we ARE:)
I think we might be setting a hotel hopping record.
We just want to experience and see as much as we can on this trip.
It will be at least 5 or 6 years until we can go to Negril again after this special upcoming vacation.
Marley - We'll be at Catcha the same time as you, We'll be moving over to Banana Shout on your last day.
Ack! No! I don't want to think about that day!:(
Banana Shout has a bar area, however, it is not a functioning bar. The reason for this is that there are only 4 cottages so not enough people around at once to pay to keep someone full-time bartending, etc.
However, Milo will plan a dinner and ask if any guests wish to all pitch in and he will shop and cook. Also, they will pick up stuff to make drinks and everyone just pitches an amount depending on how many drinks they had.
Milo and Marianne are very laid back and will do everything to make your stay a perfect one.
Banana Shout and Catcha are both great properties, but also very different. Love them both.
Ya right. Like we haven't heart THAT ONE before .... Clarity, who you kiddin'? You'll be back by Christmas ..... lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clarity
gerryg123 - LOL! I wish!:D
Aud-A-Sea - Thanks so much for the helpful info on Banana Shout
We'll just stock up on Red stripe and keep it in the fridge. :cool:
I'm really looking forward to staying at Banana Shout, I have a feeling we're going to really love it!
Clarity,
Love your trip report. I have stayed at the "Shout" about 8 times, always the seafront cottage on the right. (Closest to Catcha) It is awesome, the breeze, the small quiet property, the shower down the steps right at sea level (You feel like you are walking on water) Also the coolness of the sitting area down there. The porch and hammock, many times it was hard to get off the porch as the view is stunning, sunset views amazing, you can also watch the parade of boats up to Rick's for sunset. No A/C has never been an issue and I stayed for a month in August timeframe. I am sure you will love it. Also LTU and Ivan's are right there for fab food!!
Bless~
this is killing me...in a good way. We're booked for that room in May and what you've described is 100% what I am hoping for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Huahine
You'll be in good hands with Milo. His family have done wonders with the place. Big Up to them all.
I have some great pics of Banana Shout from my stay there. They are on my home computer so I'll try to figure out how to post pics tonight. Haven't posted pics since the board moved to the new format. I was in Dolphin Bay or View (the one closest to Catcha) my first night but there just wasn't any breeze when I was there and Milo was so awesome to move me to Red Rooster which had an awesome breeze upstairs in the bedroom. It kind of has a tunnel effect through the middle of the property so that upstairs room truly gets an incredible breeze. I'm an A/C girl and come from the dry climate of Southern California so the no breeze thing was tough for me that first night. Absolutely loved Red Rooster but I did have to deal with street noise and (as the unit is so aptly named) the roosters wake-up call at 4 a.m. And the stairs could be hazardous for someone needing to go down to the restroom in the middle of the night who had a little too much to drink. Yikes. Milo and Marianne are awesome!!!!! They are masters at staying out of your way to give you privacy but yet seem to be right there whenever you need and will do their best to accommodate anything you might want. The best hosts of anywhere I've stayed.