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

[Lady Jane]

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!

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.

[Mike_D]

Being from Halifax the seafood may disappoint.

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.

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.

[Lady Jane]

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, 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.

[Lady Jane]

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.

[SriJah]

[Melody]

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.

[SriJah]

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.

[SriJah]

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 ...

Thanks again ...

[Lorax2]

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.

[SriJah]

Thanks Lorax2!