Legends has an AI option, although myself and others have found it to be less than "great" as far as the food/drinks that are included.

I haven't been to Seastar yet, but it has a free shuttle to the beach and they also have AI as an option. The food gets rave reviews.

There are several other hotels along the beach that are Jamaican-owned, or at least "real" as you say (not cookie cutter).

I LOVE Mariners, aka Negril Beach Club. Every room has a fridge. Nice beach bar with a couple other inexpensive beach bars right near it to walk to. You can run to Hi-Lo once and get cases of Stripes for like + or - $30 I think (warm beers cost less BTW, and you have fridge...). It's within walking distance to the roundabout. The Patti vendors start out there, so lunch is like $1.50 LOL

There are ways around AI without breaking the bank...you will get lots of responses here.