Unofficial Negril.com readers' survey: Favorite hotel in Negril

[gerryg123]

I haven't computed all the final stats, but Catcha has got No. 1 locked up. Interesting that so many of the big all-inclusives that are so popular on TA, they did not do nearly as well on Negril.com votes. I guess for peeps who go to Negril multiple times, the AIs are less popular.

But Catcha is No. 1 on both, so I've got to hand it to that property -- it's a special hotel. I'll figure out which hotels got the most total No. 1s, and I think Catcha got that one, too.

I'm a little surprised Bar B Barn performed so poorly. I've stayed there, you're missing out guys.

Most astounding of all is Seastar inn's performance despite not being directly on the coast .... It's hard enough just to overcome being across the street as opposed to DOWN the street ....

[tfw73]

This has me wondering. Should I change my last three nights to Catcha instead of Xtabi? There is still room availability, but I would need to act fast. Opinions, anyone?

Is Catcha as snorkel/swim friendly off the cliffs as Xtabi appears to be?

[marley9808]

Mr. X!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Omg.....does this mean we get the conclusion of the 2010 trip report?!?!?!?!
I was so hooked on that story and then it just faded away, we never saw the conclusion did we? Please say you are back to add to it!

Oh and BTW....Go Catcha!!!!!!!!! It really is my favorite place on earth!

[marley9808]

Hi tfw73
Both places are great. In this poll Catcha was my #1 and Xtabi was my #2, so either way you go you will not be disappointed.

Catcha is my very favorite place on earth, but everytime I am in Jamaica, I spend time at Xtabi too and I would not hesitate to stay there again if my sweet Catcha was booked. They both have good food and drinks, lovely views, good swimming and snorkeling and pools, and they both offer rooms with a/c if you need it.

Here are the main differences I will note so you can perhaps use them to make your choice
1. Xtabi is cheaper than Catcha in every aspect, rooms, food, drinks
2. The staff at Catcha IMO is better than Xtabi. Now dont get me wrong, I have been going to Xtabi for years and I LOVED Donovan (even invited him to my wedding) but he is not there anymore, Omar is a great guy, but the feeling at Xtabi (to me at least) is not what it used to be, whereas I love every single person at Catcha, they are amazing and FUN! And Kevin and Ty at Ivan's bar, that place is always fun, where the last few times we hung at Xtabi's bar it was a ghost town.
3. Xtabi is open to the public, meaning anyone can stop in anytime day or night, to have a drink, have some food, go swimming, etc. Catcha is only open to the public at night for dinner reservations.
4. The entire property of Catcha is on the cliffs, all the rooms, the pool, the bar/restaurant. Xtabi is split between the cliffs and garden side (across the road from the cliffs). The cliffside cabins and bar/restaurant are on the cliff side whereas all of the other rooms and the pool are across the street.

So that pretty much sums up the two properties, and hopefully helps you.
Like I said before Xtabi is a great place, I love it. But if you were to ask me, my first choice is always Catcha

[tfw73]

Marley, thank you for the breakdown of places. That is exactly what I am looking for. We've eaten at Ivan's and it was wonderful. The place is beautiful. I have never been to Xtabi. I'm leaning towards changing. The decision is all mine because whenever I ask my husband he says, "Whatever you want"...ugh, not much help lol.

[marley9808]

No problem!
It's also good to know that either way you go, you can't make a wrong choice! lol

[Marko]

my first choice is always Catcha

as it is with a lot of us on here and TA..............
being a solo guy mi have a hard time spending that kind of money on myself at Catcha again......
I did do it once when I got a heck of a rate to stay there and real happy I got to experience Catcha.........
and yes the snorkeling is excellent off of there too..........
Catcha will always hold a special place in our hearts......because wi caught a falling star

Cool Runnings, Marko

[tfw73]

No problem!
It's also good to know that either way you go, you can't make a wrong choice! lol

Oh that is a good point!

[Fred Stripe]

Depends when you go and what room TFW...I stayed at the little Pisces room at Catcha for $100 pr nt and had my own deck,outside shower and water views..........Xtabi is nice but in my opinion only if you dont stay across the street.......The cliffisde rooms at Xtabi are very cool.....

[flfungal]

I would think it depends on whether you like more people to hang out with as well. Catcha is normally going to be much less crowded since it's limited for the most part to the folks staying there. So, I'd prefer Xtabi since my motto is "the more people to party with the better"!