Some people prefer the beach and others prefer the cliffs. That's the beauty of Negril - there is something for everybody. If you enjoy wandering around at night, on foot, then the beach might be a more suitable place to stay. As other have said, most cliff dwellers get used to taking taxis at night. Of course, if you are going to take a taxi, then you also have the option of going to the beach for a couple dollars more.

Many cliff hotels also have one or two bars nearby that you can safely walk to at night. When we stayed at Home Sweet Home, C&D was practically across the street so we ended a couple nights there. Of course the nightlife vibe at the smaller West End spots will not be the same as a place Alfred's or Bourbon Beach. LTU is pretty close to Catcha. I wouldn't be afraid to stop in there for a nightcap, even if there are only a few people around.

Hope the rest of your trip is awesome!