After more than 20 trips to Tensing Pen we have yet to be disappointed. It is truly our second home. Hurricane Sandy did have a few effects on Tensing Pen but none that interfered with the trip. Most noticeable was a few of the sea grapes that provide shade on some areas. We have seen this before at TP and at our home in Florida, What happens is the salt spray from the sea burns some of the leaves and the plants have to be pruned. With this said the property is still beautiful. The grounds crew has done a great job getting things lovely, even where a few sea grapes were trimmed they were growing back like weeds. Over the 11 days we were there the growth was amazing.
Staff was wonderful as always. Malcolm our server most mornings at breakfast is always on the spot. Sheldon the bartender was up to his old antics, Ruth, Winston and Palmer our housekeepers had our room spotless and I always had ice for my cooler each day when our room was prepared. Mikey the pool guy is very entertaining and will gladly show you how to fish off the cliffs along with the Lifeguard Rusty. Jennifer the main cook dishes up some fantastic meals. And let me not forget all the girls in the office who make sure all your needs are meet.
My best friends at the resort are definitely the 3 Ridgeback dogs Shuga, Tensing and puppy Beezy. We have to beagles at home Callie and Kelsie and the dogs at Tp are like our second home pets. They spend most of the day with us hanging out on the cliffs, pool or patio. I have seen where other people say they bark at night, this is not so much the case. Yes they do bark some just like all dogs but for the most part they are quite at night as Tensing sleeps under our bed, Shuga sleeps at the foot of the bed and Beezy sleeps by the door. Beezy is a little over a year old and is quite the puppy at around 70lbs. One morning I got out of bed and she hopped in with Mary, Quite funny her laying there like a person. Whenever we leave the property they are awaiting our arrival bounding to greet us.
TP is a place you can make friends or hang out on your own in some of the private areas. Because we go the same time each year, Thanksgiving week there are quite a few guest like us that return at the same time we have developed friendships with through the years. TP has the environment of a big family reunion. The friends we have made there are in many ways just like family, Bill and Debbie, Chris and Michelle, Lynn and Janet, Corey and Robynne and Roger and Sherrie, couples that make there way back most every year. It is funny how easy it is to make friends that last a lifetime in a place like TP that has a relaxed atmosphere where you can share a meal and a few drinks.
The owners Sam, Richard and Karen try there best to make you feel at home!!
The food at TP is good but just like any other place in Jamaica that cooks fresh ingredients it takes time to make homemade meals. If you like to eat out there are plenty of places close by that are wonderful. this years favorites were Shark's across the Street for curried conch or pan fried snapper, Jamaica Style a short walk towards town on the right for Jamaican home cooking, De Bar for the best jerk chicken and Ros Rody's for a Jamaican Ital lunch, and Ahhhabee's for some interesting burgers. The little market across the street has all the supplies you will need for you trip. For a great lunch have Mikey the pool guy run to Red Dragon for some jerk pork or to Juicy Patties for Jamaican beef patties with coco bread.
The rooms are comfortable, our room does not have AC but is not a problem. At night there is some occasional road noise from the dogs across the street and at the property between TP and Catcha a Falling Star but not the dogs on the property. Sundays are loud with street noise from the little bar across the way where they have a street party. It can be very loud from the music but they quiet down at 10pm, the noise ordinance in Negril regulates how late they can have it that loud.
TP is one of those places that will bring tears to your eyes when that day finally comes that you have to go home. For us the only way to control our emotions when checking out is booking our trip for the upcoming year. We love TP and all the things about it. I can't even imagine not making our yearly trip there.
Thanks to everyone that make TP our home away from home!!!!
Timm
