Final question: Stayed at Banana Scout? Thoughts if so?

[Wisconsin gal]

OK, think we have narrowed to Banana Shout. Wasted WAY too much time trying to determine hotels! Please advise if you have pros or cons about the place or Dolphin Cottage - you can PM me if you prefer.
THANKS - need to make a good choice.

[Craig123]

Although I have never stayed there, it has always intruigued me. It's one of the very very first resorts to spring up in Negril and seems to have kept all it's original character. In it's infancy was simply a vietnam "draft dodger's" house. When he started running out of money he'd rent out rooms to the trickle of tourists that were starting to arrive. Eventually other buildings were completed and it became what it is today. You can't get a more "Jamaican" experience than Banana Shout. If you stay there, please report back with your experiences and photos.

BTW - The book "Banana Shout" is a great read.

[spottycatz]

When are you going? We're at the Dolphin last two weeks in April. If you read Clarity's report, they stayed there last April. Gave it an excellent 'rustic' thumbs up, with poor water pressure as the only real grouch.

[Caught]

Be aware of the tunes coming from Rick's, not a bad thing unless you don't like the reggae beat. Rick's is closed by bed time but you won't need to bring you iPod for background music.
I'm with Craig, check out the book.

[Wisconsin gal]

Going at Christmas/New Years. We are fine with Rustic, as long as it is clean. Does Rick's blast their music all day? Only been there one time on our first trip to Negril back in the day....Not really a Rick's gal (too touristy). But if we will be drowned out all day with cranking loud tunes, this is NOT for us!
Where do I get the book??? Amazon?

[Craig123]

Where do I get the book??? Amazon?

Sorry I don't remember. Definitely on-line at either Amazon or Chapters.

[nutz4travel]

We could hear the tunes from Ricks at Catcha. The band started just around sunset, not sure what time they quit, we were usually at Ivan's by then...

[Sweetness]

LOVE Banana Shout - have stayed there twice and both times had a wonderful time. VERY secure which is important to me. Onsite helper if you need anything. Milo and Marianne are perfect hosts. I love Dolphin next to Catcha - you cannot beat the sea view (hear me now) it is epic. You are right on the sea. Although basic I would not say rustic - clean comfortable and reasonable for on the sea for sure. I would HIGHLY recommend this place. Here are a few photos from my stay.

[Wisconsin gal]

Thanks - sunset till 10 pm hearing music is fine. Thought the band was there all day...
And I found the book on Amazon - ORDERED! Now if I could just figure out the damn hotel issue!

[Caught]

Amazon's got it in paperback.
http://www.amazon.com/Banana-Shout-M...t+mark+conklin