Thanks sammyb for the info. Yes - my home-away-from-home has become Negril, but about every other trip now we try somewhere else.
About a year ago did Treasure Beach on the South Coast for a week, then came back to Negril via Mandeville. Very different vibe than Negril.
So now is turn for Port Antonio. Am really looking forward to it.

What I am looking for is equivalent to Seastar Inn - if you're familiar. Smaller, family-run, place that is clean, safe and with A/C, pool, comfy bed.
Others at level I am OK with are Legends, Negril Beach Club Condos, Fun Holiday. So something along those lines - nothing really fancy.
I guess they've spoiled me with their Seastar Specials and Legends returning guest rates - around $300 for the week. Looks like that will cover me only about 2 days at hotels in PA with similar level of accommodations/amenities.
So I've resigned myself to a hotel budget in PA of up to $150/day. I know even that is very limiting in PA.
We treat hotel as only a base from which to explore - store our stuff, sleep, and shower. We'll be away most of the day - so see no sense on getting anything fancy/expensive.

I'm a big guy and the humidity kills me so need A/C to sleep comfortable and a pool for cooling dips after a day out exploring - or be right on the water.
Ivanhoe's I had found - but no pool. Same for several others that get good reviews otherwise - like Tim Bamboo and most of the B&Bs right in town.

Since hotels are so expensive in PA (compared to Negril) I have been looking at an alternative I've not done yet - the small villa option.
Not the whole villa, but places that rent out individual rooms. So sammyb, you are on the right track for me.
But the ones that look really good - San San Villas, Micshur Guest House, Jamaica Colors - that have good price and great reviews don't have room available. Of course.
So that's another thing different than Negril - usually I show up with only reservation for first night then visit several places and negotiate a rate - never a problem even at Christmas.

I saw the 3 recent reviews for La Solana Villas (old Fern Hill) - like you said, only the villas open while rest being renovated.
I'm interested in your opinion since you stayed - assuming condition is the same would you return? I'm assuming it would be better now, if anything.
Also, how long a drive off the main road to it - sounds like is a bad road?
I should mention we'll have rental car so getting around, grocery shopping, etc is not a problem - even if villa is a bit off the path.

Match Resort and Jamaica Tamboo are places I had not found in my research - Match Resort looks promising, I'll look more.
The only Jamaica Tamboo I find is the one in Negril - did you mean Jamaica Palace in PA? If so, it's just out of my budget - unless they haggle, like for a weekly rate???

Thanks again - all advice is appreciated.