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Jamaica Lodging
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The tourism industry in Jamaica is 200 years old and today millions visit the Caribbean island every year. Many tourists choose to stay on the famed white sand north shore and accommodations of every kind are available there.
The mountains, port cities and south coast offer a good selection of alternatives to the crowds and a peek at the rest of Jamaica.
The western tip of Jamaica just past the 7-mile beach at Negril limestone cliffs jut out over the sea and both swanky and primitive lodgings have set up digs here. Tensing Pen, thatched stone and wood huts, is elegant while being simple and using local artisans and resources.
Secrets Cabins on the beach is a few comfortable wood cabins with community bathhouse, meals available and blue shallow water at your doorstep.
Roots Bamboo in Negril offers budget accommodations at $10(2006 prices!) a campsite for on the sand sites. Small cabins are available and live entertainment in the open bar complements the sunset. (www.rootsbamboo.com) Negril caters to all tastes and budgets and Jamaica lodging of every kind is established.
On the island’s north coast, west of Montego Bay in Ocho Rios,
Teresina Jamaica is a bed and breakfast on an historic estate. The chalet is built in the style of a Spanish villa and the atmosphere is casual. Teresina is a good homebase for people interested in discovering the true Jamaica experience. Teresina’s rooms have private balconies and bathrooms and groups are welcomed.
Forres Park Guesthouse is perched in the Blue Mountains an hour’s drive from Kingston. This eco-lodge offers full hotel rooms with private baths and cabins with multiple bunks. Hikers are at home here with wholesome homestyle Jamaican food and friendly guides expert at all the trails and beauty spots around the lodge. Emphasis is on peace and quiet, and enjoying the local flora and fauna.
The Maya Lodge and Hiking Center at Jacks Hill above Kingston is the base for Sense Adventures. Sense features a range of adventure excursions across the island, with accommodations in nature based properties all over Jamaica. The Maya Lodge has geodesic huts and lodging in private rooms along with tent camping. The terrace restaurant has a simple but hearty menu and the staff is friendly and well informed.
Coffee connoisseurs are welcomed at Whitfield Hall Hostel, an over 200-year-old great house in the midst of one of Jamaica’s original working coffee farms. Enjoy learning how beans are cultivated and processed while soaking up the lush, moist environment of the central mountains. Whitfield Hall is at 4000 ft. on the main trail to Blue Mountain Peak. Guests at this Jamaica lodging enjoy rustic bunkhouse and cabin accommodations and home cooked meals are available. (www.whitfieldhall.com)
On the beautiful south coast visitors have a few excellent choices of Jamaica lodging. A most authentic Jamaica lodging experience is found at Ital Rest Cottages on Treasure Beach. Far from the madding crowd on a coastal plain with views to the mountains and Caribbean Sea, Ital Rest is a meadow of flowers and fruits and butterflies and grasses that lead to the numerous sandy coves. The water is solar heated and guests enjoy candle lighting and fresh breezes from two open verandas in these traditional island homes of wood. Cottages have shared kitchens and the friendly proprietors enjoy a mean game of scrabble and will be happy to arrange any or your needs from laundry to lobster. http://treasurebeach.net/guide/ws/default.cfm
At Calabash Bay a funky and quietly popular place called Jake’s has individually designed cottages with features like huge patio daybeds with pillows, walls and wispy shading. The cottages capitalize on the semi-arid setting and could nearly pass for somewhere in Morocco. There are no phones or televisions at Jake’s, just a luscious shady pool and two restaurants.
Travelers who want private Jamaica lodging can contact The Jamaica Association of Villas and Apartments. The island has dozens of vacation rentals and short-term apartments in every region and usually staff is included which consists of cook, housekeeper and gardener. Other services may include private car and driver, babysitter, laundry, or tour guide.
Choosing to stay in locally owned lodging supports families and there are plenty of options for local rooms and rentals. Traveling around the country is easy and innkeepers can point visitors to nice places to stay anywhere on the island.
Jamaica lodging is a crucial part of the tourism based economy of the island and visitors will find ample choice of accommodation to suit any style of vacation.
From extreme budget to extreme luxury the island has mastered the art of helping people relax and soak up all that the Caribbean has to offer.
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