Name: Jim G.
Location: Negril, Jamaica
Link: The Rockhouse
Description: The Rockhouse is located in a secluded spot on the far west of the island, far away from the mega-resorts like Sandals, Hedonism and whatnot. The resort is centered around a string of a couple dozen private villas strung out along the cliff face overlooking the ocean. You have great scenery, lovely, lush gardens, snorkling right out in front of you and cliff diving for the adventurous. My wife and I visited it this past March. What beautiful place! And the staff was helpful, friendly and laid back...
The resort also sponsors a charitable organization to benefit local children, which is very nice considering this isn't a giant corporate entity that can easily write it off. Here is a view of part of our bedroom from the inside, trying to emphasize how tall the bed and ceilings were. The wash area was behind the stone wall at the headboard. The shower was outdoors:
Here is a shot of another villa, some of the footbridges, and the swimming inlets below:
A look at the front of one of the buildings where they rent regular hotel-style rooms:
Evening at the Rockhouse restaurant. It was fabulous food in a low-key environment. A destination for a lot of the people who stayed at other local resorts:
One of the huts where you could get private or couples spa treatments while overlooking the ocean:
One of the sunsets, as taken from the porch outside our villa. An unretouched photo (the colors were just as pictured):
Looking back at the Rockhouse restaurant from one of the other cliffs:
The morning yoga area (that's my wife in the center):
Part of the restaurant lounge:
A compressed-view of many of the semi-private terraces for the villas and studios on the south side of the resort:
Thanks for sharing your escape, Jim!
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I LOVE the Rockhouse. What a fabulous place, I stayed there for 5 days in 2006. Highly recommended!
view robin's profile
we almost went to the rock house for our honeymoon...i'm glad to know it was as fantastic as it looked...(we were afraid to be disappointed with it for our big trip - and we didn't want to travel that far after the plain ride)...but now we are considering it for an anniversary trip! thanks!
view murray's profile
not to get on a soapbox but, homosexuality is a crime punishable by 10 years in jail in Jamaica. People are regularly beaten and killed. don't support their economy.
view jeffnyc's profile
While in Jamaica for a friend's wedding last November, we stayed at Tensing Pen- also very nice, but only some of the 'huts' have air conditioning, so be careful when booking! We had dinner one night at Rockhouse (& the bride and groom stayed there for their honeymoon) and it was great! A good mix of rustic Jamaican charm without feeling like you're completely roughing it.
view NicoleMc's profile
To Jeffnyc...your statement is false. I am Jamaican and there is no such law. I will admit there is rampant homophobia, and that must change, but the people are usually nice, and helpful. For you to blatantly tell people not to support our economy is relative to you telling people not to go to New York, or Los Angeles or Baltimore to avoid violence. It is a beautiful country and the new government has made great efforts to harness that problem. Please be more thorough with your research next time.
view sjwarchive's profile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Jamaica
LGBT (Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender) rights in Jamaica are dominated by the prohibition of sexual acts between men. Sexual acts between women are legal, by virtue of the absence of any reference to it in law. Sex between men is punishable with up to ten years jail.
view jeffnyc's profile
to sjwarchive... i don't know where you lived in jamaica but, my friends who lived there tell a different barbaric story. maybe it's because no one comes out in jamaica and you never knew anyone that was "out" when you lived there.
violence and prejudice against one targeted segment of the population is quite different than general violence.
view jeffnyc's profile
I love the Rockhouse! I went there in 2005. While it is a resort you can feel good knowing that they practice sustainability, are involved in the community and treat the staff well. it is also affordable. We also enjoyed getting out and experiencing some of the local restaurants near the hotel. If you look at their TripAdvisor ratings you'll see that pretty much anyone who stays there is equally as enthusiastic.
view CapitolHille's profile