Just back from the Rockhouse Hotel in Negril, Jamaica. An exotic escape with inspirational views, blissful sounds of the sea and stylish decor. This picture-perfect hidden gem, quickly became one of my favorite places to stay in the Caribbean.

Part of the design hotels collection, the Rockhouse Hotel is located two and a half miles west of Negril town on West End Road. Situated on the western most point of Jamaica, perched high on the cliff, offering spectacular views of the turquoise and deep blue shades of the sea. Undeniably, one of the best spots to view a consistently, mind-blowing sunset. While the Rockhouse might not fit the mold of every discerning traveler, I did find the laid-back vibe of this hotel to be beautifully unique, authentic to the roots and full of character.

Getting There
Air Jamaica offers a direct red-eye flight from LAX to Montego Bay Airport. The five hour flight, my husband and I endured was brutal. Too short to get comfortable enough for some good shuteye. With an arrival time of six in the morning all I could think about was a soft bed. Kenny’s Tours (recommended by Rockhouse Hotel) drove us to the hotel about an hour and half from the airport. It was rainy, but beautiful as we drove through the parishes, watching the Jamaican locals going about their day as our guide pointed out the sights. Kenny’s staff provided us a pleasant drive offering a wealth of local knowledge. We used them to, from and in between, during our stay in Negril with ease and many laughs.

Rockhouse Hotel
When we arrived, the rain had stopped and the clouds parted for morning sun. Still early enough that we knew our room would not be ready, the staff whisked our bags away and told us to enjoy the property while we waited. We settled into a cozy spot at the restaurant for breakfast with a gorgeous view of the rock formations and angry sea crashing violently against the rocks below. We were served with an enormous fruit plate (which we had every morning), my husband had the eggs benedict with their house bread and callaloo (Jamaican version of spinach) and I munched on cheese toast with tomato. We found out that the storms from the East coast resulted in large swells and wind, very unusual conditions during this time of year.

Restaurant and Bar
Suspended above the pristine cove, the rustic dining area was an open floor plan, presented in dark woods, large planked hardwood floors and high ceilings. Every table offers views of the sea and rock-forming cliffs topped with thatched-roofed villas alternating in brightly colored paint and natural rock blending environmentally and harmonious with the tropical flora beyond. With Reggae music playing in the background, a relaxing area with couches, oversized board games, small television (most often-showing cricket), covered and uncovered seating, and most importantly the center attraction, of course being, ‘the bar’. The food was very innovative and the chef classified the cuisine as “New Jamaican Style” serving a tasty lobster blaze, jerk chicken, blackened snapper salad and sandwiches for lunch and an equally appetizing menu at dinner. The best dishes created a fusion of different origins, producing mixtures of tanginess, hot pepper, rich sauces, flavorful curries, and the cool sweetness of tropical fruits.

Villas
We decided to explore the grounds, lose ourselves in the tropically lush pathways and take a peek at what would become our favorite villa. Situated on 8 acres, the hotel consists of thirty-four individualized rooms. Just beyond the restaurant and bar are the newest premium villas 1 through 8, 9 and 10 (which were part of the original hotel), all have westward facing views of the glimmering sea and magical sunsets from their cliff edge. I consider this section to be the most desirable location on the property. Past the receptionist and on the other side of the restaurant are villas 11 through 20, villa 14 is in the best location. Less desirable, small and a bit cramped are the five studios with ocean views from the balcony and nine standard rooms in two garden-setting buildings two-stories high. If you come all the way to enjoy the Rockhouse, the premium villas are the way to go, anything else and you will be disappointed. Rates are seasonal from $95 to $375.

We arrived at Villa 3, our home for the next five nights. Rustic, yet chic, the octagonal shaped villa featured, sliding glass doors, wrap around terraces lending way to various patios beyond, including what felt like my very own private cliff-edge spa cabana and numerous spots to cliff jump, if you dare. Outfitted with a four-poster queen size bed draped with mosquito netting (much needed as the ’skeeters’ were out in full force), spacious vanity, and separate open-air bathroom and shower. Once settled in the room, sleep was not an option, too much to explore, so we decided to play through (a term coined from my college days) and slip right into an afternoon cocktail while enjoying sun.

Pool
A leisurely stroll through the tropical gardens and you will find the Pool, sixty-feet with a horizon-view carved into the cliff’s edge. The pool features a one-foot deep lounge step, perfect for gazing at the ocean and sipping a fruity drink. In addition to the swimming pool, ladders and stairs lead from the cliff’s edge down into Pristine Cove. Here, crystal-clear, snorkel-perfect water provides a great environment for open water swimming, and fantastic views of the coral and sea life. Shane the bartender will whip you up a welcome cocktail and offer you lunch lounging poolside, where chicken, fish, jerk crayfish or the Rockhouse burger is grilled on an open barbecue and served with your choice of salad.

Spa
The new eight-room treatment spa in the gardens was very peaceful and I had no trouble making appointments for the week. The staff was excellent and attentive. Joy the spa manager, a tiny petite women with very strong hands, gets right down to business, always making sure you are comfortable and with a smile. I mixed it up and had a few treatments in the garden and a few in the caribbean drench (vichy shower Jamaican style) cabana “on the rocks”. They use Starfish products, all natural ingredients from a local company in Jamaica. Every treatment was blissfully delicious. Try the Ultimate Coffee Scrub and Jamaican Mocha Rum Wrap for an intoxicating Jamaican experience or the Rockhouse Signature Foot Ceremony a blend of zone reflexology, exfoliation, massage and hydrating foot masque that will have your head tingling all day. To enhance the spa experience, daily Yoga is offered near the pool for $15 per day.

With an eclectic group of guests staying at the Rockhouse from granola to uptight city girls letting their hair down (or their version anyway) which was actually a nice change of pace and great people watching. Perhaps, it was the endless infusion of ganja, (which, by the way, is illegal and you would never know it) but everyone had a smile. Each day around four in the afternoon adjacent to our villa , not bothersome but rather comical, catamaran boats would pull up to Pirates Cove, a restaurant bar with a 42-foot cliff for diving or jumping, filled with mostly oldies but goodies full of life, adventure and a will to conquer fear.

Even at near full capacity, the Rockhouse Hotel never felt that way. I will admit, each day got more and more difficult to rise from our thatched nest, mesmerized by the soothing sounds of crashing waves below. Whether you are relaxing at the Spa, or lounging under an umbrella reading a book, the hotel is an ideal place to unwind. The Jamaican experience had set in…relaxed and chilled.

Best Room: Villa 3 (private with a forward placement on the cliff) Villa 10 (next to the bridge)

Best Deal: Rockhouse Ritual Spa Treatments - 5-day Massage ($295) or Rockhouse 5-Day Program ($295)

Don’t Miss: Cliff jumping off the bridge or the 42-foot cliff next door at Pirates Cove for an exhilarating rush. Snorkeling with Vincent, a spectacular reef guide that gets his hands wet with you.

Skip: Norma’s Restaurant - Average food, horrible service. Roots Bamboo at night - Tough crowd.

Coming Soon: New Rockhouse Restaurant and Bar to the left of Villa 1