The Caves

Negril

Negril is a former fishing village at the western tip of the island of Jamaica. Very popular in the 1960s with the hippie generation, which invaded its superb beaches, Negril is now one of the island’s most fashionable beach resort areas.

The main airport at Montego Bay is abut an and hour and a half from Negril, and the ride offers visitors a preview of the sit’s beauty, with its sparkling white sand beaches as far as the eye can see and the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea…a veritable dreamlike décor.

Negril’s most beautiful beach is undoubtedly Long Bay, with its 11 kilometers of fine sand and numerous palm trees for shade. Bloody Bay and the Seven Mile beach are also worth visiting, especially for their relaxed, laid back atmosphere.

All the beaches offer nautical activities, including kayak, surfboarding, catamaran cruises and waterskiing. Many of them provide snorkels and masks to discover the magnificent underwater life, with multi-colored tropical fish and turtles frolicking around you.

For local culture, the Villa Lucea, just a few kilometers away, is a small, picturesque Caribbean village with Georgian houses and the weekly Cleveland Stanhope market, where various local products are sold.

Relaxation in a luxurious cave

The sumptuous Caves hotel is in Negril. Its name speaks for itself, as it is nestled on a cliff and offers a variety of services and activities in the heart of natural caves that open onto the sea.

The owners, Greer Ann and Bertram Saulter, provide guests with 12 two one or bedroom thatched roof cottages as well as an exceptional villa perched on the cliff. All the residences overlook the sea, with spectacular views.

The décor was created by Greer Ann and Bertram themselves. They opted for a simple and warm atmosphere, with typically Jamaican wicker furniture, lots off wood, vividly colored fabrics all of which recall the atmosphere of the Caribbean, as well as small ethnic statues. Some f the cottages have outdoor showers or bathtubs, and the largest has a fully equipped kitchen.

The jewel of the Caves however, is the Deluxe Villa, with four bedrooms, total comfort and the opulence of a luxurious home. All the equipment is worth of a four star hotel including a seawater pool, a sauna and a spa located in a natural cave which offers various treatments in a candle lit, spiritual atmosphere, with the sound of the Caribbean waves as the only background music. Although the hotel doesn’t have its own beach, lovers of the sea can dive directly into the water from a natural pontoon, carved out of the rock. Meals are served on the terrace at the edge of the cliff or in the belvedere. Guests looking for a romantic evening can reserve a cave for a candlelight dinner. Stopping at the hotel bar for a “cliffhanger”, the house specialty with a rum base is definitely a must of musts.

“Spending a vacation at The Caves is a triathlon of sun, sea and fun, centered around a fluorescent cocktail.” Stylist Magazine, November, 2011