Negril

Just around the bend from more touristy Montego Bay—only about 90 minutes south of the airport and far enough away to forget completely about casino encrusted avenues—is “Seven Mile Beach.” Stay: Saddle up at “Sandals,” “Breezes,” or “Couples” if all-inclusive resorts are your speed. If not, select one of the many boutique hotels spanning Seven Mile Beach for a more authentic stay. We suggest: The Palms Resort, Negril. Relax and enjoy: Read books that have been collecting dust on your night stand for months. Play gin rummy under an umbrella. Shop for trinkets. Watch beachgoers. Swim. Throw a Frisbee. Drink freshly pressed juices, drink a Red Stripe. Explore: Get off the beach and explore the real Jamaica for at least one day. It will lend an entirely different perspective to your stay. Visit YS Falls to swim in refreshing inland water and zipline over a tier of five waterfalls. Stop on your way and enjoy some habanero or jerk peel n’ eat shrimp on the side of the road. Watch local cliff diver’s catapult from handstands into the surf below at Rick’s Cafe. Eat goat at Sweet Spice – a local eatery not frequented by tourists. Visit the farms. Journey to the Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee plantations on the east side of the island. Get around: Opt for a driver – someone recommended by your hotel and known by other guests. Safety: There is discrepancy of whether or not Negril is safe. As always when traveling, do your research and trust your gut.

Tensing Pen Resort is an intimate and romantic boutique hotel on the west end of Negril (known as One Love Drive), ten minutes by car from the 7-mile beach. This stunning property is perched on the limestone cliffs, and attracts discerning and adventurous travelers. It offers 23 that-roofed, stone and indigenous wood cottages, each uniquely decorated with Caribbean art. The turquoise crystal waters can be entered from three ladders set different place around the property. Several waterfront platforms spread throughout the resort, offer teak lounge chairs, perfect for reading, sun-tanning or watching the most breahtaking sunsets. The food in the Lodge Restaurant, is some of the best in Negril, inventive, gourmet and fresh. Main entrees, from Jamaican classics to vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes, are beautifully plated. Farm to table ingredients, creative chefs and rotating specials, not too mention scrumptious Jamaican flavored dessert, round the candlelit romantic experience. The Tensing Pen spa, tucked away in privacy at the edge of the resort, offers the usual TLC services. Facials, massages, couple or individual, hot stone or relaxing, pedicure, manicure; all are offered in an open air hut, where the gentle ocean breeze contribute to soothing the mind and body. The staff at Tensing Pen embodies the warmth of Jamaican culture, and treat guests like family. The front desk can help guest with all their exploration activities : horse-backriding on the beach, visits to organic rasta farms, trips to spectacular waterfalls, like YS and Mayfield. A dedicated wedding consultant also handles from “flowers” to “I do”, every aspect of a large or small group wedding at Tensing Pen. Some guests rent the whole property for that special day. But the best activity on most days, is to bob around in the turquoise crystal waters, in the shallow pool, or for the more daring, jump off Tensing Pen’s iconic bridge. Nearby attractions: - Rick’s Café, with its famous 40ft divers, and sunset drinks, and hopping music scene is a couple of hundred yards down the street. - LTU Bar is a great place to grab a quiet drink with friends or watch a game on the large screen TV. - Ras Roddy Organic Food stand, across the street from Tensing Pen’s gate, offers a daily selection of Ital pasta dishes (vegan, no salt, all cooked with coconut milk or oil). - Kool Vibes, a newly opened jerk chicken and pork eatery with ice cold Red Stripe and reasonably-priced plates, also right across the street - Push Cart, larger restaurant with a delicious Jamaican street food menu (they offer courtesy shuttles) - Jackie’s on the Reef offers massage and other therapeutic spa services, along with smoothies and fresh detox juices.