Altamont West Hotel

Without a doubt, Altamont West is one of Montego Bay’s funkier hotels. It opened in 2006 and in its previous life was as the Belvedere Hotel, a storied 1960s hotspot for Hollywood celebs and socialites like Debbie Reynolds and Vivien Leigh. Today, it draws a decidedly more humble crowd who are in town to soak up the party vibes along Montego Bay's Hip Strip. The property also has lots of eclectic character. It’s full of carved Buddha statues, replicas of ancient Chinese sculptures, and gorgeous live-edge furniture that looks lifted from a chic New York City loft. Each of the hotel’s two upper floors have ocean-view balconies and despite the sometimes blaring traffic noise from the road below, these spaces still maintain a laid-back tropical vibe. There’s also a terrace out back that’s part of the restaurant, plus a raised deck with lounge chairs next to the pool. Don’t forget your bug spray though, mosquitos can be bad out there. Hotel guests are mostly couples from the United States and Europe in their thirties and forties, but keep in mind that there is no elevator here and the property has tons of stairs.

Altamont Hotel West is located at the south end of Montego Bay’s Hip Strip, the city’s touristy area that's packed with restaurants and bars. There’s an amusement park with go-karts, a private beach, and restaurants across the street. There's also a public beach within a minute on foot. Doctor’s Cave Beach, a gorgeous beach in the Hip Strip's heart, as well as an ATM, mini-market, and multiple gift shops are all within a 10-minute walk. The Montego Bay Craft Market, the best place in town to buy souvenirs, is a seven-minute drive or 13-minute walk away. The Rose Hall Great House, a grand plantation house believed to be cursed, is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Negril, the best destination for gorgeous sunsets and cliff diving, will take about 90 minutes to reach by car. It's only a five-minute drive to Sangster International Airport.

The bright, air-conditioned rooms at Altamont West blend modern and tropical accents like hardwood desks, wicker chairs, hardwood floors, and pastel-hued paintings of tropical scenes. We did spot a bit of wear and tear, particularly on flooring and door frames. Guest rooms have either king or two double beds with plush white or brown headboards. Keep in mind that noise can be heard from neighboring rooms, and sometimes from the road outside. Standard features include flat-screen TVs with cable channels, fast and free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, luggage racks, irons, ironing boards, and safes. Microwaves are available in some rooms, and the clock-radios only play CDs, dating things a bit. Bathrooms include shower/tub combos with big showerheads, mirrors framed with rough-hewn wood tiles, toiletries and hairdryers. There are no private balconies or patios, but each floor has an open-air lounge with ocean views.

Located behind the hotel and sometimes in the shade, Altamont West’s freshwater pool isn’t huge, but serves its purpose for cooling off in Jamaica's heat. There’s a small patio near the pool that's stocked with lounge chairs, potted plants, and funky metal statues of musicians. Altamont has an outdoor workout machine that's also near the pool, though no fitness center. Seven’s Restaurant serves international and Jamaican cuisine and has outdoor seating. The free breakfasts included with all stays are a nice touch. Room service is also available. The hotel can arrange airport transfers, car rentals, guides, and private tours. There’s a small business center with computers and a book library in the lobby. An independently-owned spa can be found on the ground floor and free parking is available. There’s also free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel -- it was fast and reliable during our visit.