Beachcomber Club

Most of the apartments and features are set back on the property, so from the road, it's easy to mistake Beachcomber as recently abandoned. Even the quiet and dark reception area seems a tad forgotten save the occasional patron of the on-site gift shop and market. However, the late 2014 addition of a VIP hospitality room and lounge set just left of the large wooden front desk might help with first impressions. To the right of reception is a bright but sparsely decorated game room with a pool table, tourist pamphlets, wicker couch, and public bathroom. The remainder of the common space is outdoors; a covered main walkway leads to the hotel's main attractions: the beach, pool, restaurant, and bar. (Paved paths branch off of this central walkway and lead to the rooms.) The atmosphere is relaxed, and through a repetition of friendly exchanges between staff, the owner, and guests, it's clear that many of the Beachcomer-goers are returnees and feel right at home. While there is an all-inclusive option here, at its heart, this is a simple, no-frills vacation spot built for those who just want to enjoy a small, but beautiful patch of beach along Negril's coast. 

Beachcomber is located along Norman Manley Boulevard's Seven Mile Beach, giving guests easy access to both Margaritaville and the roundabout at the town center. While there are a few hotels and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, including the popular and very touristy Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, the concentration of small roadside restaurants and shops will take about 15 to 20 minutes to reach on foot. Negril's gorgeous, cliff-laden West End is about a 15-minute drive, while reaching Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay takes about an hour-and-a-half. 

Each dual-level building has essentially the same layout on both floors: a large wraparound porch split into three sections, a main room with dining area and kitchen, a shared bathroom (or half bath), and two full bedrooms with private bathrooms. Doors are either locked or left open to create Superior Rooms, Studios, One- and Two-bedroom Apartments. All configurations have rooms with flat-screen TVs, individual air-conditioning units, full-sized bathrooms, and private terraces. Apartments and Studios have full-size kitchens complete with a sparse but functional supply of utensils and dishes, as well as dining tables and washer/dryer units. Apartments have separate living room areas with ample couch seating and flat-screen TVs. Decor varies, but is basic and a bit dated across the board (not surprising for a value property). Expect plain white tile floors, mostly bare white walls (with exposed wires from mounted TVs), and mismatched fabrics. 

Beachcomber Club provides basic resort features for its guests that are just enough to satisfy its easygoing clientele. We've seen kids' pools bigger than the pool here, which may explain why it doesn't get much attention -- or maybe it's because the beach is a bigger draw. This is where most of the guests gather during the day; throwing down towels (brought from home) onto sun loungers resting under thatched umbrellas, lazily swaying in hammocks, or taking occasional dips in the sea. The area is small, but instead of being a bother, this just extends the hotel's communal atmosphere out to the sand. If guests want a drink or a bite from the buffet they needn't go too far, as the Beachcomber's restaurant and bar is just a few quick hops from the Seven Mile sand. There is a meal plan available here, but unless you like adhering to strict meal times, it may not be ideal. In addition to a pool table in the otherwise fairly spartan game room, there are also ample parking, a well-stocked gift shop, and free Wi-Fi.