Blue Cave Castle

The Blue Cave Castle is a Disney-esque castle hotel built atop the iconic cliffs west of Negril. The castle comes complete with turrets and battlements, and there are lovely ocean views from many of them. The look of this faux fortress is brightened by the electric blue trim around its windows
and walls, hinting at the medieval-tropical theme that runs throughout. Common areas include a series of open-terraced courtyards
featuring heavy, dark-wood seating and lounging areas. These areas are neatly
landscaped, with a variety of potted plants as well as palms and
yucca. A thatch hut in the courtyard contains benches and a bulky dining table
for eating or working. The resort's only uninterrupted Wi-Fi access can be
found in this building, though local cable companies are working to improve
service in all of Negril. Alleyways made of smooth stone divide rooms and
corridors. Though the property targets vacationing families -- it's certainly not a wild, party-til-dawn spot -- its cliffside location and low walls might make some parents with small children nervous.

Blue Cave Castle is a gated property located directly off the busy main
road that runs west from downtown Negril. There is little space available to pull safely away from the main road while
waiting for security to open the gate, which can present a challenge during
high traffic hours. While the hotel easily connects guests with an assortment
of activities, many other sports and excursions (as well as few casual restaurants) can be found within a five- to 10-minute walk of the hotel, including biking tours and horseback riding. Shopping and restaurants in downtown Negril, and
the nearby Negril Hills Golf Club -- known for hosting world championship
events -- are all within a five-minute drive. The castle itself is directly above the ocean, with immediate
access to swimming, diving, and opportunities to explore the geological
features of a coral reef, including a limestone cave that was once a hideout for pirates. Guests will need a car to access Seven Mile Beach, which is also about a five-minute drive from the hotel. Sangster International Airport is about 90 minutes away by road.

This resort offers 14 rooms, ranging in size from the smaller Tower Rooms -- which have one
bed -- to Deluxe Rooms with three beds. Only more expensive rooms feature cable TV and air-conditioning. The largest unit is the Penthouse Apartment, which includes a couch, a private balcony, a full kitchen, and cable TV, as well as semi-private access to the caves below. All rooms have mini-fridges, electric safes, and tube-style TVs. Consistent
with the medieval-meets-tropical style found throughout the grounds, room decor includes heavy hardwood furnishings, and many rooms have arched doors and windows. Whitewashed walls feature a blend of Old World tapestries and bright, beachy artwork, and beds have brightly colored bedspreads and wooden bed frames (for the most part). There are linoleum tile floors in all rooms and some have private furnished terraces. Some rooms can be a little dark, though others have large windows and get plenty of light. The thickness of the stone walls also
degrades Wi-Fi signals, making in-room Internet a challenge. Bathrooms are relatively spacious, with pedestal sinks and stand-up showers. We saw a bit of sloppy caulking and they aren't the most modern, but they are quite clean and free of mold -- a feat in the tropics. Towels and bar
soap are provided in bathrooms; guests should plan on bringing their own
shampoo and conditioner.

There are plenty of outdoor activities that can be arranged through the resort
for additional fees, including cruises and tours, deep sea fishing, and glass-bottom boat rides. Blue Cave Castle also offers a dive certification program, as
well as guided dives. Transportation services to and from the airport, local
tour stops, and attractions, are also available through the hotel for a fee, as are in-room massages, room service, and laundry. There is no pool on site, but the hotel's cave is a popular place for guests to swim. There is plenty of sea life for those who like to snorkel.Blue Cave Castle's on-site restaurant -- Teddy's Hideaway Eatery -- provides an array of menu items from pancakes and
bacon for breakfast, to sauteed conch and jerk crab for dinner. Meals are
so personalized here that guests can ask the chef for just about anything you’d
like to eat and he will procure the freshest ingredients, even if that means an
impromptu fishing trip. Breakfast is not included in room rates, but free coffee is offered each morning at the courtyard Tiki hut. Wi-Fi is free throughout.