Charela Inn / Le Vendome

With its whitewashed exterior and red awnings, the two-floor Charela Inn looks unremarkable at first glance. The lobby is a simple, white-tiled space holding a semicircle front desk made of knotty wood. Seating is provided on sagging rattan furniture with striped pillows. The grounds, however, are considerably more pleasant. Rooms are built around a courtyard full of tropical plants that also houses a wheelchair-accessible freshwater pool, and patios with outdoor seating. Behind the hotel, guests will find a stretch of sandy beach, about as wide as the hotel itself, complete with lounge chairs and umbrellas for guests to use, as well as a restaurant, Le Vendome, right by the water. 

The Charela Inn is located on Seven Mile Beach in Negril, surrounded by palm trees and tropical flowers. Directly behind the hotel is a sandy shoreline with chairs and umbrellas for lounging outdoors. Operators offering activities such as parasailing, Jet Skiing, and glass-bottom boat rides are within a five-minute walk of the property. Nearby shopping includes local stores and duty-free gift shops, also within a five- to 10-minute walk, and there are plenty of restaurants within a short walk. The Negril Aerodrome is a 15-minute drive away.

This smallish hotel offers 54 air-conditioned rooms, 27 of which have views of the garden and pool. The remaining units have views of the beach or ocean from their porches, though some views may be slightly obscured by lush foliage and tall palm trees. Rooms and suites offer solid wood furniture, including chairs, desks, and four-poster beds with crisp white and red bedding. The look is old fashioned and offers some charm with brass-handled desks and damask bed runners, but it can also feel dated, such as the gray-and-white couches in an '80s print. French-style doors open onto small private porches with tables and chairs. Suites add a few more amenities, such as coffeemakers with free coffee, mini-fridges, and microwaves, and Deluxe Rooms have whirlpool baths. Bathrooms have tiled or granite sinks on wooden bases and shower/tub combos; some rooms have bidets. Basic toiletries are provided in all rooms and there are three wheelchair-accessible rooms on the ground floor. Cribs are available upon request. 

For a property on the petite side (for a resort), Charela Inn has a fair amount of features that add to its comfort factor. Upon arrival, guests are treated to a welcome drink that can be picked up at the bar later if desired. Live music is provided two nights each week, and the popular Saturday evening show features a culturally infused music and dance performance that guests are welcome to join in on. Guests may use the beachfront lounge chairs for free, and beach towels are also included in the cost of a stay. Massages are available at a beach hut adjacent to the hotel. Parking and Wi-Fi are included, but internet reception is not always reliable. There is no fitness center at this location, so those looking to be physically active should plan to spend time swimming, boating, or participating in off-site activities. The hotel does, however, provide yoga mats and occasional yoga instruction. Le Vendome restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves a huge variety of food items, with lots of kid-friendly options. Room service is also available. A multi-purpose space upstairs from the lobby houses a pool table, small library, and a casual meeting room where yoga classes take place. There's also a wheelchair-accessible outdoor and patio area. Airport transfers are available for a fee. Laundry services are available for an additional cost with the promise of a 24 hour turnaround time.