Norman Manley Blvd, Negril, Jamaica | (618) 248-8274
Located right on Seven Mile Beach
Homey, bright rooms, all with air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs
Open-air restaurant serves all three meals plus a bar
Small hot tub on site
Twice-daily shuttle to fitness center, pool, and spa at sister property
Free parking across the street
Laundry service available on request
Free computer station and free Wi-Fi throughout
Some units are only partially air-conditioned
Breakfast not included in room rates
Facilities like fitness center, pool, and spa are off site
Idle Awhile is a three-pearl, 14-room beachfront hotel. Rooms are comfortable and bright, with air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels -- some have full kitchens. The property has lounge areas with hammocks, an outdoor eatery, and meandering garden walkways that add to the property's distinctly Jamaican vibe, but many features like a fitness center and spa are at a sister property that requires a shuttle or drive to reach. For an even more rustic, but stylish getaway, travelers may want to consider Tensing Pen, which has a pool and spa but no television, though rates will likely be far higher.
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Scene
An intimate beachside resort with outdoor hideaways and lush gardens
Idle Awhile is a boutique-size resort with a layout that blends indoor and outdoor features. Housed in a white colonial-influenced bungalow, entire walls roll open to expose rooms to the outdoors, contributing to this resort's memorable layout
and decor, a design scheme that runs through common areas as well. Decor throughout feels humble and down to earth, with simple furniture in common spaces. Chill Awhile, the bar and restaurant, is a casual, open-air space with a wooden deck and simple outdoor furniture. Tropical foliage lines garden walkways, and lounge areas with
hammocks provide private nooks for guests to read, nap, or sunbathe. Palm trees
create shade on the private sandy beach. Every aspect of a stay at Idle Awhile puts guests -- who are mostly couples -- as
close as possible to the lush flora, fauna, and blue ocean views of the area.
Location
Less than 10 minutes from Negril proper, and a few minutes' walk away from many outdoor activities
Idle Awhile is located on a sandy stretch of Seven Mile Beach, almost an hour and a half from Sangster International Airport by car,
and less than a 10-minute drive from Negril proper. Within a 10 minute walk along
the beach, travelers can find operators offering glass-bottom boat rides, snorkeling, and
opportunities for all types of outdoor activities and water sports. Half Moon Beach is a 20-minute drive up the coast. The hotel also offers a shuttle service to transport guests to
the tourist attractions, shopping, and restaurants that are about 15 minutes away on the West Cliffs.
Rooms
Homey and airy rooms with air-conditioning, some with full kitchens
Idle Awhile offers Deluxe Rooms and five different types of
suites, and rooms feature combinations of blue, white, red, and green color schemes. These aren't luxury resort-style accommodations, but rather have an attractive and homey charm with a simple and pleasant style. Pops of color brighten things up, like the striped pillows and cushions in furniture in the One-Bedroom Suite that we visited. Windows are covered with wooden or painted shutters, and tile floors are set with hardwood and rattan furniture and woven hemp throws. Large windows
let in plenty of natural light and all rooms have furnished patios or terraces, many with hammocks. All but one of the suites come with full kitchens, complete with gas cooking ranges, electric coffeemakers and French presses, and even blenders. Walls of most rooms and suites open up to make rooms open air. In-room features include iPod docks and flat-screen TVs with satellite cable. All units have air-conditioning, but it's limited to the bedrooms and bathrooms in Deluxe Rooms; Suites, however, are fully air-conditioned. Bathrooms vary, but most include high-end toiletries, massive walk-in showers, mosaic tile, spacious vanities, and contemporary fixtures.
Features
Right on the beach, small hot tub, and casual open-air restaurant
The main feature of Idle Awhile is it's beach, a broad and sandy strip that dips into tranquil turquoise waters. It's not a private beach and there's plenty of people at resorts up and down the shore, but it is pretty. The hotel does not have a pool, but there is a small hot tub. All meals can be purchased at the Chill
Awhile outdoor, ocean-facing restaurant, which relies heavily on local, seasonal produce and seafood. Room service is also available, and travelers
staying in suites with cooking facilities can hire personal chefs for
additional fees. Breakfast is not included in room rates. A free drink and
water bottle are provided upon arrival, and a computer station with Internet
access in the resort's office, is available for free. Wi-Fi is free throughout and there's free parking in a lot across the street. Laundry services can be arranged for a fee.There are a few off-site features that Idle Awhile guests can access for free at its sister property, The Cliffs. These include a gym, tennis and racquetball courts, and a 25-meter lap pool. There's also a full-service spa providing facials, massage, and assorted skin care services. These features are accessible via a free shuttle service that runs twice daily.
