Little Bay Cabins

Paved paths lined
with conch shells and coral meander through lush Caribbean foliage, flowers,
and fruit trees.  Guests can step from
their cabins' porches and out onto the beach, only feet from the ocean, and
fall asleep at night to the sounds of waves lapping at the shore. This small resort is composed of a
cluster of 12 separate cabins, designed to accommodate one or two
individuals at a time. A single, two-bedroom villa is available for families or
small groups. Decor in basic cabins is minimalist, and walls are painted in
bright oranges and reds, but they are mostly bare. The Legend Villa, however, is a large
cabin featuring handmade wooden furnishings and local artwork. An outdoor
restaurant, the Leanback Lounge, is a small, colorful gazebo-style building
where guests can order food and drinks. Several hammocks hang in a grove
of foliage. 

Located on a quarter-mile stretch of beach, this location spoils guests with its close proximity to the ocean. It's
literally steps to the beach from a guests' front door.
However, the expanse of accessible sandy beach at Little Bay Cabins is
limited to one small area. Most of the beach area is comprised of coral and volcanic rock, with paved walkways along the water. Navigating the roads near
this resort can be confusing and bone-rattling, with few signs, and even less
road maintenance. Located 30 minutes outside of the tourist town of Negril, reach it can be confusing so it’s advisable to call in advance for specific instructions with landmarks. Little Bay
Cabins is about a 10-minute drive from Jamwest Motorsports &
Adventure Park, which has ATV tours, a petting zoo, and other family-friendly
recreation. Opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and water sports are
literally outside the front door of most cabins, and the resort lends equipment
for free to help snorkelers explore the coral reef, or spend the afternoon
kayaking. 

Favored among low-maintenance budget travelers, or those
focused on outdoor sports above luxury, cabin accommodations are minimalist.
These include one or two beds, small bedside tables, and little else. Sparse, dated bathrooms each contain a stand-up shower,
sink, and toilet. Brightly colored paint and wood floors add whimsy and
character to rooms with few furnishings. Spacious porches attached to all
cabins come with wooden lawn chairs, and provide striking views of the beach
and sunsets. The Legendary Villa includes a few more creature comforts,
including two bedrooms, an iPod dock, stereo, fridge, coffeemaker, and
bathroom shower with two side-by-side
showerheads. There is no air-conditioning at this resort, so guests must rely
on ceiling fans and open windows to keep cool. Windows are covered by slatted
shutters, rather than glass panes, and curtains provide privacy. This is common
among affordably priced resorts in this area, but it does increase likelihood
of mosquitoes getting into rooms. Guests should plan on bringing their own
toiletries. Other than bars of soap and towels, toiletry items are not provided.
Fresh water for the resort must be brought in, so if showers are not kept
short, water supplies for bathing can be distressed. All
cabins, as well as the villa, are surrounded by greenery, flowering plants, and
palm trees. 

Unlike those at many resorts, the owner of Little Bay Cabins is
always on site, lives on the property, and handles most of the calls and
questions -- right down to driving directions. Having a local expert American
ex-pat can help put guests at ease. While basic in its layout and features, the hotel features certain
amenities that stand out. This resort lends kayaking and snorkeling gear to its
guests for free, which is beneficial as these activities make up a lot of what
there is to do. Bonfires on the beach are held one to two nights per week, and
provide social opportunities for those staying at the Little Bay Cabins. The
resort offers tours and day trips to local attractions, such as Bat Cave (the
flying animal, not the caped crusader), and one of Bob Marley's several home
sites across the island. While this resort has free Internet, it is not
reliable, and sometimes does not work at all. There is no pool, but those who
stay at the Little Bay Cabins are just steps away from the ocean. Meals are cooked-to-order at the on-site restaurant, the
Leanback Lounge. Massages are
available for guests in a small, thatched hut next to the water. Some on-site
spa services, such as facials and hairstyling, can be accessed at the Sweet Me
spa, though it’s best to speak to resort staff to set this up in advance.  A shuttle service is available to pick up
customers from the airport, as needed.