Negril Palms Hotel

Like many of its neighbors, Negril Palms has a secure gated entrance that leads to a small reception building. A cheery portico with a bright turquoise vaulted wood ceiling marks the entrance of the tiny lobby. With pitched wood-beam ceilings, and paintings of Bob Marley hanging on the wall, the lobby looks wholeheartedly Jamaican, even if it’s a bit dated. Past the lobby, the long narrow property leads directly to the beach. Grounds are covered in lush foliage, which offers privacy and a tropical feel, but does nothing to block the prevalent smell of weed. But if the smell or presence of marijuana bothers you, it’s probably best to skip Negril, and maybe even Jamaica, altogether. Guests at Negril Palms run the gamut, from families to with children, to couples, to solo travelers. During our visit, we encountered guests from all over Jamaica, the United States, Canada, and Europe. The atmosphere is quiet and laid-back, so it’s an ideal place for those in need of some R&R. 

Negril Palms is located on the beach side of Norman Manley Boulevard — Negril’s bustling main street. The hotel is within walking distance of local shops, bars, and restaurants, and about a 15-minute drive from the West End Cliffs neighborhood. CocoLaPalm is a two-hour drive from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Unfortunately, Negril does not have its own international airport. 

Rooms at Negril Palms are housed in two, two-story buildings that are surrounded by lush greenery. The buildings face one another and are set back from the beach, so don’t expect any ocean views here. Decor throughout is a bit plain, but rooms are clean and some have nicely updated bathrooms. Negril Palms has two room categories: Standard and Deluxe. Standard Rooms are tiny — just big enough to fit two queen-size or one king-size bed, but that’s about it. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, outdoor patios or balconies, and old, rusty safety deposit boxes. The Standard Room we visited had gorgeous vaulted wood-beam ceilings — though this is the exception rather than the rule. Bathrooms are dated and dimly lit, but the hotel is in the process of renovating them, by adding new sinks and updated shower tiles. Deluxe Rooms are larger than their Standard counterparts, and have nicer furniture and decor. The Deluxe Room we visited had a beautiful four-poster bed, a large wooden armoire, and a neat stone feature wall. It also had a much nicer, fully updated bathroom — though it was tight on space. All rooms, however, have paper-thin walls. At night you’ll hear the melodic chirps of of Caribbean insects, while the morning brings the loud conversations of your neighbors. On the plus side, there’s no need to set an alarm, instead you’ll be awoken by the sounds of your neighbors chatting about important topics, like socks and shoelaces — we’re not kidding on this one.  

Negril Palms’ beautiful pool and sundeck are probably its nicest features. The pool isn’t huge, but it overlooks the beach and is a popular spot for guests to hang out during the day. There are a few lounge chairs and umbrellas, as well as cafe tables, where some guests like to order cocktails in the evening and watch the sunset. Adjacent to the pool is the hotel’s open-air restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is popular with guests and non-guests alike. People strolling down the beach are often attracted to the restaurant’s bright red, blue, and yellow umbrellas, and stop in for a meal. The restaurant serves lots of Jamaican specialities, like ackee and salt fish for breakfast, jerk chicken for lunch, and escovtich snapper for dinner. Menus also consist of international favorites like eggs, omelets, and pancakes at breakfast and lobster tail and shrimp at dinnertime. The restaurant overlooks the pool and beach. Half of its tables are outside, while the other half are located beneath a beautiful open-air portico. The atmosphere is completely casual, with a laid-back island vibe that extends to the hotel’s beachfront bar. The bar overlooks the ocean and serves cocktails throughout the day. Negril Palms has excellent free Wi-Fi that works well across the property. Negril Palms is located on the stunning Seven Mile Beach, which has soft white sand and incredibly calm, clear blue water. Although Seven Mile Beach is a public beach, Negril Palms has its own lounge area for guests. Colorful lounge chairs and umbrellas are set up along the sand, and the area is patrolled by a hotel security guard, so guests don't have to worry about local hecklers.