Rondel Village

Back in 1985, Rondel Village started out as a three-villa property. Like many properties along the Seven Mile Beach stretch, the land for the hotel was purchased before the main road was put in, resulting in a split property. Not surprisingly, the hotel's main side hugs the beachfront; located across busy Norman Manley Boulevard, the other area houses the Garden Rooms, its own pool and hot tub, and the hotel's spa. Luckily, one of the road's few crosswalks and traffic lights lies just outside the Rondel's parking lots, safely connecting the two sections of the hotel. Speaking of safety, its good to note that only the main section has a posted security guard throughout the year, while the garden side is gated and only has a security guard during high season. Both sides have lush tropical landscaping full of lizards, butterflies, and shade. The vibe is private as you walk through the garden grounds, but after awhile, the garden-facing entrances and terraces can feel a bit exposed, and close quarters allows for awkwardly intrusive views inside your neighbor's rooms. With a small bar and restaurant, we imagine it can get fairly cramped at full capacity, so this is a better off-season or shoulder season pick. 

This location is great location for exploring the strip on foot. Rondel Village guests are just a 10-minute walk from Margaritaville, one of the area's most popular tourist bars, as well as a handful of jerk chicken shacks, local restaurants, small roadside shops, and other hotels. Conveniently, the hotel is located at one of the few zebra crossings on Norman Manley Boulevard, giving guests safer access across the busy road. Taxis (legit cabs have red license plates) are plentiful, constantly driving up and down the strip, and can drop guests at the roundabout in the town center in about 12 minutes. The West End can be reached in around 15 to 20 minutes and Montego Bay Airport is about an hour and 15 minutes from the hotel. 

Rondel Village's 56 rooms are bright, clean, and come with private terraces, flat-screen TVs hooked up with cable, and typical shower/bathtub combos. Decor is contemporary and rooms are outfitted with tile floors, air-conditioning units, and firm mattresses. The most recently upgraded rooms have an even more modern look and feel fresher. Families or couples may find the full-sized kitchens, wraparound porches, and private hot tubs in the apartment villas a nice bonus, while updated Garden Rooms -- the hotel's least expensive rooms -- are a good value, even if they are located across the main road. 

Rondel Village provides enough of the basics to allow guests the convenience of never having to leave the hotel. The main property is home to a small beach area with security and unobstructed sunsets. This is also where guests can find the 12-seat outdoor bar (whose flat-screen is most likely showing sports games) and the modest-sized, open-air restaurant. Food includes both Jamaican and simple international dishes, although the selection is noticeably trimmed for those on the meal plans.The main pool area can be found hiding within the garden grounds and sports a small waterfall, hot tub, little wooden bridge, and depths of not more than 4.5 feet. Rondel's octagon-shaped second pool and hot tub are across the main street. With fewer than a handful of loungers, both pools seem more suited for dipping. A standout feature of this hotel is its spa. While many other mid-range properties in the area may advertise a spa or offer spa treatments, it's rare they will have dedicated space on-site -- let alone multiple treatment rooms, separate sauna, dipping pool area, and beauty salon. Parking is available on street-side lots in both sections -- though the main section always has security, the garden side only does during select times. Reliable Wi-Fi is available for a fee.