Sea Wind Resort Jamaica

When driving in from Montego Bay, Sea Wind Resort starts a stretch of mid-range and value hotels along the Seven Mile Beach strip. To the hotel's advantage, this position gives their small beach area less foot traffic and a more peaceful (read: uninterrupted) experience for guests. However, generally, the property feels empty and abandoned, and seriously lacks atmosphere. There are a few people ambling around the grounds, but for the most part its hard to distinguish the lackadaisical staff from the guests. During our visit, we often noticed staff members sitting under the trees.

A look behind the bar reveals only a few sun-bleached bottles of well booze, and its hard to tell if the restaurant is actually set up or not. While some may relish this quiet, lazy, slightly removed vibe, for others it can be disappointing or unsettling. Add this to the moldy rooms and repeated theft complaints and being hassled on the beach doesn't seem so bad. Even for a budget hotel, this was one of the worse places we've seen, during our visit, we felt unsafe and were put off by the dirty conditions and roadside motel vibe. 

The rate plan can be confusing to some -- while the regular rates are per room, the all-inclusive rates are per person, a detail that some may some overlook. There are much better options for the price. For those who don't want to go all-inclusive, consider Negril Tree House, and for those who do, consider the Grand Pineapple Beach or slightly pricier Sunset at the Palms. 

Being one of the first smaller hotels following the few massive all-inclusive resorts lined up as you come into Negril, Sea Wind is far enough away from higher-trodden sections of Norman Manley Boulevard's Seven Mile Beach, to thwart some peddlers. It's also within walking distance from Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, and gives easy beachside access to restaurants and bars a bit farther down the sand. Guests can hop in a taxi and reach the town center roundabout in less than 10 minutes or Negril's rocky West End (home of Rick's Cafe) in 15 to 20 minutes. Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport is about an hour-and-a-half's drive. 

Sea Wind Resort's 29 rooms range from standard motel-style rooms with basic wicker furniture, old tube TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers to large Beach House rooms with couches, full kitchens, large closets, dining areas, and shared patio spaces directly on the beach. All rooms have air-conditioning, small bathrooms, thick (and dirty) fabric curtains, and and outdoor terrace or balcony. Only the Beach House rooms and one beachfront room have sea views, and unfortunately, most rooms could use an extra wipe down and/or smell of mold -- with a few showing visible signs of mold on walls or even glassware. Ground-floor Standard Rooms also have a second door against a back pathway that opens with a different key, while front doors have key locks on both sides (meaning you can lock yourself inside if you lose the key). Bathrooms are small and dim with bar soap and in-wall hairdryers. 

For Sea Wind's size it has a fair amount of mediocre features, but is missing a pool. Set along some of Seven Mile's powder sand, the tiny beach area is one of the resort's best features, although guests will have to fight for possession of the extremely limited loungers. Also beachside is Shereta's Restaurant and Bar, a fairly large, open-air structure outfitted with plastic patio furniture, tile floors, and a big tiled bar area. Two televisions broadcast mostly sports to patrons not distracted by the Caribbean sea just out the windows. In the large grassy garden and courtyard area, there's the skeleton of a stage that, at night, is filled with music, comedians, and other live entertainment acts. Adjacent to the lobby is a decently sized gift shop selling shirts, bags, and other souvenirs, while just off the lobby the hotel rents out a small room used for basic spa services. Wi-Fi and parking are free and there is a daytime security guard at the entrance gate.