Xtabi Resort

Set off both sides of the West End's main (and only) thoroughfare, Xtabi's old signs advertise cliffside dining, caves, and seafood specialties. There is no mistaking this is a value property. One side of this split-road property holds the small and slightly dated lobby, which has an old-school motel vibe, thanks to cubbies holding keys (and TV remotes) for each room, twirling stands full of faded postcards, and decade-old framed photographs of the hotel stuck to the wall. This is the peaceful side where a small (if neglected) pool and the hotel's lower category rooms can be found. Over here, you'll mostly find people hanging out on their garden-facing patios and balconies. Across the street is where the action is -- a thatched roof, stone cottage-style restaurant and bar, sun deck, caves, and cliffs. The sunsets here, however, are far more impressive than any of the property features.While the resort's vibe is relaxed and fairly unsocial, the hotel's large bar with darts and checkers, underground cave bar, and large veranda are definitely set up (and ready) for groups looking to party. Note that this is one of the few places that service (aka tip) is not included in the tab. 

Just 10 minutes from the roundabout in Negril's town center, Xtabi is located just off of West End Road in the West End. Guests are able to walk to a few nearby restaurants, bars, and roadside eateries, but may want to skip the 25-minute walk down to Rick's Cafe in favor of a cab. For those with full kitchens, there is a small convenience-style grocery just a few minutes' walk from the hotel where you can grab vegetables, fruits, limited dairy, and pantry items. Montego Bay's Sangster Airport is around an hour-and-45-minutes from Xtabi. 

Rooms at Xtabi are basic and rustic, but depending on your needed comfort level, can be some of the best bargains in the area. Standard Rooms and Seaside Cottages are the most basic and have fans and screened-in wall slats instead of air-conditioning, as well as dark bathrooms with outdoor showers, nice-sized private decks, and no TVs. Located in the garden, Superior Standard Rooms are a good middle ground where guests will find cable TV, air-conditioning, private patios, and interior bathrooms. For the most room and comfort book the two-bedroom Suite with air-conditioning, TVs, lounge areas, kitchenettes, and pool-view verandas -- although those who can keep cool with just the sea breeze and a fan with be highly rewarded with the views, private sea access, and sun decks offered in the Seafront Cottages. Rooms and cottages are made of textures concrete, wood, and stone and come with dated motel-style furniture, bedding, and rough towels. 

Xtabi's outstanding features are its private (though small) underground sea cave system and stellar cliffside. Built just off (or rather, under) the hotel's cottage-style bar and restaurant, lies a small, but explorable cave section. Ceilings are high enough to stand comfortably; there's even a manmade bar area with bench-type seating for special events. Lighting is brightest during sunset when the rays illuminate even the smallest of crevices, and waves are crashing into the outer rocks of the caves. Or, if you'd rather watch the sun as it goes down, the casual restaurant and bar has a large cliffside veranda perfect for sipping cocktails and watching the sky turn orange. There are a couple of stairs leading down the cliffside; one heads toward a small sunbathing deck and unofficial jumping point, the other to a concrete dock with metal ladder sea access. Although there is no typical beach area, Xtabi has two separate sun deck areas outfitted with worn loungers (the larger space has plastic tables and chairs, as well as electrical outlets). Both sections of the hotel have tropical garden grounds (and some oddly sexual statues), but the small pool, lobby and reception, and parking are found across the busy street from the cliffs. Wi-Fi and parking are free.