Arrival/Check-In: Our flight landed at Montego Bay Airport, where The Caves’ driver met us and offered a refreshing beverage for the hour-and-a-half coastal drive to Negril’s cliffs. The private entrance is easy to miss, and once inside the small gate a sense of calm settled over us. We were greeted with a welcome drink and cool towels and checked in within minutes of arrival.
Guest Quarters: We stayed in the Butterfly Room, a one-bedroom, second-story cliffside suite decorated in a relaxed island-chic style. A compact refrigerator, stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks, sat beside a sitting area with two chairs and a small sofa. Bifold doors opened to an expansive view of the sea.
The bathroom included a large bathtub with a rainfall showerhead. The vanity was modest but thoughtfully appointed, with ceramic scented oil diffusers and candles set out for our arrival.
The bed was generously sized with plush linens and a mosquito net. A small table and chairs sat by large shutters that opened to yet another ocean view. Louvered windows throughout the room let in a natural sea breeze during the day; when evening fell we closed them and turned on the air conditioning for a comfortable night’s rest.
Island music was already playing on the CD player when we entered; there was no TV in plain sight (one is available upon request). Wired internet was accessible in the room and complimentary WiFi was provided in the common areas.
Services/Amenities: With only 12 rooms and an all-inclusive approach, The Caves delivers highly personalized service. Breakfast and lunch are served cliffside at handcrafted stone tables or in an open-air gazebo, while dinner is enjoyed on a second-story deck where the sky and ocean create a natural ambiance. Guests can also reserve a candlelit dinner inside a sea cave, surrounded by the sound of waves.
Water access leans toward adventurous options—there are 10-, 20- and 30-foot cliff jumps, or a ladder for those who prefer a gentler entrance. The activities director, Paul, leads kayaking and snorkeling excursions off the cliffs by request. The property also provides complimentary bicycles, a pool, a hot tub and a sauna. The Aveda Spa offers cliffside treatments for an exceptionally relaxing experience.
The Experience: After four days at The Caves I left feeling completely refreshed. The attentive service, quality food and comfortable accommodations make decisions easy and relaxation inevitable. It’s a restorative escape just a short flight from the U.S. East Coast.
GT Checklist
- Doorman/valet
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Separate tub and shower
- Large vanity
- High-quality towels
- Powerful, unattached hair dryer
- High-quality bed linens
- Large, flat-screen television
- Large desk with convenient outlets
- Large, complimentary laptop safe
- Complimentary in-room WiFi
- Complimentary bottled water
- Stocked minibar
- Ample lighting
- In-room coffeemaker
- Iron and ironing board
- On-site restaurant and bar
- 24-hour room service
- State-of-the-art fitness center
The Caves
Light House Road
Negril, Jamaica
West Indies
tel 876 957 0270
islandoutpost.com/hotels-and-villas/the-caves