Negril may seem like just another Jamaican destination for big resorts and all-inclusive hotels, on par with Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. But travelers with longer memories may recall that Negril got its start as a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers, promising a hippie vibe and inexpensive lodging on and near Seven Mile Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The Sandals, Beaches, and Royalton chains have all stakes their claim on sections of Seven Mile Beach, and the cliffs of Negril are topped by a number of high-end boutique hotels, but budget hotels remain very much a part of the mix, including on the beach. In fact Negril may still be the top destination in Jamaica for finding a reasonably priced hotel room. But it’s not the only one.
Here are nine hotels in Jamaica where you can stay for under $200 per night, double occupancy, even in high season and without having to score some crazy promotional deal.
Jakes, Treasure Beach It’s one of the crown jewels of Jamaican tourism, but it’s also one of the best value hotels anywhere in the Caribbean. There’s a broad range of accommodation options at this legendary Treasure Beach spot, some of which come in at less than $100. And no matter what you choose, you’ll find a delightful, authentic experience in one of the country’s most lovable corners.
Rooms on the Beach, Negril
I recently booked a room at this beachfront hotel for $65 a night on a June weeknight, and while that may have been a bit of post-COVID travel luck, the regular nightly rate was just $135 per night for a garden-view king room. Part of the SuperClubs (Breezes) chain, Rooms is not an all-inclusive but does include continental breakfast in the price of a stay. The 57-room hotel sits right on Seven Mile Beach, has a swimming pool and fitness center, a beach bar, and a cafe serving three meals daily.
Xtabi on the Cliffs, Negril
Standard rooms at this clifftop hotel in Negril start at just $88 per night in high season — and that’s even if you want to squeeze in a child under 15 along with mom and dad. Like some of its far pricier neighbors, Xtabi — “the meeting place of the gods” in — has cottage and bungalow rooms, cliff diving, caves, cove swimming, and a seaside bar and restaurant, all with an authentic Jamaican vibe. The 25-room hotel is located on both sides of the main West End road, with the pool on the side further from the cliffs.
Kaiser’s Hotel, Negril
The name may sound stern, but this comfortable 25-room hotel has welcoming room rates, a teardrop pool and hot tub, and sunning platforms arrayed along the cliffs of Negril. Kaiser’s Cafe offers waterfront dining and drinking, with an emphasis on local cuisine. Live reggae shows and cave tours are also part of the entertainment mix.
Deja Resort, Montego Bay
An all-inclusive resort for under $200 per night? It’s possible at this 93-room hotel on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay which, like the south end of Seven Mile Beach in Negril, is where some of the earliest resorts were built in MoBay. Rooms and suites come in three basic classes, and you’ll have one restaurant and bar, not 20, to choose from. But it’s right across the street from Doctor’s Cave Beach and an easy stumble to Margaritaville and the other bars, restaurants, and shopping in downtown Montego Bay.
Toby’s Resort, Montego Bay
This cheerful little hotel has a spacious sun deck with garden and pool view rooms in the heart of Montego Bay. It’s an easy walk to all of the Hip Strip attractions and the beach and has a pair of private pools, and its own bars and restaurant. Spa services are offered by appointment in a designed treatment room.
Hibiscus Lodge Hotel, Ocho Rios
You can walk to Ocho Rios town from this 25-room boutique cliffside hotel, set on three acres of grounds and offering three classes of rooms starting around $150 per night. The hotel’s Almond Tree Restaurant, with its ocean views and authentic Jamaican cuisine, is one of the best places to eat in town.
Hillview at Mystic Ridge, Ocho Rios
A freeform pool sits at the heart of this 44-room hotel in the heights of Ocho Rios, which in addition to regular hotel rooms has efficiency units with kitchens. Breakfast is included in room rates, and other amenities include a tennis court and an open-air restaurant and bar. The beach and downtown are both walking distance away.
Lashings Boutique Hotel, Treasure Beach
Treasure Beach is a smaller resort by Jamaican standards, but it’s big enough to accommodate a budget-friendly hotel alongside the big resorts on Jamaica’s southwest coast. Don’t be fooled by the sub-$200 starting room rate: Lashings is a modern, style-forward boutique hotel with individually designed guest rooms, a collection of local art on display, an infinity-edge pool, a lively bar scene, and its own private beach club on Calabash Beach.