Hipmunk's Best Hotels in Negril, Jamaica

Cheap seekers and luxury travelers alike will find the ideal place to call home in Negril -- from luxury hotels such as Couples Negril and Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa to tiny beach cabins and Airbnb vacation rentals, Negril has it all.

Negril in a Nutshell

Every Caribbean island has its own flavor, and Jamaica's is relaxed and a little spicy -- which describes Negril perfectly. The small fishing village hasn't changed much since visitors started heading west from the airport in Montego Bay. There is a small airstrip in Negril, but the ride from Sangster International takes under 90 minutes to this island paradise.

Spread along the stretch of golden sand on Seven Mile Beach is an array of accommodation options. Luxury couples' resort? Check. Family-friendly casual resort? Check. Private apartments and villas? Check. And there are even more lodging options and Negril hotel deals as you wander further west along the coast to the caves and cliffs near the famous Rick's Cafe.

Great Hotels for Families

At the top of the list for families visiting Negril would have to be the splurge-worthy Beaches Negril. This all-inclusive resort truly caters to family members of every age. Children can bake cookies with Cookie Monster, have storytime with Elmo, and then hit the waterslide before family time on the remarkable stretch of Seven Mile Beach.

Smaller and more budget-friendly hotel options include Coral Seas Beach Resort -- a real bargain at just over $100 per night -- and Paradise Sea Splash Resort, which offers spacious rooms and suites with fridges and self-catering amenities that are ideal for families.

Luxurious Negril Escapes for Couples

Couples seeking a luxurious adult-only getaway have just as many options as families, and many of them are very affordable. Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa currently reigns as the number one luxury all-inclusive resort for couples, with Couples Negril up there too with its top-notch accommodations and service.

Hotels that are a bit easier on the wallet but no less wonderful include Sunset at the Palms and RIU Tropical Bay -- located at the very tip of Seven Mile Beach, both of these hotels offer prime beach walkability to maximize your sunset strolls.  

Relaxing Retreats Away From Seven Mile Beach

If you're all about looking at the crystal-clear, turquoise Caribbean Sea, and less about swimming in it, you can still get great hotel deals away from Seven Mile Beach. Lodgings farther out in "West End" mean craggy limestone cliffs and coral bluffs and caves instead of golden sand, but also more opportunities to snorkel and play in the water, as well as outstanding sunsets.

The Samsara Resort sits on top of a limestone cliff with glorious views and steps down to the sea, plus spacious rooms (most with air conditioning) for less than $100 per night. Samsara's sister resort, Legends Beach Resort, provides free beach access to Seven Mile Beach and there is a complimentary shuttle between the hotels. Just steps from town, the Bar-B-Barn Beach Hotel & Restaurant offers guests free Wi-Fi, and all rooms have balconies or terraces.

Airbnb Vacation Rentals

The best Negril hotel deals by far are offered via Airbnb vacation rentals. For as little as $20 per night, you can stay in a room on a small farm via Airbnb that's a five-minute walk from the world-famous Rick's Cafe, and offers free Wi-Fi and bike rentals for $5 per day.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, a gorgeous oceanside home with an infinity pool is $1,000 per night with Airbnb -- the property also offers the services of a housekeeper who will stock the kitchen with groceries and prepare fresh meals each day.

Enjoying Negril Beyond the Lounge Chair

Whether your lounge chair is set in the sand beside the sea or firmly poolside, if you've made the effort to visit Negril it would be a shame not to set out here and there to explore more of this excellent vacation destination. If you're only planning one outing, a great day or half-day trip out on a catamaran is a mix of sightseeing, adventure, and entertainment all in one.

Most cruises head up and down the coast and include a stop at Rick's Cafe to watch the cliff divers. The boat drops anchor near the many caves in the area, offering a thrilling experience to swimmers and snorkelers.

More adventurous types might want to hitch up their tanks and go for a dive at Negril's Throne Room. Located near Negril's West End, the Throne Room is a large and low cave with walls covered by corals and large yellow sponges that extend from top to bottom. At the back of the cave is a small chute, and through cracks in the reef, you can usually spot eels, octopus, turtles, barracuda, a great variety of fish, stingrays, and sometimes even a nurse shark.

Nature seekers who prefer dry land will love the Royal Palm Reserve. With over 300 acres within the 6,000-acre Negril Great Morass, the Royal Palm Reserve is home to over 300 different types of animal species including tropical birds and reptiles, and over 119 different types of flora. The Royal Palm Reserve is no longer officially operating as an attraction, but for a small fee a knowledgeable guide will take you through the elevated walkways for an experience that many have likened to visiting Jurassic Park without the ferocious dinosaurs.