The Rockhouse Negril Review: Jamaica’s Unique Eco Resort

Perched along rugged Jamaican cliffs, The Rockhouse Negril overlooks some of the clearest, blue waters in The Caribbean. If you are looking for a unique, eco-luxury experience with amazing food and beautiful views, look no further than this stunning eco resort.

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Not only does this place ooze cool, rock and roll vibes in a tropical setting, it plays a vital role in the education and sustainable future of one of Jamaica’s most unique towns. This Rockhouse Negril review will make you want to stop what you’re doing and get here, ASAP.

We cover the eco resort’s amazing history, amenities, staff, and more in this guide.

How Is The Rockhouse Negril An Eco Resort?

The property has been around since the early 70’s and has seen the likes of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and Bob Marley stay here. 

While that does not make it “eco”, it definitely adds an alluring sense of interest. You can’t help but see the attraction while walking around the property’s grounds. 

There is a feeling of exclusivity, however it is very low key at the same time. The hotel offers a multitude of areas for lounging and direct ocean access (including a cliff jump). You can stay in your villa and lounge by your private ocean access, or sit at the pool bar and watch the sunset with other guests (and friendly staff).

What Makes An Eco Resort?

The term “eco” is used quite haphazardly in the world of hotels. 

What makes an eco resort “eco” is a series of principles set by the International Eco-Tourism Society (which are usually agreed upon around the world by other green organisations).

Principles include things like: 

• Using local building materials 
• Employing local staff 
• Being energy efficient 
• Providing direct financial support for local business/industry & education

There is essentially an “eco” scale. The more of the principles the accommodation adheres to, the more “eco” it is. We’ve stayed in some great sustainable hotels around the world, from zero waste hobbit holes to all vegetarian hotels, to luxury eco villas overlooking volcanoes.

But the Rockhouse Negril is something special, and it follows many of the eco principles, rating it high on the scale of “eco-ness”.

The Rockhouse Foundation

Apart from using local building materials and staff, The Rockhouse Negril plays an important role in the education of local children.  The foundation is a registered charity that focuses on education in Jamaica. 

With over USD$4 Million invested in local schools and a library, the hotel is proud to encourage guests to take part in visitation excursions. The hotel management runs through the Foundation’s activities every Wednesday afternoon with a free cocktail party on the pool deck. This also includes a performance from the in-house dance instructor, which is sure to get your body moving. 

Notable Eco Points

• The Rockhouse Negril is Green Globe Certified, whereby they are striving to achieve the best environmental practices.
• Minimizes its use of natural resources, air emissions, hazardous materials, and monitors and records environmental performance relatives. 
• The restaurants and juice bar have fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, with produce grown in the Rockhouse Organic Garden, located on the property. 
• There are vegan and vegetarian options in their menu
• They have a strong community focus, investing in local schools with The Rockhouse Foundation

Is The Rockhouse Negril An All Inclusive?

While Jamaica is famous for its all-inclusive resorts, The Rockhouse Negril is not one of them. 

This is another factor that contributes to their “eco-ness”. All-inclusive hotels generally have high levels of food waste (in some cases up to 42%). At the Rockhouse Negril, food and drink can be purchased at one of the restaurant or bar options. A burger (hamburger or lentil option) is around $10 USD and cocktails are USD $7.

Is The Rockhouse Negril The Dreamiest Wedding Destination?

During our time at the Rockhouse Negril there was a wedding. I’d have to say the set-up was pretty fantastic (if you like picture-perfect backdrops for your photos). 

It was a relatively small party and we didn’t really notice them except for the pre-wedding pool hangout. It’s definitely one to consider if you were looking for a tropical destination. They also have special wedding packages. 

About Your Stay At The Rockhouse Negril

We were able to check in early and the staff could not have been nicer. A cocktail was provided with an enthusiastic review of the hotel grounds and the Rockhouse Negril passport book (filled with activity challenges for your stay). They really encouraged us to take part in the activities (you actually get incentives to take part). These include things like a dance class, painting lesson & massage. 

The Rooms

There are 34 rooms scattered along the rocky outcrops. The rooms are built from timber, stone, and thatch, designed to match the natural landscape. Their simplicity is what makes them so stylish. They range from a fairly standard room with garden views to villas and premium villas 

Tip: If you’re going to get a villa (request one with ocean access – due to the nature of the cliffs, not all of them do)

The Location

The Rockhouse Negril is located on the west end cliffs of Negril, approximately 2 hours from Montego Bay Airport 

The Staff

The staff here were professional and hospitable, making us feel comfortable for our stay. They were also very friendly and knowledgeable and the service in the restaurants was some of the best we had in Jamaica. 

Restaurants at The Rockhouse Negril

With three restaurants to choose from, using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients (including produce that is grown on the property in their organic garden), you’ll have no shortage of options at the Rockhouse Negril. They have options for vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes.

The Rockhouse Restaurant

• Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, open 7am-10pm
• Breathtaking ​ocean views
• Serving new Caribbean cuisine, it is a more ‘fine dining’ experience
• TIP: Try the peppercorn soup – it’s delicious! They serve it as a “shot” for a free appetizer, however, each night we ate here we ordered it again as an entrée

Pushcart restaurant & rum bar

• Serving dinner, open  from 4pm to 10pm
• The food is more traditional Jamaican food 
• VEG TIP: Try the Bushman Stew or Rasta Pasta for some vegan options

Pool bar & Grill

• Open daily for lunch from 12-4pm, and for berverages 11am-sunset
• Make sure you try one of the happy hour cocktails 5pm until sunset
• VEG TIP: Try the lentil burger!

Juice bar

• Featuring smoothies, juices and cocktails
• TIP: Make sure you start the day with a ginger shot, its delicious and gives you a health buzz

Amenities at The Rockhouse Negril

The Rockhouse Spa features all natural, Caribbean-made products and treatment rituals. They have a holistic approach to wellbeing, health, and happiness, and treatments can take place in the cabanas or at the Spa. You can opt for massages, scrubs/wraps, and holistic mind-body and beauty therapies

The Pool is one seriously cool infinity pool. Whether you’re an early riser and want to do a few laps, or you just want to lounge about the day and drink cocktails, this pool is for you. The pool bar will also deliver you drinks or food by the pool so you don’t need to get up 

TIP: The best seats at the pool are the ones next to the ocean edge. We managed to get hold of them each day if we arrived before 11am.

Things To Do At The Rockhouse Negril

There’s a little something for everyone at The Rockhouse Negril. Some of the activities include:

• Exploring the property – there are so many nice seating areas and little pathways 
• Daily yoga 8am-9am
• Go swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear water. There are ladders and stairs leading to the water from the cliff’s edge 
• They have a range of organised activities available, from painting classes to yoga classes, and organic farm tours.
• Weekly scheduled classes: cooking, Zumba dance, Bob Marley portraiture, painting the Rockhouse, and African drumming
• Go to the schools with the Rockhouse Foundation to see what kind of positive impact they are having on the local community 
• Go paddleboarding (a couple of free paddleboards are left by the water entrance)
• Some of the best food we had in Jamaica was at the Rockhouse restaurants

Rockhouse Negril Review

Pros:

• Amazing location & hotel setting 
• Great staff who were welcoming and knowledgeable 
• Food was fresh and high quality 
• High end, luxury eco resort experience 

Cons:

• Would like to see a few more vegetarian/vegan options on the menu
• Some more paddleboards to use would be good 
• Prices are high (but we felt was worth it)

Click here for​​ more unique accommodation options in Jamaica

What To Pack

Things to consider when travelling to Negril

• It is tropical – hot and humid
• There are mosquitoes 
• While inside the grounds on the Rockhouse is safe, leaving the grounds to wander the streets should be done at your own risk. We found Jamaica to be relatively safe. Saying this, don’t go flashing expensive jewelry when walking around the town and avoid walking at night. 
• You can go hiking, swimming, and nightclubbing all in the same day if you wanted to so it’s a good idea to be prepared for a bit of everything
• You don’t have to worry too much about being reserved on the beaches the local bikinis are quite revealing 

Packing Essential Checklist

You don’t need much when you stay at the Rockhouse Negril, but here are few things to consider:

• Reusable bag for grocery shopping – if you shop at the little stalls along the street of Negril they will give you plastic bags it’s always a good idea to have your own alternative option.
• Reusable water bottle – It’s not recommended to drink tap water in Jamaica. We bought a couple of large 5L bottles from the supermarket on the way to Negril and just filled up our reusable bottle. A water bottle with a built in filter is always a good idea too. 
• Reef Safe Sunscreen – When we were there, the hotel actually provided some in the room! But just in case, it’s always good to have your own, especially with the beautiful reef around the eco-resort property 
• Natural Insect Repellant – Essential Oils like Tea Tree are great for keeping  mosquitoes away  
• Eco Friendly Toiletries – are better for you and the environment! 

Things To Do In Negril

Negril is strangely named after little black ee​​ls, which where once prevalent in the area. The eels are no more,  but, the beautiful water and rugged cliffs remain. 

It is only a short drive from 7 Mile Beach which is one of the best beaches in Jamaica. There are no real beaches in Negril, just sheer cliff faces and rocky bottoms. This makes it ideal for snorkeling. The Rockhouse has one of the best snorkeling spots on the island.

One small street runs parallel to the cliffs in Negril. There are some local restaurants and artisan stalls worth stopping at. A great little stall is right across the street from the Rockhouse entrance, the woman actually hand makes her own swimsuits. 

Some things you could do while in Negril include:

• Head to Seven Mile Beach for a day
• There is a nightclub called The Jungle at 7 Mile Beach if you’re looking for nightlife (it doesn’t really get busy until 11PM and goes till early hours of the morning)
• Mayfield falls – about an hour away from Negril (smaller than Dunns River Falls)
• Blue hole mineral spring – situated in a limestone cavern (25 minutes away) – the white clay like mud is soothing for the skin
• Ricks Cafe is a popular spot on the cliffs. You can see some locals diving from the super high points. It wasn’t really a place that we would hang out at, but it is a popular spot for tourists (many arrive on booze cruise type boats from 7 Mile Beach)

Things to do in Jamaica:

• Visit Island Gully Falls (previously Blue Hole Jamaica)
• Swim in Reach Falls
• Go rafting around Blue Lagoon
• Spend a day at Frenchman’s Cove
• Take a boat to Lime Cay off Kingston

We can highly recommend staying at The Rockhouse Negril.

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