Rockhouse, Jamaica

In short… With stone villas, lush gardens, and dramatic views over the cliffs of Negril’s West End, this property maintains its 1970s cool in the best way possible.

The vibe…. Originally opened in 1974, Rockhouse is set on the furthest western point of Negril and maintains a funky, bohemian feel (Bob Marley and The Rolling Stones were among the hotel’s early guests). The property’s eight acres of lush, mature gardens and winding stone walkways feel a million miles away from a cookie cutter all-inclusive, as does its commitment to community-based tourism and The Rockhouse Foundation, which is dedicated to improving local schools.

The rooms… Rooms range from the property’s signature octagonal villas with thatched roofs and private balconies to smaller, charming studios with stone floors and outdoor showers. Rockhouse has its own woodworking shop, where all the furniture is made and then upholstered in brightly colored fabrics. To be perfectly honest, though, I spent so little time in my room I didn’t even realize there wasn’t a television until I started writing this.

The food… There are two restaurants and a pool bar, all of them casual and with menus that focus on seafood and Jamaican classics. Start your morning with a fresh juice and a ginger shot at Rockhouse Restaurant’s juice bar. Don’t miss the jerk and coconut shrimp at Push Cart, which is only open for dinner, and enjoy a frozen cocktail at the pool bar during its daily happy hour.

The wellness… The spa is serene and centered around a courtyard fountain (complete with turtles), or opt to have your treatment in one of the cliffside spa cabanas. The hotel now also offers a weekly Psilocybin Soundbath (psilocybin mushrooms are legal in Jamaica) including breathwork and meditation.