Doctors Cave Beach Hotel is a straightforward, good-value base on the Hip Strip, close to the beach it is named for and to the bars, restaurants and shops of Gloucester Avenue. It has around 81 rooms, an outdoor pool with a poolside bar, a hot tub, an on-site restaurant and a gym, along with an arcade or game room, laundry facilities, room service and a concierge. Parking is free, and so is Wi-Fi in the public areas. It sits near Doctor’s Cave Beach and the Montego Bay Marine Park, though the hotel itself does not have its own beach, so you walk to the beach club and pay the entrance fee there. For many visitors that is a fair trade for the lower price and the central position. The hotel suits travellers who plan to spend their days out and about on tours and at the beach and who want a comfortable, no-frills room to return to in the evening.
Location and getting around
The hotel is in the heart of the Hip Strip, within walking distance of Doctor’s Cave Beach, Margaritaville, the Pork Pit and the town’s best-known bars. The airport is conveniently close, and a taxi to the Rose Hall coast or to downtown takes only a few minutes. Tours collect from the hotel, which makes it a practical base for a week of day trips to Martha Brae, the Luminous Lagoon, Negril and Ocho Rios.
The rooms
The rooms are simple and functional, with air conditioning and the usual comforts, and categories differ in size and bed type. Some have balconies, and views vary. The property class is modest, so expect a mid-range experience rather than resort luxury. Babysitting can be arranged for a fee, and luggage storage is available for those with late flights.
Who it suits
Independent travellers, couples on a budget, friends on a short break and anyone who wants to be close to the nightlife. Families can use the pool and the game room, but the setting is urban and the street can be lively at night. Guests who want a quiet resort with a private beach and all-inclusive meals will prefer another hotel in this guide.
Good to know
Guest reviews are mixed, so read recent comments before booking and ask for a quieter room if street noise is a concern. Pair the stay with the sights in the city highlights tour, and use the hotel’s concierge to arrange reliable drivers for longer excursions.
When to go
The Hip Strip is lively all year, with the biggest crowds in the winter season and on cruise-ship days. Midweek stays are quieter, and rates are often lower outside the peak months. If you want a calm evening, ask for a room away from the street, and plan your tours for the morning so that you can enjoy the beach and the bars in the afternoon and evening.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool with poolside bar
- ✓Hot tub
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Gym
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Room service
- ✓Concierge
- ✓Near Doctor’s Cave Beach
Good questions
Is Doctors Cave Beach Hotel on the beach?+
It is close to Doctor’s Cave Beach and the Marine Park but does not have its own beach. You walk to the beach club and pay the entrance fee there.
Is it a good base for the Hip Strip?+
Yes, the Hip Strip is on the doorstep, with Margaritaville, restaurants and bars within walking distance.
Does the hotel have a pool?+
Yes, there is an outdoor pool with a poolside bar, plus a hot tub.
