Rockhouse is the stylish choice for travellers who prefer the cliffs to the beach. Perched on the rocky West End, it offers a collection of villas and rooms with thatched roofs and open views, steps from the sea where guests swim from ladders carved into the rock. The pool, set into the cliff above the water, is one of the most photographed in Jamaica, and the restaurant and bar serve food and cocktails with sunset views. The hotel is not an all-inclusive, so you can eat where you like in the West End, and the surrounding area is lively with restaurants, bars and Rick’s Café a short walk or ride away. It suits couples, solo travellers and anyone who wants a calmer, more design-led stay.
Location and getting around
The West End is on the cliff coast west of Seven Mile Beach. The hotel is a short taxi ride from the beach strip and not far from Rick’s Café and the Negril Lighthouse. The airport at Montego Bay is roughly an hour and a half away.
The rooms
Choose from studios, villas and rooms with different views and layouts. Rooms close to the water are the most atmospheric, while others offer more privacy and space.
Who it suits
Couples, small groups and independent travellers who want a boutique, non-resort stay with views and easy access to the cliffs.
Good to know
There is no wide beach at the cliffs, so check your swim access and transport to the beach if you want sand. Bring water shoes for the rocks.
Eating, drinking and extras
The on-site restaurant and bar serve fresh seafood, Jamaican dishes and cocktails with a view, and the West End has many other eateries within a short walk or ride. The hotel is known for its relaxed, sociable cliffside scene, with swimming, snorkelling and sunset drinks forming the core of the day. Spa treatments, yoga and community projects add to the offering.
When to go
The dry season from December to April is the most popular, and the sea can be calmer then. The hurricane season runs from June to November, so travel insurance and flexible rates are wise. If you plan to spend most of your time at the beach, add a few taxi rides to your budget.
Why stay here
- ✓Cliffside swimming access
- ✓Cliff-edge pool
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Sunset views
- ✓Thatched villas and rooms
- ✓Snorkelling from the rocks
- ✓Spa services
- ✓Walking distance to Rick’s Café
Good questions
Is there a beach at Rockhouse?+
No, the hotel is on the cliffs, with swimming from ladders and platforms. The beach strip is a short taxi ride away.
Is it all-inclusive?+
No, meals and drinks are paid for separately.
Is it good for sunsets?+
Yes, the West End faces west, and the cliffs give wide sunset views.
