• 12 intimate thatched huts amid tropical gardens.
• True ‘Jamaican’ style hospitality with dinner served daily in various ocean side locations.
• Mini Spa, hot tub in a cave and cliff side Jacuzzi.
• Swim and snorkel breathtaking sea caves (guide available, kit included in rates).
• Easy access to the nightlife of Negril, if you can bear to leave the serenity of The Caves.
The Whole Story
Negril, a former port frequented by pirates and slave traders, has in recent years emerged as one of Jamaica's most idyllic beachside resorts. It is blessed with an unbroken, seven-mile stretch of pure white sand as well as an environmental movement that is actively committed to keeping it that way. The Caves, just a few miles along the coast is perched on craggy cliffs thirty feet above a translucent emerald green sea, this hotel is unique in the Caribbean.
It is a small jungle-clad retreat of thatched timber huts that literally sit on top of and in between some of the most spectacular sea caves in the world. These enormous caverns have been gouged out by the sea over aeons from the volcanic rock of the honeycomb cliffs below. The occasional cave even breaks through the surface above, like a massive skylight in the middle of the property's ten virgin acres, and if you're game you can jump into the crater and splash into a subterranean pool thirty feet below. These half-submerged grottos are an extension of the coral reef system, and hence are filled with the inhabitants of the reef: eels, parrot fish, sponges, sea fans, rays and sea urchins. Some of the caves are large enough to take boats into, and of course it's a paradise for diving and snorkelling. Equipment is all included in the room rates; all you have to do is launch yourself into the twenty-foot waters below. Everywhere, platforms jut out over the water and steps are cut in the stone. To the adventurous-spirited, all these panoramic little perches are like a siren constantly beckoning you to jump into the clear green waters below; to the rest of us they are perfect spots for soaking up the Caribbean sun.
The monumental subterranean caves of Negril, memorable enough in their own right, are just part of an experience that is totally Jamaican. From the custom-designed hand-made wooden furniture to the colourful fabrics and local works of art, this tropical cliffside retreat is stamped with the signature of the two artists who designed, built, and now operate it. When Bertram and Greer Ann Saulter, a committed Rastafarian couple, first moved to Negril it was to escape the city life of Kingston. At that time Negril was an uninhabited virgin piece of coastal jungle that counted a lighthouse as its only official building. There were no schools, no shops, and no tourists. It was so isolated, in fact, that most of their eight children were educated at home. The story of the Caves evolved out of their longstanding friendship with Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and a contemporary from their days in Kingston. Accepting the inevitability of Negril's emergence as a resort, and following Blackwell's example in turning to hotel development, they set out to create a low-key, environmentally friendly retreat.
Operating under the umbrella of Blackwell's growing stable of individual Island Outpost Hotels, The Caves is a three-dimensional expression of the Saulters' approach to life. Bertram designed and built the huts and the furniture, while Greer Ann created the interiors. The food is wholesome, tasty Jamaican fare, with an emphasis on fresh fish, Jamaican-style vegetables and tropical fruit. The decor is dominated by bright colours and patterns. Reggae and blues are played in the thatched cliffside pavilion where meals are served. There are no televisions; evening entertainment consists of lively conversation enhanced by rum cocktails and the odd smoke.
For me there are two Jamaicas that capture the imagination, both irresistible. One is the colonial memory of steamer trunks, Noel Coward and 'white mischief'; the other is the colourful, laid-back, dreadlocked world of Bob Marley and reggae by the beach, The Caves perfectly captures this second, authentically Jamaican.
The Rooms
The Caves offers 12 intimate rooms comprising of one and two bedroom Cottages and Suites, plus a four bedroom deluxe villa, nestled in lush indigenous tropical gardens. All with ocean views.
The rooms are cozy and romantic, airy and spacious and designed with verandas and other elements such as outdoor showers that enhance the sense of openness. Each room is unique and features art and sculpture by local artisans.