Kate M. -- [Former] Oyster Reporter
Travel highlights of Kate's life include train tripping around Europe while studying abroad, and driving cross-country to grad school in another foreign country, the People's Republic of Berkeley, where she molded impressionable freshman minds as an instructor in the university's political science department. Kate is a diehard Boston Red Sox fan, and is inexplicably obsessed with reggae music. She's currently based in Australia, slowly learning the finer points of cricket and eating lots of Thai food.
- Hotels Reviewed: 64
- Destination Expert for: Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bahamas
- Hometown: Hingham, Mass.
- Places Lived: Boston; Ithaca, N.Y.; Edinburgh, Scotland; Oakland, Calif.; New York; Sydney, Australia
- Education: B.A. in history and American studies, Cornell University; M.J., University of California, Berkeley
- Prior Experience: Sports Illustrated, Forbes, ESPN Books. Contributed to: the San Francisco Chronicle.
- My Favorite Hotel: Half Moon, Jamaica. It has the friendliest, most caring staff, a gorgeous property, and great food. Luxurious but authentically Jamaican and totally charming.
My Favorite Hotels
1
Half Moon
- Pearls: Rating: 4.5 Pearls
- Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Price: $270/night
Drawing everyone from Queen Elizabeth to 50 Cent, Half Moon strives for timeless, understated luxury (even at the swim-up bar). Stretching over 400 acres (including 2 miles of beach), the 400-room resort offers attentive service, quality cuisine, and seemingly limitless activities like golfing and horseback riding.
2
The Caves
- Pearls: Rating: 4.5 Pearls
- Location: Negril, Jamaica
- Price: $610/night
Arguably Jamaica's most romantic escape (for adults only), the Caves' 11 unique, private cottages and suites are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (there's no beach). High-quality, locally focused cuisine, a top-shelf bar, and intimate, incredibly attentive service make it Jamaica's best all-inclusive, though nearby Tensing Pen and Rockhouse offer similar settings at cheaper prices.
3
Natura Cabanas
- Pearls: Rating: 3.5 Pearls
- Location: Cabarete and Sosua, Dominican Republic
- Price: $240/night
Offering eco-friendly bungalows in a lush, friendly setting, Natura Cabanas is a taste of serene, northern coast luxury for a remarkably fair price. Guests enjoy delicious, fresh food, a clean, crowd-less private beach, daily yoga and Pilates classes, and a fabulous spa. It's quiet, and a bit rustic without TV or AC in rooms, but that's the point.
4
Sunset at the Palms
- Pearls: Rating: 3.5 Pearls
- Location: Negril, Jamaica
- Price: $440/night
Across the street from the beach, the upscale Sunset has a warm, helpful staff, intimate setting, and great food -- all of which create a relaxing retreat that's a far cry from the crowded chaos at most all-inclusives. Designed for mellow couples or small groups, the Sunset is not the best choice for families or wild partying.
5
Negril Tree House Resort
- Pearls: Rating: 2.5 Pearls
- Location: Negril, Jamaica
- Price: $120/night
The 70-room Treehouse is about the most relaxed hotel in Jamaica, almost to a fault. There’s only a skeleton crew on staff at night, and the rooms feature nothing but an old TV and a bar of soap. But most guests don't seem to care, once they're swinging on a porch hammock overlooking Jamaica’s best beach. Plus, great bars and restaurants are right next door.
