Catcha Falling Star Gardens

Not much goes on at Catcha Gardens. The majority of guests spend their days off property, and return at night only to sleep. Seldom will you find people hanging out by the pool, but a few spend their days smoking weed on their villa's front porch. Though Catcha Falling Star Gardens is the smaller sister property of Catcha Falling Star Resort, the two only share a name, not amenities. Most of Catcha Gardens’ guests are young budget-conscious travelers, while the resort attracts an older, slightly more well-heeled crowd. 

Catcha Gardens is located in Negril’s West End Cliffs neighborhood, where limestone cliffs hug the coastline and just out into impossibly blue water. Many hotels on the West End are waterfront properties that are built into the cliffs, but Catcha Gardens is on the opposite side of the street, so there aren’t any ocean views from the property. There aren’t any beaches on the West End; instead, rocky inlets function as diving platforms. If tempted, travelers can leap from 20-foot cliff ledges into water so clear that it looks deceptively shallow. Also, some of Jamaica's most beautiful sunsets can be see from the West End — a big advantage to staying on this side of town. Guests can walk to plenty of restaurants along West End Road, and can find everything from local jerk joints, to upscale French bistros, to Rick’s Cafe — a Negril icon since 1974. However, the winding main road here is nothing short of treacherous for pedestrians, with limited sidewalks and nary a crosswalk to be found. Negril’s famous Seven Mile Beach is a 15-minute drive from Catcha Gardens. Sangster International Airport — the closest international airport to Negril — is a good two-hour drive. 

Rooms at Catcha Gardens aren’t nearly as nice as those at its sister property, but they’re spacious, and adequate for sleeping. Each room is equipped with two double beds, a small living area, and a private bathroom, but room decor looks dated and the lighting isn’t great. Beds are dressed in threadbare sheets and have (somewhat necessary) mosquito nets. Each room has a small seating area, centered around a coffee table and a flat-screen TV. In-room amenities include electronic safes, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and coffeemakers, but no coffee or tea supplies. Bathrooms have large shower stalls, tiled vanities, and a toilet. The hotel supplies towels and hand soap, but no additional toiletries. Outside, rooms have large patios or balconies with hammocks and plastic table and chair sets. Catcha Gardens has nine villas (rooms with two double beds) and one studio apartment with a full kitchen. Decor varies a bit between rooms, but looks pretty dated throughout. Rooms are located in several two-story buildings that are scattered across the property. Guests with limited mobility should request a room on the ground floor, as the hotel does not have elevators. 

Catcha Gardens does not have many communal amenities. There’s no restaurant, spa, or fitness center, and the hotel does not serve any kind of breakfast in the morning. The only amenity is the small pool in the back of the property. The pool is freeform in shape and is surrounded by well-manicured gardens and hodgepodge lounge chairs. Next to the pool is a tiny thatched-roof cabana with wicker furniture and a small library of books for guests to borrow. Catcha Gardens has free Wi-Fi, but the connection is spotty, and sometimes does not work at all. It should be noted that guests at Catcha Gardens do not have access to the amenities at Catcha Falling Star Resort. Of course, they’re welcome to dine at the hotel’s restaurant, but they’re not considered guests of the property.