Home Sweet Home Resort

Like many resorts in this region, Home Sweet Home is built atop Negril's coral cliffs, surrounded by low stone walls. The off-white building -- which looks like a large home created in various colonial styles -- is lined with private porches, and stone pathways curve throughout the grounds. There is no beach, but brave swimmers can take a plunge off the cliffs into the ocean below. This resort will please sun-lovers, as there are fewer trees and less shade than at other comparable resorts in the area, and the grounds aren't quite as attractively landscaped here. Home Sweet Home has a simple courtyard design, with sun decks, lounging areas and lawns with beach chairs, and a small figure eight-shaped outdoor pool. This is a quiet property, with a casual outdoor restaurant, but no blaring bar scene -- the laid-back vibe mostly draws families, though couples and solo travelers also pass through.

Home Sweet Home is situated on the cliffs to the southwest of downtown Negril. There are a few simple restaurants within walking distance (including the great restaurant at Spa Retreat -- a six-minute walk from the hotel), but guests will need a car to access central Negril and Seven Mile Beach. Both are about five minutes away by car, though walks can be done, just expect them to take at least 30 minutes along a narrow road. Seven Mile Beach is lined with beachfront bars, vendors selling almost anything imaginable, and plenty of tour hawkers. Sangster International Airport is a 90-minute drive from the hotel. 

The hotel offers 17 humble rooms and suites, including a Penthouse Apartment. Decor is simple and bright, but there is a good deal of upkeep that's necessary throughout. Wall colors are tropically appropriate -- think: turquoise and coral -- and hung with the type of local art that tourists take home, while vibrant curtains and accent textiles fill the rest of the space. Simple, hardwood furniture sits on tile floors, and wooden shutters cover most windows. A fresh coat of paint would help the rooms, as we saw plenty of wear and tear on walls, floors, and furniture. All rooms come with air-conditioning and fans, small flat-screen TVs with cable, hairdryers, and outdated key safes, plus private balconies with ocean views in many units. Suites and the Penthouse Apartment have kitchenettes, including microwaves, toasters, hot plates, and coffeemakers. The Penthouse Apartment has three walls of windows that provide decent views, though it includes a next-door motorbike rental shop that's a bit of an eyesore. Some rooms have multiple bedrooms. Excuses for tropical moisture wreaking havoc on bathrooms aside, the ones we visited were in dire need of an overhaul. We saw missing tiles, rusted fixtures, mineral stains, mildew and moldy grout, stacks of still-wrapped toilet paper, and sloppy paint jobs. There's little vanity space and showers have cheap curtains. There are no phones in any rooms, and toiletries are limited to bar soap and liquid soap dispensers in showers.

Home Sweet Home has a small outdoor pool and lends out snorkeling gear for free for those who prefer sea swimming. The hotel also offers free property-wide Wi-Fi, but other amenities such as nanny services, airport transfers, and massages cost extra. Island tours can also be arranged and the hotel also has a gift shop with souvenirs. All meals can be purchased at the on-site restaurant, the Sunset View Cafe, which also offers room service. However, the restaurant may not be open at certain times during slow seasons, as hours are determined by traffic and need. Breakfast isn't included in room rates. Free parking is available, but guests should take care when entering and exiting the resort's sometimes cramped lot.