Skylark Negril Beach Resort

Sister property to the famous Rockhouse Hotel, Skylark offers a similarly hip feel but with a beachfront setting instead of along the cliffs. Though it had a soft opening, the hotel fully opened in September 2018. Skylark is Jamaican slang for daydream or laze about, and that's precisely what the property wants visitors to do. There's no pool here, but a large beachfront lined with loungers offers guests a spot to relax, and the adjacent restaurant and bar are a popular spot for delicious Jamaican fare, fresh juice, and dinners with DJ-led music in the background. The music is never loud though, instead simply enhancing the relaxed, Caribbean vibe of the property.

The style is reminiscent of a chic Miami hotel, with a color palette largely of white, blue, and pink. Whitewashed exteriors with cutout detailing are surrounded by lush greenery, while robin-egg-blue, coral, and seafoam-green chairs add pops of color. The open-air lobby has palm frond wallpaper and framed old school magazine covers, creating a retro bohemian look. The 28 rooms are spread among two floors, with the majority facing a garden courtyard and just two having ocean views. Travelers who stay here have the benefit of free shuttles to Rockhouse Hotel, for those that want to experience the cliffside property as well. This is an excellent pick for beach lovers, but travelers wanting a similar property with more seclusion and charm should consider the cliffside Tensing Pen. 

The Skylark Negril Beach Resort has a wonderful setting along the famous Seven Mile Beach, a long and lovely stretch of white sand. Negril sits on Jamaica's western coast, about a 90-minute drive from Montego Bay. The Skylark's beach area is a bit calmer than those found farther south, though still expect lots of passing tourists and hawkers trying to sell wood carvings and marijuana. Numerous restaurants and bars line the beach and adjacent main road that runs along the coast. Downtown Negril, where there are a Burger King, supermarkets, and banks, is about a five-minute drive. Sister property Rockhouse Hotel is an 11-minute drive south. Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, is about a 90-minute drive, depending on traffic.

The 28 rooms are done in a similarly chic and colorful style consisting of hand-built four-poster beds, light-wood floors, white walls with a stripe of pink along the bottom, and midcentury modern furniture. Bohemian accents come in the form of woven rugs and baskets, old-school radios, retro artwork and turquoise lamps. All units have furnished terraces except for the four Standard Rooms, but only two rooms have ocean views. Bathrooms across the board have white subway tiles on the walls, black octagon-shaped tiles on the floors, and showers. Amenities consist of free Wi-Fi, desks, hairdryers, well-stocked minibars, electronic safes, ironing facilities, and umbrellas. There are no TVs.

Skylark's crowning feature is its beautiful beachfront lined with loungers. The water here is generally calm and Negril is known for its stunning sunsets. However, there are no umbrellas. Overlooking the beach is the all-day restaurant that serves well-regarded Jamaican cuisine such as curried goat and jerk chicken, plus burgers. At night, a DJ plays music that's not too loud. Fresh juices, locally brewed Red Stripe, and cocktails are available at the bar here. Guests also receive a free rum or fruit punch on arrival. Room service is available. 

There are no pool or fitness center, but a small and serene spa has a variety of treatment options, including couples' massages, pedicures, and facials. A boutique off the lobby sells sundries such as sunscreen and locally made goods like jewelry and artwork. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and outdoor parking is free.