Little Bay Cabins

Paved paths lined with conch shells and coral meander through lush Caribbean foliage, flowers, and fruit trees.  Guests can step from their cabins' porches and out onto the beach, only feet from the ocean, and fall asleep at night to the sounds of waves lapping at the shore. This small resort is composed of a cluster of 12 separate cabins, designed to accommodate one or two individuals at a time. A single, two-bedroom villa is available for families or small groups. Decor in basic cabins is minimalist, and walls are painted in bright oranges and reds, but they are mostly bare. The Legend Villa, however, is a large cabin featuring handmade wooden furnishings and local artwork. An outdoor restaurant, the Leanback Lounge, is a small, colorful gazebo-style building where guests can order food and drinks. Several hammocks hang in a grove of foliage. 

Located on a quarter-mile stretch of beach, this location spoils guests with its close proximity to the ocean. It's literally steps to the beach from a guests' front door. However, the expanse of accessible sandy beach at Little Bay Cabins is limited to one small area. Most of the beach area is comprised of coral and volcanic rock, with paved walkways along the water. Navigating the roads near this resort can be confusing and bone-rattling, with few signs, and even less road maintenance. Located 30 minutes outside of the tourist town of Negril, reach it can be confusing so it’s advisable to call in advance for specific instructions with landmarks. Little Bay Cabins is about a 10-minute drive from Jamwest Motorsports & Adventure Park, which has ATV tours, a petting zoo, and other family-friendly recreation. Opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and water sports are literally outside the front door of most cabins, and the resort lends equipment for free to help snorkelers explore the coral reef, or spend the afternoon kayaking. 

Favored among low-maintenance budget travelers, or those focused on outdoor sports above luxury, cabin accommodations are minimalist. These include one or two beds, small bedside tables, and little else. Sparse, dated bathrooms each contain a stand-up shower, sink, and toilet. Brightly colored paint and wood floors add whimsy and character to rooms with few furnishings. Spacious porches attached to all cabins come with wooden lawn chairs, and provide striking views of the beach and sunsets. The Legendary Villa includes a few more creature comforts, including two bedrooms, an iPod dock, stereo, fridge, coffeemaker, and bathroom shower with two side-by-side showerheads. 

There is no air-conditioning at this resort, so guests must rely on ceiling fans and open windows to keep cool. Windows are covered by slatted shutters, rather than glass panes, and curtains provide privacy. This is common among affordably priced resorts in this area, but it does increase likelihood of mosquitoes getting into rooms. Guests should plan on bringing their own toiletries. Other than bars of soap and towels, toiletry items are not provided. Fresh water for the resort must be brought in, so if showers are not kept short, water supplies for bathing can be distressed. All cabins, as well as the villa, are surrounded by greenery, flowering plants, and palm trees. 

Unlike those at many resorts, the owner of Little Bay Cabins is always on site, lives on the property, and handles most of the calls and questions -- right down to driving directions. Having a local expert American ex-pat can help put guests at ease. While basic in its layout and features, the hotel features certain amenities that stand out. This resort lends kayaking and snorkeling gear to its guests for free, which is beneficial as these activities make up a lot of what there is to do. Bonfires on the beach are held one to two nights per week, and provide social opportunities for those staying at the Little Bay Cabins. The resort offers tours and day trips to local attractions, such as Bat Cave (the flying animal, not the caped crusader), and one of Bob Marley's several home sites across the island. 

While this resort has free Internet, it is not reliable, and sometimes does not work at all. There is no pool, but those who stay at the Little Bay Cabins are just steps away from the ocean. Meals are cooked-to-order at the on-site restaurant, the Leanback Lounge. Massages are available for guests in a small, thatched hut next to the water. Some on-site spa services, such as facials and hairstyling, can be accessed at the Sweet Me spa, though it’s best to speak to resort staff to set this up in advance.  A shuttle service is available to pick up customers from the airport, as needed.