Contemporary Waterfront Hotel Located on Acclaimed Seven Mile Beach

Though its name suggests otherwise, Seven Mile Beach actually spans only 4 miles from tip to tip. But the people who lounge on its golden sand don’t seem to mind, as it's still Jamaica’s longest continuous stretch of beach. The former hippie hangout still promotes a free-spirit atmosphere with cliff jumping, live reggae music, and designated nudist sections. Sandy Haven Resort is located right along the coast at Seven Mile Beach, with guests frequently taking to its turquoise waters for snorkeling and parasailing.

This elegant boutique hotel is committed to creating an authentic Jamaican experience, from its traditional island cuisine to its colorful guest rooms. In the morning, Almond Tree Beach Grill serves a complimentary continental breakfast of pastries, fruit, and champagne on its waterfront wooden deck. If you want a glass of Appleton Estate rum, grab a seat at the beach bar or ask the server while lounging in your breezy cabana. Before or after a romantic dinner at the air-conditioned Bongos Restaurant or on the patio, you can retire to a superior garden-view room.

In addition to these festive beachfront spots, the hotel offers a holistic spa in a natural-wood setting. Unwind with an antistress facial and an herbal scrub, or head to the quiet swimming pool shaded by tropical trees and parasol-shaped clouds.

Negril, Jamaica: Laid-Back Beach Town with Picturesque Sunsets, Snorkeling, and Cliff Diving

Located on Jamaica’s western coast, Negril is known for its white sand beaches, dramatic rugged cliffs, and coral reefs lying just offshore in the Caribbean. Its underwater beauty makes the town a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling at Negril Marine Park, and anglers have found the sea filled with blue marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi. The city has a front-row seat to some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets, and people often climb to the top of waterfront cliffs just to watch. At Rick’s Cafe, which is listed in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, groups congregate every night to watch the sun dip below the horizon; some brave adventurers even leap off the 35-foot cliffs into the water.

Often called "the capital of casual," Negril is best defined by its laid-back vibe, from the slow and steady rhythm of the indigenous reggae music to its unofficial uniform—swimsuits and flip-flops. Running along the town is Seven Mile Beach, a stretch of powdery white-sand coastline that earned a spot on Frommer’s Best Beaches in the Caribbean list. The town center comprises a shopping mall and a craft market where visitors can pick up locally produced goods.

Farther inland, the mountainous terrain harbors several eco-tourism attractions including hiking, ziplining, and waterfall tours. Take a 60- to 90-minute drive east to reach the cascading YS Falls or Mayfield Falls, where you can wade in 21 natural pools shaded by exotic tropical flowers and ferns. Or stay close to Negril by visiting the Royal Palm Reserve, where 300 acres of swamp forests and wetlands shelter more than 300 types of birds, butterflies, and abandoned Rubik's cubes.

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