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Second chance to Rooms On The Beach, Negril.

In last June, I had the chance to reunite with a good friend from Canada who decided to visit us in Jamaica. Gabrielle started travelling not so long ago and loved everything about it so she was really excited to see this island. Even though I warned her about our location and that the weather could be affected by the Hurricane Season, she still wanted to come.  It rained almost every day in May so I was pretty scared it would be the same in June but as soon as she arrived the Sun came back. It was perfect. Having someone who enjoys discovering a new country made me relive my first moments here in Jamaica. So of course I took her on a road-trip to Negril! I decided to give a second chance to the Rooms On The Beach resort. I am glad I did. It was a completely different experience than what my friend Laurence and I previously had in March. Since Gabrielle and I now stayed in the low-season and the hotel was almost empty, we were upgraded to an Ocean Front King bedroom with a huge balcony! 

 

The only thing was that our patio door did not lock. The pool was closed for treatment for our two nights stay but this time it was not an option as the beach was picture-perfect. Because the hotel was not busy, we had better service at the front desk and at the restaurant for complimentary breakfast. So after this second experience at Rooms On The Beach Negril, I would now definitively recommend to stay there in the low-season or if you request an Ocean Front room. It is THE place to go when you are on a budget and you have a rental car to enjoy Negril by dinning out of the resort. I would rate this second stay an 8 out of 10.

*Great restaurants from a walking distance: 
- Café GOA (street side) : breakfast all day and more!
- Kuyaba (beach side)
- Italian Café (amazing lobster and pizza!)

*Great restaurants to go to if you have a car or if you are willing to take a taxi:
- Rockhouse (main restaurant by the cliffs...amazing view!)
- Rick's café (for a lunch, drinks and cliff jumping)

Dinning out at The Rockhouse restaurant by the cliffs

Grill 71.

The nicer decor is sitting outside the restaurant.

Last weekend, we tried this new restaurant located in the Courtyard on Lady Musgrave Road, Grill 71. On a Saturday evening at 7PM, we were the only clients in the restaurant. The blinds were closed and there was no music, it was kind of sad. The general look of this place reminded us of an American Dinner but with a modern look and minimalist décor. We were not sure about it but decided to stay and give it a chance. 

The music started and some old hits played, it gave a little bit more life to the restaurant. Fortunately, the menu does not match the appearance and ambiance of the restaurant. I would have like to try a lot of their dishes. We ordered the Pulled Pork Spring Roll to start which was good. Erik had the Moroccan Lamb Burger with fries and I was curious about the Asian-Style Salad with cranberries, almonds and sesame seeds. We were pretty satisfied with our meals but rather disappointed with our restaurant experience. Grill 71 offers the take-out option and regrettably, I think this is the best possibility that we eat from that restaurant again. I feel bad but I would rate this one 6 out of 10. 

Frenchman's Cove

If you ask me which is my favorite beach in Jamaica? I would answer Frenchman’s Cove for sure. Unfortunately, the road to get there is as long and difficult as any path from Kingston to the north coast, but this particular drive always seems longer than it actually is. Maybe it has something to do with our misadventure with flooded roads back in 2012 or the fact that it starts with a painful drive through Stony Hill. But once you have reached the heart of Port Antonio, Frenchman’s Cove, nothing else matters…you are now in paradise! This place is amazing, peaceful, breathtaking and certainly special. Why? Because of its remarkable scenery, an opening in a rock wall creates this private white sand beach settled at the outlet of a fresh-water stream. 

This makes the nice blue water refreshing and cooler but who cares…it is so hot in this country! Frenchman’s Cove Beach sometimes becomes a natural wave pool and everyone enjoys spotting the next big wave and screaming when it finally reaches them. A restaurant by the beach offers a great option for lunch, simple Jamaican food. We tried the resort last year because of Mother Nature and we did not like the rooms in the Great House but the Villas by the cliffs are really interesting to me. Maybe we will give this resort a second chance in the near future; it will give us the chance to enjoy the location more than usual and not have to drive back on those roads so soon. This beach is unbelievable; you must go if you have the opportunity!

Redbones Blues Café

If you are in Kingston and you absolutely want to get a taste of the Caribbean cuisine, Redbones Blues Café is your best bet. The intimate setting of the terrace plus the relaxing Blues and Jazz music is the perfect combination for a lovely evening. You won’t regret ordering the Callaloo Strudel, the Grilled Baby Lamb Chops, the Lobster and Three Cheese Ravioli or the Chicken Breast Stuffed with Callaloo and Jerk Spiced Cheddar. But honestly, everything we try at this restaurant turns out to be amazing too! Most of the plates are served with the best potatoes you’ll ever have in Jamaica and…well…vegetables haha. Just talking about it makes me hungry! This place also hosts cool live music shows every week. While staying in Kingston, you now know where to have an unforgettable meal! I would rate this fine dining restaurant 9 out of 10.

Caffé da Vinci

Caffé da Vinci is the Italian restaurant in the Courtyard Marketplace. This restaurant has a chic décor, a great selection of wine and appealing menu. From pasta to pizza, everything is delicious! Pizzas are at a really reasonable price! The service is always flawless. My personal suggestions are the Tricolore Pizza, the Risotto di Mare and the Ravioli Al Ripieno Di Fromaggio. Mmm mmm MMM!! I would rate the restaurant 9 out of 10.