355 ReviewsProperty Location Located in Negril (West End), HideAwhile is convenient to Throne Room and Times Square Mall. This villa is within the vicinity of Royal Palm Reserve and Kool Runnings Water Park. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 7 guestrooms, featuring kitchenettes with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and kitchen linens. Your pillowtop bed comes with cotton sheets. Rooms have private balconies where you can take in ocean and garden views. 40-inch plasma televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. Additional features include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and wedding services. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge). Dining Take advantage of the villa's room service (during limited hours). Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar. Business, Other Amenities The front desk is staffed during limited hours. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available on request), and free parking is available onsite.
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Negril Cliffs, West End Road,Negril,JM,Jamaica Property Location Located in Negril (West End), HideAwhile is convenient to Throne Room and Times Square Mall. This villa is within the vicinity of Royal Palm Reserve and Kool Runnings Water Park. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 7 guestrooms, featuring kitchenettes with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and kitchen linens. Your pillowtop bed comes with cotton sheets. Rooms have private balconies where you can take in ocean and garden views. 40-inch plasma televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. Additional features include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and wedding services. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge). Dining Take advantage of the villa's room service (during limited hours). Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar. Business, Other Amenities The front desk is staffed during limited hours. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available on request), and free parking is available onsite.
Rating from 355 reviews
Sleep QualityRoomsServiceValueCleanliness 
RebeccaDelIslas on 15/11/2017 21:59
In my 40+ years of traveling this is perhaps the very best boutique hotel experience I've encountered. The rooms are quite spacious and particularly well appointed. Excellent beds and high quality linens. The decor is simple and elegant. Primarily white with beautiful wood finishes and a splash of color from fresh tropical flowers. Very beach chic!! The terraces are nearly as large as the room itself and furnished equally comfortably and elegantly. Ceiling fans, air con, wifi, big tv (with complimentary pay channels), hot water, water pressure, etc.--all in excellent working order. The hotel restaurant has very good food at competitive prices. Staff, excellent. Beach TO DIE FOR (as they say).
We had divided our week in Negril with paid reservations in 2 different hotels. We stayed one night at the other (non Idle Awhile) hotel and returned the next morning so happy that Idle Awhile could take us back!!! Enough said?
Kristin N on 15/11/2017 19:26
The amenities are absolutely amazing at this hotel. Steps to the bar/ beach/ entertainment and more. My only complaint about our stay was that we left a wallet in a cabinet and “they never found it”. We know exactly where it was and asked multiple times for someone to call us back regarding the wallet. They never called us back. We take fault for leaving it behind but wished they were honest enough to give us our belongings back. We really wanted to return to the same resort in two weeks but now we are reconsidering.
Shelly T on 01/11/2017 22:45
This was a lovely, intimate boutique hotel with excellent food (try the banana pancakes!), and hospitable staff. The beach was lovely, turquoise water, white sand, and sunsets to die for!
That being said, being in the middle of Negril beach also meant being in the middle of all the action like having vendors come up to you to sell you items from food to souvenirs, locals advertising bars & restaurants by hollering on the beach (hot, Hot, HOT!) and musicians performing for tips. For us, that meant that we never really felt like we got to truly relax as we were always saying no to someone trying to sell us something but if you're good with that kind of activity, it's a great hotel.
dahmtravels on 29/10/2017 22:32
My boyfriend and I had a truly great stay at the Idle Awhile beach location. Upon arrival, we received a swift check in (with a snack). The room was spacious and well ventilated and we enjoyed the open layout and the private deck.
Chill Awhile, the onsite restaurant made great drinks (particularly pina coladas and rum punches!) and standard food. What really made our experience in Negril great was the staff – everyone was friendly and helpful. One waiter/bartender in particular, Carlton (fondly known as “Needle”) really helped to define our trip – his attention detail and our needs was exemplary and he provided great insight and recommendations on things to do and places to see upon request. He also has a great sense of humor!
The beach in front of the resort was well maintained – we spent our mornings walking on the beach and agreed that the Idle Awhile beachfront is one of the best of all the resorts we passed. The resort provides paddle boards and kayaks for guest use at no charge, which we really appreciated and used a few times throughout our trip! The beach staff assisted us with chairs, umbrellas, tables and the water sport equipment whenever needed and were attentive, providing drinks and food upon request.
We had access to the Couples Swept Away sports and recreation complex, which is quite simply, amazing. We spent time there on several occasions playing tennis, racquetball, basketball and using the weights and machines. They have a pool table (which my boyfriend enjoyed) and made great complimentary juices and smoothies, which we enjoyed after our workouts! The facilities are fantastic and the locker rooms are clean and well maintained – there is also a steam room, nail salon and spa onsite as well!
Idle Awhile is well located – directly across the street is the Best of the West Jerk stand, which we tried on our first day. Norman “the patty man” also makes a daily stop. It was also just a short 7 minute ride to the west end, where we went frequently to dine at places like Rockhouse restaurant and Pushcart restaurant.
We also visited the sister resort Hide Awhile on the cliffs. It was very quiet and serene but had stunning views. We went for dinner and had a great dining experience with Chef Moto, who fully accommodated our needs! The bartender also made great drinks as well! Shortly after arrival, a thunderstorm arrived and the staff made sure we were dry, providing towels and bringing the food and drinks to us as we sat under the covered patio. Note, the shuttle only runs twice (to the cliffs at 10am and returns to the beach at 4pm), so plan accordingly! It would really great if there was regular shuttle service between the cliffs and the beach throughout the day - we had to take taxis back and forth as the provided schedule didn’t work for our needs most days.
The wifi wasn’t great in our room, we averaged about 2-3 bars of service and were only able to receive 5 bars in a corner in the bathroom (not ideal); however the wifi was great outside by the restaurant and on the beach.
The housekeeping also could be slightly improved. On a couple of occasions, dishes from in room dining were left in the room and surfaces weren’t completely cleaned; however, this was not a major issue for us. If we left the plates on the balcony table, they were cleared.
We also initially had a big mosquito problem, as there doesn’t appear to be a screen on the front door. However, this was promptly remedied by a visit to the front desk. Our housekeeper began to spray everyday during the clearing and by the middle of our trip we were no longer experiencing the issue. We did have a lot of small ants though throughout the stay; however they didn’t cause major concerns.
Overall, we very much enjoyed our stay. For the price, it can’t be beat and my boyfriend and I agreed that it was the best choice of all the other boutique hotels we passed along the beach. We’re very happy with our choice and are already planning our return with friends and family!
jamaicajaqueline on 22/08/2017 22:35
Having booked rather close to our travel dates, we took the only available accommodations for three, the Whitehouse Suite, upper level. This villa is across busy Norman Manley Boulevard from the beach, and up a steep flight of stairs. Despite misgivings about taking my eighty-year-old mother to this particular room situation, it worked out perfectly. Management was in touch with me prior to our departure to suggest their cliff property as an alternative, but there was not a single instance that my mother went to cross the road that the security officer didn't appear as if by magic to escort her! Mainly Marcia was there but others also faithfully fulfilled this duty.
Both of my travel companions and I very much appreciated the variety of furniture in the apartment as we are avid evening readers. There were comfortable couches, chairs, and ample floor lamps. Two almost silent air conditioner units kept the room cool and comfortable. The balcony had a table with chairs and a hammock that was perfect for long afternoons with our books and iced drinks. A cool whirlpool tub was steps away from the room (110) as well, perfect to conclude long days at the beach.
The bedding was DREAMY - lots of plush comforters, fresh-smelling, soft linens, a plethora of fluffy pillows, and pillow-topped mattresses. Crisp and cozy white bathrobes topped off our relaxing-in-the-room time. I slept in what we dubbed the "princess room" which had a queen bed and two walls of windows (lovely to open in the morning to let in the sunshine and have breakfast in bed) and a mosquito net (which was merely for ambiance - there were screens on all windows).
The shower is huge and sports two shower heads. Lots of hot water with excellent pressure. I would open all the window louvers in the shower and surround myself with lush greenery while bathing. Liquid soap, shampoo, and lotion was provided as were bath extras like a toothbrush and tiny tube of toothpaste, sewing kit and shower caps. There were always extra towels and washcloths, just as fresh, clean and snuggly as the bed linens!
Reliable wireless internet, large tv, lots of stations, a phone, and kitchen with (tiny) coffee maker, blender, plentiful dishes, cooking utensils, dish soap, towels and sponge. One thing lacking was ice trays - I almost packed some. The bartenders are always happy to supply ice and ice water, however. I just froze my insulated drink cup half-filled with water each night in preparation for hydration throughout the next day on the beach.
As you have read in other reviews, the staff are warm, kindly, and very efficient. The grounds are spectacular but the BEST part of this hotel/resort experience is the beach area.
The most comfortable chairs on Seven-Mile Beach! Complete with cushions that double as water floats. Directly next to the restaurant/bar, Chill Awhile, which provided ice cold water infused with fruit, and the most incredible Frozen Fruit Punch which was delicious and contained fresh fruit - I think I detected bananas and mango. I'm trying to re-create the recipe now that I'm home! My traveling companion told me it's even better with a bit of Appleton rum drizzled on top.
The Idle Awhile employees keep the "higglers" at bay unless guests invite them to do business. We were able to purchase all our fruit, fresh lobster, and artwork when we liked but we were not hassled due to a strong presence by our lifeguard. There were several craft vendors providing their wares for sale on the property. Again, no nagging there.
Evidence of the beach having been painstakingly raked was apparent in the smooth sand each morning. There was also lots of natural shade provided by sea grape and palm trees, but umbrellas would be erected for guests whenever and wherever necessary.
Ah, Idle Awhile, you certainly provided a paradise for my mother, my sister, and me, and helped us forge incredible memories that will stay with us a lifetime.
Claudia - thank you for keeping our little apartment sparkling clean, Kenar for the pristine grounds, and Carlton - at the restaurant - for beginning our days with laughter AND a delicious breakfast!
