My girlfriend and I are looking for a warm getaway this winter, but don't have a huge budget. Do you know of any relatively inexpensive hotels in Jamaica close to the ocean that aren't incredibly tacky?
P.L., Charlestown
An affordable and stylish Caribbean hotel in the winter can be an oxymoron. With hurricane season over, and snowbirds looking to escape plummeting temperatures, hotels often increase their rates simply because they can. But two Jamaica properties that won't put a dent in your wallet and will please the eye are Jake's and the Rockhouse Hotel. Jake's (800-688-7678, 876-965-3000, islandoutpost.com; winter doubles from $115) in Treasure Beach might offer more character for your buck. One of Chris Blackwell's Island Outpost hotels, this quirky boutique property has 38 Moroccan-influenced cottages on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
The Rockhouse Hotel (876-957-4373, 800-337-4685, rockhousehotel.com; winter doubles from $150), sits a little over two miles from the town of Negril and is likewise a cliffside retreat. As a member of the Design Hotels group, you can expect the thatched-roof villas and standard rooms to have a crisp, clean look. It's the perfect place to unwind after a day of snorkeling in the crystal-clear Pristine Cove below.
Got a travel-related question? Send it to Hillary Geronemus, travel editor at Body + Soul magazine, at hillarygeronemus@yahoo.com.
