Negril Notes

Blue Cave Castle – Review

January 13, 2007

The Castle rises majestically from the Negril cliffs. Once close up you realize this place was not built by Pirate Calico Jack, but maybe by Dr. Seuss! No stuffy historic feel of a historic castle, it’s more like a grown-up’s fantasy land.

The Blue Cave Castle refers to itself as ”The best kept secret in the Caribbean,” and I’m trying to get the word out.

The Castle doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other resorts, there’s no pool, no tennis courts, but what it does have it has in such abundance that I never have time to focus on what’s not there. The value is unmistakable, low season or high, the prices are so reasonable, you think, “There’s gotta be a typo on this website.”

The view is wide open, the rooms are spotless, the nights are peaceful and the staff is wonderful. You can’t go wrong.

Location:

The Castle is located about a mile out on West End Road within walking distance of just about everything. Right in the neighborhood there is a mini-market, a beer shack, some great craft stands, and restaurants like Brown Sugar and Choices who both deliver.

Accommodations:

The rooms at The Castle are big and well kept. Though there are rooms with A/C and TVs, I’ve never stayed in one. I rely on the thick stone walls and the ceiling fan to keep me cool, and I bring a netbook to take advantage of the free wireless internet. Each room has a good sized fridge, a fat water shower, plenty of storage, and some outdoor private space.

Within the last few seasons, the restaurant is open! Delivering fantastic home-cooked meals to your room, or al fresco at one of the many picnic tables in the yard. The prices are, dare I say, cheap! The service is prompt, and the quality excellent. A few mornings I staggered to the edge of my balcony, and called to the room service attendant, “Callaloo Omlet please.”

But one of the best Castle perks is in a little hutch on the far side of the yard. By about 5AM every morning there is an urn of hot fresh coffee, and for we early risers it is much appreciated.

People:

I feel like I’m coming home when I enter The Castle gates. Petrona, the Manager, and Susan, the on-site owner, have created a warm friendly atmosphere, and a well run resort. Fuzzy and Santo the security and yard guys are cool, they look out for you.

Whatever you need, just ask. Want to go snorkeling? They have a guy. A trip to the falls? They have a guy. Need to rent a phone? They have a guy. And on, and on.

Property:

For a small resort The Castle has a lot to offer. There are ample places to get sun, patios everywhere with thick wooden deck chairs, lush plants and flowers, and two sets of concrete stairs down to the sea.

The swimming is great; the calm Caribbean waters are easy to negotiate. There are several platforms with ladders, perches to dive from, and good snorkeling is just a short swim out to the reef.

Then there’s the cave itself. In the center of the yard there is a stairway down into the cave with a thick iron chain keeping you from falling in when your drunk. The coral walls echo into the small enclosed space, and if you’re daring you can swim out through the mouth of the cave into the swimming area.

There’s a BBQ pit big enough for a huge party, and plenty tables and chairs all around. There is also a pond with many turtles large and small, and a bunch of those giant goldfish.

Even if you decide to stay elsewhere, stop by and look around, and you’ll wish you picked The Castle.

Vinny

http://bluecavecastle.com/

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