What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's Jamaica

One of the most volatile countries in the Caribbean continues to explode with change. Here is a preview of just some of the new developments.

Planning a Trip

In August Jamaica comes alive with the pulsating sounds of reggae presented at weeklong music extravaganzas. The biggest and best of these has been relaunched as Reggae Summerfest, (http://sumfest.com) taking place in August (dates vary) at Montego Bay, the leading resort on the island. During the same month an equally compelling festival, the Reggae Sunfest, also takes place at Mo Bay. Featured performers include some of the biggest names in reggae, especially Ziggy Marley, son of the late reggae king, Bob Marley.

Montego Bay

The old Jack Tar resort, familiar to thousands of visitors, has reincarnated itself as Montego Beach Resort, 2 Gloucester Ave. (tel. 800/858-2258 or 876/952-4340). The 1.3-hectare (3 1/4-acre) beachfront resort attracts everyone from families to honeymooners, most of whom live in their bathing suits.

Negril

This hedonistic resort has seen the opening of a small and intimate inn, Idle Awhile Resort, Norman Manley Boulevard (tel. 877/243-5352; www.idleawhile.com), right on a choice strip of white sand along Seven Mile Beach. You can choose from a double with spacious deluxe bedroom or a junior suite. Everyone from families to loving couples are coddled in luxury here. You can even hire a cook for only $15 a day.

Still new but much larger is Fun Holiday Beach Resort, Norman Manley Boulevard (tel. 876/957-9688; www.funholidaybeachresort.com), also on choice sands along the fabled Seven Mile Beach. It offers comfortably furnished and spacious bedrooms, the most desirable accommodations opening onto the ocean. Reggae music and an intriguing beachfront restaurant are part of the charm of this new addition to the Negril hotel scene.

The latest addition is the largest of all the new resorts: Beaches Sandy Bay, Norman Manley Boulevard (tel. 800/314-8800BEACHES or 876/957-5100; www.beaches.com/main/sb/sb-home.cfm), an ocean-bordering resort spread across 2.4 hectares (6 acres), opening onto a white-sand beach. Unlike many of the couples-only resorts of Negril, this one is open to singles, couples, and families, the latter finding a nursery and a kids camp a particular attraction.

The South Coast

Along the emerging southern coastline of Jamaica, Mar Blue Domicil, Treasure Beach (tel. 876/840-5772; www.marblue.com), has opened to great success even though the stylish little place has only four guest rooms. The complex opens onto the sea with to-die-for balconies and rather stylish, though comparatively simple, furnishings. For such a small place, the restaurant is top-notch-you might want to reserve a table even if you're not a guest.

Ocho Rios

In the northern resort of Ocho Rios, the famous old all-inclusive Ciboney has renewed itself as the Grand Sport Villa Golf Resort & Spa, Main Street, St. Ann (tel. 876/974-1027; www.jmtravel.com/newpage29.htm). Much improved, this lush resort stands on 18 hectares (45 acres) of tropical gardens, with its own white-sand beach.

Port Antonio

A real pocket of posh has opened in this North Coast resort, Chateau en Exotica, San San Estate (tel. 561/793-7257; www.iwms.com/exotica). It contains only three accommodations, but what delightful ones they are, worthy of being called a fantasy retreat. This small and exclusive resort stands on a 2-hectare (5-acre) private estate with lots of white-sand beaches close at hand.

Driving east of Port Antonio you reach Morant Bay and the new Whispering Bamboo Cove Resort, 105 Crystal Dr. (tel. 876/982-1788; www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/inns/whisper.html), which is the ultimate retreat, lying close to the Botanical and Mineral Springs in Bath. This is a little-visited area along the coast of Jamaica and perfect for nature-loving escapists.

Kingston

The dining sensation of the capital of Jamaica is Redbones the Blues Café, 21 Braemar Ave. (tel. 876/978-6091). Its Jamaican cuisine is among the finest in the area. The flamboyantly decorated former Spanish colonial setting provides such a glamorous setting you'd want to dine here even if the food weren't as good as it is.