A clutch of quirky cottages, flowering hibiscus, and stairways amble down the cliffs to ladders leading into the sea at this lovely little retreat. A two-story structure at the back of the property offers several nice suites with four-poster beds and kitchenettes, but I prefer the older, homey little cottages with their verandas and swinging hammocks—and each comes with at least a tiny microwave and fridge so you can put the little grocery store across the street to good use.

The on-site restaurant and bar, Ivan’s, is popular even among non-guests (and gets its own review in the restaurants section), and you can get anything on the menu sent to your room for no extra charge. There is a bit of evening reggae music drifting down from the famous bar-and-cliff-diving spot Rick’s Cafe about 100 yards up the road, but it’s distant enough not to be annoying; it just adds to the whole Jamaica-mon vibe. All accommodations are air-conditioned. No children under 15 are allowed. 

 - Reid Bramblett