Moon Author's Review
Skylark Negril Beach Resort (from US$95/175 Low/High) is a modern, minimalist 28-room boutique hotel that wouldn't be out of place on Miami Beach, though it clearly draws creative inspiration from a deep appreciation of Jamaica and its singular culture and musical heritage. The beach club vibe begins in the airy lobby where leafy wallpaper and bamboo ceiling panels add organic elements that warm the white washed walls adorned with classic Jamaica posters. Rooms feature contemporary four-poster beds, simple desks, effective blackout curtains and a cork board in place of a TV. The bathrooms are make any Manhattanite feel right at home, with subway tiled walls and pre-war style sinks like the ones you might find in a Harlem walk-up. High pressure shower heads deliver hot water in seconds and Starfish toiletries produced in Jamaica help wash off the salt and sand. All rooms have A/C, stocked mini-fridge and snack basket, with consumption tallied at check-out. The restaurant and bar beach side feature creative renditions of local favorites, like jerk pork hash with eggs any style, as well as traditional Jamaican fare and continental comforts like coconut topped pancakes. An outpost of the popular New York Jamaican eatery Miss Lillies opened next to the beachfront bar in late 2018.