“Glad we chose this one”
I stayed at Rondel Village for a week with my two teenage children. It was our first time in Jamaica and we loved it! We stayed in a superior room on the second floor on the beach side of the road. The housekeeper did a great job each day thoroughly cleaning and making up our room that was not opulent but still super clean and very comfortable. The groundskeepers do an impeccable job too. We didn't have a view of the ocean but we weren't in our room very much anyway. It was still beautiful looking out at the lush surroundings. Our bathroom window had a beautiful view of the ocean :) The pool is small but in the beautiful garden setting. We only used it once for a short time since most of our time was spent on the beach and in the ocean. There is a security guard at the road to help you cross the road or get a cab and also a guard at the beach. They were always extremely helpful if a local person trying to sell you something hung around too long, or just to give you advice on where to go or what to do for meals or activities. We loved the location of the hotel. There are other hotels that seem much more geared toward a louder spring break crowd. You can still hear music and sometimes a loud person in the middle of the night getting back to the hotel, but the open airy feel of the the place was worth it for me. We ate at the restaurant on site a number of times. The food was good, the service was great and it was very convenient. I would definitely stay here again.
Area recommendations
The location of the Rondel Village near the center of 7 Mile Beach was great. The market area just to the north on the beach was great for buying souvenirs and a great lunch of patties. Also great experience to go to town and maybe have lunch at a little local place like Sweet Spice. Contrast that with the more opulent looking resorts out on the far west end. And climb the lighthouse while you are out there for great views and a little history. It is free but donations are gratefully accepted.
When to go
We went to Negril in March. The weather was fantastic. It is still during their dry season at that time, however things were still lush compared to our frozen surroundings in Minnesota at this time of the year. We had some clouds and a few minutes of rain the first 2 days and sunshine the rest of the week.
Getting there
We used One Stop Vacations for ground transportation to and from the airport in Montego Bay. It was a private shuttle so we did not have to stop at any other hotels to pick up or drop off anyone else. However, our driver did stop for us on the way to our hotel to grab some lunch and at the grocery store to pick up a few snacks and drinks for our stay. The cost was extremely reasonable compared to public shuttle services and the service was great and very reliable.
What to pack
Do pack swimsuits and sunscreen! Have some smaller bills to buy fruits or juices or other small things along the beach as they probably won't have much change. Everyone seemed ok with US or Jamaican dollars.
Dining
It was great service and convenient at the Island Twist restaurant right at our hotel. Other great spot for excellent food was Kuyaba and Sweet Spice was good for a small diner feel in town. You can get great jerk chicken at any number of stands along the road. There are great patties at a little stand, I think it was called Nala's, in the little market area along the beach about 100 yards north of Rondel Village. You can also get fruit, juice, even lobster from sellers right on the beach.
Outdoors or beach
7 Mile Beach is fantastic. There are a lot of sellers going up and down the beach trying to sell you any number of things from foods, juices, etc, to jet ski rides, boat rides, horseback rides. They are all respectful if you just tell them you are fine. At Rondel Village and many of the hotels, a guard at the beach will make sure no one bothers you.
