"The staff and amenities were good, but we have given this property a five star rating for its location, setting and vibe. It is further down the coast from the big gated resorts and is close to the white river. If you’re independently minded and like doing your own thing - perhaps with a rental car as we had, or even if you don’t- then this offers more freedom than a mega resort . One other thing we liked was that it is popular with Jamaican visitors, not just tourists . It enabled a lot more cultural exposure. The breakfast is excellent, with eggs cooked to order, or a Jamaican breakfast . A small quiet beach and colourful murals as decor make it feel quite personable. There is a bar and an ocean deck. There is also free parking.
The accommodation is actually a beach hotel and not a resort like others in Ocho Rios- with multiple pools and the like. It is also a slightly older property with a rustic charm. If you want a flashy and new resort, where you’ll only meet tourists and staff, this is not the place for you. If you want an authentic, decent quality beach hotel vibe and a great base for exploring then we strongly recommend the Sand and Tan"