Banana Shout Resort

Those colorful little huts, each with a hammock on the porch, quickly feel like home. Banana Shout sits right by the cliff, where you can jump into the sea and climb back up the rock. The views are spectacular, and the place has a quiet, quaint feel. Milo was a fantastic host, even searching around the island to find whatever we needed. A lovely little hideaway for a week with friends when you want to get away from it all.

The rooms were spacious and clean, and the staff were friendly. I had a great snorkeling experience here, too. With the water so close, the location is hard to beat. The AC could be better, but the ceiling fans kept things cool enough that it wasn't much of an issue.

We’d been seeing Banana Shout through the lens of years of family memories, but this visit left us feeling it had become run-down, outdated and unfair. We spent thousands of dollars and ended up with rooms without water or decent cooling, and three bungalows starting to smell like sewage. The grounds crew were lovely and especially kind to our 7-year-old, but the owner and manager, Alex, were rude. I’d spend the money elsewhere. We were also charged for three bungalows for eight days each, even though one was booked for six days and the other two for eight. One person couldn't make the trip, and only $200 was taken off. By the time we noticed the overcharge, we had already paid in full and didn't expect a refund. The water problem was the worst part. Staff said the overdue $900 water bill had just been paid and the city would restore service soon. We understood that other places in town were affected, but without water we couldn't flush, wash our hands or shower. Since COVID-19 meant we had to quarantine at the resort for 48 hours, we had staff buy more than $200 of water so we could flush the toilets. There was no reimbursement, practical help or even much sympathy. After quarantine, we went to Magaritaville for dinner and showered there. We were without water for over 55 hours. When we came back from the beach, we were told a water truck was on its way to refill the tank. Alex then said they had used seawater to clean the toilets because we had used them without running water. Nobody had told us otherwise, and we didn't know seawater could affect the plumbing. We decided to leave, with my husband and me going to the resort next door and the rest of our family to another place down the road. We’ve been coming to Jamaica for over 17 years, so writing this is painful. After a long flight and hours at the airport, we arrived as the only guests and had rented three of the four bungalows. The July humidity made the rooms very hot. Ceiling fans weren't enough, and when we asked for another fan for each room, there was only one available. Management said they’d get more in the morning, but never did. We enjoyed the privacy and sunshine the next day, then discovered the water was off.

We’re frequent Negril visitors and spent five days here this trip. The Dolphin sea cottage was a good fit for us: it had a fridge and two-burner stove, plus there’s a shared outdoor kitchen next to it. It’s rustic, with local art, and the cliffside swimming and sunsets are wonderful. The waves lulled us to sleep, and the ceiling fans were fine for me, even though I live in Florida and prefer not to have cold AC. If you’re after a TV, AC and modern luxuries, this probably isn’t your place. Rick's Cafe is right next door for music and a party atmosphere, while the property itself stays quiet and relaxing. The gate is locked, and guests have a key. There’s a store across the street and plenty of places to eat or get a drink within an easy walk. Alex and Plug were warm and welcoming, checking in often to see if we were comfortable. We’re easygoing women who love Jamaica and its people. We’ve walked from the cliffs into town during the day and at night without feeling unsafe. Over the years we’ve made local friends we think of as family, and we love catching up each visit and meeting people from around the world to share cultures. West End is best end. We love Banana Shout’s laid-back, old-school vibe and sunsets, and plan to return. Thanks to Alex, Plug and Milo for having us!