Resort Watch: The SPA Retreat

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Photo by: Kaci Hamilton

It goes without saying that the cliffs on Negril's West End are the place to stay on any visit to Jamaica's premiere resort town. So when we heard of a new boutique spa hotel opening mere minutes from the town square, we had to investigate. In the name of research, of course.

Using the exquisite construction technique made popular by fellow West Enders the Rockhouse, Tensing Pen and the Caves, the SPA Retreat is Negril's newest cut-stone kid on the block, an 18-room enclave that allows guests to live the best of both worlds. The resort is uniquely positioned where "strip meets cliff" -- face south and you take in unblemished views of Negril's famous sunsets, or stroll north a few feet along the undulating stone walls to espy seven-mile beach in all its vibrant glory. Don't feel like cliff-jumping? Take a sunset soak in SPA Retreat's saltwater infinity pool. Indulge at the Blue Mahoe restaurant, where top Jamaican chef, Kevin Broderick, has imbued classic recipes with a Jamaican kick: bruschetta on a cassava flour baguette with locally-made goat cheese, filet mignon paired with Jerk Béarnaise sauce, Ackee and saltfish timbale with breadfruit crisps. And if you're wondering how you'll balance hot stone treatments with healthy cuts of steak, not to worry, the treatment menu isn't the only one the SPA has considered. There's an array of vegan and vegetarian offerings for a complete body detox. Add to that a southern breeze tickling your shoulders as you sip a planter's punch, no television awaiting you in the rooms, just the lull of cliff-crashing waves. Like we said, you can dream about having the best of both worlds, or you can live it.