Questions about Xtabi in Negril

[ECO]

I've been reading some reviews and looking at some trip reports and the Xtabi place in Negril sticks out as a nice place. A few questions:

The beach:

Exactly how big is their beach area?

Can you walk out into the water or is it a big drop off?

Is there a strong current?

Can you suntan nude?

Other questions;

Are the cottages worth the extra money?

Do the owners match prices since their listed prices are more expensive than booking it at cheap sites?

Do people with their pesky kids stay on the hotel/pool side?

How spread out are the cottages?

Any issues with insects or do they have proper screening?

The outside showers at the cottages......... are they an enclosed area off of the bathroom or a longer walk?

[ECO]

I just sent the Xtabi an e-mail inviting them to answer these questions.

http://www.xtabi-negril.com/welcome.htm

[Lillywight]

I stayed at Xtabi for 2 nights in January 2007. I stayed on the garden side -- and absolutely loved the room. I didn't, however, like that you entered the room from behind the building -- it was dark there, and I felt a little unsafe. However, there was security and when a friend tried to visit, the security came up to ask if I knew them before they let them up. I ate at the restaurant -- awesome food, a bit pricey, but the ambiance of eating on the cliffs was worth it.

[birdsong]

Exactly how big is their beach area? very small ~ just a tiny little patch of sand that
leads you into the water from the caves

Can you walk out into the water or is it a big drop off? if you enter from the beach, you can walk out into the water

Is there a strong current? no, the cove there is pretty calm most of the time

Can you suntan nude? yep, not a problem

Other questions;

Are the cottages worth the extra money? tough question - i love the cottages, but have stayed on the garden side too and love it there. if i have to say yes or no, i say yes

Do the owners match prices since their listed prices are more expensive than booking it at cheap sites? i have always booked directly thru xtabi, and paid cash when arriving - have gotten a discount for that - certainly it wouldn't hurt to ask

Do people with their pesky kids stay on the hotel/pool side? stayed at Xtabi in Aprils for the last 5 years or so, no kids ever around, but if i had kids, no way they would be on the cliff side - too dangerous for my liking

How spread out are the cottages? cottage 1 is by far the most private, cottage 4 is also pretty secluded

Any issues with insects or do they have proper screening? [color=#0000FF]no insect issues for me

The outside showers at the cottages......... are they an enclosed area off of the bathroom or a longer walk? can only speak for cottage 1 - the entrance used to be a walk around the corner of the building

gotta say Xtabi is my favorite place in Negril hands down!!

the location on the cliffs offer privacy and tranquility (not the craziness found on the beach),
some super places to eat (not only at Xtabi, but also at Just Natural and 3 Dives)

if you have any other specific questions, please feel free to email them to me
birdsong_paATverizonDOTnet

jamaica - our pics 074 (Custom).jpg

[ECO]

I stayed at Xtabi for 2 nights in January 2007. I stayed on the garden side -- and absolutely loved the room. I didn't, however, like that you entered the room from behind the building -- it was dark there, and I felt a little unsafe. However, there was security and when a friend tried to visit, the security came up to ask if I knew them before they let them up. I ate at the restaurant -- awesome food, a bit pricey, but the ambiance of eating on the cliffs was worth it.

Thanks Lilly! You just answered a question that I forgot to ask--- if outside people are allowed in as guests.

[ECO]

Thanks Birdsong, you are full of good info and tips! I'll keep cottages #1 and #4 in mind! I'm sure I'll come up with some more questions for you

[Wahoo]

I stayed at Xtabi for 2 nights in January 2007. I stayed on the garden side -- and absolutely loved the room. I didn't, however, like that you entered the room from behind the building -- it was dark there, and I felt a little unsafe. However, there was security and when a friend tried to visit, the security came up to ask if I knew them before they let them up. I ate at the restaurant -- awesome food, a bit pricey, but the ambiance of eating on the cliffs was worth it.

Thanks Lilly! You just answered a question that I forgot to ask--- if outside people are allowed in as guests.

I, too, have been intrigued with what I've read about Xtabi, and the pics I've seen, and considered staying there, and am intrigued enuf to consider staying there on a future trip to Negril.

Eco, if you stay there, and I drop by for a visit, don't you dare tell security, "I don't know this character. He's obviously an escapee from the cuckoo's nest...or worse. Call the Red Stripes!"

[Wahoo]

I'll opt for cliff side...Wahoo lives for danger!

[ECO]

If I stay there I think that's the way I will go--better views, an area where I can tan my white ass, caves to explore.............

[Lillywight]

Here are some pictures I took when I was at Xtabi.

[ECO]

Nice photos Lilly! I'm loving that place the more I look around at the reviews and pictures.

[Lillywight]

Eco, I've always loved that place and swear, one day, I'll make it back! I stayed on the garden side, and the room was "rustic" -- but SO romantic! Of course, that might not be of interest to the guys, LOL. It was dark wood with very high ceilings and beside the bed, on each side, were candle lanterns. It had large dark furniture -- and a balcony that overlooked the garden. I took one of the above pictures from there.

The view from the restaurant is breathtaking! I sat right next to the cliff and ate dinner (alone) and the water was crashing against the rocks. It was such an incredible spot! Of course, my waiter hit on me and asked if he could take me to Alfred's when he got off work . . . but I let him know I was "expecting company". hehehehe

They are very easy to work with concerning reservations. Yeah -- I NEED to go back there!!! Three Dives is right up around the corner too.

[Lillywight]

At sunset, it's amazing! It's only a few miles away from Rick's - so you can see the sunset very well.

[Lillywight]

The caves are awesome! At night, they're lit up with lanterns and white (Xmas) lights. People go down there and party! Xtabi welcomes everybody to the cliffs to swim or party. You don't have to be staying there to hang out.

[ECO]

Lol, you forgot to ask if there is a restroom down there.

[Lillywight]

Lots of folks are down there partying it up with the candles and lights, and unless they're peeing into the ocean from the rocks, I think they use the restrooms upstairs.

[birdsong]

hey Lillywight ~ sounds like we share the same love of xtabi
grate folks and good fun ~ my favorite place in Negril for sure

[Lillywight]

Hi Birdsong!!! I've only stayed at Grand Lido and Xtabi in Negril. Funny thing is, I'd return to Xtabi long before I returned to GL!

[Brian35]

Xtabi is the worst hotel in Jamaica. It is completely falling apart. Three people have died there in the last two years (two drowned, and one was stabbed). It is a very dangerous hotel.

If you check out "Xtabi Hotel" on Facebook, you will find a "fan" page with over 700 people who hate Xtabi. The hotel is a complete ripoff. The postings that appear here are done by people who work for the hotel. Don't be fooled.

[ECO]

Interesting, a page does exist on facebook http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=xtabi ... ref=search

Sort of fishy that the page has 642 fans with only one post from a week ago.......what's going on?

Having stayed there less than a month ago I can clearly state that is is not falling apart...........what happened since I left Brian?

People drown all the time and IMHO swimming in the ocean without life guards being present has risks so while it sucks that people drowned there, that is just part of life.

In reference to the stabbing, can you provide a link to the story?

In reference to it being 'the worst hotel in Jamaica', I must have poor taste since it is one of my favorite places to stay.

How is the Xtabi a rip off? With off season rooms for around $50USD per night it is actually a good deal IMO

Welcome to the site Brian, now please defend your statements.

BTW, the postings in this thread were done by members, I invited the owner of the Xtabi to post in this thread and he opted to spend his time doing something else.