Many Times to Jamaica - First at Charela

Just returned a few days ago from our first stay at the Charela Inn, although we have been in Negril and other areas of Jamaica too many times to count now. We had dined at Charela's La Vendome restaurant on a previous trip and were very pleased with the freshness and quality of the food and their excellent wine list.

This is a small, quiet, generally well maintained hotel and we were more than satisfied with our room, their beautiful large beach and the very friendly staff. We booked a seaview deluxe room and loved the view of the beach and the ocean from our large balcony. The bedroom area is a bit on the small side, but more than adequate for two people traveling light. The bath is very large, nicely appointed and spotlessly clean. Their housekeepers do an excellent job keeping everything clean and tidy and we never were lacking towels or any other supplies.

The meals at La Vendome were not quite as good as on our previous visit --- it appears they have cut back the menu offerings and are many times out of something when you try to order it. However, everything we had was very good to excellent. Their home baked breads, desserts and pastries were wonderful! And don't miss their seafood pizza -- deep dish and loaded with shrimp, conch and fish on a delicious home made crust!

As previous posters have accurately stated, the Charela Inn is not the Ritz and one shouldn't go expecting large, luxurious accommodations.

However, you can expect comfortable, clean surroundings with a distinct island charm and staff who are always willing to do whatever they can to ensure you enjoy your stay. We would definitely go back.

Just okay

I travel extensively for pleasure and picked this hotel based on reviews from this site. I was disappointed. Everything about the place was average or below average. We had a great time in Negril..it was off season and fairly quiet, but I would not recommend this property. The bathroom was dreadful, and the room itself very utilitarian. I was disappointed. It did have a beautiful beach area and friendly staff....this however, could not compensate for the mediocrity of everything else.

Back to Paradise, once again!

Another stay in Paradise! This was our 3rd visit to the Charela and we continue to be treated like royalty...treated as well as people who have notched their 15th or 25th stay! Food continued superb, staff uncommonly gracious (even by Negril standards). You'll find very comfortable beds (firm!), excellent food--the Charela has arguably the best kitchen in Negril, very attentive staff, and a quiet, slightly more mature group of guests. We'll be back in 365 days (but who's counting?). Thanks again!

Can't find a better place

the Charela is the perfect family place. The sea is absolutely magnificent, and the help could not be nicer. This will be our fifth trip to the Charela, and we all cannot wait.

The family alternative to Disney World

When I asked my son to choose between Disney World and Negril, he shouted as though not having to think long, "Negril!! How about Charela?" I didn't think that he would have remembered Negril, let alone, Charela Inn. He was 5-years-old when we last visited The Grizzles at Charela Inn. So, we returned to this island paradise and met another family with two children close to our son's age. It was their first experience there and they loved it. The father claimed to have culinary skills and he said that Charela's food was delicious. To us, it's the food, the staff, the accommodations, the building, and the best beach front in Negril (all of the 7 mile beach is natural beauty).

We found that our new friends are from Massachusetts just as we are.

Now we have neighbors that we met at Charela Inn in Negril. Small world, isn't it?

A wedding gone sour to sweet

2 moms + bride and groom to be stayed at Charela Inn 2-01 to plan 7-01 wedding. Came and was told by wedding hotel they could not host the wedding. Charela Inn owner took care of every detail in 24 hours = entire party of 21 stayed at Charela Inn, owner arranged another locations for the wedding and allowed groom (a great chef) and friends to use kitchen for a Fri evening dinner We recommend Charela Inn to the world. Nicer, sweeter, more accomodating staff in the world. Beaches magnificent, walk to other great restaurants and safe, the owner makes sure of that. Many thanks to all at the Charella Inn The Rouleau/Davidson Families

Loved the facilities

magnificient hotel,loved the sea view rooms,enjoyed the facilities provided like surfboards.It also have a huge streath of white sand, where u can relax, dine and have fun.I really enjoyed my stay there

Charela Inn=Heaven!

The Charela Inn is not the Ritz. Do not go expecting that that type of experience. What it is is a wonderfully relaxing, beautifully located small hotel with a friendly and helpful staff who are always there to help but are never in your face. Charela has a local and authentic feel about it which we loved. Our room was very attractive and well-furnished for the price. It was not perfect--very low water pressure in the shower, a pretty basic bathroom, and not great lighting. But, it did have a four poster bed, nice private patio, pretty wood ceiling, was clean and well-maintained, and it also had cable TV (recently installed in all seaview rooms). We were very comfortable and certainly never felt as if we were roughing it. We had the meal plan and enjoyed fresh and tasty meals. Not big city gourmet, but very nice and lots of variety. Breakfasts were delicious with great coffee and hot milk, fresh fruit and fluffy eggs. Charela's beach is big and really beautiful. Truly spectacular. Charela staff arranged snorkeling at the reef for us, which we enjoyed very much. All in all, we loved Charela and can't wait to go back. It really is a slice of heaven for travelers who enjoy an authentic and unique hotel experience.

Wonderful place!

We returned from six delightful nights at the Charela Inn 6/10/02. Tropical elegance provides comfort and luxury without sacrificing Caribbean charm, beautiful inside and out. The food is beyond excellent, every meal was fresh and delicious. Be sure to take the MAP, it's nice to know where breakfast is, and be assured of a superb five course dinner each day; then adventure for lunch. The staff is friendly and attentive, without being intrusive. Excellent ocean view, with more ocean view rooms than all but the largest Negril hotels. We enjoyed many gorgeous sunsets from our own balcony. Really didn't see a nicer looking hotel on Long Bay Beach. Highly recommended.

Charela: Quiet and tasteful

Charela is a wonderful little inn on seven mile beach. It seemed to have the widest and best beach area around. The staff is very hands off, and our 6 night trip was very relaxing. The food is superb, as well. The room was lovely, our balcony was only about 40 or 50 feet from the water. At night, we were lulled to sleep by the ocean waves and night owls. The grounds are very lush and kept. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better place to stay.