Pro and con of Whistling Bird

Overall, we had a really nice stay. I think some people would really enjoy Whistling Bird, but it's not for everyone. If you want to avoid the walled-off inclusive experience, this might be a good option.

Pro:

- Staff is fantastic; very friendly; good stories and insight into Jamaican culture

- The grounds are nice; lots of trees, plants, lizards, frogs

- The food was great; breakfast and dinner are available and are better than the fare you find in most restaurants down the beach

- The beach is amazing and a stones throw from the cottages

Con:

- Negril seems to have very poor zoning and the noise from The Jungle across the street (only open 1 or 2 nights/week) is out of control; very hard to sleep on Thursdays until 5AM; you might want to research noise wherever you stay in Negril before booking

- Beds and pillows are kind of musty; don't expect the Hyatt

- Some of the cottages have air conditioning...all have fans; it can get pretty hot during the daytime some months without the AC

- Cottages are a little rustic; this didn't bother me at all and the maids did a good job...but again, don't expect the Hyatt

A perfect spot for a wedding and a honeymoon!

We went to Whistling Bird May 8 - 15 with another couple. We got married there at sunset on the beach on May 10. It was beautiful! Bim made a wonderful gorgeous arch (all natural foliage) with flower petals strewn along the bridal path (at each end in flowers he wrote "I love you". It was a wonderful experience that I'll remember the rest of my life! We've been there 3 times and always love it. The entire staff is so friendly and willing to do anything to ensure you have a good time. The rooms make you feel like you're truly in tropical setting, the garden area is beautiful, the beach large and close to the cottages, and the food is spectacular! Jim, the owner, was there and he was particularly interested in getting to know us! A good person to get to know. Even though it rained each afternoon, we got plenty of sun in the mornings and it quit in time for our wedding at 5:30 pm. A wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone who loves beaches and a quiet l!ife!

Whistling Bird, Our Home Away From Home

If you want to experience true jamaica, with beautiful accomidations and an amazing staff, then Whistling Bird is for you!!! I booked our trip on the internet and was a bit sceptical about Whistling Bird, until we arrived and walked through the gate. The grounds were beautiful, the cottages were spotless and the staff already knew our names. Anything we even thought we wanted was made available. We are already planning our next visit to this beautiful home away from home.

If you have any questions, or would like some pictures, please feel free to email.

Found a new home at the Whistling Bird

Not sure why the person who wrote the ugly review below even left their house. We have not one complaint about the property. Great service, excellent staff, beautiful landscaping, love the tree frogs and a room that felt like home. We'll be back without a doubt.

What a Wonderful Beach !

My wife and I have stayed at Whistling Bird many times and think it is the best deal in town for many reasons. Their piece of the beach is beautiful, the staff is excellant, and the cottages superb. The private dining facility serves some of the best food on the beach and the grounds are beautiful. We will return again !

Stop the Whistling, Please!

I have been to Whistling Bird twice and it is definitely going DOWN HILL! Whistling Bird is a quaint but increasingly dilapidated resort in the center of Negril's beautiful beach front. Their beach chairs are junk, cats like to share your breakfast table, our cottage roof leaked, we at times had no hot water, the tree frogs whistle all night, and the heavy base music from the Jungle Club direcly across the street booms until late into the night. It's the only place I've ever been that handed out ear plugs to its guests. Really! The staff is wonderful but the management is not overly above-board. Negril is an excellent place, but I'd suggest staying someplace better than Whistling Bird!

The best place in the world!!

This place is awesome! We have stayed at Whistling Bird for 4 years in a row, and would go back in a second. The Cottages are very nice, they have hardwood floors, nice decor, with ceiling fans. They are cleaned everyday by the staff, and are kept clean, tidy and very comfortable!

The grounds are amazing! Tree's, flowers, hand carved decor, beautiful beach front. The gardener rakes and cleans the entire grounds everyday.

The chef's are wonderful, they fix what you want and how you want it, and if you wish to try Jamacian food they would be more than happy to do that as well. This is a great place for family. We have taken our daughter 3 times with us and she loves it, the staff take time from their busy schedule to show her things! She loves everyone of them! The entire staff is great....from the Owners right down to the maids. Great people to be around, do business with, they ALL make you feel like your in Heaven! This place should be the top rated hotel / resort in Negril......true, no tv, no airconditioner, but you dont go on vacation to watch tv and sit in the ac...get out there and discover Negril, and what better way than having the staff at Whistling Bird help you!!!

Please feel free to email me with any questions about Whistling Bird....I can even send you pictures!

What a joke

I was just sick about this place. I purchased this package at an upscale benefit for the Summit Ski Team. The Whistling Bird advertised something it was not and the pictures were completely deceiving. This place was a total pit. I felt like I was living in a shanty town. The place was filthy, the bed was the worst I have ever slept in, and bugs everywhere. There is no glass on the windows and no air conditioning.

We were forced to stay there two nights while we scramled to find accomodations elsewhere. Drugs dealers all over the beach. The staff is friendly, but unsupervised and misdirected. There was hotel laundry and staff clothing hung on a clothes line in the middle of the courtyard.

We left 3 days early and lost the money since this went to a benefit foundation, etc. This was absolutely the worst nightmare of a resort/hotel I have ever experienced. There are many other hotels on the beach at the same rate or even cheaper that are up to higher standards.

Anyting you want Mon.

I have been to this resort with my wife and 2 sons twice and would go back in a heartbeat. In fact when we ask the kids where they would want to go on Spring Break, they ALWAYS say Whisltling Bird. Laid back atmosphere, awesome staff, great food and drinks. Really want to get to know the Jamaican people? Go. Stay at this place. Comortable cabin rooms and a beautiful garden setting and beautiful beach.

The Greatest little hideaway in Negril

I ave been visiting the Whistling Bird Resort in Negril since 2000 and it is one of the best kept secrets of Negril. I remember our last visit like yesterday because I just yearn to go back. The property is green & lush. Trees are everywhere. The cottages are spread about the property but strategically built to have a view of the beach. In the middle there is a building with the kitchen and dinning area. Also in the middle is a quaint little thatched roof office with a pay phone on the outside. We got to a cottage that had a view of the beach. It had 2 bedrooms, a living area and a bathroom with a powder area. The rooms at the Whistling bird are tropically decorated and really feel homely. I think the best part of Negril beach is on the property. The water is is clear and the trees on the property provide a good place to just watch the waves coming and people walking up and down the beach. On of the best things about the Whistling Bird Resort is the staff. They are courteous and very helpful. The will go the extra mile to be sure you are satisfied. I remember on many occassions we had a "yearn" for a particular type of food and they would find a way to get it. We had our kids with us and when we wanted to take night out one of the staff members babysat for us. You know warmth when kids go to other people and this was prevlant with the staff there. In all my stays at resorts across the USA, in Europe (London, Paris), and in other Caribbean hotels I have never experienced such great customer service. Very Genuine and willing to educate on on Jamaica and Jamaican culture. My wife refuses to let a year go by without us taking a "mini-vacation" there. Unfortunatly we will not make it this year because of a new baby however we will be back next year...If you want to experience the real Jamaica I recommend this resort...