I should say, above avg to excellent. The setting for this hotel is incomprable, romantic, overlooking a bay with an island. This was part of our honeymoon, but I would think that families would like the place and the Villas, just as much (mindful of no beach). If you want to be overwhelmed, pay $10 for a half day to visit Firefly historic site on the hill behind hotel. That view is the best in all the Carribean and compares with Megan's Bay, St. Thomas. I stayed in the main house at Blue Harbour in Port Maria in Feb. 2005 and loved having the whole floor and hugely spaciou s accomodations to ourselves.

Be advised, rates are per person and include 3 meals. Rooms are breezy no A/C and look out onto the bay. Veranda is wide and spacious, wonderful and you could spend you vacation there. We are active but spent much time enthralled by the full moon over the bay and morning sunrises. Could be a little noisy with truck traffic on the road behind. Villas on property rent for same price but are lower down the hill (but away from the traffic). In any case , by 2006 a new road should be completed routing most traffic away from the hotel. If you are into history and theater and film this is a great place. Noel Coward effects are all around. Film star portraits of who stayed in your room.

Firefly on the hill was Pirate Morgan's lair and he looked out across the bay.
Staff is very friendly. Owners, Michelle and Micheal are very engaging, supervise everything daily and cooking. Michael's an ethnobotanist / anthropologist and can tell you about the area. Michele has Jamaican roots and knows the culture. Later done by Jamaican chefs and fresh caught fish. Dinners above average to excellent and cater to American tastes, so not a lot of Jerk or heavy spices. Some Jamaican specialties do enter as at breakfast and wonderful spice and Johhny cakes. Grounds pretty, well maintained, although some hurricane damage (Ivan, '04). Only very small beach, really no beach. Sea swimming pretty good, esp. on calm days. Pool wonderful on the ocean. Snorkelling fairly good. On calm days snorkel, swim, or kayaks (later provided free) to the outer fringing reef in the bay.

I liked the nearby area of Port Maria and Oracbessa better than the tourist towns of Ocho and Negril, but due to remote location you may find you need a car at this resort or rely on cabs and rides from the staff into town. People nicer and less hassling and hustle than big towns. From my stay I came to like the owners very much is why I wrote this review and would recommend this hotel especially to those wanting an "away from the maddening crowds" and interesting, peaceful vacation at beautiful spot.
Great value. Michael Rund, Kansas City, MO