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Idlers' Rest Beach Hotel – reviews, photos

Black River P.O., St Elizabeth, Jamaica
Hotel amenities
Idlers' Rest Beach Hotel
Ranked #1 of 2 hotels in St Elizabeth
4.0 of 5 stars 20 Reviews
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20 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    9
    5
    4
    2
    0
Date Rating
Toronto
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“They couldn't have cared less”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

Let me start by explaining that we travel a great deal and stay in places that are from -2 star up to 5+ star rooms. We are not complainers and go with the flow. We stayed for 3 nights in January on a tour of the island. Got there late in the evening and had to rush off to supper because the cook went home soon. The salad in our meal was 2 pieces of tomatoe and lettuce. The rest of the meal was spare and left a lot to be desired. When we got to our room which was big and clean with a huge bathroom but very hot and humid, there was no remote for the A/C. After 3 old remotes were tried it was decided that the A/C was pooched. Moved us to another room, not as nice but still large and clean and hot and humid. The A/C in this room was also not working. Instead of moving again we stayed. Over the next two days the A/C was not fixed. Suppers were interesting with a different cook each night. Soups were good and the fish and shrimp were nicely done. There were never any desserts. The cook staff was friendly and did try to please us but the front desk staff couldn't have cared less. The last night there was a huge storm and a brief power failure. We found we had no hot water again so we went down and asked why. They supposedly threw the breaker to start the heater again. Still no hot water the next morning. There was hot water in the foyer bathroom but not upstairs. Seems no one knew how to start it up again. When I checked out to pay for our drinks the manager didn't have any change. He wouldn't accept one dollar less but did accept two extra dollars without a thank you. It is an interesting place with nice clean rooms with huge bathrooms but the service was terrible. Good beach, but no shade and it didn't appear that they had any beach chairs. Watch out for the sand flies even in the screened in areas in the evening. It looks from other old reviews that it has gone downhill recently. Our tour operator choose this place and he was very embarassed by what happened.

Room Tip: Make sure the A/C works and the water is hot
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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St. Louis, MO
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“PEACE FULL”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Did I say peace full already. This was my first stay in Black River though I've been to Jamaica several times. I'm definitely going back. The rooms have there own unique character( I took a peek in a couple rooms as the ladies were cleaning). My room #14 circular in style and clean. Breakfast served every morning FREE all the staff were genuinely nice and caring you're looking at a beautiful view of the Sea the beach goes on forever almost The grounds were kept well there is a chicken/rooster/peacock coupe acvross from #14 so I heard the cock a doodle doo each morning There is also a cat family on the grounds. I totally enjoyed my stay. I don't remember all the names of the staff but everyone including the owner were awesome. Now if you're high strung and enjoy touristy hustle and bustle this is not the place for you. If your more into relaxation Nature and having nice converstion you will enjoy. The hotel will set up transportation for you and if your ride doesn't come they will even make back up plan for you. Awesome Peace Full place

  • Stayed January 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Moose Jaw, Canada
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Simply Heaven”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 March 2011

We stayed at three different hotels in different parts of Jamaica, and Idlers Rest was by far our favourite. The grounds and landscaping is beautiful. There are hammocks outside of every room. The kids had a room on the bottom floor and we had an upper floor balcony room. Both rooms were spacious with large bathrooms. Being so far from the touristy hot spots gives you an opportunity to truly unwind. No crowds to fight. No one approaching you to buy some trinket or a taxi. The staff took good care of my family and arranged for a boat ride to the Pelican Bar and even gave us towels to take there. Idlers Rest is a far cry from the cookie-cutter rooms you find other places. We would most definately stay there again.

  • Stayed February 2011, travelled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask DSDA about Idlers' Rest Beach Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Decatur, In
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“This is what Jamaica is all about....”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 March 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We chose Idler's Rest for our 40th wedding anniversary - what a wonderful choice we made. We've been to Jamaica many times, but Jamaica's South Coast is the best. We intended on staying 3 nights at Idler's Rest, and stayed 6. The property is private, clean and accomodating in every way. This is an out of the way place that is quiet. No hustle-bustle in sight. The beach is wonderful, the sunsets amazing, and the staff excellant -what more do you need? A taxi can take you wherever you want to go. We almost hate to write a review, as we will definitely be back, and we want it kept quiet, just the way it is. Ms Juliet Mohan, the manager and her staff took care of anything we needed. No worries, no problem.
We used Cllives Taxi Service to take us from the airport to Black River, which is about 1 1/2 hours drive. They were friendly, dependable, on time, and will use them again.

  • Stayed March 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask lilred_inDecatur about Idlers' Rest Beach Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Bedford
1 review
“A Little Gem”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 February 2010

This marvellous spot wasn't really chosen by us but by Relaiable Adventures Jamaica - another great Jamaican company. The staff made the trip for us - very helpful and friendly. Idler's Rest is right on the beach and "far from the madding crowd". Montego Bay it ain't!. It's a wonderful place to stay.
Bob & Kathleen Foskett
Bedford
UK

  • Stayed February 2010, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask BobandKat about Idlers' Rest Beach Hotel
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Additional Information about Idlers' Rest Beach Hotel

  • Idlers Rest Beach Hotel
Address: Black River P.O., St Elizabeth, Jamaica
Price range (per night):* INR5,558 - 5,558

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Idlers' Rest Beach Hotel
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