After exploring many reviews and website for hotels in Negril, I finally settled on Tensing Pen. My only real requirement was that I didn't want to stay somewhere all-inclusive and I wanted an outdoor shower. Tensing Pen was much a better experience then I expected. And it started by being greeted by the beautiful Rhodesian ridgeback, Tensing.
The Positives: We stayed in one of the pillar rooms (with outdoor shower underneath) and had a beautiful view of the ocean over the cliffs. The outdoor shower was wonderful, although it might not be for the modest since you have to climb the stairs in your towel to reach the shower.
The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. They not only managed to cancel some of the tours I had previously booked, but they also maintain relationships with several cab drivers who can be booked for day-long excursions anywhere you want to go. The cab drivers even recommended some non-touristy spots to take us to have a 'real' jamaican experience.
We ate at the hotel restaurant one night and the food was excellent; we also ate breakfast there every morning which consists of local fruit, breads, coffee, cereal, juices, etc.
The location of the hotel is also nice- close to other restaurants (within walking distance), but not near anything noisy. It's also extremely safe, with a gate and men who stand outside on the road. The staff asks that you check in/out with them so that they can be sure of your safety and call you a reputable cab if you want one (although we had no problem walking to local areas).
They also feature nice amentities like: a lending library, cozy hammocks spread throughout the hotel, snorkel gear, and of course, the hotel dog.
Be sure to go across the street and have breakfast with the local woman who has a stand there. She made us ackee and saltfish on the morning we left and it was delicious. I wish I had known sooner and I would've eaten there every day.
The Negatives: If you're looking for a big room with lots of space to spread out, this is not the place. The rooms are cozy and perfect for a couple.
While this is a boutique hotel, and by no means crowded, we went at a time when there was a large family group staying there. They were noisy and filled up the whole pool area when they were around.
Even though there are some things nearby, prepare yourself to go to bed early if you're not big into partying. We didn't mind going to bed early because we got to enjoy more of the morning.

My husband and I stayed in the Pine Pillars Suite for our ten year anniversary trip to Jamaica. The suite was recommended by the resort when we called to book. It was the most romantic setting, with the most amazing views of the Caribbean sea. Just a few steps from our suite to a cliff dive! It felt as though we were staying on top of the ocean. Relaxation is what you will find at Tensing Pen. Everyone was very friendly... (especially Tensing)! I would love to stay there again, and rent the whole place with family and friends. It was unlike anything we'd ever imagined.

We spent four nights in the patio room at Tensing and it was heaven! It is definitely a four star upscale kind of place - the room was immaculate and so well designed and thought out. There were fresh flowers on our bed everyday. The bed, the PILLOWS, the towels - all those little things were the nicest I've ever experienced! We had a great patio to hang out on. There was ac in the room but we never needed it - the fan was more than enough!

The grounds were beautiful - lush and tropical, and the whole layout of the property was well thought out for privacy! Yet as luxurious as it all was, it still had a bit of wild natural feel to it, so you get to experience the natural Jamaica!

It was soooo nice to sit on the lounge chairs on the sunbathing cliffs - so private and with an amazing view!!

There are many different areas to sit so you can try different parts of the grounds. All the sunbathing cliffs have ladders into the water - or you can jump from the cliffs! I have always been a beach person - so it took me a day to get used to the cliffs and the deeper water (but it is still so clear and turquoise you can see to the bottom - and we had some great snorkeling right off of Tensing) but by the second day I was jumping from the cliffs and felt like a queen!!

The grounds had a beautiful pool, massage hut and yoga hut - but we were so relaxed we never made it to do any of it - but it is there if you want it!


We did the glass bottom boat from the cliffs and got to see a lot of the other cliff hotels and Tensing seemed like the best combo of luxury and wilderness - you have all the comforts you need - but it is still not to manicured and populated.

As far as Negril, we loved Kuyaba on the beach and Hungry Lion on the cliffs (walkable from Tensing) for dinner! We also loved the glass bottom boat/snorkel trip and totally recommend Famous Vincent's boat. Just wave to him as he drives by and he will pull right up to the cliff to get you! He took us out to the reef, took us on a snorkel tour and showed us so many more amazing things that we would have missed without him - he was so great! we also used Clive's transport to and from the airport. They were on time, reliable, safe, nice and fun!

We had heard about Tensing Pen through another couple who honeymooned there. It was so beautiful. We had gotten married in Ocho Rios at the big all-inclusive RIU with friends/family, so a small, peaceful place was what we needed. Many people at the resort had been coming there for years and years. The "regulars" are a little protective of this resort...very nice, but still....several asked how we heard about the resort. They all had great advice on food and where to go.

We stayed in the South Pillar, Middle Pillar, and Seagrape II. For the best views, I would recommend any of the Pillars. We liked the Middle Pillar better than the South simply because of a more spacious bathroom. The ocean is really loud (which we loved) in these two rooms. The Seagrape II is much bigger, but not as beautiful as the simpleness of the Pillar huts...to each his own. We slept better in the Seagrape II because it was quieter. It was also more private. We loved all rooms and liked switching. I agree that we missed the AC as well. There are a few rooms with AC, but you need to inquire to the resort since it isn't listed on the website. We slept fine at night without being hot.

GREAT FOOD EVERYWHERE: Breakfast every morning at TP was simple and perfect: Fruit, toast, muffins, eggs. For lunch, we usually had some jerk chicken from the shack type places (Sharks right across the street, LTU just a 5 min walk, Serious Chicken 5 minutes walk). All of these places were like $20, two lunches and two redstripes, and a tip! DELICIOUS food! For Dinner, we ate at Rockhouse (free car ride if you book through TP), Kuyaba at the Beach (free one way), Norma's at Seasplash at the Beach, Rick's Cafe- quick walk, Mariposa at the Beach. All were great! Rick's is super touristy and somewhat over-priced, but we did it to see the cliff divers. We only ate one dinner at TP which was Valentines, and it was surf/turf...AMAZING lobster.

This resort is very quiet and romantic... I wouldn't recommend for families with active kids or couple/friends that are looking to party and get wild. Service was GREAT here.

The water was warm, and we enjoyed jumping in and swimming with the supplied floaties. We spent one day at the beach which was a nice change of pace.

Would recommend definitely!!!