While in Jamaica for 2 weeks, Jan 1-15, 2012, I stayed at One 4 the Road, the backpacker hostel at the Judy House on West Land Mountain Rd in Negril. I was thrilled to find this gem. Set amidst a mountain-top garden oasis, the 3 single-occupancy and one double-occupancy (two single beds) rooms are marvels of efficiency and just-as-much-as-you-need planning. Each has tiled floors, shuttered windows (screened), a floor-standing electric fan, a comfortable bed, a bedside table, and shelves on the wall with a safe that doesn't cost extra to use. All with colorful curtains, bed covering and a cheerful rag rug on the floor. Each room is entered through a separate, dead-bolted door. There is a small, shared self-catering kitchen complete with pots and pans, dishes, silverware, a cookstove and refrigerator: in short, everything you need to cook and store your own food. The shared bathroom is clean and everything works on the entire property! I woke every day to another warm, sunny day and knew I had found a piece of current real-life Jamaica to visit.
Sue, the creator of Judy House Cottages and One 4 the Road backpacker's hostel, is a treasure trove herself. She is generous and tireless in sharing her knowledge of and contacts in her adopted home of Negril. Having done business and taught in Jamaica for years, this British ex-pat does her part for Jamaican tourism by telling her guests where the honest deals are and for the local economy by directing her clientele to local businesses run by and for Jamaicans. In the scant two weeks I was there, I was made to feel a part of the local culture.
You may have heard of the seven-mile beach in Negril, which is lovely (if peopled by lots of hustlers), but right at the foot of West Land Mountain Road where it meets the coastal road which rings the island is a perfect jewel of a quiet tiny beach. It has beautiful clean sand, crystal clear water with sandy footing all the way out, and beach chairs available for free to patrons of Canoe Beach Bar and Grill.
What else can I tell you? If experience of a culture is why you travel, and a great accommodation price makes it even better, I highly recommend Judy House cottages and One 4 the Road backpacker hostel.

This place is awesome and the best hostel I have ever stayed in!! You have your own room with free WiFi and a safe. Sue is just fabulous and welcoming you like an old friend. The people I met there where very cool we hang out together talked, dined together and shared couple of beers. The Judy House is really a special place and seems like a little tropical paradise jsut for itself. I really had a good time there and would alsways love to come back!!

This was another great stay at the Judy House cottages and rooms

Off the west end road on the Westland Mountain Road, this is just a 10 minute walk from
the beach.
Staying here is like staying with a friend, but at the same time you have
your own privacy surrounded by beautiful lush gardens. Sue as always was a great hostess.......and so many updates have been done since my last stay including 4 new rooms to accomodate backpackers, the rooms are small and basic with shared fully equiped kitchen etc....it's a great addition to the property and also a very affordable way to enjoy the real Jamaica.
This time I stayed in Kim's place (since I had already stayed in the Judy House)
this cottage was awesome!!! everything you need is there, coffee maker , toaster oven, bottle opener,tv, wireless internet, front varandah, fridge, iron, hairdryer and I could go on and on..........
My friend stayed in the Judy House and also had all the same amenities.
I really enjoyed sitting on my varandah at night listening to the sounds of the tree frogs and the reggae music coming from the beach and in the morning enjoying my cup of fresh coffee while watching many beautiful birds and butterflies roaming around in the beautiful tropical flowers.
I will definitely be back and I recommend this place to anyone :-)

My girlfriend and I stayed here in the last week of November 2011. Sue, the owner of the property was absolutely amazing. If there was anything at all we needed she went over and above to make sure our stay was perfect. If you're looking for the REAL JAMAICA....Then this is it!!!

I've been to Jamaica over 10 times over the years dating back almost 20years and I've been all over the Island...here in Negril, Ocho Rios, Kingston...all over.... My girlfriend and I have been 4 times in the last 2 years and I can honestly say... This was my most enjoyable trip ever!!! The property was well groomed with a beautiful garden...and the cottages had front porches where we spent the majority of our time while there. We had a chance to stay in both cottages while we were there The Judy House, and Kim's Place and both of them were Peaceful, and tranquil with Kitchens and full bathrooms....They were perfect for your local stay in Negril.

The property is about a 10min. walk up the mountain on Westland Mountain Rd. in a quiet local Jamaican community. It's about a 20min walk to the beach...and about the same going the opposite way to the cliffs. If you're not into walking...you can catch a cab for about $5 to either place...or you can rent a Scooter right from Sue so you can travel much easier.

There was a little local gathering spot that had great food right across the street from the property that we ate at a couple times....The food was great...and more than reasonably priced...I'm talking if you want to pay local Jamaican prices...This is the spot!!! The Guinep Tree...(this is the proposed name)

Sue went out of her way for us....She organized a night at another Resort for food and music...She took us for a ride up the mountain to show us the most beautiful views in Negril...She suggested a bunch of local restaurants...places to visit...and even another beach other than Seven Mile Beach.

On our trip this time we went to visit a very peaceful beach called Half Moon Beach that is just stunning. If you get a chance to go check it out... I really recomend it... It's about 20min. drive from Negril....We read about it Online....but then Sue also suggested it....This is the kinda place you go to just chill...take it easy...There are simply very few people on this beach...At one point it was my girlfriend and I...along with one other couple and their kids.....ON THE WHOLE BEACH!!!

Sue also organized our Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril... The price was $50 each way...which is at least $10 cheaper than anybody else. On the way back to the Airport....Sue was going to Montego Bay...so we caught a ride with her and the woman who owns the Local Gathering spot...The Guinep Tree .... They were going into the city to meet someone so we pitched in for gas...and got a nice comfy ride back to the Airport....Amazing deal all round!!!

The next time we go to Jamaica we will be stayin with Sue at The Judy House Cottages. I loved it here....This is the real Jamaica!!! Great people...great food, great weather. It's been a month and a half and I'm already looking to see how much flights are to go back...The only good thing about leaving...was knowing we'd be back....

Thanx for everything Sue!!!