this is our 2nd trip to Jamaica. after our 1st trip and several bad experiences we were never going to come back. But after some years, meeting some neat Jamaican guys in Canada, and extensive internet serching, we decided to give it another try. Sue arranged our transportation from Montego Bay to Neril and that went without a hitch. The Judy House, when we got there, was just what we needed to acclimate to the heat and Humidy. When we left Alaska it was many degrees below zero with a humidity of about 20 so we needed some time to make the adjustment. Our cabin was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the property was safe---all we could ask for. Sue was as helpful as we needed her to be but never intrusive, the other guests were friendly as were all the people working around the property. There is locked gate onto the property and at night Rowdy is loose to give an alarm if there is a need. We walked down to the main road (once at night) and had no one hassle of threaten us in any way. This trip is very different than our last and getting out into a neighborhood without being fearful is making us very happy that we decided to return to Jamaica.

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 :-)