This hotel is similar to the nearby Charela, a small owner-operated property flanking a spread of powdery sand and limpid water. This one looks a little worse for wear, with some landscaping-gone-wild making a poor (if not frightening) first impression. That said, the engaging owners, friendly bartender and unpretentious atmosphere quickly put unassuming guests at ease.
Three unusual structures with slanting walls pocked with portholes add some modern art-deco style to these island-style stucco barracks. A driveway leads to the small officelike reception area.
Hurricane Ivan hammered the beach and shortened it considerably,
leaving the back steps of the seafront restaurant descending into the water. The restaurant itself is a matter-of-fact room with plastic seating, fringed by trellises, and serving Jamaican, Indian and international fare. Try the juicy conch steak or curried lobster for a true taste of the island. Lunch is also offered at the beachside gazebo but is considerably less inspiring than the full breakfast included in the rates. The rather low-key bar next to it opens bright and early for those who want to get a jump on the day. A mento band plays for Friday night barbecues in season.
Set in a lofty tiled sundeck above the bar, the poorly maintained whirlpool holds little appeal, and trash is strewn about the sundeck. The owner offers tours by minivan, 
and the tour desk provides wider choices for exploration. A modest room settles as the hotel's spa, where massage services and hair braiding take place.
The overall look of the average-sized air-conditioned accommodations is uninspired and a tad dated, although tropical fabrics and sponge-washed walls in tropical pastels help enliven things a bit. Beds, in a variety of sizes, feature handcrafted headboards, and common in all are terrazzo floors, aging drapery, phones, TVs and safes. Unpleasantly firm mattresses do little to conform to achy backs, but a quick massage the next morning does the trick. Sliding-glass doors open to balconies or terraces in all but four rooms, but only deluxe rooms, some with king beds, survey the sea. The cheap quality of 
the furnishings is only multiplied when suites are requested. Two of the six seafront units boast whirlpool tubs, and four rooms provide kitchenettes. A two-bedroom apartment is the preferred choice for vacationing families. Room service runs until 10 pm.
This iffy choice benefits from kindhearted management and a cheerful staff. But shoddy maintenance and housekeeping have led to rampant stray scratches and paint scuffs, creating a less-than-inviting experience. This hotel suits those seeking friendly middle-grade lodging on the beach and is popular among spring breakers, taking on a noisier edge during that time.
