Travel To: Skylark Negril

~ What I Wore: Pink Maxi Dress ~ Neutral Straw Clutch ~ Raffia Platform Wedges ~ Tassel Earrings ~ Blue Maxi Dress ~ Pom Pom Straw Clutch ~ Statement Gold Earrings ~ Embroidered Striped Top (on SALE) ~ (*if you are more of a visual shopper, scroll to the bottom of the post to click on these products)!

~ Hospitality Spotlight: Skylark Negril ~

~ I had been feeling for a while that a needed a vacation. But not just any kind of vacation…the kind that required me to move SLOW! Whenever I’m visiting a new place or new culture, I just want to GO GO GO! Now that my full-time day job keeps me busy, I also can’t help but want to BLOG BLOG BLOG every second of every vacation! But…I knew I needed rest and relaxation. My body and my mind needed it, and it’s absolutely what I got!

My sister and brother-in-law visited Skylark over Labor Day Weekend, which is how I first heard of the hotel. I only heard wonderful things and had to see it for myself! After visiting their website and seeing that the hotel was basically my pink, aqua, and palm printed dream come true, I knew I HAD to make the trip myself! A colleague of mine is on her way there soon, as well! It’s hard for word not to travel fast when a place this special opens up.

My childhood best friend, Gigi, is ALWAYS up for an adventure and we had talked about doing something in the fall. Gigi is the most well-travelled person I know! We had talked about doing Montreal, but I pitched her the idea of R&R, beach time, yoga, and jerk chicken and to my surprise, she was onboard! I couldn’t have asked for a better go with the flow travel buddy! 

We arrived to the KINDEST staff you could have imagined. My favorite part of Skylark is the small boutique hotel feel AND the staff who make it truly feel like home. When you stay somewhere so tiny, you see the same people each day and I think that those people really make the experience so special and unique. 

Our room was UNREAL (see above)! We had 2 balconies and were right on the beach, overlooking the ocean. The design of the hotel really pays homage to the Jamaican culture, which I think is so amazing! I had been to resorts in Jamaica before growing up with my mom (it’s her favorite place!), but none of them really felt like Jamaica. Skylark did, and I loved the well-chosen artwork and colors that reflected the incredible island itself!

There wasn’t a pool, which Gigi and I actually loved. Everyone took to the beautiful beach each day, which is on the leeward and calm side of the island, making the water very calm and easy to swim in! The water was SO blue and clear! They have 2 paddle boards that you can take out at no charge and we had the best time on them, spotting tons of fish and bright orange starfish below us! 

Skylark has one restaurant on its premise: Miss Lily’s (I mean, come on – the name, I was bound to love it!). It’s WONDERFUL and right on the beach! If you live in NYC, the answer is “Yes”! It’s that Miss Lily’s and just as good if not even better. The cuisine is Jamaican and honestly, I could have eaten every meal there because I loved it so much! Favorites included: the best pina coladas we’ve ever had, fresh juices daily, jerk chicken, and every appetizer! Another cool thing about Miss Lily’s is that we ate with equally as many guests as we did locals. I loved that local families frequented it! It made the already colorful and Jamaican feel THAT much more authentic!  (*plus if the locals eat there, then you know it’s good!)

I also have to call out the SPA! We had the most amazing massages and I honestly had THE BEST pedicure of MY WHOLE LIFE! Their spa team makes their own homeopathic body care products which smell absolutely divine.

~ HELPFUL TO KNOW ~

~ Rockhouse is Skylark’s sister hotel and there is a free shuttle there 2x a day (it’s about a 15-20 minute ride). It’s overlooking cliffs and is STUNNING! They have a pool (see photos above) and have the best snorkeling! 

~ Clive’s is the shuttle service that we ended up taking to and from the airport which was SO much more affordable than any others we found. I think it was 50 per person round trip or less? They were very helpful and nice, too! 

~ My sister suggested 2 restaurants that we LOVED (thank you, Heather!)! They are both RIGHT on the water and the food was amazing. Definitely check out Ivan’s and The Spa Retreat.

~ SHOP THE POST ~

* My striped embroidered top (not pictured below) got so many compliments when I shared it on IG! It’s from a new favorite web shop called ShopNavyBleu! You will LOVE them!