Tensing PEN

The staff from the front desk to life guards were so helpful. This is a beautiful boutique resort. You can cliff dive, walk to Rick’s cafe, enjoy amazing food, and see the culture of Negril while staying in a spacious comfortable room. I highly recommend staying here.

No longer the quiet, deluxe hideaway of year's past, Tensing Pen now accepts day passes from anyone paying a lousy $20. These people can enjoy the cliffs excellent service and "romance " of Tensing Pen without actually paying the steep rates of renting a room here. What are management thinking?? This is a tiny place with maybe 12 rooms. There are only 22 or so lounge chairs to hang out in and they have just decided to let everyone in. So far: no busses full but the pass idea is just catching on. Some years ago the restaurant opened to the public and let in gawker's. Now the near-by Rick's Bar welcomes up to 12+ large tourist boats every afternoon bearing some 800 drinkers to anchor off the cliffs with non stop very LOUD "music" and screaming DJs blaring from 3-6 PM every day. Tensing Pen has gradually built more cabins and now has a huge restaurant. The road out front is too busy ta walk along and we were attacked by dogs twice in one week! After many happy stays: WE QUIT＞＞＞

Negril, Jamaica, and Tensing Pen have changed over the last 5 years. First, let me say the hotel is beautiful, clean, very well maintained, the rooms are spacious and lovely, the staff is extremely welcoming and accommodating. Georgia gave me 2 excellent massages! But what used to be a quiet, more adult oriented resort has now become a loud, party boat highway every afternoon with catamarans full of tourist and very loud music going past to deposit people at Rick's Bar nearby. Then all hours of the night and early in the morning there were the sweet, friendly but barking Rhodesian ridgebacks that wander the property. Add families with small, screaming children by the pool several days during our stay made our visit unpleasant. My partner Todd has been going to Tensing Pen for over 20 years, this was the last time he will go there. We were there 5 years ago and loved it, but Tensing Pen and Negril have changed since our last stay. The traffic on the road has increased and is also very noisy. We realize of course that Tensing Pen has no control over the loud party boats and traffic noise...but we won't go back.

Staying at Tensing Pen Hotel was truly a luxurious experience. Every employee and guest we encountered was extremely kind and helpful. Damian (a bar tender) and Hatanya (a lady that works in the lobby) are lovely and you should work with them if you can. Our room was upgraded to the lovely and very spacious garden studio. I’ve never been more appreciative of an ac unit being placed above a bed in my life. The heat is no joke and we enjoyed everything tensing had to offer: an aloe massage, dining and drinking at the restaurant, jumping off the bridge and chilling in the pool, and the amazing sunsets. It’s intimate, homey feel was very comforting considering this was my first time being so far from home. There’s no doubt that I will be returning with my family to stay in one of the larger huts. I would recommend staying at this hotel to literally anyone.

From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave you are treated to magical experiences. With Razor’s delicious, hand-crafted welcome drink in your hand, you are guided to your accommodations by an attentive staff and often one or more of the delightful Ridgebacks that make the property their home. Nestled in the jungle and overlooking the magnificent Negril cliffs, with breathtaking sunset views, you can’t help but unwind and relax. 24 hour coffee and tea, and an amazing onsite restaurant. Breakfast, which is included, consists of toast with fresh made bread, biscuits, muffins, peanut butter and jelly, yogurt, cereal and a seasonal fruit plate. Juice, coffee and tea are also included. Also available for an additional charge are items like eggs Benedict and porridge. Lunch and dinner offer a wide variety of local cuisine items, as well as some truly innovative dishes. Bar service is excellent and the drinks are all individually prepared and can be adjusted to your liking. The pool and pool area are beautiful and well maintained and have cliff and sunset views. Even the gift shop on site is lovely and includes locally made items as well as some necessities. I saved the best for last: Tensing, Obi and Zuri, the three dogs that make the property their home (and truly embody the entire spirit of Tensing Pen). There is nothing like curling up with one of them while watching the rain roll in on the cliffs, or having them greet you in the morning and walk you down the path the breakfast. Truly a one of a kind resort and a one of a kind experience!

If we could give Tensing Penn 6 stars we would! Spent an amazing 5 nights here at the middle pillar. The middle pillar was clean and had an absolutely breathtaking view of the ocean. The staff were incredibly hospitable and fun. Shoutout to the lifeguards for taking us snorkeling and encouraging us to jump off the bridge! The location of Tensing Penn is perfect as it’s tucked away from the more touristy areas but is still easily accessible to them if you want to go seven mile beach.

Tensing Pen has been built with respect for and blending into the natural environment. The vibe is local from the art to the furnishings, and does not feel like teams of designers were flown in from NY, although there are ample creature comforts. The meandering paths throughout the property feel like an echo of reggae rhythms and lilting jamaican patois. Let go of technology and take in the 180º sea views and uninterrupted horizon. Drink the wild air.

Tensing Pen is 5-stars in every way. Family-owned, and it’s clear the proprietors treat their staff as family. We were warmly treated by the entire TP team. Our ocean-facing villa (Coffee Rose 1) was spectacular. The resort is impeccably maintained. The views are brilliant, and the resort fits the natural landscape beautifully. The Lodge restaurant is also excellent and fairly priced. Also take advantage of the local vibes immediately outside of the resort. We always felt safe. We will certainly return to Tensing Pen!

Years ago, my wife and I stayed at a hotel near Tensing Pen and decided that, when we returned to Negril, we wanted to stay at Tensing Pen. Are we ever glad that we did! I don't think I've ever had a more relaxing vacation. The property is beautiful, the staff are delightful, and the overall experience was top notch. We cannot recommend Tensing Pen highly enough. Accommodations: we stayed in Cove Cottage, a charming detached cottage with a direct view of the ocean. We recommend staying at Cove Cottage or one of the other cottages that are right on the water. Dining: Tensing Pen's restaurant is excellent, and we ate most of our meals there, but it is worth noting that there are other local restaurants in the area that offer local, traditional Jamaican fare. Location: located in Negril's West End, Tensing Pen is perched on cliffs over the Caribbean. There are several spots with ladder access down to the water as well as many lounge chairs to just lie back and enjoy the wonders of the sea. Dogs: Tensing Pen is host to three very friendly Rhodesian Ridgebacks: Tensing, Obi, and Zuri. Bottom Line: Negril is our favorite place in Jamaica (make sure you explore the town too) and Tensing Pen will be our go-to for the foreseeable future. We cannot wait to return.