background: 36 y/o wm w/wife, no kids..1st trip to JA/3 days here-
late oct 2006..deluxe room. not all-inclusive

right from the airport to DCBH was $10US from a JUTA cab..that's unfortunately normal for the 3 min trip, to get lower, lets say about JA$100 each, you'd have to hire a private local driver, which can be iffy...if you do get a private guy, PLEASE be careful...people are generally nice, but you never know...
expect to pay about $8-10 per ride about anywhere close for up to 4 people..from a JUTA (red lic. plate) taxi in the off season, you can haggle, but agree on the price and you dont have to tip if you dont wanna.
anyway, back to the hotel...not 1 minute after arrival i was approached by at least 3 drivers &/or pharmacists...probably the thickest conc. of dealers and hustlers around the hotel & beach area...lets just say, whatever you may want, you could get..nuff said.

pretty rooms w/ AC, beautiful gardens with paths all over, coffee shop, restaurant(so-so food),bar, internet cafe adjacent...nice staff, especially Randall the bellman, free ping-pong and pool tables, --, lots of places to sit and chill all secure and safe...
they do not have ocean view, more of just a tiny peek..still, a very nice balcony with garden & street views... a little noisy, but bustling and fun! super close to the beach and an easy walk to jimmy Buffets, Coral Cliff, Pork pit, and downtown..be prepared to run the gauntlet of hasslers though until you get past Margaritaville...
DO GO TO THE DOWNTOWN...dont be scared, you will not be killed or hassled badly...walk with confidence, dont take too many pictures, and act like you belong there..
DO GO TO THE PORKPIT....jerk is great and one of the least expensive meals you'll have
The Fort Craft market is shaky...agressive vendors, but if you like that, rock bottom prices can be had...they want to make a sale. They will try to steer you there, once again say " i already been dere..got what i need, tanks" and keep walking.

NOTES:
*dont let anyone tie a bracelet on you..nothing is free and if its knotted, you cant take it off.
*Indian-owned gift shops are overpriced, buy duty-free at the airport before you go
*if you need supplies(beer,rum,etc.) go to a grocery store where prices are clearly marked and much cheaper..closest is down the strip towards gloustershire up the spiral staircase to the tall building (the elevator up to El Greco hotel..our 2nd hotel)
*an easy way to duck drug dealers is to tell them FIRMLY "ya mon, respect..(knuckle bump..dont shake hands)..i got everyting i need..tanks though.

Have fun,wear sunscreen, be careful..
Walk good mon....russo
any ?? write me

I am a travel agent and had just returned from the lsland of Jamaica. This was my fifth visit to Jamaica and my very first stay on the "HIP STRIP". I did find the Doctors Cave Beach Hotel very friendly, clean and comfortable. I only eat breakfast by the poolside. Complimentary continental breakfast did consist of fruit, toast, coffee/tea and a muffin. I ordered a side dish of scrambled eggs an sausage and this was very tasty. The beach is across the street and there is a charge of $5.00 per person. Be sure to check out the ping pong table and or pool table for recreational activities. Overall, I did feel safe and would recommend this property to anyone who wants to stay at a budget type of hotel. The hotel also provides rum punch on Tuesday and Saturdays evening from 6pm-7pm.

This was our third trip to Jamaica and we decided to try something other than an all-inclusive this time. We had no trouble at all checking in, other than a short wait. Our room was larger than we expected, it had a separate sitting room with sofa and chairs. As we noted in the title, this is not a new hotel, but it was clean and comfortable. The bedroom area was the only portion with A/C, but the unit kept the room cool enough. Next time we might go with a smaller room.

The food at the hotel restaurant was good, although we only ate there at breakfast.

The hotel bar was nice, usually pretty low key although it was hopping Saturday night. All of the bartenders we encountered were friendly and provided good service and local info also.

The staff was friendly and helpful, in fact they reminded me a lot of the nice staff that took care of us at Sandals Inn during previous visits. The manager introduced himself and inquired about our stay.

All in all a positive experience.

We had a tiny room with three single beds that came out to $170 a night with taxes. The hotel and restaurant were great, but not worth the price!

If you're going to Jamaica, I suggest you skip Montego Bay. Not much to see here besides drug dealers and prostitutes. Lots of pick pockets as well, my phone was stolen. I thought Mo Bay would be the safest city during my Jamaica visit, but I felt safer in Kingston!