The Rockhouse Foundation's latest project, the expansion and renovation of the Negril Library, is currently in full swing. The library is Negril's oldest extant building and housed the original police station. It is also located next door to the Negril All Age School and the Negril Basic School, the sites of two previous Rockhouse Foundation renovation projects. The Library had not been updated or expanded for decades and was in dire need of structural improvements and extension. Partnering with the Jamaican Library Service, the Westmoreland Parish Council, local architects and tradesmen the Foundation is working to achieve the following:

• Tripling in size the Library Footprint
• Creation of a significant Junior Library
• Introduction of a new study space;
• Acquisition of new books and other learning materials
• Greatly Increasing computer facilities and free internet access;

The new library has been designed by Kingston architects cornerstone.design, a young energetic architectural design firm who also undertakes work for the Rockhouse Hotel. The two directors, Christopher Whyms-Stone and David Douglas, both currently teach architectural design at the Caribbean School of Architecture, University of Technology. "We consider ourselves to be innovative and contemporary while recognizing the special conditions of the Jamaican environment. Issues such as context, climate and the use of local materials are given particular importance in our projects. We also strongly believe that greater cost effectiveness, efficiency and a better way of life can be achieved through design."    

The new, improved library space will be a much needed resource for children of all ages and reflects the Foundation's ambition to support learning for children. With the completion of the library projected for the second quarter of 2009, the Rockhouse Hotel and Foundation will have invested approximately US$1 million in community projects benefiting children. The Rockhouse Foundation was founded in 2003 with the aim of improving the human condition of Jamaica's children. The Foundation combats endemic poverty at its core through capital projects that transform learning environments, programs that support child development, and partnerships that leverage the knowledge and experience of the great people working with Jamaica's children.

We want to take the opportunity to thank you, the many supporters of the Foundation, who have generously made these projects a reality. When you are next in Negril, we invite you to visit and see first hand the tangible benefits of your support.

Air Jamaica currently features the Rockhouse Foundation on its inflight video Island Stylee. See this video on the Foundation's website by clicking Video. TTo support the work of the Rockhouse Foundation and make a US tax exempt donation please click Donate Now.

Damian Salmon, partner at Rockhouse, Project Manager of new building, and Negril resident gives an insider's view on his favorite spots to go in the area:

"I love to get out and around in Negril and environs and see some of the beauty of the local varied landscape. One of my favorite places that is close by Negril is the Royal Palm Reserve (pictured right). This eco destination, about a 15 minute drive from Rockhouse, is the only place where you can get into the Negril Great Morass, a destination in itself, and is home to the Endemic Swamp Royal Palm, the biggest stand of these palms in the world. There is also a plethora of flora and fauna to keep you excited or blissed out! Climb the 40' lookout tower to get a great view of the local area. Beware, this is a very tranquil place, not visited by many tourists, and you may want to stay all day!

To get some local food at a simple spot on a tiny beach of its own, head down to Canoe Bar & Grill. This little shack on the west end road, between Mary's Bay and the Negril Yacht Club, has a great little bar with banquette seats, and steps down to the sand, one of the very few "beaches" on the west-end! And the food is unpretentiously Jamaican...

Head down for an afternoon at Half-Moon Beach for some snorkeling in the shallow lagoon, or a lazy walk along the almond tree shaded beach. Enjoy a beer from the local bar on the beach and you will find your own undisturbed paradise. For a couple of beers with some of the towns local residents, meaning Jamaicans and Ex-Pats, head up to LTU Pub, further up the West End Rd, just past Rick's Cafe. This quirky bar is full of characters on any night, usually the same ones. In fact some of the locals refer to it as "outpatients", a joke at their own expense. If you sit at the bar here, be prepared to get involved in some heated, often hilarious discussions and arguments. However, if you really want to go completely old-school for dinner, you should try Sweet Spice Restaurant. This is the real thing, if you don't mind floral plastic tablecloths, and seriously good Jamaican granny cooking! If you want to have a glass of wine or beer with your meal, you'll have to bring it yourself... try my favorite, the oxtail!"

To find out more things to do at the Rockhouse click Play.

The annual "Hot Hotels" issue of Conde Nast Traveler 2008 included Rockhouse as one of the globes hot new Spas. "The dramatic new spa pavilion at the Rockhouse Hotel echoes the property's funky-chic vibe and laid-back Caribbean feel. Open-air thatched roof huts on the cliff over-looking the water are an appropriate setting for the spa’s gentle holistic therapies, which uses all-natural Caribbean Essential Spa products made in Jamaica. The aromatherapy massage (US$95) is a good choice, with its firm but healing strokes. The light ocean breeze adds to the relaxation, but if you can't book these spots, the resort's new spa is fabulous - it's in a pretty grotto, surrounded by greenery."

The spa philosophy is a simple, holistic approach to well-being, health and happiness, based on natural Jamaican goodness. At the Rockhouse Spa, the focus is on relaxing and healing your system, allowing you to rejuvenate. The Spa menu was developed exclusively for Rockhouse and is characterized by a fusion of holistic restorative techniques and all natural ingredients indigenous to Jamaica. One of the locally inspired treatments is the Island Mint Tea scrub, featuring cerassie (bitter melon), island mints, aloe and brown sugar, followed by the Caribbean drench, a simulated Caribbean rainfall experience which cascades warm water over the entire body. Another favorite is the Jamaica Mocha/Rum wrap of honey, manho, hemp, cocoa, rum and shea butter blended together with patchouli, orange and cinnamon designed to warm and stimulate your skin.

Our guests deserve a world class spa experience. In addition to the care we take in sourcing indigenous, natural spa products, our talented Jamaican therapists undergo extensive training and certification on an ongoing basis. As many of you would know, investment in training and development is a fundamental commitment Rockhouse makes to our staff. In addition to quarterly training weeks run by one of the Caribbean's leading Spa consultants, staff undergo specific skill training from external spa specialists. Most recently the owners of Sabai Spa Inc. conducted an intensive training program making the Rockhouse Spa the first on the island to offer Table Thai massage.

For more information please visit Rockhouse Spa

Rockhouse has taken over Pirates Cave on Negril's West End. Pirates Cave is the bar located immediately next door to Rockhouse on the Negril town side of the property opened in January 2009.

A "Pushcart" is used for street vending and provides the inspiration for the new menu which is drawn from the street food of Jamaica and the Caribbean. Guests can indulge in "peppered shrimp" inspired by road side vending in Middle Quarters, St. Elizabeth where they rush your car with flavorful hot peppered shrimp in clear plastic bags; or try "fish with bammy" like that of vendors in Port Royal; and "homemade jerk sausage" made famous by Jamaica's 'jerk center' at Boston, Portland. The menu will also feature other traditional Jamaican home cooking favorites such as "curried goat", "oxtail" and an array of local desserts sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Push Cart also features an open kitchen design evoking the Jamaican street food experience, an excellent rum bar, and phenomenal sunset views.

The Pirates Cave location has a rich history including being the location of two famous movies. In the 1950's the Jules Verne classic "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" was filmed in the cave directly below the new restaurant. In the 1970's the Steve McQueen classic "Papillon" was filmed on the cliffs where the star actor jumped off to make his escape from Devil's Island. Pirates Cave bar/restaurant in recent years has been a very popular place for snorkeling, eating, drinking and watching the sunsets. Rockhouse General Manager, Matthew Marzouca enthused "We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to building on the long tradition of local, casual dining on Negril's cliffs. Pushcart will remain open to the public, and as one of the west end's most recognized locations, we are keen to respect its heritage"

Pushcart will offer Rockhouse guests casual dining, and will compliment the Rockhouse Restaurant which continues to provide a more refined Caribbean epicurean experience. For more information on the dining at Rockhouse click Eat.

Whether you've been married at the Rockhouse or visited us, you have probably experienced the joy of meeting Inise Lawrence, our very own Assistant GM and Wedding Specialist extraordinaire. The process of planning a wedding is a long and detailed one, but need not be painful, especially if you are lucky enough to find someone who can help you plan your reception and honeymoon. Inise has guided countless couples through this process. We spent a few minutes with Inise to get her perspective on the process and to find out about her experience working for the Rockhouse.

Inise, how long have you been with the Rockhouse? How did you come to be the go-to-gal for weddings at the Rockhouse?
I've been with the Rockhouse for the past eight years. When I started working, we were doing just a few weddings a year and our restaurant manager was able to double up as the planner. As we became better at hosting weddings the interest took off and so the owners suggested it could be something I could take on as part of my job as Assistant GM.

What do you think makes the Rockhouse so attractive to our wedding guests?
Apart from the amazing location, I think the friendliness of our staff together with the way we personalize their wedding details. We limit the number of weddings each year and you are required to book the entire hotel – in that way we can really tailor the wedding to the guests' style and needs.

What do you think most couples like most about getting married at the Rockhouse?
Most brides are nervous especially when planning a "destination wedding." At the Rockhouse, we are laid back yet very professional at the same time, and this approach really works. We have done enough weddings over the past 10 years to really understand how to make it special and provide a great experience, but also do it in a way that reduces some of the anxiety. After all, who wants a stressed bride or a stressed out wedding planner?

What's the craziest, most imaginative thing you and the staff have ever done for a wedding reception?
There was the time the couple was so in love with Rockhouse that the chef carved an ice sculpture of one of the villas, or the time our barman Cleon danced on the bar balancing three bottles on his head, or the time one of our staff members wrote and sang a song to the newlyweds!

What is your favorite part of your job?
To be honest, there isn't a part of the job that I'd say I dislike, but for my favorite part I’d have to say I love the relationship that I have with my brides. Knowing that I play a major role in one of the most important days of their lives is an incredible feeling and a privilege.

What else do you do at the Rockhouse?
Being a senior member of the team in a small hotel like Rockhouse you have to do a bit of everything; meeting the guests and helping them out, assisting in the front office, attending meetings in different departments, answering emails because we get a lot those, and often I am also the manager on duty. A lot of it is helping to coordinate between the different departments at the hotel, which is what I really do with the weddings as well. I consider myself an "all rounder."

How is it being a mom and an essential part of the Rockhouse team?
I am a mother of two - a 12 year old and a one year old - and it is all about balance. My job is very demanding and time sensitive and at the same time I have to be there for the kids. Thankfully, I have good support from the Rockhouse and a very understanding family.

For more information please visit Rockhouse Weddings

In December 2008 Rockhouse achieved the prestigious Green Globe 'Benchmarked' status under their globally recognized program. This status recognizes Rockhouse's commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standard. In accomplishing Benchmarked status, Rockhouse has achieved above Best Practice results in their Community Commitment, Water Consumption, Cleaning Products, and Energy Consumption. Rockhouse's monetary contributions to the Community and the Staff Training Program for environmental awareness were highlighted as very positive commitments and exemplary. Additionally the hotel achieved above baseline performance in the use of paper and pesticide products. These measures certify highly efficient practices and ensure Rockhouse is on the path to securing a sustainable future for the environment.

The Green Globe Company Standard was created in 1992 at the United Nations Rio Earth Summit. It provides a set of principles on sustainable development, including benchmarks and best practices. As part of this process a green team was established consisting primarily of senior management who meet weekly to discuss progress. All staff are being trained to understand that in order for the hotel's operations to remain sustainable, the hotel must not only satisfy and exceed guests' expectations but also implement practices that have a positive impact on the environment. Staff are also being given training on how sound environmental practices can help them in their own homes.

Since we first established Rockhouse, we have been committed to protecting and enhancing the pristine environment that we are guardian of. We strive to implement superior environmental practices across our entire operational facilities and to abide by all environmental laws and policies. Some of our practices are very evident to our guests: our linen reuse program, the air condition cut-offs in the rooms when they are vacant, the use of low wattage lighting, and hotel design elements which leverage natural airflow and utilizes natural local materials, and the garden design including wood chip protection for our garden beds. Other practices go on behind the scenes: rain water capturing and reuse; compost and recycling of garden waste; low energy equipment selection and preventative maintenance; solar hot water systems for all guest rooms; utility monitoring program; water saving toilets; faucets and shower heads; recycling paper, cardboard, glass & oil; and purchasing that favors biodegradable and local products. 

In order to formalize our commitment we have also contracted PA Consulting, a global expert in Environmental Management, to help us create an exemplary program at Rockhouse, one that staff, guests and owners can be proud of.  

For more information on Rockhouse's environmental commitment click Green