The Cliff Hotel acquires neighboring Idle Awhile property in expansion
Key Points(5)
- The Cliff Hotel on Negril’s West End has acquired neighboring waterfront property formerly known as Idle Awhile, adding seven villas and suites to its ongoing expansion plans.
- The purchase price was not disclosed.
- The property, previously owned by the Issa family, known for its contributions to Jamaica’s hospitality industry, is recognized for its intimate setting and relaxed island atmosphere.
- It will operate independently as Orchid Point Bungalows during the upcoming winter season while plans for its integration into The Cliff are finalized.
- The acquisition marks the third waterfront property purchased by The Cliff’s ownership group since 2025 and is part of a broader effort to expand the luxury resort’s accommodations, amenities and guest experiences.
The Cliff Hotel & Spa has acquired a neighboring waterfront property on Negril’s West End, adding seven bungalows and suites to its growing portfolio as part of a US$20 million renovation and expansion program.
The property, formerly known as Idle Awhile Cliffs, will operate independently as Orchid Point Bungalows during the 2026-27 winter season while plans for its integration into The Cliff are developed. The purchase price was not disclosed.
The acquisition, announced by The Cliff’s ownership group in September, marks its third waterfront property purchase since 2025. The group now controls four parcels of land totaling more than eight acres, three of which are adjacent waterfront properties, according to Managing Director George Fisette.
Rather than maximize the number of rooms on the expanded site, the company plans to maintain a relatively low-density development, with approximately 60 guestrooms and villas across the combined properties. The plans also include a 7,000-square-foot wellness center, additional gardens and open spaces.
“Our vision is approximately 60 keys, roughly one quarter of that density benchmark,” Fisette wrote in a September 27 statement on the hotel's website, referring to the potential room count under applicable local planning standards.
The company said the approach is intended to provide greater privacy, more space between accommodations and additional opportunities for wellness experiences.
The acquisition forms part of a broader investment program announced after the property changed ownership in August 2025. The Cliff began a US$20 million renovation and enhancement project in 2026, covering guest accommodations, dining facilities and other amenities.
The improvements include refreshed guestrooms and suites, upgraded bathrooms and furnishings, and a redesigned restaurant supported by a new kitchen. The hotel has also been upgrading its villas, including adding private plunge pools to select accommodations.
Located on Negril’s limestone cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, The Cliff has built its reputation around intimate accommodations, ocean views and personalized service. Its facilities include the KiYara Spa, a swimming pool, a fitness center and a restaurant offering Caribbean-inspired dining.
The hotel is also a member of Virtuoso, a global network of luxury travel advisers and properties. Fisette said the ownership group's longer-term ambition is to pursue a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating, emphasizing service standards and the overall guest experience alongside physical improvements.
A new chapter for Orchid Point
The newly acquired property comprises three oceanfront bungalows and four garden suites, each designed for two guests. The bungalows feature two-story layouts, full kitchens, living and dining areas, outdoor showers and verandas overlooking the sea. The garden suites offer king beds, full kitchens and private verandas.
Other amenities include a cliff-top swimming pool, access to the sea via a ladder and oceanfront massage services. Guests can also walk to The Cliff's restaurant, bars and spa next door.
The property's seven-unit layout offers a more intimate alternative to larger resorts and can accommodate small groups, family gatherings and weddings. Orchid Point advertises wedding packages for groups of up to 25 people.
The acquisition also builds on the history of the Idle Awhile brand, which was developed by the Issa family, longtime players in Jamaica's hospitality industry and founders of Couples Resorts. The family established Idle Awhile as a collection of boutique properties designed to offer a more personal alternative to traditional large-scale resorts.
Idle Awhile's wider portfolio has included a beachfront hotel and a collection of private villas along Negril's famous Seven Mile Beach, in addition to the former Idle Awhile Cliffs property on the West End.
The West End property was known for its secluded setting, cliffside accommodations and direct access to the sea, characteristics that align with The Cliff's existing focus on privacy and oceanfront experiences.
While Orchid Point will remain independently operated for the 2026-27 season, The Cliff's ownership group has not yet announced a timeline for integrating it into the expanded resort.
The company says significant portions of its newly consolidated land will remain dedicated to gardens and open spaces, reflecting its stated strategy of expanding the guest experience without substantially increasing development density.
