Samsara Cliff Resort

I really wanted to like Samsara but it was such a let down. The food in the restaurant was substandard. When the chicken someone ordered was cold inside, we requested that it be cooked a bit more. They put the entire plate including salad in a microwave, This was after we had waited 45 minutes for our food to arrive. The rooms were also NOTHING like the photos in the ad. Small, dingy, off smelling. We ordered two queens and received a double and a twin which wouldn’t work for our group of 4. No alternative was offered. We didn’t stay- just too many bad vibes. Hope the owner takes the initiative to update and cleanup. Beautiful location with much untapped potential.

I have just returned from an excellent 7 nights stay at this resort and I wished it was longer. If I could rate it 100 out of 10 I would. The hotel is quaint with a unique charm reminiscent of the old French / British colonial days especially when it comes to service and the attitude of staff. Nothing is too much trouble and they make a point of getting your name very quickly and remember for example what you drink, how you have your coffee, just too many things to mention but a very personal service without being forced - it was just genuine. The hotel is on a bend on the road but there is always someone on duty to let you know when safe to cross the road. There is a good well stocked convenience shop approx 300 yards to the left of the hotel on the right hand side which is cheap and you won’t pay over the odds as the price in Jamaican dollars is clearly marked on all items. The breakfasts have been mentioned as excellent on other reviews and they surpassed my expectations. Good variety cereal, fresh milk in original container stored in ice, omelette or fried eggs made to order, and have to mention as a Scot the porridge was great and different varieties on different days eg oatmeal which traditional but next time cornflour next day another cereal base. On the days when bacon or sausage on the menu it was wonderful if sitting on your room balcony before breakfast time to smell the faint aroma of the frying process drifting past. It was on one of those occasions that I saw a whale just out to sea. It was confirmed later that afternoon when speaking with a Portuguese couple that they also saw it in the morning but they were lucky enough to to see it rise and spout water into the air a second time which I missed. However while we were talking next to the sea 5 dolphins swam past about 10 feet away. Few days later saw another school of about 10 or 12 pass. Really blessed to witness.. Back to the food. Breakfast was wonderful as many other reviews comment positively on. Lunch if you have had a big breakfast really only want a snack and there was a good choice for example sandwich, pizza, hamburger, fries, salad, pasta and one or two local Jamaican dishes would be a typical example. Dinner in the evening was again excellent with soup, main course and dessert and generally 6 or 7 choices to select from. What was also nice was that the chef always served the food so you were never in a situation where others had mauled with it. If I had one suggestion for improvement and it is an extremely minor issue if the desert could be served with custard or a scoop of ice cream that would be fantastic, but that is only my opinion because I like custard or ice cream with my pudding. The grounds are spotlessly clean, you will never be short of a sun bed and the snorkelling and Cliff jumping are brilliant. I am only an amateur at snorkelling (I can’t swim so rely on flippers and snorkel to stay afloat and not swallow the ocean) but once you start to speak with

This was my second stay at Samsara, and it was just as incredible as the first. I can't say enough wonderful things about the staff and accommodations; they truly go above and beyond. From the moment you step off your transportation, you're welcomed like family. It was such a joy to see everyone again, you've not aged a day in 2 years :) You’re all simply the best. Everyting Irie inna Jamaica at Samsara!