Sunset is an airy, compact oasis in the middle of a jungle, wood-filled and woodsy, with abundant foliage making the transition from outside to inside seamless, with towering masses of greenery at every turn of the head. It differs from the many large, bustling, antiseptic resorts that often line Caribbean beaches. Here, you're a part of Jamaica, mon!

Caribbean touches abound at Sunset in Negril, Jamaica. Photo by Victor Block

The beach is a short walk away, free of the seaweed plaguing many Caribbean shores.  Spotting a red flag usually indicates a warning sign of some kind. Here, placed in front of your chaise lounge, it simply means please bring me another Pina Colada...

Chase and Bonnie Pilcher from Blacksburg, VA, were "super impressed with everything. The rooms are beautiful, and everyone is so friendly..." Their voices drifted off as their colorful Bob Marley drinks were served chaise-side. I didn't blame them.

Sunset at the Palms in Negril, Jamaica, offers a rare tranquil ambiance at Caribbean resorts. The serene atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle, is perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

Tranquil was a word I heard a lot. Maybe because the all-inclusive resort is adults only -- except for Betty's kids, of course, and they're not likely to be running down the halls... And as appealing as reggae music is in the Caribbean, it is often ear-splitting along the beaches and the bars.

Here, it is mellow – if you can imagine mellow reggae….But it is just that mellowness that appeals to Liz Smelts from Ontario, Canada. On her fourth visit, she loves the peace and relaxation, the environment, the food, and the friendliness of the staff. "It feels like home," she gushed.

Honestly, the resort comes by its name. All the rooms resemble palm-fringed treehouses. The hammock on our tree-topped balcony was just a bonus. One morning, an unaccustomed sound awakened me only to find Betty, husband Royal Brown, and kids bleating greetings below our balcony. I understand that these days, Royal Brown is not as social as he once was.

Photo by Victor Block.

At Sunset, service is not just a job. It's a personal commitment. The staff, each proudly wearing a badge that reads 'I am your concierge,' go above and beyond to ensure your comfort. This genuine camaraderie between staff and guests, often seen in the warm smiles and friendly greetings, makes you feel like a part of the Sunset family.

To take guests' pampering to the extreme, a crossing guard ushers them across the street to the beach.

Culinary specialties are a feature at Sunset At The Palms

Like every all-inclusive, there are several restaurant options, but how often do you go to a restaurant with no idea what you're having for dinner? Welcome to the Chef's Showcase, where a surprise five-course meal is served several nights a week in a candle-lit setting that sparkles with class and romanticism.

Overheard at a bar one afternoon, a local remarked that he'd be ready in 3 minutes. He then added: "That's 6 minutes in Jamaican." This is island time, the precision timepiece upon which Jamaica runs.

Culinary delights are part of the Sunset at the Palms experience in Negril, Jamaica   Photo by Victor Block

Just sitting at the bar is an island experience in itself. Locals instinctively move to the music as if they were on a dance floor. And not just any dance floor but one in the middle of a dance contest. And perhaps not without some embellishment. Everywhere on the island, there is that unmistakable whiff of the ubiquitous substance for which the island is so famous. It was nice to hear that possession of small amounts is now even legal – but don't tell hotel management, which frowns on such activity.

There are three TOP things for which Jamaica is famous: Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, ganja, and Rick's Café in Negril, where everyone at one time or another has to go to see the Sunset. So go we did, despite the noise, the crowds, the commercialism, and a sunset like many others (okay, so it was a lovely sunset) for which the crowd erupted in applause. What a marketing idea! Which is what I applauded as I happily headed for the exit. Check the Rick's Café box- I've been there and done that.

A more authentic experience happened on our Rasta Tour at Zimbali Retreat in Negril. Although Zimbali is a fascinating destination in its own right, based on organic farming and the Rastafarian philosophy, we were there to meet Fire. To do that, we first had to climb a mountain. Lassie, a dog, acted as a tour guide and led the way. The fact that Oneil Samuels also accompanied us was a plus as he was a tad more communicative about the plants we passed, the fields of food, and the springs from which everyone gets their water.

The rasta tour was an authentic mountaintop lunch with our chef, Fire!

To say we climbed to the top of a mountain is no exaggeration; to say it was worth it is also not an exaggeration, not only for the views and the excellent all-natural meal prepared by Fire but mainly for his story. He's lived away from civilization for 33 years in a lean-to that doesn't qualify as a hut. Long ago, he needed to escape from his mainstream life and learn how to survive in the 21st century.

Fire grows what he needs to live, espouses a simple, less stressful life living off Mother Earth, and adopts the Rasta approach of kindness and simplicity, eschewing financial gains and the concept of "Let food be your medicine; medicine be your food."

When he started grating coconut on a grater, it sounded a lot like a Reggae beat, which seemed fitting. Life as a Rasta, says Fire, became much easier after Bob Marley. The plantain, soy meat, carrots, and callaloo flavored in coconut milk were perhaps not your usual luncheon fare, but it was tasty. Fire lost me just a bit when he answered his smartphone. He acknowledged, with a smile: "There goes my reputation." But technology is ubiquitous even on top of a mountain.

A more typical outing was the trip to YS Falls and the Black River, one of the hotel tour options. YS Falls offers many ways to swing over, jump into, swim under, and play in various waterfalls. And if none of that appeals, the falls alone provide sufficient photo ops. The boat ride along the Black River is billed as a "river safari" – using the term loosely. I suspect just having crocodiles in the river justifies the safari designation. Otherwise, it's a nice boat ride with all the de rigueur bird sightings accompanying all such ventures.

As we left the resort kicking and screaming, our voices were overshadowed by the gentle bleating of the Royal Brown family, who gathered below our balcony to say goodbye. It was a fitting exit, mon—though admittedly, not an everyday resort occurrence!