_1765183916189_5b0555aa4dcd.webp?width=300&height=60)
_1765183967859_bea697568e42.webp)
_1765183916189_5b0555aa4dcd.webp)
_1765212572048_d3881562bd15.webp?width=2560)
"A house should be of the land, not just on it." - Frank Lloyd Wright
Discover the fascinating story of Rockhouse which spans over 50 years: from humble beginnings in the 60s as a sleepy fishing village to a Negril icon.
OUR RICH
HISTORY
From a sleepy fishing village in the 1960s to one of Negril's most iconic luxury resorts, discover the fascinating story of RockHouse Hotel.
_1754084065052_d3d75eb85c0a.webp)
Rockhouse’s Architectural Origins
Original architects, Don Erickson and Dennis Stephens, met while working for Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago. They used local materials to bond the design to the land, with natural cooling and energy saving features. They first created the round thatch roofed hut above the cave and carved stairs into the rocks to access the cove. The center post of the first hut still stands in the middle of the Rockhouse Restaurant as an homage to the original.
OUR RICH
HISTORY
From a sleepy fishing village in the 1960s to one of Negril's most iconic luxury resorts, discover the fascinating story of RockHouse Hotel.
Other original octagonal, thatch-roofed villas were also designed using timber and local stone, and are still standing, fully restored (now, villas 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19 & 20). Their design principles emphasized simple, strong forms that respect and harmonize with the natural environment and local community. To this day, all room furnishings are constructed from local hardwoods and timbers, are built on site at the Rockhouse woodwork shop.
When the current owners purchased and renovated in 1994, they worked with French-Australian architect, Jean-Henri Morin to remain faithful to the design principles. He continues to oversee the architectural development of Rockhouse and architecture that respects the natural environment.
FILM HISTORY
Before opening as a hotel, Rockhouse's beauty made its film debut in the 1954 Academy Award winner 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, featuring shots in the cave directly under Pushcart. The 1973 Academy Award nominated historic prison drama Papillon, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman includes an iconic scene shot right below where Villa #8 now stands.
Rockhouse also starred in Perry Henzell's No Place Like Home (1973) - the long lost follow-up film to the legendary director's classic The Harder They Come. Lost in a storage facilitatory for 30 years, the film was found, restored and premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in August 2019. The film captures the history of Negril as it begins to open its doors to tourists. Catch an aerial view of Rockhouse, before it was Rockhouse, in the opening shots of the trailer.
Historic Photography
Many of the beautiful black and white photographs featured on this page were shot in Negril in the 70s, mostly at Rockhouse, featuring the former property-owner, John Behmiller and his friend Charity Otto. The photographs appear courtesy of the acclaimed Jamaican photographer, Robin Farquharson.
MODERN EVOLUTION
Early notable guests of Rockhouse in the 70s included Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones.
Since 1994, the property has been expanded by the current owners into the Rockhouse of today, where the orginal villas are carefully maintained alongside new villas, rooms, a full service spa, boutique, pool & pool bar, Rockhouse Restaurant, Pushcart, a farm, a candle factory, a spa lab & a woodwork shop where all furniture is made.
From 3 acres, 15 staff and 13 villas, the property now boasts 8 acres, 200+ staff, 40 rooms, 3 restaurants and a world class spa - all while staying true to the original organic vibes and a credo of responsible tourism.