Jamaica Inn 06/21/2004
Reviewers Rating: Excellent
Returned last Sunday from six nights in Jamaica, five of which were at Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios and one night at Wyndham Rose Hall.
Getting there--Left Orlando on Air Jamaica at 3PM (2 PM Jamaica time). Never had flown this airline before and it was a pleasant surprise. Even at 3 PM they served a hot lunch, chicken, peas and rice and veggies plus complimentary wine, champagne and Red Stripe Beer. Unheard of on most US carriers. We arrived at Montego Bay at 3:40 Jamaica time. Cleared customs and immigration by about 4:10. Transfers to Montego Bay were included in our package but at that time of day I didn't want to ride for two hours to get to Ocho Rios. Opted to fly to Boscobel with Inter Air Link. Were met by their rep outside customs and transported to the commuter terminal. Small six passenger plane and there was another couple. The flight was about 1/2 hour and cost $90/person--well worth it. Landed at Boscobel and the Airlink van transported us to Jamaica Inn. Price ($30) included in the airline ticket. Arrived at JI at about 5:30 PM.
Jamaica Inn--Built is 1950 by the Morrow family. The Inn is understated casual elegance. Sort of like a grande dame aging gracefully. Peter and Eric Morrow are your gracious hosts. The suite concept is very unique, something we had not experienced in our trips to many Caribbean islands. The majority of Suites are Verandah suites. We were in a premier suite # 19 in the west wing. When you enter the suite there is the bedroom and bath. Then you go out thru louvered doors to the verandah where there is the living area. There was a couch, two end tables, lamps, desk, cocktail table. wing chair with ottoman and mini fridge along with a table and two chairs by the railing. True outdoor living. Fresh flowers on the verandah and in the bathroom, The west wing suites, 16-20 look toward Ocho Rios and the mountains. The other Premier suites, 41-48 are beachfront. The least expensive suites, Balcony, are on the second floor of the main and east wing. The deluxe verandah suites are on the first floor of the main and east wing. There are no tv's radios or even a clock in the suites. The bedrooms have A/C and a fan. Also a fan on the verandah. There is an excercise room with tread mill, stair step, recumbent bike and free weights. For those who need a TV fix there is a small TV room next to the exercise room. Also a well stocked library with games and puzzles.
Dining--Our package included the MAP. Since breakfast at home consists of an English muffin I really enjoy breakfast in the islands and splurge. The JI breakfast was awesome. Juice and of course Blue Mountain coffee, basket of toast, muffins, pastries, then a large platter of fresh fruit to choose from, eggs and style with bacon, jerk sausage and ham, omelets, pancakes, waffles etc.etc. There was always a special Jamaican breakfast item on the menu, Ackee and salt fish, Callaloo etc. After breakfast we took toast back to the room to feed the fish off the verandah. Created a real feeding frenzy and it was like having your own aquarium. There were small seargent majors, needlenose fish, snapper etc. In the evening the sea urchins would come in. You can have breakfast, lunch and a candle light dinner served on your verandah. Lunch is also served on the beach.
Afternoon tea is served from 4-5 PM, Cookies, small tea sandwiches and cakes. At 7 PM cocktails and very good hors d'ouvres are served before dinner on the bar terrace. Dinner starts at 7:30 and you can dine at your leisure. We normally went about 8 PM. Five course dinner which we never worked our way thru--Choice of appetizer, choice of soup, salad, choice of about 5 or 6 entrees and dessert. The entrees varied daily and included catch of the day, another fish entree, pork, chicken, pasta dish, beef . Especially liked the almond crusted mahi mahi and the fillet. On Tuesday there is a beach BBQue which was great. This was preceded by a managers cocktail party. Most managers parties we have been to are just wine or rum punch. This was a full bar with Hors d'ouvres. BBque- Lots of food including fish, chicken, shrimp kabobs, curried goat etc.etc. There was a large bonfire in the beach. At every meal there was live entertainment and dancing.
Grounds and beach--The grounds were lovely. Meticulously maintained. Lawn mowed and raked daily. The gardener gives tours twice a week discussing the various flora on the property The beach was constantly raked, graded, and very clean. Most of the beaches we saw on this trip were very small but the one at JI was the best. There are very large palm palapas, lounge chairs with pads. In late morning complimentary fruit punch and lethal rum punches are served. Rupert and Teddy are the beach bartenders. Ruperts signature drink is Mountain Magic--Try one, The dirty banana is also good. Like a banana milkshake with a big kick. Rupert is also the resident croquet pro and would be happy to teach you the game. There are a couple of sunfish sail boats, kayaks and floats and snorkel gear to use. The snorkeling is not great off the beach. Find Tony on the beach and arrange a snorkel trip--$15 for an hour. If you want to go to Dunns River Falls talk to Tony and go by boat--$20 for two. If you want to climb the falls it is $5 each for water shoes and $10 for a guide. Best time to go is Sat when the cruise ships aren't in.
Ocho Rios--At 10:40 daily there is transportation from JI to downtown Ocho Rios for a small fee. We went to Island Vilages, and Taj Mahal and the crafts market to look around. It is a typical town where cruise ships stop. Crowded and noisy One ship came in each day about 7AM and left 3-4 PM.. Passengers flock ashore for souvenirs and to party. Ate lunch at Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville. Excellent margaritas But it was very noisy. Caters to the cruise ship crowd with a DJ, foolish games and lots of booze flowing. Glad to get back to the quiet of JI.
One of the things that is so impressive about Jamaica Inn is the staff. On a lot of islands you find people very indifferent with an attitude. Not the case here. It is obvious the staff takes pride in Jamaica Inn and like their jobs. No small request will go unfulfilled and they bend over backwards to make sure your stay is enjoyable. A lot of the staff has worked there for 25 years or more and some 40+. Rupert has been there for 26 years and Teddy 42. Forgot to mention Teddy sang with the band one night and it really good at age 62.
Return trip--We did not want to get up at 6 AM to transfer back to Montego Bay for our morning flight and opted to overnight at Wyndham Rose Hall. We took a private car to Wyndahm rather take the van and glad we did. The road is pretty bad but is was a smooth trip. They are building a new highway between MoBay and Ocho Rios which should be finished in a year and cut the travel time to about an hour. The difference between JI and Wyndham is like day and night. Wyndham is a large family oriented resort with lots of activity and noise. Did have a good dinner at the golf club restaurant Three Palms. Up the next morning for a 20 min ride to the airport and a 10:50 flight. Again a hot chicken and cheese sandwich etc for lunch. Landed in Orlando at 1:50 PM--Took longer to clear customs, get baggage and car and drive home than the flight. All in all a great trip and I definitely recommend Jamaica Inn.

Howard

Jamaica Inn

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