MarionCK

I just returned from two glorious weeks at the Jamaica Inn. It was a truly wonderful experience.

JI is a step back in time, when elegance ruled the day. It is not *stuffy* in any way, simply refined in the best sense of the word.

It is all about the details, in decor, and service, service, service ! I have never encountered a staff whose smiles are so genuine and who are truly happy to please their guests.

I found that the Inn was more beautiful than depicted in the brochure and the website.

All of the suites are beautifully furnished, with glorious tropical, floral arrangements (even in the bathroom ! ) that are refreshed daily. The verandahs, which face the sea, are furnished as true living rooms....rolled arm sofa, two wing chairs and ottoman, coffee table, writing desk and wooden drying rack...a place of comfort and relaxation for all hours.

The only plastic to be found is the strap loungers, which are covered with thick cushions. The straw umbrellas offer great protection from the sun...and even the table between the loungers is teak ! Even drinks at the beach are served in glass.

The German chef prepares imaginative and beautifully plated food. During the two weeks, there was never a repeated dinner menu.

All meals may be taken on your verandah which is a must for breakfast. On the nights I had dinner in my room, it was served by course...and always with a smile. A far cry from typical room service, even in some of the higher end resorts.

But dinner at the open air, terrace restaurant was the highlight of each day ! Guests gather for cocktails and conversation and then step down a few stairs where the tables are lit with lamps and the sea, the moon and the stars are there for the viewing. A band plays every night, and people of all ages dance throughout the leisurely, five course meal. Truly magical evenings !

Many of the guests return year after year...and some staff members have been there over thirty years. Guests include a wide variety of ages and during my stay it was almost a 50/50 split between Americans and those from the UK...something I truly enjoyed.

I am a single woman, closer to 60 than 50 ;-), and I felt relaxed, comfortable and very well cared for.

The onsite spa is a Zen-like haven with unique and wonderful treatments. I treated myself to several, but am still dreaming about the 85 minute healing stone massage. It was so relaxing that I had trouble navigating back to my room !

JI has been owned by the Morrow family for more than 50 years. The dedication of the owners, Peter, Eric and Eric's wife, Belinda is clear...they are visible and anxious to make your stay memorable.

They and their devoted staff certainly did that for me. I booked, same time, next year, before my departure. It was the only way I could bear to leave !

I think my personal email is shown here. If anyone has specific questions, please feel free to ask.

Marion

RLH

Marion,

Thanks for the trip report. My wife were torn between Jamaica Inn and Couples Swept Away for our vacation in August. We decided upon Couples Swept Away. However, from your report and other reports I've read, it appears that the Jamaica Inn would be a good choice for our next visit to Jamaica.

willem

Hi Marion , So happy to hear what a wonderful time you had ! I can not wait to visit one day , it looks like a special place . Great report , thanx for sharing . Faith

ejcrowe

Thanks for the trip report. I was thinking of taking my mother there next year for her 70th birthday. She visited Jamaica in the 1950s and has not been back since, so I thought it would be a real treat for her. What is the beach like on the property? Specifically, how long is it? Did you visit any other beaches during your stay, or go off for any excursions? Are there many stairs on the property? My mother is fairly active, especially for her age, but I'd like to avoid constant climbing of stairs (it's the reason we ruled out a visit to Ti Kaye Village in St. Lucia). Did you stay using a meal plan or any of the packages JI offers?

MarionCK

Hi EJ !

I'm sure that your mother would love JI...I think you would too !

The beach is exactly 700 feet ...for those of us who walk or run this means many trips for our daily exercise ! It is a lovely private beach, which on some days (during my trip) was a little rough for swimming and on other days clear as crystal...much like Anguilla and T&C !

I wouldn't worry abou the steps for your mom. The main rooms are two stories, and the West wing and the Beach Wing are at ground level. The property is well lit at night, and I ,with nightime vision isssues,had no problem !

I did have a meal plan, simply because I didn't want to think about anything, money wise. I think it was a good value...and when I saw some of the individually priced breakfats/lunches, I smiled !

EJ...it's lovely ! And you get the *good daughter* award...enjoy your time with your mom, wherever you decide to go !

Marion

Patty

Marion,
I am so glad you enjoyed JI! We just returned from our third stay. While we were there, we ran into another guest who we had met on our previous stay a year and a half ago. It was an amazing coincidence!

ejcrowe,
There are some stairs at JI (up to reception, down to the dinner terrace) but not much. The main and east wings are two stories with the balcony rooms located upstairs and deluxe rooms downstairs. In the east wing, when accessing the ground floor rooms from the hallway entrance, you actually have to go down a set of stairs. But you can also enter from the verandah side without negotiating stairs. If you're concerned though, I would go with ground floor main wing rather than east wing. The west and beach wings (premier rooms) are both single story, so no problems there. Or you could treat your mom to the Blue cottage or White suite!

The water was a little rougher this time than on our previous trips as a storm had just passed when we arrived. There was also a fair amount of sea grass being washed up (probably due to the storm) which they were constantly raking and removing. We didn't visit any other beaches or dine elsewhere. It's so hard to tear ourselves away! We did visit Firefly, Goldeneye, and Wassi Art Pottery one morning, and on a previous trip, we took a trip up to the Blue Mountains.

Our breakfasts and dinners included in our package, we just had to pay for lunches and drinks. Costwise, I don't think it makes too much difference whether or not you're on a meal plan.

Have fun wherever you end up choosing!

Lisager15

What's up at the Jamaica Inn? I just looked at their rates for 2005 and they are downright outrageous!

MarionCK

Topping for Owa !

Enjoy every moment !

Marion

owa

Marion, Thank you. I remember reading your report when I put JI in the "search" section. We are ready to go even though it is 60+ in South Dakota today.

I am going to have to indulge in that stone massage you had. Thanks again Marion Owa

MarionCK

Now Owa...please be kind and not remind us of how wonderful temperatures in the 60's can be ! I'm dealing with the 30's today and made a mad search through my closet looking for my *woolies*

The stone massage is worth every penny (many !) but I think you'll enjoy it.

When you have a cocktail at the tiny beach bar, would you please give my regards to Rupert. He mixes wonderful drinks and is also the croquet master. The key to his heart is to ask him to make something just for you. Mine had something to do with apricots ;-)...but then I always wanted what he mixed for others Yup, that should jog his memory.

You're going to have a great time...and you deserve it !

Marion

christiegr

Marion,
sounds like you had a wonderful,relaxing trip!I would love a stone massage..my muscles are sore all the time..I am wondering if I have Fibromyalgia?Anyways,thanks for topping your trip report.

Christie