My fiance and I are looking to get married in Port Antonio on January 1st, 2005. We've seen various recommendations and are at a cross-roads. Pls advise if you are familiar with both Goblin Hill and Fern Hill and can critically compare the two.

We stayed for 2 weeks at Goblin in the spring . Beautiful , romantic property , with villas that come with a cook . No restaurant . The free entry beach is frenchmans , there is a shuttle service or you can walk . ( it is a bit less strenuous than the walk from fern Hill ) At Fern Hill , the property is beautiful , set up on the hill quite a bit higher with great views . You do not have a cook but there is a restaurant . The free entry beach is San San , You can walk and it is a beautiful hike down a winding little road . I wrote a long trip report under Port Antonio trip report (Willem ). Both are faded at the edges a bit , but clean and well maintained and romantic I think ! Faith ( AKA Willem )

Forgot to mention , I do not believe Fern has a shuttle , and some prefer frenchmans beach over SanSan .... But , both are beautiful beaches , close to each other , and we enjoyed walking even with 2 small kids ....

Thanks faithie, this is very helpful, you answered my question perfectly!!!
Do you know if I can they offer wedding packages (In any event I will check their websites and call directly also). Do you know if we are restricted to the hotels we are staying in for wedding packages or are their other options (hotels or chapels).

Rgds,
Maria

Hmmm, I could be wrong , but I do not think portie would have organized wedding packages . I really would not know about that . There is a lady who lives at Goblin Hill ( her sister owns it ) and she does local tours and is very knowledgable , her name is Joanna ( I will get her e-mail for you ). The games romm and reading room at Goblin Hill is very beautiful and romantic , take a look at port antonio onestop to see great photos . Faith, it is an amazing area and the people are wonderful !

Also , Mockingbird Hill is very nice , probably one of the most up to date hotels , although not necessarily the prettiest . I found the location of F.H. and G.H. to be a bit better . M.H. is closer to Portie itself but further from the beaches . If you are renting a car it is all fine , and if you are renting look at Rio Vista Villas . Faith ( saw you had questioned about M.H. )

While we really enjoyed Fern Hill, it appears to be closed for the moment, due to Hurricane Ivan.

A list posted on the 24th from the JTB on the status of PA hotels:

Port Antonio

Blue Lagoon OPEN - Fully operational
DeMontevin Lodge OPEN - Fully operational
Fern Hill Club CLOSED - Until further notice
Frenchman's Cove OPEN - Fully operational
Goblin Hill Will accept guest Oct. 4
Hotel Mocking Bird Hill OPEN - Fully operational
Jamaica Crest Resorts & Villas OPEN - Fully operational
Jamaica Palace OPEN - Fully operational
Ocean Crest OPEN - Fully operational
Paradise Inn OPEN - Fully operational
Trident Villas & Hotel CLOSED - Until further notice

www.portantonio-onestop.com has super photos and info. on all the hotels you are interested in including Rio Vista . take a look ! Faith

My husband and I just spent five wonderful days in the Honeymoon Suite at
the Rio Vista Resort Villas on Snow Hill in Port Antonio, Jamiaca. If you
are looking to find the real heart and soul of the island, you need to come
here. The owners and staff are warm and friendly, the food is some of the
best we've ever eaten anywhere and the atmosphere is pure magic. Let me go
back to the food for a moment... Sharon, our hostess (owner) and chef
extrodinare makes everything herself. We dined on the veranda and in the
gazebo beside the pool by candle light every evening.We were the only guests enjoying her quisine, so we dine alone very romantically either on the verandah or by the pool. In your villa is also an option. You MUST have her cook
for you if you stay here, you will never eat so well anywhere else.
The view from our room was of the Rio Grand river, as it winds down from the
Blue Mountains. This was part of the magic. One never tires of the
picturesque view. Morning mist hides the peaks of the Mountains, and the
afternoon gives you different look as the Blue Mountains, suddenly appear
from behind the foot hills & bluffs to watch the sun set on the sea.
We rafted the Rio Grand river, lazily enjoying the lapping of the water
while our Raft Captain, Antony poled us along. We shopped in the local
market ate jerk lobster at Boston Bay and swam in the ocean at Frenchman's
Cove. Don't forget to stop and swim at the Blue Lagoon also known as locally
as the Blue Hole (this is free, mind you). This is the spot where they filmed the movie The Blue
Lagoon (from the '80's). It is an amazing swim. The cold water from the
mountains enters into and mixes with the salty sea water. They have welled
up the spring water at its source into the lagoon and they say that the
mineral springs have healing capablities. The lagoon itself is said to be
"bottomless" by some and about 186 feet by others. Either way, the water is
so clear, that you can look down in and see how far it goes down.
On another outing we ventured up to Holywell Park, which is part of the Blue
Mountain, John Crow Mountians National Park. Talk about adventure, the drive
is amazing. The views from the trails in the park are unexpected and
unbelieveable. You can see forever.
This resort is a one on one treat, with real jamaican food and atmosphere,
but a one of a kind experience and view. We would recommend this resort to
anyone looking for the real Jamaica and not just the AI's never leave your
resort version of vacation/honeymoon.
I have been unable to get ahold of the owners, since we were there, so I am unsure if Ivan left them whole or not. I am hoping and praying everyone and everything is as it was when we were there.
Feel free to email me with questions or if you would like to see a photo or two from our stay.
-Teresa

From what I understand all is well there . It is a beautiful place !!! we cant wait to return . Faith

smilemonster,

sounds like a wonderful time!

did you hire a driver while in the area? if so would you mind sharing the contact info....i've wanted to stay at rio vista for a while now and your visit sounds heavenly!

sammy I can wholeheartedly recommend Chef Thompson for Portland......

www.sealawncoralbeach.com

We had a great day in Portland this last trip, got pics:

http://gallery.hookahheads.com/gallery/album656

Hi Sammy,

I can recommend Aston Williams of Port Antonio, he is a JUTA trained and certified driver and has lived in the area all of his life. He is a wonderful guide, showing you little nooks and crannies that most people don't even know exist,not to mention the local treasures. His contact number is 876/382-1903. His girlfriend Gem is a tailor is you need anything made, she is quite good and can do most anything from just a photo. Tell him Ken and Barbara from Minnesota sent you... IRIE! *IG

Thanks Liz and Island Girl!

Hi Sammy,
We rented a jeep and drove ourselves around most of the time, however we had the owner's son Chris pick us up from the airport in Kingston and Sharon and Henry drove us back themselves when we returned as Chris was sick with a cold and we had to leave at 2:00 am. Henry took care of almost everything. He rented the jeep for us (be aware of the $70 deliver fee going both ways!). Rio Vista has their own River Raft Captain whom they trust to take care of their guests. Just let them know what you would be interested in and let Henry take care of you. He and his wife are wonderfully hands on when you need them and they leave you alone when you want to be alone. I can't say enough how much we enjoyed ourselves there.