Yes, we rep/manage 12 properties on Jamaica's South Coast, a 'newer' destinaiton for most travellers to island -- and completely different from outside the Ochi/Kingston/MoBay/Negril areas. Would also highly recommend RIO VISTA just outside Port Antonio, GOLDENEYE in Orcabessa, FARAWAY in Blue Mountains and STRAWBERRY HILL, plus THE CAVES, IDLE-A-WHILE and TENSING PEN in Negril for your 'shortlist' -- tho these would be better for couples than families with kids.

I have to agree with Negril.

Christie: I found this short secondary review. "I had friends visit in July and stayed at Bamboo Villa and loved it. It is in a great location, is very private, and seems to be in one of the few areas of St John that is not under construction. I know my friends had a great time and are planning on coming back next year to stay at Bamboo."
The pictures on vivacations look nice, as well. I am pretty sure this will villa will fulfill your needs on St. John. Looks like a good home base for all your STJ activities. Make sure you get over to Jost Van Dyke for a day trip. White Bay Beach is spectacular! A couple of funky beach bars on it, as well.

Tiver: When my wife and I, someday, are able to tear out a chunk of our annual trip to Negril, we'll look you up. I am anxious to diversify our Jamaican experiences and mixing in a little South Coast would be a great option for a 4-5 days on the front end of a two week vacation. My wife will be the tough sell....she is a Negrilaholic. She frequently tells me that being in Negril makes her feel happier than she has ever felt....a bliss that cannot be described until experienced by one themselves. So I am under constant pressure to fulfill these "desires" as the pressures of our jobs and family committments increase!

CaribbeanSoul-Thanks for the info on Bamboo..glad to know of someone who has stayed there and enjoyed it.

I will check out Jost Van Dyke also.

CaribSoul: Know the symptoms. Generally, the first place on island you fall in love with sticks there forever as numero uno. And bliss, however come by, is not to be argued with. We'll be exploring a lot this time down past TB to some of the wilder beaches and areas;there's a ruined great house in Gutters I'm fixated on to find. The whole stretch past Port Kaiser is fairly unknown territory and it's said there are old Taino/Arawak caves with petroglyphs along the coast all the way to Farqhuars.

Christie, I don't qualify as a well traveled to Jamaica person, but I can tell you that for my husband's and my first trip to Jamaica earlier this year we chose Treasure Beach. We booked the Mar Blue Verandah through www.jamaicaescapes.com courtesy of Tivertonhouse and couldn't have been more pleased. The only drawback was the very short stay. The folks who live in Treasure Beach are so congenial that we didn't want to leave. The food we had prepared at Mar Blue was exquisite and featuring some of the freshest seafood we'd ever eaten. We'd never vacationed in place that was so community-oriented rather that we were smitten. We're trying to figure out a way to get back to Jamaica.

At first we were mildly disappointed with the beaches in TB, but after falling asleep hearing the waves crash on the rocks outside our window it didn't matter. While we enjoy lengthy stretches of sand for long walks, the smaller coves of sand and calm water in the TB area were simply fascinating. If you're interested in reading it, I posted a long trip report back in January here on Fodor's.

If my husband and I could ever coordinate our schedules and get two weeks off for a vacation, we would love to go all over Jamaica. A few nights in Negril to get that beach vibe everyone raves about, the bulk of our time in TB, then a few nights in Port Antonio before heading back home.

Christie .... You should really check out Portland Parish if you love mountains , lush , dramatic scenery , romantic cove beaches , a laid back feeling , no highrises , no casinos , a truly lost in a time warp feeling ...... I did a trip report as well under "Port Antonio Jamaica trip report" by Willem .

Hey Ej .... Glad you liked P.E.I. !!! Those are my stomping grounds ! A true , blue , islander ! lol , Faith .

Portland would be my first pick, Treasure Beach my second.

Negril was our first love too, and we've been there more than anywhere else in JA, but since discovering the east and south coasts Negril has become more of a stop for a couple of days to visit with friends and get a dose of watersports and tourist stuff before we head out exploring elsewhere.

I think after reading all of the posts and doing some research on my own..we will try to go for 2 weeks..we would like to go to TB,Negril and also I looked into Port Antonio and would really like to go there also.
CaribbeanSoul-I think that we will probably stay at CocoLaPalms..it looks like the type places that we like to stay.. so thanks for that request.

Thanks everyone for all the good advice..anymore is welcome too!

Faithie, you must have unearthed a VERY old post! :) Yes, I finally made my dream trip to PEI last year after growing up reading the Anne and Emily stories. We did do a couple of the touristy Anne things, but beyond that the island still maintains a lovely sense of magic.

Our friends gave us a week at their summer home for a wedding gift--I keep hoping that we'll be invited back one day! Do you go back often to visit? I'd like to see it in the more blustery months--I've always liked northern beaches in the winter. The solitude that borders on the desolation--it feeds my imagination and any romantic & gothic notions left over from my childhood.

Actually the post was pulled up by someone else , I added some info. , and noticed your name ! lol

P.S. , oops ! Yes , I try to get home a couple of times a year , I get lots of visits to make it through in between ....

I found this old post with all of the information on Jamaica.Thanks again everyone.

Tiverton:
I would love the do the boat tour with Dennis.How would I contact him?We would like to go to the Pelican bar also.Thanks everyone!

We are also not going in June of 06 but planning on mid Sept.05 or mid Oct.05 so is it during lobster season?

Lobster comes back in season after June 30th. I can't remember if off season starts in April or May, but it won't affect you anyway. Don't think the beach lobster was all that great. I had to try it, but got a very small bit of lobster with some lime splashed on it for $8USD. Not that it was bad, (lobster is rarely bad IMHO)but they basicaly just hand it to you to eat just like that. Be sure to try the "patties" that Indian sells. They are delicious. Everyone flocks to him as soon as they see him. He sells out pretty quick from what I saw. Only $1. Look for the guy with the cooler on his bike and a cardboard box full of patties.

Brenda:
Thanks..I think that I remember someone talking about the guy selling patties..a few months ago.I suffer from short term memory loss..I have 3 boys that keep me very busy..maybe that is the cause.;)

Sounds like you would love the rock house at Negrils west end I have gone to Negril every winter for the past 8 years it feels like home. It's great for couples only as they don't allow children under 12, but I have never seen any children of any age its real laid back. It's located on pristine cove. If you get a villa which is just a thatched roof cottage, you have 3 1/2 star snorkeling literally 10 feet from your front patio. check out their web site http://www.rockhousehotel.com
corey

Christie you can call Dennis:

cell: 876-435-3779