My Wife and I are considering Jamaica for our 15 anniversary. We have read some good reviews, overall, on the Jamaica Inn. Actually saw a not so good review and wanted to make sure what is advertised on the web site is true... Is there anyone that can verify??

JI is a slice of classic Jamaica, a bit formal and stiff for some, graciously<BR>old-fashioned and mannerly for others.<BR>It's a stylish property, very Brit/US country clubby in feel. Well-designed, a quiet refuge from the thrash of daily Jamaican life. It's also got the panache special enuf for a 15th anniversary. Venture OUTSIDE the walls as well, with a private driver/guide,<BR>into the countryside, away from the North Coast, perhaps through Christiana to Mandeville for a side of Jamaica few resort tourists see -- an older, more traditional, more measured life.

It is a beautiful place - a bit stuffy - seemed to attract an older crowd. Everyone dressed to the nines even on a hot day eating lunch in the sun! Not far from Ocho Rios which we did not like at all.

Mark,<BR>Jamaica Inn is exactly like it looks and sounds on their web site. The rooms are wonderful. Cool, quiet, comfortable. Top floor has the better view, but slightly smaller balcony/verandah - but the balcony still is large enough for a sofa, desk and chair, club chair and ottoman, dining table and 2 chairs. First floor verandah is larger, has 2nd club chair and ottoman, still has good views. East wing rooms are single story with large verandah and sit right on the beach.<BR>Meals are absolutely outstanding. Room service breakfast on your verandah is the way to go. Not sure about the previous 'dressed to the nines' for lunch comment, I never saw that. Beach bar lunch is bathing suits, but lunch at the open air restaurant (it is under a high cover to keep the sun at bay) does require cover-ups.<BR>Dinner no longer requires jackets for the men, but you'll see them. Meals are a 5 course extravaganza, music plays for dancing, and the wine steward controls a very nice wine list. Dinner is served outside (not where breakfast and lunch are served--only the stars are above you for this meal).<BR>The beach is excellent. As the pix on the web show, it is a crescent of sand in a nicely protected cove. Small waves, warm water.<BR>Non-powered water sports available gratis - kayaks, sunfish, snorkel with a nice reef right offshore. Reduced greens fees at Upton Country Club, $30 roundtrip taxi ride away. Lots of other tours available - Noel Coward's Firefly, Ian Fleming's Goldeneye, lots of others.<BR>Ocho Rios isn't necessarily a picturesque downtown, but that's not what we (my wife and I) were interested in, so that's not a problem for us.<BR>The staff at JI is wonderful: attentive, pleasant, funny, accomodating, discrete.<BR>One of the Morrow brothers (owners, with their late father, for the last 30 plus years) are always on site (in fact, the seat at the top of the steps leading down to the beach is known as the "Morrow Seat" because one or the other of the brothers is usually siting there reading and waiting to greet new guests, answer questions, address concerns, and work with the new manager they've just hired.<BR>We went in 1983, 1985, and last May, and nothing had changed in the 16 year gap.<BR>I don't think of JI being stuffy, but being accused of being like a British club sounds more like a positive thing to me.<BR>There are no peddlars on the beach, no loud music, no one asking to braid your hair. At 11 AM, however, Rodrick or one of the other waiters will come to you on the beach and deliver a very refreshing rum punch, compliments of the management.<BR>We're planning on going again, probably next year.<BR>Now what I've said above is the reason we love the JI. Those same things could be the reasons some people hate the JI.<BR>But Mark, for a 15th anniversary in a romantic, quiet, comfortable setting, Jamaica Inn will certainly fill the bill.<BR>If you do go, drop a posting here when you get back with your reactions.

Mike:<BR><BR>I read what you said about the Jamaica Inn , and I agree totally with you. It is a very special place that is hard to find in to-days world. We were there 16 years ago and are going April 23 this year, and have been hoping it has not changed much. I hope the managers<BR>are keeping it the same. Thanks for your comments, it helped a lot to know that the ambience we like is still there. The Inn is definately aimed more for older clientele for the quiet<BR>and quality and I am sure for some<BR>rich and well known people as a retrieve. It is not for someone who wants lots of activity and noise. It is one of those special places that make you feel you have gone back to the steamer trunk days where the wealthy stayed.

Jamaica inn sounds wonderful!! I recently met the new manger of Jumby Bay, Rudi who managed the Jamaica Inn for many yers! He spoke very highly of this establishment!!