Hi all-<BR> I am leaving next week on Air Jamaica for my first trip to the island. I have done my homework and know all about the place. We are staying at Strawberry Hill (anybody know of it?) and we're flying in to Kingston. Our resort is in the Blue Mountains and I am wondering how we can (or if we can) get a flight to Ocho Rios for a day to enjoy the beaches and the waterfalls. The only time we'll venture into Kingston is to visit the Bob Marley museum. Please give some advice about what to do, what to avoid and if you have heard or been to Strawberry Hill (it seems so great!). If it helps, I am 26 and traveling with my boyfriend. Thanks.

strawberry hill is absolutely gorgeous. it's not far from kingston, but a windy road up the blue mountains. obviously the view from up there is beautiful and the grounds are so pretty, and all the rooms are great. the restaurant in particular is very good. why don't you bypass ocho rios and go to port antonio instead, it's about 2 hours away and there are very pretty beaches, you can also do the river rafting trip. also blue lagoon is a pretty sight, and boston's jerk is the birthplace of jerk and really yummy.

Oh..thank you! I am so excited for my trip! I was reading some of the previous posts and was wondering about something that Tivertonhouse wrote about The Caves having a reduced price. That also looks gorgeous. Beach Lover-have you stayed at Strawberry Hill? Any ideas of what to do for nightlife? We were taking a big step by not booking with an all-inclusive that ensured us with a small element of nightlife. I am wondering what we can do at night in the Blue Mountains. Also, if you know--what kind of clientele stays at Strawberry Hill? Judging by the prices, I know it won't be college kids...but who?

One more question (!!): is topless sunbathing not a good idea at a place like Strawberry Hill? I suppose I can just go with the flow and see what it is like when I get there.

hi liz,<BR><BR>i did not stay at s.h.,i stayed at a friend's house nearby in irish town but i spent a day there. had a massage at the aveda spa there - forgot to mention that! it is great.<BR><BR>when i was there last fall lauryn hill was in seclusion there for her latest pregnancy. it's a very hip and exclusive place, pretty sophisticated clientele.<BR><BR>i hear you about the nightlife factor. the hotel itself is very quiet and peaceful. so you will want to venture off the property if you want to party a little. don't be too afraid about venturing into kingston. the crime is strictly in the slums and you obviously won't be going there. i went to the movies and had dinner and didn't feel scared at all but then again i'm a pretty adventurous traveler and can't speak for everyone. (anti ja-ers please don't attack me!)<BR><BR>the staff will probably have some suggestions for you, they are very very nice and friendly, the manager is british. i'll bet tiverton poster will have some suggestions for you too.<BR><BR>yes the caves are spectacular! they are in negril, i have not stayed there either but did visit them. i think tiverton said there's a reduced rate if you book it thru a jamaican friend. it's very expensive, about $600 a night. it's run by the same group, island outpost but is much much funkier in design, colorful and eclectic while s.h. is more traditional, all white rooms w/ mahogany 4 poster beds. most rooms have kitchenettes too.<BR><BR>if you really want some nightlife you might want to consider negril. there are cheaper places to stay that are very nice as well. i have stayed at rockhouse hotel (www.rockhouse.com) many times and it is near the caves. very reasonable prices and very nice (but book the villas only, not the studios or apartments).<BR><BR>have a great time! jamaica is beautiful.

Port Antonio is very nice and less touristy--probably easier to get there from where you are staying. Would avoid much of Kingston if possible and if you still want to go you should use a guide. The Blue Mountains are so beautiful, we had a guide drive us over the Mountains into So. Jamaica--Y.S. Falls (lush), Black River cruise (alligators, birds) etc. Negril has the best beaches.

Thank you everybody! Such great advice. I am really exicted. Beach lover--I am definitely getting a spa treatment at the Aveda spa! Really excited for a little R&R. The only question now is whether to cut our stay at Strawberry Hill short and move on to some other part of the island. Our departing flight from Kingston stops in Montergo Bay and THEN flies back to the states, so we could travel closer to MoBay and stay there and just catch our flgiht from that airport--if that makes any sense! Anyway, thank you--and I'd love some more suggestions!

have you checked out jake's? also part of island outpost but a much different feel. it's in treasure beach, my favorite part of ja, a sleepy little fishing town on the south coast. i've stayed there many times too & love it. it's very bohemian & hippy but also v. picturesque. not much night life but local bars to go to, and lots to see too. only stay in abalone upper or even seapuss though as some of the other rooms are a little run-down.<BR><BR>however, it's a 3 hour drive to mobay, so might not be the best option for you. just a suggestion!<BR><BR>negril is about 1 1/2 hours from mobay, might make more sense. lots to see & do there, and the 7 mile beach there is one of the prettiest in the caribbean in my opinion.

Norma's restaurant in Kingston and the National Gallery/Devon House if you're going to BM museum,and always go into Kton w/a guide. Strawberry Hill you will be very happy at. Recommend Port Antonio over Jake's in Treasure Beach/both about same time distance from Kton. Note that the recent heavy rains have made travel/roads real difficult so plan on extra travel time on island.In Portee,Long Beach and Boston Beach, Reitch/Reach and Somerset Falls,andrafting on Rio Grande will ALWAYS be a better choice than Ocho Rios. Have a wonderful holiday.

We stayed at a wonderful little place called Fern Hill Club just outside Port Antonio. Granted, this resort is not on the beach, however it is nestled in the lushness of the mountain vegetation, and only a short stroll down to San San Beach. <BR><BR>The service was fantastic, the people warm and friendly, and Port Antonio was totally untouched...it was the real Jamaica, not the commercialized, built-up areas like MoBay and Kingston. <BR><BR>

Forgot to mention...if you can take a river raft down the Rio Grande, give it a try, it's a wonderful relaxing way to spend an afternoon. <BR><BR>Nonsuch caves are also nice to see...and do check out the Blue Lagoon. <BR><BR>Although I'm a huge Marley fan, I wouldn't waste your time or money visiting the Bob Marley home...definitely not worth it.

If you're stopping in Montego Bay I suggest the Super Clubs Grand Lido Braco (adults 16+)-- has a great beach and a huge pool--40 minutes away in Runaway Bay. The hotel has a shuttle that drives you to resort from Montego Airport with prior arrangements.