Whitehouse
 

Is anyone else booked at Sandals Whitehouse?
Just wondering if anyone has heard anything about this resort and if it will be as nice as some of the other Sandals.

We are booked for mid-March. If you know Sandals at all, there is no reason to believe this resort is being built to lower standards than any of their others. If nothing else, Sandals is pretty consistent about the qaulity. I am not concerned in the least - they do have some more recent photos on the website, though some items are still artists' renditions.

Thanks Paulalou.
I cannot wait to go. This will be my first trip to the island, and I am a little nervous. I just hope that it won't be too busy there. Maybe when you get back you can email me a report.

There are some other websites with very up to date info on Whitehouse. There are some great photos and the place looks beautiful. We're going March 24.

I don't think I can post the URL's for the sites so if you e-mail me I will give you the links
Paul
[email protected]

I just drove by Sandals Whitehouse last week on my way to Treasure Beach. I am definitely not a Sandals fan, so take my words with a grain of salt if you will. The colors are pleasant and bright, but the buildings themselves seemed a monstrosity out of place along the quiet south coast, totally overwhelming the line of sight up and down the coast. That being said, I do hope you enjoy your vacation and that part of Jamaica.

I highly encourage you to get out to the town of Whitehouse as well as the town of Black River, about 17 km away, and on to Treasure Beach another 17 km away, for some tastes of local culture. It's a lovely area that is community based rather than resort based that will let you get a wonderful true taste of Jamaica.

Ejcrowe

I know your not a fan of Sandals, but I'm a fan of Jamaica. I will be staying at Whitehouse later this year. I guess there's always two sides to a story. My reason for coming to Whitehouse was because it was more remote than the other Sandals. I guess I never really thought how it affects the local landscape. Hopefully when the palms reach their full height they will hide some of the concrete monstrosity. Just wondering, besides the two areas you mentioned, is there anything else within reasonable distance fronm the resort, say less than 1 hour travelling. Also, is Bob Marley's resting place anywhere nearby?

Thanks

Paul

Within an hour:

Treasure Beach

Black River (boat ride, crocs and all that)

Pelican Bar (bar on a sandbar out at sea, can only go by boat - we'd combine it with TB and Black River as it is in between boat-wise)

Lover's Leap (maybe just over an hour)

PETER TOSH's resting place is very close, almost walkable from WH. Bob's is in the mountains in St. Ann, near Ochi, so not close. What was his vacation home in Little Bay is very close though. Little bay also ahs mineral springs and a bat cave you can tour.

Negril

YS Falls

Appleton Estate/Factory

Apple Valley Park

I think Accompong would be under 2 hours

Font Hill Beach/Wildlife Park (maybe 2 hours)

Manatees at Alligator Hole (2 hours)

Milk River Bath (radioactive springs, 2 hours)

Paul: I am new to Jamaica, so consider myself a lover of it but not an afficionado. All I can do is second the suggestions that Liza provided.

And if you do a Black River tour, I would suggest asking a local fisherman about taking you upstream rather than one of the commercial pontoons. The smaller fishing boats can clear the third bridge on the river where upstream there is a swimming hole, rope swing, and a quaint & picturesque bar serving Red Stripe that feels like it's a world away.

The larger pontoons were crowded and giving off lots of noise and noisome fumes--also scaring most of the crocs away. FYI.

I spotted an ice cream shop in White House that I would walk to every day if I were staying at Sandals--definitely try Devon Stout flavor if it's available--what an odd taste sensation!

to paulcr - bob marley's remains were recently moved by his widow to - forgive my memory lapse - but someplace in europe or africa. she said his main interest was in rastafarianism (sp) and wanted his remains to be near the "home" of his religion. this was in the past month or so, so you should be able to find the news stories about it.
also you ARE allowed to post web addresses; unless you are advertising your own business...

Bob's still at 9 Mile. Though API first reported that Rita Marley planned to move his body to Ethiopia, she and the Marley Foundation denied the reports in The Gleaner (Jamaica's national newspaper) the next week. It's caused quite an outcry on island, naturally. But then, Rita always has...

I will be staying at Whitehouse for 2 weeks begining Feb 19- March 4. I love Sandals resorts and have been to many. I cant wait to step foot on that unchartered streight of beach. We are booked with 4 other couples and have seen real photos of the resort and it looks beautiful. Sun, sand and fun here we come......

tivertonhouse - thanks for the update. naturally there was nothing reported of this change (or not) of heart.

Thanks for the great suggestions for off-site trips - I am a firm believer in getting off the property a couple of times, at least, to experience the local culture. Since this area is not developed like some of the other areas of jamiaca, I am hoping that the offsite excursions are less touristy and commercial. We did a great down hill bicycle trip through the Blue Mountains on one of our previous trips - it was great way to see things up close and personal.

Kimberly,

Do you have any links to the photos that you've seen of Whitehouse. I've seen a few, but would love to see more.

Photos of the new Sandals Whitehouse taken from a private villa on the hillside behind it arrived here yesterday (I've only seen it from ground level). No palm tree's gonna hide this gaudy collection of 4 story buildings. It's a scar on the landscape, plastic and excessive like Vegas.

Thanks so much for sharing your negativity. We don't live in a perfect world, so what works for one person may not work for the next and vice versa! Sandals Whitehouse is going to be loved by some and not by others as beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

To develop a more informed viewpoint on the impact and policies of Sandals, go to your local Blockbuster and take out
the PBS/POV documentary 'Life and Debt in Jamaica'. It might give you pause on how you use the word 'share'.

tivertonhouse,

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou...I caught the end of that documentary years ago, and it has been on my mind ever since. I sooo have wanted to see the whole piece,(didn't catch the name) I think it is a must see for everyone!

Donna

This may or may not be relevant but for what it's worth....just recently the JA government raised the minimum wage to $3500JA for a 6 day work week.
That's that equal to about $57 USD per week or less than $10 per day. Anyone that's been to JA knows that the daily nec. of life are not any less expensive than in the US or othewise.
What's the answer? I dont know. But what I do know is that unless and until a more fair standard of living is awarded to the hard working Jamaican people, thing will not get better on that island. Contrary....they will get worse as it's only breeds resentment towards tourist and even villa owners. I love Jamaica...it's by far my favorite Caribbean Isle......but....It's high time Jamaicans get their due...IMHO.

I just don't get the attraction of a European style resort in Jamaica - the buildings are evidently themed as Dutch, Italian and French. I guess there is a market for it but it's not for me. I have the same problem with the way the Riu properties look. You wouldn't even know they are in Jamaica.