Jamaican Villa Vacations
Why a Villa is a Better, and Maybe Even Cheaper, Jamaican Vacation
Why stay in a crowded, noisy resort when you can relax in one of Jamaica's beautiful, and truly all-inclusive, beachfront villas?
Travelers headed to Jamaica have several choices regarding accommodations. They can stay in a hotel, at an all-inclusive resort such as Sandals or Lido Braco, or they can spend their money wisely, and reserve one of Jamaica's Beachfront Villas. It's the best way to enjoy the Island, and if done correctly, it can be cheaper than the less-exclusive alternatives.
What is a Villa?
A villa is a private home that is owned by an individual or company who employs a property manager to rent it to vacationers throughout the year. Villas can range in size from as small as one bedroom to as large as 7 or 8 bedrooms. Usually, villas come with a staff that works at the site fom morning until night taking care of both the property and the guests.
Depending on the size of the rental, a villa staff can range anywhere from 2 to 10 employees, all of whom are Jamaican. In smaller villas, the staff will usually include a cook, who will prepare three traditional Jamaican meals per day, including fish, crabs, lobster, lamb, grilled pork and chicken, and for ambitious guests, the checf will also prepare curried goat. Villas also come with a butler, who is more like a concierge in reality. His duty is to oversee the property, serve the guests drinks and meals, and coordinate with outside companies to link guests with off-site vacation activities. In larger villas, the staff may also include a maid, a bartender, a gardener, and even a driver, who can take guests to such exciting destinations as Fern Gulley, Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, or Bob Marley's birthplace and grave at Nine Mile.
How Much do Villas Cost?
Costs vary heavily depending on the time of the year. Just as an example, however, consider the rates charged at Serenity on the Beach, a lovely four bedroom, secluded beachfront villa that comes with a staff of four. For two couples during the high season, which runs from November 16 through April 16, the villa costs $5,800 for the week. That works out to $2,900 per couple. If four couples rent Serenity, the rate is $8,000, or just $2,000 per pair. Vacationers must also pay for food and alcohol, but because they are both quite cheap in Jamaica, these items will cost travelers about $400-$500 per couple.
So, all in all, the week will cost each couple about $2,500 to $3,300 per week. By contrast, a week at Sandals Montego Bay will cost a couple anywhere from $3,500 to $5,500 for the week, depending on the size and quality of the guest room.
What are Some of the Best Villas?
There are many, many great villas in Jamaica. To review a large collection of villas on the web, contact Villas by Linda Smith, who is the property manager for almost fifty properties. Otherwise, for a quick look, here are a few of the best.
The Caves. The Caves is a world apart. It consists of ten hand-crafted wood and stone thatch-roofed cottages that are interwoven between two acres of lush vegetation and deep, spooky caves. Each room has a sea view. The rocky cliffs feature a series of grottos that are ripe for exploration. Below the caves, the water plunges down to depths of 30 feet and a tropical reef system comes right up to the edge of the caves, which are perfect for snorkeling. (This is not techincally a villa, but it sure lives like one).
Noble House. Noble House is a luxury beachfront villa set in five luscious acres with 500 feet of beach directly in front. It has a main house and a guest pool cottage that sleeps 4. The main house has a 6,000 square foot great room, a wrap-around veranda, an Olympic size swimming pool, a formal dining room and a staff of seven. Big and beautiful.
Serenity on the Beach. "Serenity is one of the most beloved and oft-revisited villas on Jamaica's beautiful north coast. Its prize location is a waterfront acre eight miles from Montego Bay on a stretch of seascape known as the "Jamaican Riviera." Travel & Leisure.
Moondance Villas - Moondance is a cluster of six villas, all located just steps from the beach in Negril. Villas include a 1 bedroom (called Lilac Mist), a 2 bedroom (Satin Sunrise), a 3 bedroom (Dream Walk), a 4 bedroom (Azure Sky), and two 5 bedrooms (Bay Whisper and Ginger Breeze). Each of the villas comes with a jacuzzi, a pool, private areas, and a staff of two to eight.
So, travelers to Jamaica can take the road less traveled, and enjoy themselves like they never have before, with premier accommodations, beachfront living, privacy, and an unmatched level of service, or they can do the same-old, same-old, and go to Sandals.
