Round Hill Hotel and Villas - Villa 18/80

Overall impression Our spacious villa at Round Hill, a 110-acre haven constructed for wealthy foreigners in the 1950s on the grounds of a former pineapple and allspice plantation, felt like a home away from home. Built on an encircling hill overlooking a small cove and beach, Round Hill is home to a small two-story hotel, Pineapple House Hotel, and 27 privately owned rental villas. The practical and appealing architectural design ensured maximum exposure to the view of the bay and the hill while providing privacy from passersby and neighbors.

We knew the neighboring villas were occupied because we heard our neighbors talking a couple of times while we were poolside in our villa or walking in Round Hill. We only saw them at meal times in the common areas like the restaurant, on the path to the reception, or at the spa. Staying at a rental villa afforded us the option to stay in or explore; be sociable or retreat to the quiet and privacy of our space. It was at meal times, except breakfast which the house staff prepared, and to work out that we abandoned our cozy nook in search of nourishment.

We especially liked Round Hill’s safe and private feel, lush manicured gardens, and many facility options including a spa housed in a former plantation great house. We loved our $2.5 million villa’s spacious and open design, its state of spotless cleanliness, modern comforts like air conditioning in the bedrooms, inviting pool, elegant mahogany floors and furniture, tropical sophisticated décor, panoramic view, and its dedicated staff of four, several of whom had worked at the villa for many years.   Our only disappointment? Not enough time in two nights to enjoy the many choices Round Hill had to offer.

Location Eight miles west of Montego Bay on the north coast of Jamaica

Owned/managed Round Hill was owned and managed by t wenty-seven shareholders (individual villa owners) headed by a board of directors, chairman and vice-chairman operated by Round Hill Developments Limited.     Villa 18, where we stayed, was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Gatewood of Houston .

General manager Josef F. Forstmayr

Concierge/bell captain Kingsely Blake

Year opened/renovated Our villa was built in 1953 and renovated in 2003  

Size 110 acres, 36 rooms in the hotel and 27 individually owned villas with 74 suites and staff between 150 and 200 depending on the season

Handicapped access Due to the hilly terrain and old design of the property it was not easy to get around on foot.

Pets allowed No

Check-in/check-out process ease Excellent

Languages French and German

Lobby and common areas Local interior designer Sue Callahan was responsible for our villa’s plantation style indoor living outside. There were homey and stylish Ralph Lauren (owner of two villas at Round Hill) touches in the villa and throughout the property. New touches and old combined for a retro modern tropical island feel.

Villa/Room Villa 18 where we stayed during our brief visit had five rooms in 5,000 square feet of space. Round Hill offered the villa, built in 1953, for rental in its entirety. It was also available by the suite with a maximum of two simultaneous suite rentals. Our suite (#80) in the villa, originally designed as the master bedroom, was spacious, comfortable, and quiet with a pretty view of the bay. It connected directly with an adjoining suite of which we just caught a glimpse before the doors were locked. The centerpiece of the high ceiling suite was a king size four poster bed with a night table on either side and a CD player on one of the night tables. The bed, floors and other furniture were made of Jamaican mahogany; there was also cedar. The bedroom colors were mahogany and white. There was a full size closet built into a wall and in front of it a wood dresser. On the opposite wall there was a wood desk and chair.

The living area was a blend of blue and beige in a plantation style with indoor living outside. In the corner, there were two sofas forming a wide “V.” There were also two long chairs, an extra large center wood table and a wood armoire in another corner. Wicker fans and plenty of lights hovered on the ceiling. There were lots of Jamaican intuitive artworks on the walls including some by Albert Artwell , a well known local Rastafarian painter.

A wood and wicker dining table for 10 was on the other side of the suite. Behind it there was a large built-in wet bar. Our space was impeccably clean, recently remodeled and comfortable to be in. A dedicated staff of four, two housekeepers (Irene and Jackie), a senior housekeeper/cook ( Lilith ) and a gardener (Mr. Foster) who also looked after the pool were in charge of its upkeep. The ladies prepared breakfast in the morning. Other than a brief introduction, they were unobtrusive. Used towels were replaced and chilled water appeared in our suite as if by magic.   

Bathroom Our en suite bathroom had double sinks, separate shower with half a door and bath tub. The marble floor and color scheme were ivory.

Connectivity High speed Internet access was possible at the Round Hill Business Center , a small air conditioned room with three GAPS computers, three Hyundai ImageQuest flat screen monitors and printers close to the lobby area.   Access was available via a prepaid card available in one hour minimum increments for $13.50 per hour. Alternatively, guests who brought their own laptop computers could connect at the Business Center and purchase 24-hour passes ($25 each) that could be used at the guest’s discretion.

Cleanliness Excellent

Amenities   Microfiber bathrobes and British Elemis toiletries (we loved the subtle scent) including shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion.

Facilities   Business center, spa and beauty salon, fitness center, five all-weather tennis courts and a pro shop, Padi dive and water sports center, walking/jogging path, restaurant, hotel, reception, beach, West Indian art gallery, sundry shop, and logo clothing shop. There were also beach, pool and cocktail bars; a club for children, a small library, and a lounge with a 61” Sony television and card tables.

Pool Our villa had a pool and Jacuzzi, five lounge chairs and two umbrellas, a wood swing with white cushions, three wood and metal chairs with matching white cushions and a table. In addition, there were two swimming pools at Round Hill, a small one at the spa and a beachside pool scheduled for remodeling.

Fitness center and spa A few minutes walk from our villa, the spa, situated in a former plantation great house, hugged the hill overlooking the water. It housed a small beauty salon, several treatment rooms, including an outdoor one with a tub for hydrotherapy treatments, a small pool and an air conditioned fitness center. The only dissonant sound that shattered the tranquility of the adult centered spa was caused by construction work performed by a nearby road repair crew. Each morning during our stay I worked out at the fitness center. I was able to sample a couple of spa treatments. I received a Well Being Massage, although my first choice had been another treatment. Althea, my therapist, was reserved and courteous. The treatment began with a cactus hair brush, which she gently ran over arms and legs. After pouring the De-stress essential oil blend (one of four options) she began. Her skilled touch was feather light and soothing. Perhaps it was a Well Being Massage I needed after all because following the treatment I was relaxed and felt good.  

Since hair braiding was one of the more popular selections at the spa I set out to try it. As soon as I had time, I called for an appointment. Ann Marie, who had a radiant smile, braided “half my, head” in a left hand cornrow style. She worked quickly and ably. I received many compliments on my new hairdo, which lasted about a week, in Jamaica and at home.  

Food and restaurants Our a la carte dinner at the restaurant was a pleasant affair. We dined, as close to the water as was possible, on an open terrace across from the Ralph Lauren decorated main bar. The following day, I missed lunch at the restaurant because I arrived after 2:30 p.m. Instead I enjoyed a delicious mozzarella and tomato salad and refreshing lime and pineapple smoothie at a picnic table under the shade of a tree on the spa grounds.

For breakfast, each night we filled out a breakfast request form and the following morning the staff served the meal in the dining room. Selections included cereal, oatmeal, fresh fruit, fruit juices, crispy bacon, toast and jam. For meals in general, it was possible to order from the regular and room service menus (until 10:30 p.m. ). A special dine around program allowed Platinum guests to dine at participating restaurants in the area without incurring additional costs.

On our final night we joined a merry and large wedding party, many families and children for the Jamaican buffet which featured local specialties and a show featuring a bicycle performer, excellent dancers and a fire-eater.

Other Over time, many rich and famous guests have made Round Hill their playground. Among them: Noel Coward, John F. Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Cole Porter, Paul McCartney, Demi Moore, Jeremy Northam , and Sigourney Weaver.

Round Hill, a member of marketing consortium Elegant Resorts International, offered guests courtesy shuttles for golf (twice daily) and shopping excursions (daily). Villa owners were required to make their villas available for rent through the association rental pool for a minimum of six months out of the year.

Length of stay Two nights

Date of review June 2005  

Would you stay there again?   Yes

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