by Editor | Jun 1, 2005 | Jamaica, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Our 20-minute mid morning Jamaica Ecstasy flight over Ocho Rios was great fun. After a short drive in our hotel van, we arrived at Island Hoppers and met the captain. He shared some quick pre-flight information and offered us champagne, beer or water. When we were ready, one by one we followed a staff member to the helicopter. Another staff member made sure we were strapped safely in place; had our headset on (so we could hear our captain during the flight) and were comfortable. During the slightly bumpy flight (due to summer pockets of air, our pilot said), which went by all too quickly, we had a bird’s eye view of Ocho Rios. The only helicopter company on the island, Island Hoppers was owned and operated by our colorful and experienced New Zealand pilot and his wife.
by Editor | Jun 1, 2005 | Jamaica, Simon and Baker Travel Review
When we arrived at the Jamaica Inn by boat, the most notable feature was its bright blue color and white trim. After braving the gentle waves that lapped against the shore and climbing a few short steps toward the entrance, we were greeted by Nicole and Terri, two of the hotel staff members. Slowly, as we walked from the jetty through the dining terrace past the bar and library common room, we delighted in its understated grace and quiet. The staff exuded friendly warmth and a welcoming attitude making us feel like we had been there before and were returning after a long absence instead of visiting for the first time.
by Editor | Jun 1, 2005 | Jamaica, Simon and Baker Travel Review
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.
by Editor | Jun 1, 2005 | Jamaica, Simon and Baker Travel Review
I arrived at the Royal Plantation after a pleasant two-hour drive from the Montego Bay airport tired and hungry. A short while later I was at the hotel’s beachside restaurant a step from the sand, facing a beautiful inviting beach and munching on a burger while I waited for my room to be ready. All the morning’s frustrations including my long flight routed through Kingston, cancelled airport meeting with fellow travelers whose flights were delayed, and my “international” cell phone not working were slowly forgotten thanks to the hotel’s ambiance and the staff’s friendly can-do attitude.
by Editor | Jun 1, 2005 | Jamaica, Simon and Baker Travel Review
The serene, quiet and cozy ambiance of the Royal Spa was a good match for the Royal Plantation where the spa was housed. Although we noticed by the number of guests calling and having treatments that the spa was popular, once inside it was tranquil. The staff were friendly and helpful, never chatty. The treatments we tried were good, the facilities were spotless, and the ambiance was elegant and welcoming.
by Editor | May 1, 2005 | Simon and Baker Travel Review, St Barts
Turning off the main road onto a non-descript private street that would have made a mountain goat feel at home, we arrived at Villa Bel’Ombre. We were pleasantly surprised to find it was more comfortable and prettier than the photos we had seen online and the postcard view was even more stunning than we could have imagined. The $3 million villa was spacious, open and full of thoughtful features we liked such as a shaded deck area facing the bay, comfortable lounge chairs in the sun and shade, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a partially open kitchen facing the bay, and a Jacuzzi by the master bedroom. Marble landscape skies with a moon, pink and purple sunrises, the sound of birdsong and the surf, the impeccable swimming pool where we could linger while enjoying the view from the infinity edge and a welcome sense of privacy were some of the extras we discovered onsite.
