Strawberry Hill Jamaica is regarded as heavenly to most vistors. Nestled amongst the Jamaica Blue Mountains, Strawberry Hill is located a few minutes drive outside the main Kingston area. Coming from the Kingston Airport (best entry point) the drive would be about 1 hour. But beleive me it’s worth all that time and much much more. The drive alone up the hill through narrow roads, steep cliff sides and lush green vegetation is enough to get you in the mood for a lovely mountain side paradise.
It is quiet, secluded and not your average beach front 1,000 room resort. As the name suggests be prepared to go up and down steps and slopes as you traverse the property (not the best for mobility challenged individuals). Soon after arriving you will appreciate the “HIll” in Strawberry Hill. Nevertheless the service is excellent, the views breathtaking and the food world renowned. Strawberry Hill is one of those places you take a very important international client for lunch or dinner. Movie Stars and the likes have been known to drop in (literally by hellicopter) from time to time.
It consists of 12 handcrafted 19th century Georgian style cottages. The have deluxe villas, one bedrooms and some studios. The property also houses the Strawberry Hill Spa. The hotel is rich with history with its beginnings as an 18th century coffee plantation owned by the British Royal Family. It then evolved after being purchased in 1972 by Chris Blackwell, famous for launching the career of Bob Marley. Strawberry Hill’s Bar and Conference Room is home to a significant photographic tour of music’s most influential players over the past four decades. Guests at the mountaintop retreat can visually experience personal photos from Mr. Blackwell’s collection, which includes shots of U2, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, Phil Collins, Millie Small, Sinehead O’Conner, Peter Tosh, and Sting (and studies from the Adrian Boot Collection).
So if you are planning that getaway to Jamaica make sure you put Strawberry Hill on the list. It’s luxury so it aint cheap. However if you can afford to its a trip of a life time. Search for Strawberry Hill here. Do enjoy…Irie!
Tags: Strawberry Hill
If you happen to be in Jamaica this weekend make sure you check out the Reggae Marathon in Negril on Saturday December 6, 2009. It starts early morning in view of the moon lit sky and along the famous Negril seven mile beach. Its a world renowened Jamaican event complete with chanting Rastafarian drummers who set the stage for the Reggae runners.
Yeah man! On cue from the starter, torchbearers raise their flaming bamboo torches in a ritual that has become the signature of the start to the Reggae Marathon. As the horn blows, the runners are off and jammin’!…….check it out at Jamaica Reggae Marathon.
Tags: Reggae Marathon
The Palmyra Resort & Spa was named ‘One of the Top 10 Most Exciting Home Developments in the World’ by prestigious Travel + Leisure Magazine (March 2007), and announced a 5-star award winner at the 2007 CNBC International Property Award. Prices range from US$451,000 for studios to $3.55M for villas.
Capturing the magical essence of Jamaica, The Palmyra Resort & Spa offers second home buyers unparalleled indulgence in a tropical island setting. A Leading Hotel of the World, this elegant sanctuary is the island’s first to offer its guests the added luxury of the Caribbean’s finest signature spa, a spectacular 30,000-square-foot facility with VIP suites, private outdoor treatment and relaxation areas, aromatic steam rooms, vitality pools, lifestyle showers and ice fountains.
Home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island, exclusive resorts, luxury shopping and historic landmarks such as the Rose Hall Great House, it is considered one of the last hidden gems in the Caribbean.
Over the last years, Jamaica and especially Rose Hall has become a shrewd for real estate investors, who can purchase a Jamaican island home with magnificent ocean view for over 30% less than in other Caribbean islands.
Only few places in the world will match the lifestyle available to residents of The Palmyra. The private and pristine setting with incomparable amenities and platinum-level service standards will make it the ideal retreat for you and your family to enjoy for generations to come. Irie!
Tags: Palmyra Resort
Dubbed the “Art Of Music” the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will kick off from January 22-24, 2009 at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course in Rose Hall just outside Montego Bay Jamaica. It’s a three night festival which drew 40,000 people in January 2008 and 2009 will be even bigger and better. So far we have seen the likes of Alicia Keys, Michael Bolton, Diana Ross, Air Supply, Shaggy and much much more. For the upcoming show The O’Jays, Lionel Richie, Estelle, Maxi Priest and more will be blazing on stage.
For the best in Hotels for the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival check out the Rose Hall Resort, Ritz Carlton or Half Moon Resort. Those are certainly luxury and in very close proximity and hence on the pricier side. For a more economical stay close by check out the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort which is just a few minutes up the road. Further into the Montego Bay town (20 mins from the event) you can try a myriad of hotels like Breezes Montego Bay, Sandals Montego Bay, Gloustershire, Doctor’s Cave etc. Search for Montego Bay and Rose Hall hotels here.
For further details you can check out www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com. For even better tips and tricks that will ensure you enjoy your stay, check us back at Jamaica Writings under our Music or Attractions category. Irie!
One of the items in our little black book of “Must Dos” in Jamaica is to try Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Here chicken is roasted over open flames sometimes with special wood to catch the right flavour. The fire wood is one key ingredient in addition to the many peppers and spices used to season the chicken before cooking and based it while being jerked. Often times you can grab the jerk chicken right off the grill and enjoy some explosive flavour. However it doesnt stop there. Another great addition to the flavour is the Jamaican Jerk Sauce. These sauces come in various flavours and varieties but normally have a spicy kick to them.
Jamaicans love spices…really hot spices. So be careful when trying jerk chicken. You should ask the chef how hot the chicken and or sauce is. Some great chicken spots are Scotchies in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios as well as Boston Jerk in Portland (famous for their roasted pork as welll). You can also get Jamaican jerk chicken in just about any hotel or restaurant here but to get a real local tates try Pan Chicken.
Jamaica Pan Chicken is just that…..chicken cooked in a pan. Or metal drum to be more precise. As seen above the drum is cut along its length and turned into a jerk pit. This easy and quick implementation allows for mobility. While travlleing thrpugh various towns in Jamaica these pan chiken men/women can be found dotting street corners.
Tags: Jerk Chicken
Jake’s Hotel located in Treasure Beach Jamaica is one of the Caribbean’s most romantic hideaways. Its an earthy, rustic and sensual luxury boutique hotel nestled on a romantic cliff side setting. This Jamaica hotel was named after the family’s pet parrot and designed with inspiration from Moroccan, Indian and Adobe influences as well as the work of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Jakes, Treasure Beach
Rose Hall Jamaica located just a few minutes outside of Montego Bay is the perfect setting for a tropical paradise wedding. Though many Jamaica resorts offer wedding packages the beautiful backdrops available at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa will leave you in awe. They even have a package for golf lovers…yes a golf themed wedding. Here luxury meets, tropical, meets raw natural beauty cultivated by mother nature and old world colonial pioneers.
Be sure to check out their wedding photo gallery to get a feel for the various options available. From white sand beaches to dreamy water falls to ancient ruins and they dont stop there. Their world class chefs have catered for kings, presidents, dignitaries and now you. You could even end up in the royal suite for free depending on the size of your wedding party staying at the hotel. Their creativity knows no boundries with even a uniquely crafted Spa theme wedding (what better way to get rid of those butterflys).
Visitors who have used this resort for their Jamaica Wedding give it the thumbs up. They do however recommend that you research and also check and double check your chosen options with the resort on arrival. So check em out and plan that special day in Jamaica at the Rose Hall Resort. You can research the phrase “Jamaica Weddings” here. Irie!
Tags: Jamaica Wedding, Rose Hall
Do any of these pictures look interesting to you? How about a walk with the lengendary Bob Marley or the buzz of a humming bird’s wings while it eats out the palm of your hand. Yes we have lovely sun, sand and sea but so much more outside those hotel walls. So buckle up and enjoy these great Jamaica tours…..
Dunns River Falls or Rafting on the Rio Grande are historical favourites but the Zip Line Jamaica tour has carved out a special place in the hearts of thrill seekers. Here you traverse or slide along cables hanging among the tree tops. They boast the largest in the Caribbean. Visitors say its a must do even if you are afraid of heights. They said they felt extremely safe with the abundance of staff and professionalism (see also Chukka Canopy Tours). ATV Tours are also very exciting. They come in various flavors depending on location. For example those in Ocho Rios love the Wilderness ATV Tours and marvel at the level of controlled freedom they have to do fun stuff.
For those reggae music lovers the Nine Miles Jamaica Tour is an excellent way to get closer to the legendary Bob Marley. Here lies the remains of Bob Marley in a mausoleum made entirely of Ethiopian marble. This little village was his birth place and where he wrote many songs. Visitors say they felt a spiritual connection and the amazing mountain side scenery was so in sync with the lengends reggae music….sooothing and powerful. Great tour to learn not just about Bob but the rastafarian culture and its place in Jamaican history.
To cool things down get on a falls tour or go rafting. Some favourites for vistors are Reach Falls in Port Antonio, YS Falls in St. Elizabeth and of course Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios. You can go rafting on the Martha Brae in St. Ann or Rio Grande in Port Antonio. Click our find it link above and do proper research for the best value and read the reviews.
Another off the wall adventure tour is the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary in Montego Bay (18769522009). Vistors are in awe with the beatiful sanctury where among others, you get to hand feed humming birds (the Jamaica national bird). They said the experience was great for kids but watch out for the price (about $15 per person). I dont thinks thats so expensive though….your miles away from stress in a forest sorrounded by humming birds…in Jamaica paradise…..so cough up the dough :).
There are many more great tours to feature so check out the recommended tour links on our Blog Role in the side panel to your right or click on our find it link above and have fun…Irie!!
Tags: Attractions, Tours
One of the most beautiful and luxurious resort towns in Jamaica is Rose Hall. Located to the north and just a few minutes from the Montego Bay Airport, Rose Hall brims with scenic beauty along the coast. Rose Hall Jamaica is home for some of Jamaica’s top resort hotels like the Ritz Carlton, Rose Hall Resort and Half Moon Resort.
An iconic landmark in Rose Hall is the Rose Hall Great House previously owned by Annie Palmer, aka the 
White Witch of Rose Hall. Folk tales tell of her black magic powers and they way she murdered her many husbands and lovers. To this day many still swear they see her ghost wandering the halls of the great house. That aside its a charming place to visit tucked away on a beautiful plantation. For those not into haunted houses there are also some great championship golf courses to try out.
At the Half Moon Hotel there is the award winning White Witch championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and recently renovated by Roger Rulewich. There is also the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course designed by von Hagge and Baril and located next to the Rose Hall Resort. But whatever your pleasure you will no doubt agree that luxury abounds every facet of these high end resorts. Rose Hall is a great place to get married in Jamaica or to invest in real estate. Shopping in Rose Hall Jamaica can also be a treat. The recently constructed Shops at Rose Hall have a great selection of jewelry and gifts to choose from. So whatever you desire Rose Hall is the place to be. Irie.
Tags: Rose Hall Jamaica
Reggae is usually the first thing people think of when you mention Jamaica music. Though reggae is the dominant theme behind our music it is good for us to also appreciate its growth, development and evolution. Slavery has no doubt had an impact on our Jamaican culture and music to include reggae as it draws on our African roots. These roots are responsible for the rythmic beats and tunes now popular worldwide.
Most will agree that it all started with Jamaica Mento Music from as early as the 1920s then migrated to Jamaica Ska in the 50s then evolved to reggae. There is an incredibly rich history behind the music. These sounds represented various movements and cultures and morphed or eveolved with the times, moods and lives of real Jamaican people. In trying to explain the reggae movement it is probably best to compare it to rap, grunge or punk rock music. In essense when they were born they were the underdog reserved for the underground. Reggae was to Jamaica as hardcore rap is to the USA. It was the poor and underprevileged in Jamaica who encouraged the growth of reggae. Ironically after reggae hit the international scene it did not belong to the poor anymore. From the ghetto we needed a new underdog….a new rebellion and Dance Hall Reggae was born (more on that later).
Though we will be reporting our own views on the subject there are still a number of sites providing a plethory of information on reggae. These are our favourites so have a look and check back with us later. Irie. Reggae, Reggae Movement, Bob Marley, Dance Hall Reggae.
Tags: Reggae Music