Crystal clear water as warm as a bath lapping the shores of a white sandy beach.
Short but very sweet Jamaica trip
When I was invited by the Jamaican tourist board to take a 4 night trip, first of all I thought, well that’s a long way to fly for 4 nights. Then 5 minutes later “Why the heck not!”
Finally landing after a long and arduous flight I checked into the luxurious Moon Palace Hotel in Ochos Rios.
What a delight! What can I say. The diet had to stop right there. My downfall was the 24 hour patisserie which served up spectacular cakes and handmade chocolates, but I did manage to resist the complimentary bottle of fizz, Italian red wine and fully stacked minibar with optics.
The rooms are elegantly decorated with super king beds and a generous size, the perfect antidote to a long travelling day. All the food in the main buffet, the Japanese and the Italian speciality restaurants was gorgeous. I looked around many room types and ventured into the sea. What a treat! Crystal clear water and the warmth of a bath, all lapping the shores of a white sandy beach.
The hotel is brilliant for families and couples alike, facilities include a flow rider, an interactive room for games and loads of sport activities, but I was drawn to the spa. One of the best spas I have ever been to with multi sensory rooms and a massage to die for.
The next day we checked out the nearby property Couples San Souci, a haven for intimacy and rest and relaxation. Tastefully decorated it has the feel of a luxury boutique hotel. It oozes charm and is set on a beautiful cove. Again it has an award winning spa and features a peaceful lake and lush gardens and a natural mineral grotto and spring pool for the brave that enjoy cold water!
After our tour at Couples we left for our adventure to Dunns River Falls, stopping off at Scotchies traditional roadside jerk restaurant or some spicy some barbecued smoky pork, chicken and rice and peas. Delicious, and went down really well with a cold Red Stripe! But don’t ask them for the recipe it’s a closely guarded secret!
After all that sustenance we were ready to work it off at Dunns River falls. It is an energetic but fun and refreshing climb, all guided by capable locals who ensure that safety comes first. It was so exhilarating stand under the free flowing water and wash all the cares away!
After yet another delicious dinner we retired happy and rejuvenated.
The next day we headed off to the iconic Jamaica Inn. This hotel has previously hosted both Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe. It is the picture of former colonial elegance at its best, and has been thoroughly and tastefully modernised. The oceanfront rooms and bungalows took my breath away.
The property features a large croquet lawn and offers some stunning views over the ocean. We were treated to high tea on the terrace all served by butlers in white gloves. It’s the ideal hotel for couples wanting something a little special with outstanding service and complete relaxation. It’s a great switch off from the outside world as there are no TVs or radios.
Reluctantly parting company with Jamaica Inn it was time to head off to our next adventure. Mystic Mountain. The high cable car ride glides up the mountain offering stunning scenic views of the tropical forest and further afield. When we arrived at the top of the mountain there was a choice of zip lining through the rainforest or taking the exhilarating 1000m bobsleigh run which I opted for. It was a thrilling ride but an absolutely awesome experience through the dense forest landscape with views of the ocean coastline.
After a tremendous day we headed back to the Moon Palace for a culinary feast in the Italian fine dining restaurant. If there are a few of you I recommend ordering some antipasto starters and then ordering a main each. The Pork chop Milanese is very good and tender.
The next morning we bid farewell to Moon Palace and were excited for our last stop – the Bob Marley museum. It’s so worth visiting even if you are not particularly a Bob Marley fan. The house is so well preserved and the tour guide we had was an old Rastafarian who knew the family personally. The house is stuffed full of memorabilia even the original sound decks and you can also see the bullet shots in the wall where an assassination attempt was made.
So a short but sweet visit to Jamaica. I’ll definitely be back! Jamaica is “Irie” !
Let us help you organise your dream trip
Whether you’re looking for a weekend break or a holiday of a lifetime, we can help you organise your bespoke travel experience. We’re happy to arrange a free, no obligation chat about what you can achieve within your budget.
