VHR, WORLDWIDE

     JM149 is part of a singular retreat for a long list of international dignitaries, and much of the "old money" crowd has made this 2,200-

acre gated community their winter residence.  Located 12 miles outside

of Montego Bay (30 minutes from Sangster International Airport), this

very special private club was originally built as a sugar plantation and

later transformed into a coconut farm.  It was also the site of a coastal

fort constructed by the English for protection against Spanish or French invaders and pirates.  There is evidence that the Arawak Indians - the

true natives of the Caribbean - once occupied the very land on which this exclusive resort is set.

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     In 1957, a group of Texans purchased the tropical estate, which is currently comprised of a 162 year-old Georgian-style Great House, 56 privately-owned villas, 13 Great House Villas and an 18-hole Par-71 Championship golf course that has been the venue for some of the most notable tournaments (e.g. Johnny Walker) in the world.  

 

      JM149 is one of our all-time favorite villas on Jamaica, perhaps because of its perfect location centrally situated above the Ralph Plummer-designed golf course with a commanding view of the fairways and greens, manicured grounds, beach and Caribbean Sea.  Or maybe it is because this villa is casually elegant (and child friendly!), with whimsical appointments that mirror the owner's vivacious personality, has a wonderful staff - some of whom have been with there for many years.  It could also be the unique, spectacular twin-entrance stairway where visitors descend to a flora-embraced fountain, fish pond, rockery and small courtyard that leads through the front entryway directly into the living room ... and eye-to-eye with a magnificent vista of the sea.

 

     JM149 will accommodate eight guests in four air-conditioned bedrooms (two kings and four twin beds), two of which could be considered Master Suites, with walk-in closets, en suite baths and ceiling fans.  Each bedroom has direct access to the large, freshwater swimming pool and spacious pool deck.  One Master Suite sits off the living room on the entry level; the second, “mirrored” Master Suite is on the pool level and has an 8' Mexican-tiled sunken tub.  One of the two twin-bedded rooms features a Roman tub. The twin beds in two of the guest bedrooms can be configured to make kings beds.  All the bedrooms have flat-screen TVs and safes. 

 

     Highly polished parquet floors grace the living and dining room.  An outdoor dining terrace reached via sliding glass doors from the living room is where candlelit dinners are served nightly (as an option to the formal indoor dining area), overlooking lighted palm trees dotting the hillside and the twinkling lights of cruise ships and Montego Bay shimmering across the water.  There is a separate, more intimate dining alcove under the shade trees near the pool where lunch is often served.

 

     Below the outdoor dining veranda, and adjacent to the pool, is a covered cut-stone grotto verandah with wet bar, ice maker, TV, stereo, a fish pond, comfortable seating and brass railings from Al Capone’s speakeasy – the ideal spot for afternoon coffee or an evening libation while dinner is being prepared by the cook.  The pool deck has ample chaise lounges with cushions for the sun worshipper, or for quiet relaxation under the mature coconut, breadfruit, ackee and fragrant citrus trees that flank the stone wall and gardens surrounding the pool area. 

 

     The villa is appointed with a very eclectic collection of colorful paintings and objets d’art, crystal and china, and there is a computer in the living room.  Guests may enjoy cable television, complimentary WiFi, VCR and DVD players, and a library of videos and CDs.  Bookshelves hold your next great read or enjoy an old-fashioned game night chosen from the many selections available.  

 

     JM149 is child-friendly, offering a booster seat, portable playpen, a variety of games, videos and inflatable pool toys to keep them safe and occupied.  ​

 

     While essentially private and self-contained, JM149 is only a few minutes walk or golf cart ride (two golf carts come with the rental of the villa) from the property's Great House (for afternoon tea), golf and tennis pro shops, bar and restaurant, shops, beach club, dive shop, and nighttime entertainment.  There are a Kiddies’ Club, Internet room and Fitness room at the resort.

 

     The duty-free shops of Freeport (where the cruise ships dock) are just 15 minutes away.  Tours of the rum factory, sunset sails, or a train trip to the interior can be arranged.  A white sandy beach is just down the hill from the villa, with the famed Seven Mile Beach of Negril just an hour’s drive to the west.  Ocho Rios, home to Dunn’s River Falls, is 90 minutes to the east.  River rafting by torchlight, native floorshows, visits to the Anchovy bird sanctuary or a furniture factory up a nearby mountain (where you can order excellent quality cedar and mahogany period reproductions) also involve minimal driving.               

 

     JM149 is rented with a full complement of staff, including a cook, housekeeper, laundress, and gardener.  While there is no butler in residence, the ladies will serve food and drink.  Guests are welcome to use the owner’s two golf carts to ride around the resort.  This villa is ideal for couples traveling together (two Master Suites plus the twin beds in the other bedrooms can be pushed together) as well as one or two families with well-behaved children, and would be a wonderful venue for a wedding or other special occasion. 

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     Well-behaved, supervised children are welcome.  No pets.