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Style: Ultra modern (designed and built by the owner, an architect). Minimal but colourful design which makes the best use of the setting on a shallow lagoon. Hip feel
The Beach: Swimming right there but no sand. San San Beach 3 minutes and Frenchman’s Cove Jamaica, 5 minutes drive
The Rooms: Three bedrooms upstairs with en suite bathrooms, minimalist style and colourful decoration, with excellent views out to sea through the full glass walls
Key features: Spectacular, ultramodern waterfront villa at Blue Lagoon Jamaica, with sail-shaded deck suspended above the sea, sound system throughout villa, phone fax, cable TV, internet access, kayaks and snorkelling gear.
Children: Children under 12 years old not permitted
Staff: Chef, butler, housekeeper |
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Description
Villa Ayahsowedeh is an extremely stylish modern villa set in one of the most magical locations in Jamaica, which itself is already a very attractive island. The three bedroom villa sits on the waterfront in the strip that runs down the Blue Lagoon, looking over the shallow water out to Pellew or Monkey Island near San San just east of Port Antonio. It is one of a dozen or so villas along the strip but it is distinguished among them by its striking modern design.
The villa has an impressive minimal style – clean lines, low unobtrusive furniture and a generally muted palette occasionally splashed with colour - but also, in recognition of the seaside holiday home that it is, there are quite a few nautical touches, wire balustrades, wooden decking and canvas ‘sails’ to give shade. It also has a whole front wall of glass, which allows you to get the best of the lovely offshore view. The base colours are mainly light and dark, between which there are several shades of blue, which reflects the various states of the sea. And then suddenly there is also an urgent splash of red, in the cylinder of the staircase, in pillars and some of the furniture. The colour reflects the conch shell around which the house is designed.
Villa Ayahsowedeh was built by Jamaican architect Harold Morrison as his own family retreat. You can see the interest and technical skill that has been applied to the house. You will also see his interest in modern art. Walls all around the villa are hung with modern paintings.
The design makes itself apparent even as you arrive at the back of the house, which is like study in geometry, all right angles and curves marked with blue and red. You enter straight into the large main living room. To your left is the (red) staircase and to your right is the sitting area, where square white and blue sofas face a flat screen television set into the rear wall. The minimal scene is set by a low dark cabinet, occasional tables and at the centre of the sitting area, a large glass-topped table with a metal sculpture.
As you move forward towards the sea you pass the dining table on your left. The round table is stained dark and seats eight in stylish bucket chairs. Just to the left, through an open doorway, is a separate, very light kitchen. The breakfast bar, set in an open alcove window, sits just above the water and looks straight out onto the lagoon. It is a delightful place to have a meal.
The outside space at Villa Ayahsowedeh is nearly as impressive as the inside. From the main room you step out onto a large hardwood deck. In keeping with the nautical theme, the balustrade is made with wire and metal and above, it is shaded by triangular sections of white and blue canvas stretched from vertical metal poles. The layout of the deck mirrors the inside of the villa, with the dining section – a glass table with metal chairs for six - on the left and loungers and (bright red) easy chairs on the right. Steps lead down from the left hand side of the deck to a water-level platform from which you can swim or launch the kayaks.
The three bedrooms at Villa Ayahsowedeh are upstairs. They are set in a line at the front of the house, overlooking the deck to the lagoon beyond. They are air-conditioned and they each have a full glass wall of doors which slide back partly to give you the view. They continue the style of the rest of the house with clean lines, low beds and stylish square furniture, but there are curves overhead in the barrel-vaulted ceilings. And again the walls are also decorated with modern art. The master bedroom is slightly larger than the other two and it has a nice tub, but all three are quite similar in design.
The name Villa Ayahsowedeh will probably catch your attention. It is a corruption of a Jamaican expression. You can probably hear ‘so we’re there’ in the words, and this is basically what it means - ‘this is where we are’. Not that it is intended to be a statement particularly, you’ll certainly know that you’re there. All in all, Ayahsowedeh is an extremely original villa which is fun to live in.
There is one last thing worth mentioning. The houses along part of this strip suffer a bit because of the noise of the road, along which lorries do drive. As an architect, the owner of the house decided to cantilever the building, with the result that the vibrations from the lorries are not so apparent. |
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Beach & Swimming
The closest beach to Villa Ayahsowedeh is San San Beach, a lovely stretch of sand just a couple of minutes drive away. There is a beach bar but no sports facilities and there is a small entry fee to get in. The lovely Frenchman’s Cove is just a couple of minutes further on. It is set in a tiny cove overhanging with fantastic greenery on the grounds of a hotel. There is a beach bar there down on the sand and there is also an entry fee.
The villa does not have a swimming pool, but of course it is right on the lagoon, where the swimming is excellent. The water varies in depth to about 10 feet and it is calm because it is protected by the reefs that run across to Monkey Island. You can swim across to the island and snorkel on the reefs. There is a special water-level platform beneath the main deck. The villa has two kayaks that you can launch from here and also masks and fins. There are steps out of the water up onto the platform. You can of course walk down and swim in the Blue Lagoon. |
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Sports & Recreation
Port Antonio has several good activities that explore the wonderful natural life in the area. If you are interested in hiking, then Valley Hikes take day and multi-day walks around this end of Jamaica, heading up to the local villages and into the John Crow Mountains behind the town. There is excellent birdlife in this area and guides can be arranged. Horse-riding is available near Frenchman’s Cove (contact the villa manager, who can also arrange massage and spa treatments for you). The nine hole golf course at San San is currently closed.
There is quite good scuba diving on the coastline here. It ranges over the reefs and drop offs just offshore east and west of Port Antonio itself. Contact Lady G’ Diver, who operate out of the Errol Flynn Marina in the town. The area is well known for its deep sea fishing (the Port Antonio International marlin tournament is held each September or October). Fishing boats also operate out of the marina in Port Antonio. |
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Locality
Villa Ayahsowedeh is located a few miles to the east of the town of Port Antonio, in San San. The area has long been popular with holidaymakers and there have been several hotels, and particularly private villas there since the 1950s when actor Errol Flynn entertained Ginger Rogers here.
The Blue Lagoon, a short walk away, is one of the most famous and prettiest sights in Jamaica. The pool, actually a limestone sinkhole, is a beautiful shade of royal blue and it is surrounded by hanging greenery, which makes it a nice place to swim - if you dare – local lore says that it is fathomless. There is a restaurant and bar but it is currently closed for renovation.
The town of Port Antonio is a few miles to the west of the villa. It is a fairly simple Jamaican town, whose heyday was a century ago, when it benefited from the banana trade. Now the fading grandeur of the buildings is gradually being taken over by modern development, though there are still some nice old houses to be seen on ‘Titchfield Hill’, the point that stretches out to sea. It is fun to visit Musgrave Market, where fruit and veg is brought for sale from the hills around. There is a lovely view of the town and the bay (which Errol Flynn described as ‘more beautiful than any woman he had ever known‘) from the Bonnie View Hotel. Beyond Port Antonio heading west you come to Rio Grande, where you will find Jamaica’s finest river-rafting. The ride takes over two hours but it is well worth doing and is exceptionally beautiful.
Heading east from the villa you come to Boston Bay, the home of jerk, a traditional form of cooking that has now been adapted to daily barbecue. It is always fun to visit. Beyond here there are some very pretty waterfalls at Reach, inland from Manchioneal.
There is a handful of good restaurants in the area, including a number in the hotels. Try Mille Fleurs at Mocking Bird Hill, Frenchman’s Cove and San San Tropez and Norma’s at the Marina in Port Antonio itself. For local fare you can try Anna Banana in town and of course there is Boston Bay for jerk. |
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Useful Hints
Villa Vacations is happy to arrange initial provisioning for your arrival. You should send a list with any special requirements and they will provide enough for an evening meal, breakfast and lunch the next day. You should then liaise with the butler and cook and they will plan a menu for you for the remainder of your holiday. They will also shop for you if you wish, though you might want to join them on their first visit. You should budget on US$20 per adult per day ($15 per child) for a standard menu with some drinks. It will not cover extras such as lobster or imported steak, which vary according to market prices, or large amounts of alcohol. An account will be set up at the local supermarket and your bill will be settled on departure.
Personal laundry (except dry cleaning) is included in the rate. It is usually returned that same afternoon or the following morning.
Rental rates for the villa do not include ‘tips’ and it is recommended that you set aside 10% of the total villa rental for this. You should leave this in cash when you depart. Yvonne the manager is happy to help with the proportions, so that the gardeners, who you may never see, are not forgotten.
The owner of Villa Vacations, Yvonne Blakey, has a very hands-on attitude and she is happy to help guests to get the best out of their holiday in the area. She is on call if you have any requests, for activities or advice, and she can also help to arrange a special event.
Children
The very stylishness of Villa Ayahsowedeh makes it slightly unfriendly to children. The deck is suitable only for older children that swim well and do not need to be supervised. |
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Rates
| | 15 Apr- 14 Dec 2007 | 15 Dec- 09 Jan 2007-08 | 10 Jan- 14 Apr 2008 | 15 Apr- 14 Dec 2008 | | Villa Ayahsowedeh 1-6 guests | 4,900 | 5,950 | 4,900 | 4,900 | All rates are quoted in US$ per week and include tax. Children over 12 years welcome. Minimum stay 4 nights (daily rates on request), except during 15 Dec-09 Jan when minimum stay is 14 nights. All rates are subject to change without notice. Gratuities are not included. |
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How To Book
If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, this can be done through the villa agent, Villa Vacation. To confirm a reservation you must send a deposit of 50% (non refundable) of the total rental fee. The balance is then due four weeks prior to your arrival. A security deposit may be requested against damage to the villa or contents during your stay. It is refundable on your return home assuming no damage occurs. You may contact Villa Vacation by using the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page, or if you wish to telephone them, their telephone number will be revealed if you click on the CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER link. |
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Airport Meet & Greet
Villa Vacation is happy to arrange your airport transfer for you (and will probably get you a better rate than you will if you get a taxi at the airport). You should arrange this with your initial booking. The better airport to head for is Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston (transfer time 2½ hours), but if you can only get to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay that is workable too (transfer 4 hours). The rate through Villa Vacations is US$100 for two people one way from Kingston (less if there are more of you in a minibus) and US$200 from Montego Bay. The price of your transfer will be added to your final bill.
You can transfer to Port Antonio by air to the Ken Jones Aerodrome just west of the town if you arrive early enough in the day – the airstrip operates during daylight hours only. Private charter flights are available from the international airports. Transfers by helicopter are also available and will land on the golf course in San San.
If you are booking through a travel organiser, it is likely that their representative will be at the airport to meet you. This service and your return airport transfers should be included in the cost of your holiday. Please check at the time of booking. |
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Getting Around
Because of the distance to Port Antonio and the likelihood of your having to drive the unfamiliar roads in the dark, Villa Vacations does not really recommend you to pick up your hire car at the airport on arrival in Jamaica. However, once you have reached Port Antonio, you may want to get one. A vehicle will give you an added element of freedom and will be useful if you want to visit the sights, eat out or go shopping. If you are booking direct or through a tour operator, you can organise your car hire at the same time as booking your accommodation, or Villa Vacations can help you. There is a delivery fee. Vehicles can be returned at the airport or be collected from the property at a pre-arranged time on your departure day. The other option is to hire a care with a driver by the day. |
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