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Style: A mix of traditional Jamaican features - tray ceilings, wooden louvered windows and criss-cross balustrades – and some bright colours. Modern artwork and sculptures. Easy seaside feel
The Beach: Swimming in shallow water right offshore. San San 3 minutes and Frenchman’s Cove 5 minutes
The Rooms: Three bedrooms, two en suite (the third shares with living downstairs), two upstairs with excellent views over the shallow water and Pellew Island, third smaller bedroom
Key features: Comfortable waterfront Port Antonio villa at Blue Lagoon Jamaica, sundeck and brick barbecue deck, air-conditioning, fan, small bar, TV, internet access, snorkelling gear, two kayaks.
Children: Because of the waterfront location, the villa is not recommended for small children
Staff: Cook, butler, housekeeper, night watchman |
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Description
De Javu has a delightful setting on one of the most magical stretches of coastline in Jamaica. The three bedroom house sits on the shallow waterfront looking across to Pellew or Monkey Island, very close to the Blue Lagoon east of Port Antonio. With superb greenery behind and the very pretty sea at its feet, it is one of a dozen houses along this lovely strip. And although the name may hint at a vision that you have seen somewhere before, you certainly wouldn’t forget this place if you had been there. De Javu is a very attractive Port Antonio villa and a unique house in lovely surroundings. It is a fun place to stay for a family or a small group of friends.
Part of the charm is the building itself, which uses the best of classic Jamaican design, with gracefully curved shingle roofs topped with white boards, white walls, criss-cross balustrades and plenty of indoor/outdoor living space. You approach from the rear, down the quiet lane that leads to the Blue Lagoon. The front door brings you into a small hall. There is a bathroom on your right and a drinks cabinet on the left. Passing the stairs on your right you walk straight into the living room, with its French windows that look out onto the lovely view of the sea and the island.
For all the traditional Jamaican appearance outside, the interior is actually quite modern. Its tiled floors and light-coloured walls give it a friendly, holiday feel. De Javu is quite compact but it has an easy feel and anyway it uses the best of its outside space. The sitting room is furnished with large wicker armchairs and a sofa with brightly coloured cushions. Tropical plants stand in urns and there are bright prints on the walls. The TV sits in the corner of the room. There are also some eccentric touches too. Candles are set in tree limbs and there are wooden sculptures. The kitchen leads off to the left and to the right, in the open air, is the dining area, which is set under an attractive shingle roof. It is framed below by a low wall with flowers in pots and above by trelliswork.
Both of these rooms give onto the main deck at the front of the villa, which is one of the focal points of the house. It sits a couple of feet above the water, a large wooden platform with loungers. There are also beach chairs set at a table where you can take a casual lunch. Or it can be set up for a candle-lit dinner, which looks fantastic of course, with the inky backdrop around you and the breaking waves glinting in the moonlight fifty yards away. The deck is also used as a swimming platform. The sea is quite shallow here (anywhere between wading and ten feet deep) and so you can swim and snorkel right off here. There are steps out of the water back onto the platform.
A path at the side of the deck leads around the dining area back to an outdoor area set against the rear wall of the property. This is the barbecue deck, which is laid with brick. It is used as another area for lunch or to sit out and have a drink in the evenings.
There are three bedrooms at De Javu, two of which are upstairs and one down. They each have a view over the water and their own bathroom (though the downstairs bathroom can also be accessed from the sitting room). The rooms are air-conditioned but they also have ceiling fans if you wish to open the room to the natural air (windows are screened and louvered). The downstairs bedroom is set just above the barbecue deck one side and has full height French windows that open onto the dining gazebo. It has a traditional ‘tray’ ceiling with white walls and blue wicker furniture.
Upstairs you will find the master and a twin room. These have polished wooden floors and a particularly lovely view over the bay. The twin room has a tray ceiling and floral décor and a small balcony that looks over the roof of the dining area. The master has soft colours including pink and lime green that create a pleasant feel, but the centrepiece of the room is really the two sets of double French doors that open out onto a large balcony above the main deck, and of course give a fantastic view of the bay. At the back of the master bedroom is a small office with a television. There is internet access here too. |
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Beach & Swimming
The closest beach to De Javu is San San, 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.
De Javu does not have a swimming pool, but of course the sea is right there off the deck and the swimming is excellent. The water, which is calm because it is protected by the island and reefs just offshore, varies in depth to about 10 feet. You can swim out to Monkey Island where there is a nice small stretch of sand. Reefs run off the island and so you can snorkel on them on the way back. The villa has masks and fins. There are steps out of the water up back onto the deck. 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 nearby 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
De Javu 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, since the 1950, 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 the fruit and veg is brought for sale. 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 as it is exceptionally beautiful.
Heading east from the villa you come to Boston Bay, the home of jerk, a traditional form of cooking meat 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 ($15 per child) for a standard menu with some drinks. It will not cover extras such as lobster or imported steak, which vary according to market prices, or large amounts of alcohol. An account will be set up at the local supermarket and your bill will be settled on departure.
Personal laundry (except dry cleaning) is included in the rate. It is usually returned that same afternoon or the following morning.
Rental rates for the villa do not include ‘tips’ and it is recommended that you set aside 10% of the total villa rental for this. You should leave this in cash when you depart. Yvonne the manager is happy to help with the proportions, so that the gardeners, who you may never see, are not forgotten.
The owner of Villa Vacations, Yvonne Blakey, has a very hands-on attitude and she is happy to help guests to get the best out of their holiday in the area. She is on call if you have any requests, for activities or advice, and she can also help to arrange a special event or a wedding.
Children
De Javu has very much a family feel about it, however, because of the deck it is only suitable for older children that swim well and do not need to be supervised. |
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Rates
| | 15 Apr- 14 Dec 2007 | 15 Dec- 09 Jan 2007-08 | 10 Jan- 14 Apr 2008 | 15 Apr- 14 Dec 2008 | | De Javu 1-6 guests | 3,650 | 5000 | 5000 | 3,650 |
All rates are quoted in US$ per week including tax and are subject to change without notice. Nightly, pro rata rates are available for stays over 7 nights. Minimum stay of 14 nights during 15 Dec-09 Jan. 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 a better rate than you will if you arrange 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 (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 in Montego Bay and Kingston. 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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