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Style: A traditional Jamaican seafront retreat that has been modernised but which has retained its original character. Very relaxed, low key and comfortable, with plenty of space and facilities for large gatherings, especially good if you are looking for Jamaica wedding villas
The Beach: Cliffside setting with a man-made sandy beach terrace built above the sea, and entry steps for swimming and snorkelling. About five minutes drive to James Bond Beach with its three beaches, bar/restaurant and water sports – admission
The Rooms: 7 bedrooms in main house and a 2 bedroom cottage, all rooms with en suite bathrooms
Key features: A Jamaican oceanfront villa rental set in a six acre seafront estate, two swimming pools, poolside cabana, barbecue terrace, Jacuzzi hot tub, waterfront beach terrace, service to the beach, wet bar, digital satellite TV, VCR, CD player, video collection, large book selection, exercise room with table tennis, tennis court, children’s playground, shuffleboard, basketball practice court, croquet lawn, computer with internet access and fax.
Children: Welcome. Golden Clouds features a playground however, due to its cliffside location, it is not suitable for very small children unless they are closely supervised
Staff: House supervisor/chef, butler, maid/waitress, 2 maid/laundress, grounds/pool supervisor, pool attendant/gardener and 3 gardeners – resident staff |
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Description
Golden Clouds is a six acre estate set on a cliff-front just outside Oracabessa on Jamaica’s north shore. It consists of nine bedrooms in all, seven in a large main house, Golden Clouds, which is perched along on the low sea cliff, and two in a cottage (Golden Acres) which sits in the shady, well established gardens. Each house has its own swimming pool. The views from the main house are simply stunning. They stretch along the north coast of Jamaica, down past Oracabessa Bay, and right along to Ocho Rios. In the evenings you can sit with a drink and watch the departing cruise ships as they make their way out to sea, all lit up like a Christmas tree.
Golden Clouds is an older-style property with a traditional Caribbean air. It is very comfortable and well maintained and it has been steadily brought up to date over the years through ongoing refurbishments. Yet it hasn’t lost its original character. The house is a well loved and extremely popular spot, and it gets a high level of repeat business. Actually it is not unlike a small resort because if its good range of facilities. It is ideal for larger groups looking for a relaxed and laid back setting, with a taste of traditional Jamaican hospitality in unpretentious surroundings.
You arrive at the estate via a gated entrance and then pass through the gardens. You draw up at the main property around the circular drive and then enter through a portico. The seven bedrooms spread out over various levels and the house is not actually under one roof, though the various sections of the house are very closely linked. A covered terrace runs the length of the front of the house.
The heart of Golden Clouds is an extensive area of covered veranda (set underneath some of the bedrooms), from which large archways give fabulous sea views. This open-plan living and dining area is open on three sides. It has been furnished with various sitting areas, a dining area and a full size wet bar in one corner. To the rear is the TV lounge which opens out to the veranda (once you fold back the lines of wooden louvered doors), with large rattan, corner seating and a corner cabinet that houses a digital satellite TV, VCR and a CD system, and a library of videos including some for children. In the dining area, the wall is jam-packed with books. The villa’s collection numbers well over a thousand titles.
To the west of the veranda, just beyond its corner bar, is a large swimming pool surrounded by a sun terrace. There are also a couple of alfresco dining areas here too. Level with the pool is a dining gazebo and on a raised poolside terrace you will find a covered barbecue area. A Jacuzzi hot tub is also tucked away to the side of the pool area, next to the exercise and games room. Here you will find table tennis, free weights and a weights machine. Also, there is an airy poolside cabana with a sitting and dining area, a kitchenette with large fridge-freezer and a pergola for sitting in the shade. Drapes can be lowered against the late afternoon sun. Set in the grounds behind here is a hard court tennis court, a basket ball practice court, shuffleboard, a children’s playground and a croquet lawn. Back at the front of the house, steps lead down from the veranda and terraces to a man-made sandy beach terrace, which has been planted with coconut palms for shade. This sand is located just above the sea, into which there are entry steps either side. The water is best for snorkelling, though a wading area has been created for children on the shallow side. There is a shower on the beach platform and waiter service form the villa is available.
There are a total of nine individually decorated bedrooms at Golden Clouds, seven of which are in the main section of the property. All of them have air conditioning, ceiling fans, en suite bathrooms and hair dryers. As you approach the house you will see two of the seven bedrooms in an annex, across a small courtyard. These have a garden view. One has a queen size bed and the other two twins which can convert to a king. To the rear of the living and dining room, facing the courtyard bedrooms, the garden and the driveway is a queen size bedroom. A secondary master bedroom is also located off the living and dining area, on the pool side. This has a king size bed and a pool view.
The three remaining bedrooms are located upstairs in a separate wing built over the main veranda. The wing is supported by pillars, so the view from the drive carries straight through to the ocean. The three rooms feature king size beds and small private balconies with the most wonderful views. The middle bedroom is the master and largest of the three. It features cable TV (most of the bedrooms have TVs), a bar and a private roof terrace which has views over the pool and also ocean. The room also has a large en suite bathroom with sea views and a whirlpool tub.
The final two bedrooms are located in the separate two bedroom cottage, Golden Acres. This is set in the gardens about half way between the entrance and the main villa. It has a queen and a king size bedroom and a sitting room with cable TV. This leads out to a covered area and then the swimming pool, which is set in a paved sun terrace, where there is a tented gazebo. |
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Beach & Swimming
Golden Clouds is set on a low sea cliff. Steps lead from the veranda to a man made sandy beach terrace, which has been planted with coconut palms for shade. There is a gazebo here and a shower. Also, there is a buzzer that can be used to summon staff for a drink. The terrace has been built just above the sea floor, which is mostly coral reef. There are a few sandy areas and there are entry steps into the water on each side for a dip or some snorkelling. A shallow sea pool area with a sandy bottom has been created for children to splash around in.
James Bond Beach at Oracabessa Bay is approximately 5 minutes away by car. This is a lively and popular public beach area with three stretches of golden sand. The main activity is on the smallest beach, which is flanked by man-made sand terraces for sunbathing and a two storey waterfront bar and grill called Moonraker. Watersports such as jet-skis, kayaks and a glass bottom boat are available there, and there is also a life guard. There is an admission fee. The beach is normally open Tues-Sun from 9am-6pm unless there is a live concert taking place.
Golden Clouds itself has two freshwater swimming pools, one at each of the two houses. The main pool is set in a paved sun terrace just beyond the main veranda and wet bar. The pool is of a good size and has steps into one corner. Next to it is a tiled terrace with a dining gazebo and a built-in barbecue. An additional open air dining terrace and a Jacuzzi are just off to one side. The sun, pool and dining terraces have lovely views along the coast.
Golden Acres, the two bedroom cottage, has a private, good sized freshwater swimming pool set within a surrounding paved sun terrace, with a tented gazebo for dining. When Golden Acres is rented separately the beach and tennis facilities are shared. |
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Sports & Recreation
Golden Clouds has a hard tennis court (day play only). A tennis pro is available at extra charge. If the entire property is not booked together, the court is shared by the two sets of renters. There is a games and exercise room just off the main pool terrace with table tennis, weights machine and free weights. The extensive grounds also include a children’s playground, shuffle board, basketball practice court and a croquet lawn.
The nearest golf course is the Sandals Golf & Country Club (about 20 minutes drive away). This is an 18 hole, 72 par, 6311 yard course which is located in the hills east of Ocho Rios. Established in 1951, it was formerly known as the Upton Golf Course. The nearest stables for horse-riding are at Prospect Plantation, about 15 minutes away. Prospect is actually a 900 acre working plantation that is open to the public and it offers guide-led rides. The White River Valley next to Prospect is a 300 acre park which also includes horse riding in its activities. Further afield there is both riding and polo at Chukka Cove in Laughlands (about an hour by car) and the St Ann Polo Club and Equestrian Centre in Drax Hall, which is approximately 50 minutes away. |
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Locality
Golden Clouds is set just east of the town of Oracabessa, a banana producing area in the parish of St Mary. It is 20-30 minutes east of Ocho Rios and around three hours’ drive east of Montego Bay. The village has a charming, rustic air and is very laid back. There is limited shopping, but it does have a bank and a very good patty shop. This area is very lush, so it is a complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of Ocho Rios. The popular James Bond Beach in Oracabessa Bay is just a short drive down the coast, and hardly detectable from the main road, hidden amongst the trees. Set in the hills east of here, reached through some dramatic winding roads, is Firefly, Noel Coward’s former home, which has spectacular views of the coast. Brimmer Hall Plantation is located near Port Maria. This is a 2000 acre working plantation with a 19th century great house that was built around 1817. There are tractor-drawn tours of the estate which mainly cultivates bananas, coconuts, sugar cane and citrus fruit for export, but also grows coffee, pimento, and pineapple. It is also possible to take a tour of the house.
Ocho Rios is the second largest town on the north coast behind Montego Bay and it is Jamaica’s busiest port of call for cruise ships. It has developed its shopping to suit, with a host of downtown shopping centres, craft markets, a themed Caribbean retail village and duty free outlets. The town has a handful of independent restaurants and a bit of night life. ‘Ochi’, as it is known, sits on an attractive bay with a sweep of white sand and has a back-drop of lush, forested hills. The most famous attraction in the Ocho Rios area is Dunn’s River Falls, where you can climb the 600ft falls into a nature park. Next to it is the dolphin attraction at Dolphin Cove. They are about 30 minutes drive from the villa.
Should you wish to visit a supermarket, there is a local grocery store called Shim’s in Oracabessa, which is used by the villa (in fact you will need to go there to settle your initial food bill which will be on account). You will also see fresh fruit for sale on the roadside. There is normally a huge pile of melons being sold by the junction which leads to Jacks River and the Sun Valley Plantation - an off the beaten track, working plantation open to the public and set deep in the wonderful countryside along a road that has its fair share of crater-like pot holes. Otherwise you should head to the General Food Supermarket in Ocean Village Shopping Centre, Main Street, Ocho Rios which is well stocked with both local and imported goods. Please note that if you prefer, all of your food shopping can be done for you. |
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Useful Hints
Golden Clouds has a cook and so it is expected that you will require initial food and drink supplies to be bought for your arrival, so that a welcome meal can be prepared. You should ask your travel organiser or the villa agent (if booking direct) for a list and ensure that any particular requirements are noted. There is an average budget of US$30 per adult and US$20 per child, per day for provisioning the villa. This includes a basic drinks package of rum, wine and beer and a standard menu. It will not cover extras such as lobster or imported steak, which vary according to market prices. The shopping for the rest of your stay can be done by your cook once you have liaised with them locally. When you are doing this you will receive the bill for the initial provisioning plus the costs for transport, which should be paid in cash either to the cook or - if an account has been set up - at the local grocery store. If you require the cook to take care of your shopping, you will need to provide funds for all subsequent shopping as well as transport costs. You may opt to go with them on the first trip.
Rental rates for villas in Jamaica do not include ‘tips’ and it is recommended that you set aside 10% of the total villa rental in winter and 15% in summer as tips. You will be expected to pay this directly to the staff before you leave, dividing the amount according to staff seniority and the level of service received, placing the tip in individual envelopes with the staff’s names on. Normally the largest portion goes to the cook and butler.
Your villa’s laundress will attend to your personal laundry (excluding dry clean items). If laundry is handed over in the morning, it is usually ready later that same afternoon, or the following morning.
Note that the night watchman has two watchdogs, which join him when he makes his rounds of the property at night.
Weddings:
Permission to hold a wedding or any large function at your rental villa should be obtained in advance when making your initial reservation enquiry, as each villa has its own restrictions. Most villa weddings/functions attract a guest surcharge if the number of people attending the ceremony exceeds the villa’s maximum occupancy. This fee at Golden Clouds is currently US$15 per person. Also note that it is normally a requirement for the services of an outside catering company to be arranged if numbers exceed the maximum villa occupancy. Golden Clouds is also a popular property for weddings. In this case it is recommended that you use the services of a wedding co-ordinator to arrange the planning of the ceremony. The maximum number of guests for weddings or functions at the villa is 100. |
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Rates
| | 25 Nov- 14 Dec 2007 | 15 Dec- 05 Jan 2007-08 | 06 Jan- 15 Apr 2008 | 16 Apr- *14 Dec 2008 | | Golden Clouds 1-8 guests 9-10 guests 11-12 guests 13-14 guests 15-18 guests | 7,700 8,200 8,700 9,200 10,200 | 18,700 18,700 18,700 18,700 18,700 | 11,000 11,000 14,000 14,000 16,000 | 9,200 9,200 10,500 10,500 12,000 | All rates are in US$ per week and include Government Consumption Tax. Gratuities are not included. *Excludes Thanksgiving period 18-24 Nov 2008. All rates are subject to change without notice. Minimum stay 5 nights during the summer season and 7 nights during the winter season (including Thanksgiving and Easter), except during Christmas/New Year when the minimum stay is 14 nights. |
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How To Book
If you wish to book direct, reservations should be made through the villa agent, Prendergast Villas. To confirm a reservation you must send a deposit of 30% of the total rental fee (50% for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year). Payment of the remaining 70% is required 60 days prior to your arrival (90 days for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year). If you are booking within 60 days of arrival, full payment must be made to secure the booking. Cancellations more than 60 days before arrival (90 days for Christmas/New Year) incur a 10% charge. Cancellations within 60 days (90 for Christmas/New Year) are non-refundable, unless the villa is rebooked for the same period. All cancellations incur a minimum 10% service charge. A security deposit may be requested against damage to the villa or contents during your stay. This is refundable on your return home if no damage occurs during your stay. You may contact Prendergast Villas by using the DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page, or if you wish to telephone them, please click on TELEPHONE CONTACT to reveal the number. |
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Airport Meet & Greet
If you are booking direct, you can make arrangements for the villa agent to send a driver to meet you at the airport, which is then pre-paid with the balance for the villa. Your airport transfer from Montego Bay will take approximately three hours. Alternatively, if you would prefer to be taken care of from the minute you arrive at the airport, with a range of services that can include stretch limousine transfers and a personal Concierge Service, this is offered by Glamour Tours.
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.
Note that Boscobel Aerodrome is located nine miles east Ocho Rios, just outside Oracabessa. It has domestic charter services out of Montego Bay (about 25 minutes) and out of Tinson Pen Airport in Kingston (15 minutes). Boscobel operates in daylight hours only. |
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Getting Around
A hired car is strongly recommended for all private villa holidays. A vehicle gives you an added element of freedom and will be useful if you want to dine out in the evenings, visit the sights 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. Ask for your vehicle to be delivered to the property approximately five hours after your scheduled time of arrival on Jamaica or the following morning (there is a delivery fee if you do not pick it up at the airport. Vehicles can be returned at the airport or be collected from the property at a pre-arranged time on your departure day. |
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