For more pictures - Click Here
|
Style: Delightful beachfront villa painted canary yellow with green trim (balustrades, doors and trelliswork) topped with shingle roofs. Keela Wee is nicely furnished and decorated with original local artwork. It has a familiar and friendly feel
The Beach: Glorious 100ft private white sand beach in a horseshoe cove, excellent swimming and snorkelling
The Rooms: 6 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms
Key features: Jamaica oceanfront villa rental perfect for a Caribbean family vacation, virtually a resort in itself, private beach, swimming pool (16ft x 34ft), floodlit tennis court, sea kayaks and snorkelling equipment, water trampoline and floating platform, 2 beachside dining decks, seafront terrace with picnic benches, covered living/dining veranda with wet bar, family room with 32” cable TV, VCR, CD sound system, fax and computer with internet access, all bedrooms with cable TV.
Children: Welcome – swimming pool can be fenced in. Cribs and high chairs available
Staff: Butler, cook, housekeeper, gardener – resident butler |
| |
Description
Keela Wee is an absolutely delightful beachfront villa, one of the nicest and most comfortable Jamaican family holiday homes that you will come across, and a good choice for a Caribbean family vacation. Set amid extremely pretty lawns that slope gently down onto a charming horseshoe cove and beach on Discovery Bay, it has the easygoing air of a seaside getaway on the one hand and the slightly countrified feel of a plantation house on the other. The villa has been expanded and refurbished in recent years with high quality furniture and homely décor, so it is looking fabulous. It is also original, with local artwork and tropical prints on the walls. The six bedroom villa offers a stylish setting with the best outdoor lifestyle, so if you are looking for somewhere friendly and well turned out in which to relax by the sea in style, and you like the idea of being a part of a semi-residential, holiday community (there are other villas close by), then Keela Wee is ideal.
The villa is one of a handful of extremely smart and enviably located villas on Fortlands Road, which runs up the eastern side of Discovery Bay. You turn into a short drive, pass the villa’s own tennis court, and come to the villa itself, which is mustard-coloured and trimmed with sage green woodwork. A cool interior awaits. This has pale, neutral toned marble floor tiles and pale green walls. The small hallway opens into a formal sitting area, where there is a mix of attractive furniture, both woven natural fibre sofas and hardwood caned backed chairs in a contemporary colonial style. Across from here is a formal dining area, one of many options for meal times at Keela Wee.
Two sets of double folding French doors (in the same sage green as the exterior woodwork) open these inner rooms to the covered terrace. This looks fantastic and is a key living area in the house. Its views out to the sea are framed by trellis arches that are festooned with trailing bougainvillea and flowering vines. The terrace has wicker seating at one end - watched over by an impressive model of a blue marlin caught by the villa’s owner - a dining area and then a wet bar with a wall-mounted cable TV in the other corner. Just beyond it is the pool. Breakfast is normally served on the terrace and it the best time of day to watch the many different birds attracted by the flowering vines. Another nice feature is that parents can sit on the veranda whilst still keeping an eye on children playing in the pool, the gardens or down on the beach.
The swimming pool is located right next to the terrace, which is open on that side, so that you can stroll up to the bar on the corner. It is a large pool and it is surrounded by a deck with garden chairs. A built-in brick barbecue stands to one side, on the edge of the lawn. The pool can be fenced in for the protection of young children if required.
Keela Wee has exceptionally attractive gardens, and the profusion of greens of the many tropical plants and the lawn blend very prettily with the yellow and sage green of the house itself. There are plenty of good spots to sunbathe, on the grass and on the sand, even on the floating platform in the bay, and the lawns are also ideal for children to run around on. As much thought has gone into the re-design of the gardens as into the interior of the house and there are now two lovely wooden decks that flank the beach area, under the large sea almond trees. This is where most guests choose to eat lunch and dinner and to sit in the shade.
Beyond the platforms another concrete terrace, built onto the sea rocks, extends to the waters edge. Here there are two picnic tables for very casual meals. As a special treat, staff will set up a beach party for you, lighting the area with torches and lanterns, and setting a bonfire on the beach.
The unusual name of Keela Wee may be familiar to some. It is the name of the fantasy golden beach belonging to the comic strip hero, The Phantom, which is said to be part sand and part gold. In truth the beach at Keela Wee is a very pretty, golden sandy cove, which is protected on either side by curved low outcrops that give it a horse shoe shape. It is a good swimming bay – you can swim out to the sun platform and sea trampoline – or snorkel or take out one of the sea kayaks.
Keela Wee has six air-conditioned bedrooms, all with ceiling fans, cable TV, polished hardwood floors and en suite bathrooms mirroring the bedroom’s décor. They are comfortable and extremely well furnished, each in their own individual style. Two of the bedrooms are located downstairs. The first, a recent addition, faces the drive off the entrance hallway and has a traditional plantation house theme. It has two mahogany caned-backed double beds with striped fabrics and palm tree motif covers, offset by drapes in striped burgundy, cream and green. The second bedroom is reached from the living room and has two rattan double beds with matching furnishings, in dark rose and soft green floral fabrics. Both bedrooms have en suite bathrooms with a tub/shower.
A polished hardwood staircase leads upstairs from the living room into a very comfortable family TV room. Here you will find plump sage-green sofas and chairs, a 32” cable TV, DVD and VCR, card table and, tucked in one corner, a desk with a computer (with complimentary internet access) and a fax machine. Music is fed from downstairs by a sound system with CD player.
There are two corner bedrooms at the front of the house, which have splendid views over the lawn to the bay from their private balconies. One is the master bedroom, which has special-effect Venetian plaster walls in cream, a king size bed with a cane panel headboard and fabrics with a palm tree motif in shades of pale green and cream. The bedroom at the other corner is decorated in shades of burgundy and sage, with checks and floral patterns. It has a queen size bed and wicker furnishings. Both bedrooms have en suite bathrooms with tub/shower.
To the rear of the master bedroom, with a window overlooking the pool and the bay, is a king bedroom with green shaded walls and heliconia-print fabrics. It has an en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower only. The final bedroom, another recent addition, is located to the rear of the house looking onto the drive. It has an impressive chunky, bamboo-frame, king size bed with an eye-catching embroidered cover featuring exotic fruit and plants, and matching drapes. It has en suite bathroom with tub/shower. |
| ^ back to top |
Beach & Swimming
The lawns at Keela Wee lead directly onto a delightful 100ft golden sand beach. The sand is enclosed in a horse-shoe by two low cliffs, on which there are wooden decks. There is calm swimming out of the cove (Discovery Bay itself is well protected) and reefs which offer good snorkelling. A swim-up sunning platform and water trampoline are just beyond the cove and the villa also provides guests with snorkelling equipment and sea kayaks.
An inviting, freshwater, mosaic tile swimming pool (16ft x 34ft) with a dolphin motif on the bottom, is located to the side of the villa, next to the main veranda. Set within a brick-tiled sun terrace, the pool can be enclosed by fencing when young children are in residence. There are some inflatable pool toys. The pool is entered by steps at the corner of the shallow end and there is a sitting alcove at the garden end with a view down to the sea terrace and the bay beyond. |
| ^ back to top |
Sports & Recreation
Keela Wee has its own private Laykold tennis court which can be floodlit for night play, as well as sea kayaks, a sea trampoline and snorkelling gear.
The nearest golf courses are the Grand Lido Braco Golf Club, west of Rio Bueno, a 9 hole, par 28, 1,357 yard course and the SuperClubs Golf Course, an 18 hole, 72 par, 6,814 yard course located in Runaway Bay. Both are around 10-15 minutes away by car. About an hour’s drive takes you to Sandals Golf & Country Club, an 18 hole, 72 par, 6311 yard course located in the hills east of Ocho Rios (it was formerly the Upton Golf Course, established in 1951). The closest stables for riding or polo are both in St Ann - Chukka Cove at Laughlands, about 25 minutes by car, and St Ann Polo Club and Equestrian Center at Drax Hall, approximately 30 minutes away. |
| ^ back to top |
Locality
Keela Wee is one of a dozen or so villas set in an extremely popular and exclusive residential enclave, often referred to as “Millionaires Row”, strung along the private Fortlands Road on the eastern shore line of Discovery Bay. It is around an hours drive east of Montego Bay and around 30 minutes west of Ocho Rios. There is a certain sense of community about the villa on the strip. Amanoka villa is to the left and Whispering Waters, built by the same family, is on the right. Here you can expect to smell the barbecues coming from neighbouring villas, and to hear and see other villa residents.
On the approach to the villas you will pass Puerto Seco Beach, a pretty white sand public beach from which local fishermen operate. It is a popular spot with locals. You can easily kayak along the strip of villas from the top of the bay at Fortlands Point down to Puerto Seco. The village of Puerto Seco, which is just across the road from the entrance of Fortlands Road, consists of a post office, public library, petrol station, police station, small supermarket and patty shop. You will need drive to Ocho Rios if wanting to do some serious shopping, dine out or sample local nightlife.
Discovery Bay itself is fairly low key and there are just a handful of other rental properties dotted around the hillsides. Visible from the villa is the Kaiser Bauxite Plant, whose large dome shaped storage tank is the most dominant building on the bay. Nearby by is Columbus Park Museum, a commemorative park to mark the 1494 landing of Christopher Columbus in Discovery Bay, though it now appears that it was not actually on this spot (that is supposedly at Rio Bueno). It is an open-air park with a collection of artefacts including an old water wheel from a sugar estate, an Indian dug-out canoe, cannons and agricultural equipment. |
| ^ back to top |
Useful Hints
The chef at Keela Wee will pre-stock for your welcome meal and buy in initial food and drink supplies. You may opt to prepay your groceries (if so, this should be done 60 days prior to arrival). If you are booking direct, ask your travel organiser or the villa agent for a list of suggested items. If you do not pre-pay, the bill for the initial provisioning (plus the costs for transport) should be paid in cash on arrival and you should then also provide the chef with funds for all subsequent shopping, including transportation costs.
The chef at Keela wee is a graduate of Villas by Linda Smith’s gourmet cuisine cooking course, which offers guests menus of a slightly higher standard. Chefs work to an average budget of US$45 per adult/US$20 per child, per day when provisioning the gourmet menu. Pre-stocking includes a basic drinks package of rum, wine and beer, but does not cover extras such as whole lobster or imported steak, which vary according to market prices. The rest of the shopping for your stay will be done by the chef once you have liaised with them on arrival. You may opt to go with your chef on the first shopping trip.
Gratuities
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 a gratuity for the staff. You will be expected to pay this directly to the staff before you leave. Information on how it is to be divided will be included in the guest’s villa manual, and you may find an envelope provided.
Your villa’s laundress will attend to your personal laundry (excluding dry clean items). If they are handed over in the morning they will usually be ready later that same afternoon.
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 will attract a guest surcharge if the number attending the ceremony/reception exceeds the villa’s maximum occupancy. This fee is currently US$15 per person. Also note that if party numbers exceed the maximum villa occupancy you will normally be required to use the services of an outside catering company to arrange food and beverage. |
| ^ back to top |
Rates
| | 16 Apr- 14 Dec 2009 | Thanks- Giving 2009 | 15 Dec- 15 Apr 2009-10 | Christmas/ Christmas & New Year 2009-10 | 16 Apr- 14 Dec 2010 | | Keela Wee 1-4 bedrooms 5-6 bedrooms | 10,950 11,950 | 13,400 13,400 | 11,950 13,400 | 22,500/ 25,000 22,500/ 25,000 | 10,950 11,950 | Rates are quoted in US$ per week (7 nights), room only (EP). Rates are based on double occupancy per bedroom. There is a surcharge of $50 per night for each extra guest in any room. All rates are subject to change without notice. Minimum stay of 5 nights from 16 Apr-14 Dec except during Easter, Thanksgiving and 15 Dec-15 Apr when the minimum stay is 7 nights. There is a minimum stay of 14 nights over the Christmas/New Year period, unless booking for the Christmas week (lower rate) only and departing by 29 Dec. |
| ^ back to top |
How To Book
If you wish to book direct, bookings should be made through the villa agent, Jamaica Villas by Linda Smith. To confirm a reservation you must send a deposit of 25% of the total rental fee (50% for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year). Payment of the remaining 75% is required 60 days prior to your arrival (90 days for Thanksgiving and 120 days for Christmas and New Year) and no refunds will be made during this time. For cancellations made more than 60 days prior to scheduled occupancy, deposits will be refunded less a 10% cancellation fee and relevant credit card processing or wire fees. If you are booking within 60 days of your arrival, full payment must be made to secure the booking. A US$500 security deposit is also required, against damage to the villa or contents during your stay. It is refundable on your return home if no damage has occurred. You may contact Jamaica Villas by Linda Smith by using the WEB LINK or DIRECT ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page, or if you wish to telephone them, please click on TELEPHONE CONTACT to reveal the number. For a review of Jamaica Villas by Linda Smith please see here. |
| ^ back to top |
UK Tour Operators
If you wish to book through a tour operator or travel organiser, please follow the link below.
See List of UK Tour Operators
|
| ^ back to top |
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 will then be pre-paid with your balance for the villa. The airport transfer from Montego Bay will take an hour depending on traffic. 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. |
| ^ back to top |
Getting Around
A hired car is highly recommended for all private villa holidays but a popular alternative in Jamaica is a private driver service, which is easily arranged and particularly useful if you go out in the evenings. For shopping or sightseeing, you may wish to be independent and drive yourself around as it gives you an added element of freedom to explore the island, which is exceptionally beautiful. If you are booking the villa direct or through a tour operator, you can organise car hire at the same time as you book your accommodation. Otherwise you can reserve your car with Jamaica Villas by Linda Smith at the same time as booking your villa.
If you do decide to go for a hire car, ask for your vehicle to be delivered to the property (there may be a delivery fee) approximately three hours after your scheduled time of arrival on Jamaica or the following morning. Vehicles can be returned at the airport or collected from the property at a pre-arranged time on your departure day. All drivers booked through the villa staff or through Jamaica Villas by Linda Smith are registered JUTA tour guides. |
| ^ back to top |
Have you found this page useful?
We appreciate your feedback on our service.
I found this page useful
I would like to make a comment
All the information on this site comes to you free of charge and we do not receive commission for your reservations so it is always helpful to hear if you think we are doing a good job, or if you have any constructive suggestions. Please also remember to mention DefinitiveCaribbean to your friends so that we may be of help to more people looking for an enjoyable Jamaica villa experience.
Thank you for your interest. |
| ^ back to top |
|
Print
page
www.jamaicavillas.com/keelawee.html
