For more pictures - Click Here
|
Style: Very pretty modernised fifties building with traditional Jamaican shingle roof and wooden balustrades. Inside compact but bright with classic white décor. Very romantic – it was built as a wedding present
The Beach: Three minutes walk or a swim to San San Beach where there is a beach bar. Frenchman’s Cove just a couple of minutes in the car
The Rooms: One air-conditioned bedroom with en suite bathroom, sitting room with two daybeds which can accommodate two more (plus small shower-room)
Key features: One bedroom, shoreside Caribbean cottage rental. Private jetty and sundeck, telephone. Swimming right offshore.
Children: Because of the steps and the situation right on the water, Norse Point is not really suitable for small children. Otherwise welcome
Staff: Cook/housekeeper, night watchman |
| |
Description
Norse Point is a truly delightful one-bedroom villa in one of the most magical spots in an already beautiful island. It sits on a small headland (in one of the finest positions) on the excellent strip of holiday homes directly opposite Pellew Island just east of Port Antonio. It is quite small, just one bedroom, but is extremely pretty, and uses the best of traditional Jamaican architectural style, with its romantic tapered roofs and exposed white wood, to create a delightful seaside feel. Norse Point is one of the loveliest Caribbean vacation cottages and makes a perfect getaway for two.
The name comes from two things, second the small point on which is sits, a headland that is not much more than a fold in the land. The first is its Scandinavian extraction. Norse Point was for many years the beach house for the larger villa, Norse Hill, which sits in the hills behind. Norse Hill was built by a Norwegian shipping magnate. Now Norse Point is a very popular stand-alone villa.
You enter the villa via some steps at the rear of the property, where the front door brings you straight into the sitting room. The character and charm of the place is immediately apparent. There is a base décor of white, in the tiles, the walls and the pitched ceiling with its exposed beams, which is then splashed with colour. The two sofas have chequered throws in blue and red and are topped with yellow cushions. At the back of the room is a small bathroom and the kitchen leads off to the right.
But the main impression is of course the view, which opens up through two sets of full length doors beyond the small dining table with seating for four. Pellew Island, with all its rampant greenery, is right across from you, framed by the blue of the sea and sky. Step out onto the small balcony and you will have a lovely view of Alligator Head over to your left. And further left is the pretty stretch of sand at San San Beach. The balcony has an attractive wooden balustrade, but it is not really large enough to spend much time on, so it leads around the kitchen to the right, where you come to a very pretty and secluded grass-covered deck. It is partially overhung with greenery, but ideal for sunbathing. And stretching out into the water from here is a wooden jetty. It points straight at Pellew Island – which you can swim to - it is just a hundred yards or so and the water is calm. There are steps out of the water for when you want to get back out.
Norse Point is really ideal for two people. It has one double bedroom. However, there are two daybeds in the sitting room which can be converted to single beds if need be. The main bedroom is to the left as you enter the house. It is air-conditioned and has a ceiling fan (the main room has just a ceiling fan) and has an en suite shower-room. The bedroom continues the romantic feel of the house, with a white decorative theme, but here the colours, in the bed covers and curtains, are various shades of blue. The king bed is covered with a muslin net. The bedroom also has two large sets of doors that open the room up onto a balcony. This is larger than the balcony outside the sitting room and there is space enough to spend time there. You are unlikely to want to leave at any rate. Norse Point is an incredibly pretty and charming place. |
| ^ back to top |
Beach & Swimming
Norse Point was the beach house for Norse Hill for many years and although there is no sand right offshore, it is a short swim or a walk along the road to San San Beach, which is just over to the left of the villa. 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.
There is no pool at Norse Point, but you can swim right off the jetty (which has steps for you to climb back out when you have finished). The water is calm and quite shallow. The lagoon varies in depth to about ten feet. It is protected by Pellew island, where there is a small stretch of sand that you can swim to and a stretch of reef, which is good to snorkel. The villa has masks and fins for snorkelling. You can of course walk down and swim in the Blue Lagoon. |
| ^ back to top |
Sports & Recreation
Port Antonio has several good activities that explore the wonderful natural life of 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. |
| ^ back to top |
Locality
Norse Point is located in San San, a few miles to the east of the town of Port Antonio. The area has long been popular with holidaymakers and there have been several hotels, and particularly private villas, since the 1950s when 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 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. |
| ^ back to top |
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 ($15 per child) for a standard menu with some drinks. It will not cover extras such as lobster or imported steak, which vary according to market prices, or large amounts of alcohol. An account will be set up at the local supermarket and your bill will be settled on departure.
Personal laundry (except dry cleaning) is included in the rate. It is usually returned that same afternoon or the following morning.
Rental rates for the villa do not include ‘tips’ and it is recommended that you set aside 10% of the total villa rental for this. You should leave this in cash when you depart. Yvonne the manager is happy to help with the proportions, so that the gardeners, who you may never see, are not forgotten.
The owner of Villa Vacations, Yvonne Blakey, has a very hands-on attitude and she is happy to help guests to get the best out of their holiday in the area. She is on call if you have any requests or need advice about what to do.
Norse Point is set just off the main road. This is fairly quite corner of Jamaica, but there are lorries and buses and they do come quite close so there is some noise. |
| ^ back to top |
Rates
| | 10 Jan-14 Apr 2008 | 15 Apr-14 Dec 2008 | | Norse Point 1-2 guests | 2100 | 1750 | All rates are quoted in US$ 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. |
| ^ back to top |
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. |
| ^ back to top |
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. |
| ^ back to top |
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. |
| ^ 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 good 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 helpful to more people looking for an enjoyable Caribbean villa experience.
Thank you for your interest. |
| ^ back to top |
|
Print
page
www.villavacation.net/NorsePoint.html
