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Villa Vacation is a small villa rental outfit based in Port Antonio in the east of Jamaica. It manages and represents a small portfolio of about 20 excellent rental properties in the villa community mainly to the east of Port Antonio. These include luxury properties on the waterfront by the Blue Lagoon and several of the family style homes on the surrounding hillsides.
A relatively young company, formed in 2001, Villa Vacation is run by the very personable Yvonne Blakey, who grew up in Port Antonio and is consequently well known in the area. She started it partly by developing an existing company whose owner had migrated overseas and by adding some new villas herself. Yvonne manages some of the villas in her portfolio (others are overseen by the owners themselves, many of whom live in Kingston), but a key part of her service for any guests that rent through Villa Vacation is her hands-on approach to making sure that you have everything you need.
Port Antonio is probably the most charming area of an already extremely beautiful island and its villas date back many decades, to the time when the town was one of the leading resorts in the Caribbean and was visited by the jet set and Hollywood stars. Although the area is somewhat quieter nowadays, the result is some unexpectedly spectacular villas in truly charming settings.
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KEY FEATURES...
| Friendliness and attentiveness. small Jamaica villa rental agent with concierge service on call, offering (in addition to accommodation), advice, food purchase, yoga, massages and tours. |
CLIENT PROFILE...
| Jamaica devotees looking for a very quiet escape in attractive surroundings, some of whom have a long-standing connection to the area. Also wealthy Jamaicans and expatriates escaping to the quiet from Kingston |
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There is a surprising number of good villas San San, the lovely section of coast juts to the east of Port Antonio. The area is exceptionally pretty to begin with, but this is only part of its secret, which is that it has had a following among illustrious travellers for many, many years. It is quite quiet and secluded now, but over the past century it has been the most popular area of Jamaica. It started with the wealthy visitors who came to Port Antonio on the banana boats. Then in the 1950s wealthy industrialists and the British aristocracy arrived, closely followed by Hollywood and the jet set. The result is some extremely comfortable holiday homes in simply fantastic settings. Port Antonio – and San San particularly - is a lovely area to visit and ideal for a relaxing villa holiday.
Villa Vacation rents out around 20 of these villas. They offer a good variety in style and size, ranging from a charming one-bedroom hideaway on the waterfront directly opposite Pellew Island to a grand seven bedroom house in the hills behind the coast. It is also worth noting that there is a high level of service in the villas here. All houses have at least a housekeeper and a cook. Larger houses come with a butler and a chef. In the background of course there are gardeners, caretakers and pool maintenance men. And backing them, there is the friendly service and staff of Villa Vacation itself, who will help you get the best out of the area. They generally come to meet you on the morning after your arrival to see if there is anything you need. This can range from concierge services such as baby-sitting, changing money, taxis, car rental and general recommendations about the area to arranging a special event.
The company is run by the very personable Yvonne Blakey, who grew up in Port Antonio and is consequently well known in the area. She has a BSC in chemistry and maths and a masters degree in microbiology, but she came to the hospitality industry via a family supermarket and money-transfer business. The company was set up relatively recently, in 2001, but it was actually formed out of an existing company that was run by a friend of Yvonne who decided to go to live in Nassau. Yvonne took it over and has developed it, adding some new villas of her own. In addition to holiday rentals, Yvonne manages some of the villas in the portfolio, for owners who do not live nearby (others are overseen by their owners who live in Kingston).
Port Antonio is probably the most charming area of an already exceptionally beautiful island. The area is probably best known for the Blue Lagoon, the stretch of water that runs from Alligator Head and San San beach down to the famous Blue Hole. On the waterfront here you will find around twenty villas and their settings are magical, looking across the shallow, aquamarine water to Pellew Island. Even the island has its romantic story. It was given as a wedding present by Baron von Thyssen to his bride, Nina Dyer. She later became the Princess to the Aga Khan. However, you shouldn’t forget the villas in the hills behind the beach, as they are just as attractive in their own way. If you would prefer the greenery of a tropical garden then there are some lovely houses, many with classic Caribbean style and their own romantic stories. And of course, as the coast is exceptionally pretty, with delightful views. |
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Services
Port Antonio Villa Rentals
Villa rentals is the principle business of Villa Vacation and the depth of the different types of the Port Antonio villas even within their relatively small portfolio means that Villa Vacation is able to match different types of client to properties that are most suitable for them. In addition to this, another arm of their business is the marketing of the villas to contacts and tour operators in America, Canada and Europe.
Once there has been an enquiry, Villa Vacation deal with all practical aspects of the booking. They take advance payment and prepare for any special requests. On the clients’ arrival in Jamaica, they can arrange transfers from the airport, after which the villa staff will settle them in to the property. They will also arrange provisioning (easy when they are well connected with {Port Antonio’s largest supermarket). You will find a folder with local information in all the villas, but if guests require it, Villa Vacation can also provide orientation of the local area (they usually come on the morning after your arrival, because people tend to arrive quite late in the day in Port Antonio). Yvonne oversees all the practical details – loan of a mobile phone if requested and for example the delivery of a rental car. She can also provide an element of concierge service by helping with taxis and restaurant bookings or even help in arranging a party or a special event.
Villa Management
Villa Vacation manages around ten of the villas in their portfolio. The company ensures the smooth running of the property, giving expatriate owners peace of mind when they are not on island (several of the villas are owned by people from Kingston, who like to escape to the peace and tranquillity of this part of the island and who keep an eye on things from Kingston, other live abroad). Villa Vacation will oversee the tending of the gardens and the maintenance of the pool and the house generally, and also payment of the staff and taxes.
Provisioning
Villa Vacation is happy to arrange preliminary provisioning for you so that you do not have to rush out to the supermarket the moment you arrive. They will leave food for about 24 hours in the villa for your arrival. They will send a suggested list to which you can add. If you have any special requirements then let them know in advance and the cook and housekeeper can prepare in advance. |
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Staff
The staffing in the villas in Port Antonio is extensive. There is always a housekeeper, who will come each day, including public holidays. In a smaller house the housekeeper might also work as the cook, but larger houses will have a butler as well, and a qualified chef. Housekeepers will make up beds, wash up and generally tidy, and they will also do your personal laundry. In the background there are gardeners and pool maintenance men. Babysitters can be arranged, possibly from outside, though the housekeeper may be happy to do it in certain circumstances.
Villa Vacation is owned and run by Yvonne Blakey, who is assisted by Peter Ahwee Clement Edie, aka Dude. |
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Meet & Greet
If you are booking direct, Villa Vacation is happy to arrange a taxi to meet you at the airport. The driver will wait with a named sign and deliver you to the villa, where you will be met by a member of the house staff, who will have a meal ready for you unless you tell them specifically otherwise. The fee for the airport transfer will be settled on the day after arrival with a member of the Villa Vacation team. At the same time they will check that everything is all right and see if there is anything that they can help with. At the same time they will arrange the payment of your food bills and arrange any cash advance you may need (Yvonne Blakey also has a family exchange business).
If you are booking through a travel organiser, particularly if you are booking a flight inclusive holiday from the UK or Europe, it is likely that the travel company’s on-island 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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Check In
Check in time is midday unless other guests have left that morning, in which case the villa will not be ready until the afternoon and you will be asked not to come before 3pm (which is not usually a problem as flights to Jamaica tend not to arrive before the afternoon anyway). If you are in Jamaica already and want to arrive earlier than midday, then Villa Vacation will do what it can to accommodate you.
To avoid confusion upon arrival, the best plan is to let them know your flight details and preferences at the time of booking. |
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Departures
The official check out time is 11am. Priority will always be given to incoming guests, so if there are back to back bookings then you will be required to leave on time, so that the villa can be prepared for their arrival. However, if no guests are coming in that day, Villa Vacation will do what it can to be flexible.
If you have a hire car, you can choose to return it at the airport (make sure all your luggage will fit). Or it can be collected from the villa prior to your departure. If your travel organiser hasn't already made the appropriate transport arrangements to take you back to the airport, Villa Vacation is happy to book a cab for you. A member of staff will be at the house for your departure to see you off. |
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Bookings
If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with Villa Vacation Jamaica, 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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Booking Conditions
To confirm a booking a payment of 50% of the rental is required. The balance falls due four weeks prior to your arrival.
Cancellation Policy
The 50% deposit is non-refundable.
Travel Insurance
Since accidents can happen, we recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy that gives you full protection for damage to Third Party property. For further advice, please see here. |
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Weddings
You might wish to plan a celebration while you are in Port Antonio, a party with a caterer or perhaps even a wedding. Although the setting on the waterfront at the Blue Lagoon is spectacular, none of the villas have much space for a large reception so it may not be practicable to do it there. Inland, however, the villas tend to have excellent gardens which do have the space and so that is an excellent option.
If you do decide on a celebration, Yvonne can help out by co-ordinating all the things you will need and put you in touch with the best local services. For a wedding she has call on florists, hairdressers, photographers, caterers, cake-makers and musicians. She will of course make all the necessary arrangements with the pastor to perform the marriage ceremony itself. They will be in touch with you direct before your arrival. |
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Portfolio Listing
DefinitiveCaribbean features a representative selection of the Jamaica villa rentals that are available for rent through Villa Vacation. They can be booked directly or through tour operators/travel organisers that have an agreement with the company.
See here for a complete listing of the Jamaica rentals that we feature. For a full property review together with photographs and rates, please see below.
| De Javu, Jamaica
An attractive and comfortable three bedroom villa set on the waterfront near Port Antonio. Quite a classic Caribbean set up, but with some funky décor. Easy seaside atmosphere.
See details for this property on tour operators web site | | Norse Hill, Jamaica
Grand four bedroom Jamaica rental villa set high above the coast at San San just east of Port Antonio. Family style, with elements of the Orient and Scandinavia, fantastic gardens and spectacular views of the most beautiful part of Jamaica.
See details for this property on tour operators web site | | Lolivya, Jamaica
A delightful 4 bedroom waterside home in one of Jamaica’s most unique settings, on the famous Blue Lagoon near Port Antonio. Lolivya has contemporary Caribbean décor and makes the most of its setting, with all its rooms looking onto the stunning water.
See details for this property on tour operators web site | | Norse Point, Jamaica
A delightful, romantic cottage in traditional Jamaican style set on the point next to San San Beach near Port Antonio. Just one bedroom with a waterside deck and lovely views of Pellew (Monkey) Island. Good Port Antonio villa rental for a Caribbean honeymoon.
See details for this property on tour operators web site | | Villa Ayahsowedeh, Jamaica
A modern and very stylish 3 bedroom villa right on the waterfront near Port Antonio. Minimalist style and décor, with whole walls of French windows and a deck to get the best of the setting and views.
See details for this property on tour operators web site | | Birdie Hill (former Pixie Hill), Jamaica
A gracious four-bedroom holiday home set in 5 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens just to the east of Port Antonio. Birdie Hill has a lovely old colonial Jamaican style and superb views over Alligator Head and San San Bay.
See details for this property on tour operators web site | |
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