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Style: A contemporary villa that incorporates many classic architectural features from Jamaica and elsewhere around the Caribbean – tray ceilings and columns and flattened arches – as well as hints of Bali. Glamorous, ultra luxurious and intimate hideaway with first class service. Luxury Jamaica villa
The Beach: Pathway through private gardens to a very quiet white sand beach used for the famous beach scene in the James Bond movie Dr No, in which Ursula Andress emerges from the surf
The Rooms: 3 bedrooms in the main house with en suite bathrooms and a bedroom in a separate wing with a large en suite bathroom, a sunken bath and double shower
Key features: First class Jamaica villa – outstanding Caribbean beachfront villa - with 24 hr room service, full service Jamaica spa, steam room and riverside terrace, air-conditioned fitness room with TV, large infinity edge swimming pool (18ft x 36ft), den area with plasma cable TV and DVD jukebox with 200 titles and CD with surround sound including bedrooms, over 100 CDs – separate sound system for gym and spa, cable TVs and DVDs in all bedrooms, formal and informal living and dining areas, Yamaha baby grand piano, guitar, computer with internet access, printer, fax, large BBQ, electronic gates and security.
Children: Welcome
Staff: Major-domo, concierge, butler, assistant butler/beach attendant, chef, housekeeper, laundress, 2 gardeners – adjoining resident staff quarters |
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Description
Roaring Pavilion, hidden away on the shoreline to the west of Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s north coast, is one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious private villas. Very few people know its exact location, so it is ideal for anyone in search of an elegant hideaway and over the years it has seen a fair few Hollywood stars and music celebrities. It is a four bedroom villa that sits in a walled garden of dense, jungle-like greenery, with a tributary of the nearby Roaring River gurgling alongside.
As you turn off the main north coast road from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios, you might be forgiven for wondering where you are heading. It hardly looks as though there would be anything there at all, let alone such a smart villa, but then that is exactly how they like to keep it. Gradually though, Roaring Pavilion makes itself known, first through neatly kept grass verges, and then a wall with a pair of wrought iron electric gates. As you pull into the courtyard, your delightful butler Roy will appear with chilled towels.
Roaring Pavilion is not a huge and imposing villa. Instead it is comfortably sized, and has a familiar, friendly air with obvious quality and glamour. It is also spectacularly designed, with classic Jamaican and tropical styles. Water is a key feature. You notice it first in the lily ponds and pools in the entrance courtyard but it extends around and even inside the house. The main veranda gives straight into the enticing lagoon-like swimming pool directly in front of the villa and a pebble pool meanders through the living area. The villa is also set right next to a stream, which adds another unique dimension. Finally there is excellent greenery. The walls of the brick and turf entrance courtyard are smothered with vines and lined with ponds of water hyacinth set between a profusion of palms, shrubs and grasses. A copper pot brims with tropical waterlilies. In an oriental touch, two Chinese lions guard the separate Balinese Wing off the courtyard.
The main entrance to the villa is spectacular too and shows the mix of classical Jamaican and oriental architecture. A polished wooden bridge passes over a pond beneath a broken pediment supported by columns and brings you onto a small deck at the main front door, a wall of vertical shutters that fold right back to reveal the main living area. This is an opulent, open-plan great room with a high, angle-vaulted roof which is inset with decorative skylights at either end. It has walls of Barbadian coral stone, a colour scheme of neutral tones and glossy terracotta tile floors. The furnishings, artwork and fabrics come from around the world.
The room contains several ‘areas’. Ahead on the left is a formal dining area, which is backed by an elaborate gilded mirror that is flanked by a pair of blackamoor torch-bearers. A glittering crystal chandelier hangs above the ten foot antique mahogany table. Despite the lure of dining on Christofle sterling silver flatware, Spode china and Stuart crystal, this area is not used for dining that often – instead guests generally prefer to dine in the more relaxed setting of the pavilion. Next to the formal dining area is the professional-standard kitchen, where Roaring Pavilion’s chef turns out a repertoire of fabulous international dishes that ranges from Jamaican and French to Italian and Oriental. They also make fresh bread, cakes and pastries, ice cream, fruit sorbets, and, in a separate juice room and bar, all sorts of drinks including fresh fruit smoothies, and cocktails. In addition to the coal fired grill in the garden, the kitchen has a professional-standard grill.
Across from the dining area there is a Yamaha baby grand piano (a guitar is also available if you wish to play both instruments together), and next to it a hand-painted screen. Leading off here is a den/entertainment area. It has a large and comfy sofa and chairs which face a big screen plasma TV with satellite, VCR and a DVD player that has been programmed to hold a library of up to 200 movies. There is also a surround-sound CD player (the gym and spa has a separate sound system) which also holds around 200 CDs. Finally there is a selection of books, videos and games and a small powder room. The villa also has a computer with internet access, a printer and fax. The most unusual feature of the Great Room is another, more formal sitting area, with stylish Donghia furnishings. Next to it is a beautiful reflecting pool, which is built into the floor and marks the edge of the room. The floor of the pool is laid with smooth river pebbles found on the property. This, like most of the water features is lit at night.
A low, teak bridge-way spans the pool and leads you into the open sided pavilion. This offers the best of indoor/outdoor tropical living and is the most popular living area at the villa. It has a Caribbean ‘tray’ ceiling supported on round columns between which there are flattened arches with decorative trellis. Otherwise though, it is entirely open to the pool and gardens. The space is furnished with both sofas and wicker seating. To the other side is another dining area, with comfortable padded dining chairs and a long glass topped table, again under a crystal chandelier. This is where most meals are served.
The pavilion gives almost directly onto the lagoon-like swimming pool, which you enter on a series of shallow steps the full width of the pool. At the far end is an infinity edge which takes the eye over the gardens and to the azure sea beyond. Either side of the pool are tiled terraces with canvas umbrellas and teak sun loungers. Beyond it, the walled gardens run down to the waterfront. They have lawns and extremely abundant tropical foliage, which creates a wonderful, jungle-like backdrop – it feels so exotic that it might be in Indonesia rather than the Caribbean. Just below the pool area, a large coal fuelled grill with stainless steel buffet is tucked amongst the shrubs.
A pathway leads down through the gardens to a gate in the far wall which opens right onto the beach (though you can also approach it via a side gate). Beach chairs and umbrellas can be set up on the sand - one of the staff will act as beach attendant - and there is snorkelling gear on hand if you wish to venture out to the reef offshore. The fact that this beach was chosen as a location for one of the most famous James Bond beach scenes – it is where Ursula Andress emerges from the sea at the beginning of the film Dr No - speaks for itself. It is a lovely strip of golden sand. It is also how the beach got its name, James Bond Beach. In addition to the tributary running into the sea next to the villa, the Roaring River cascades into the sea just a short walk away, which is fun to see. As a special treat after dinner, staff will build a bonfire down on the beach for toasting marshmallows after dinner.
Roaring Pavilion’s private spa and gym are located at the back of the Balinese wing. It is a lovely tranquil area which overlooks the gully where the tributary of Roaring River glides past. The full service spa has an air-conditioned treatment room and a steam room with a rainshower head. Outside, there is a teak open air deck where treatment tables can also be set up in the shade of umbrellas. It is a truly glorious spot for a massage. Spa services (which are extra unless you are on the all-inclusive plan) include manicure, pedicure, facials, waxing and body treatments. Many have a specific Jamaican or Caribbean twist, including the Blue Mountain Coffee toner, the Pina Colada body polish and the Caribbean Cooler for sunburn. There is also a range of massages such as deep tissue, hot stone and lymphatic drainage. Downstairs there is a fully equipped, air-conditioned gym with a juice bar, stereo system and satellite TV. Equipment includes a multi gym, free weights, stairmaster, treadmill and bicycle. A series of large, glass doors give a view onto the jungly scene of the river gully outside. The doors open onto a secluded and shady riverside terrace which perfect for sitting and relaxing after a workout.
There are four splendid and extremely well appointed bedrooms at Roaring Pavilion. They have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, three sheet Italian linen, en suite bathrooms with Travertine marble tiles, hairdryers and La Ligne de St Barth bath products. There are also speakers connected to the main sound system (with bedside volume controls), satellite TV and DVD. Two of the bedrooms are located off the east side of the Great Room. The rear bedroom is known as the Ceylon Room and it has a slightly masculine feel, with fabrics in dark greens and purples. It has an attractive king size, dark stained, woven rattan sleigh bed and a striking en suite bathroom with very dark green marble tiled walls and a large walk-in shower. At the front is the romantic Peacock Room, which has a king size, French wrought iron bed with a brocade cover and a frame draped with muslin. It has a lovely en suite bathroom with caramel coloured marble tiles and a whirlpool tub/shower that has a window onto a small garden. The room’s louvered doors open onto a small tiled patio (an extension of the main veranda and pavilion), which gives onto the lawns at the side of the swimming pool. The third bedroom in the main part of the villa is the colonial style Mahogany Room. This is located off the den/entertainment area and has its own patio giving onto the gardens at the other side of the pool. The room has an impressive, reproduction 18th century, carved mahogany, king size four poster, set against cream fabrics, with a similar whirlpool marble bathroom to that of the Peacock Room.
The Balinese Wing is an exotic hideaway even within Roaring Pavilion, which makes it perfect for honeymooners, or any couple looking for an element of romance and extreme privacy. It is located in a cottage off the entrance courtyard, separated from the staff quarters (which give off the kitchen) by the path to the spa and gym. A small terrace leads into a small foyer and then into the bedroom, which is simply lovely. It has a modern twist on the Balinese style, with a peaked, white-painted tongue and groove ceiling in which there are angular windows that give the room a loft-like feel. Natural canvas blinds shield the midday sun. The room has floors of polished hardwood and coral stone walls and it is decorated with neutral colours which give it a cool and calm atmosphere. It is dominated by a splendid king size, bamboo-framed four poster with white drapes on three sides. The en suite bathroom is simply stunning. It is divided from the bedroom only by a wall of glass doors, so in fact it seems completely open plan. It has one of the most seductive and alluring sunken bath you can imagine. Steps lead from the sand-coloured marble floor down into a specially built, oblong whirlpool bath like a mini plunge pool. Above it is a section of open lattice wood roofing and there are palms and potted plants all around. A set of glass doors lead into the adjacent shower room, with its two sets of shower heads. The WC is tucked around the corner out of view. The Balinese room is also equipped with a wet bar. |
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Beach & Swimming
Roaring Pavilion is set just behind a lovely section of white sand and shallow sea to which there is access at the end of the garden and through a gate in the side wall. The beach is sometimes known as James Bond Beach (though there is a better known James Bond Beach in Oracabessa) and also as Dr No Beach. The reason is that it was the location of the famous beach scene at the beginning of the first James Bond film, Dr No, in which a bikini-clad Ursula Andress emerges from the sea.
Roaring Pavilion comes with a beach attendant/assistant butler who will set up beach chairs and umbrellas for you, serve drinks and generally be in attendance. There is an offshore reef and snorkelling masks and snorkels are available (fins for your size can be rented). Several different watersports can be arranged for you on the beach, including parasailing, jet ski and windsurfing. Finally, in addition to the tributary that runs into the sea right next to the villa, the Roaring River cascades into the sea just a short walk away and is well worth a look.
Roaring Pavilion has a languorous, classic-looking swimming pool (18ft x 36ft) which is set in a tiled sun terrace just beyond the pavilion. It has an infinity edge that looks over the gardens to the sea. A flight of steps gives into the shallow end. |
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Sports & Recreation
Roaring Pavilion is one of a very few villas in the whole of the Caribbean that has its own full service spa set in its own building. There is an air-conditioned treatment room, a spa shower and a steam room. It also has an open-air teak deck which overlooks the river gully, on which treatments can also be carried out under the shade of umbrellas. Spa services (extra unless on the all-inclusive plan) include manicure, pedicure, facials, waxing, body treatments such as the Blue Mountain Coffee toner, Pina Colada body polish and the Caribbean Cooler for sunburn. There is a range of massages such as deep tissue, hot stone and lymphatic drainage. Downstairs is a fully equipped, gym (also a bonus in private villas around the islands) with mahogany flooring. It is air-conditioned, but a wall of French doors that give out onto the secluded riverside terrace can be opened so you can also exercise in the natural air. There is also a satellite TV, stereo system and a juice bar. Equipment includes a Hoist 2200 multi-gym with bench press and leg press stations, a treadmill, bicycle, stair-master and free weights.
The nearest golf courses are Grand Lido Braco Golf Club, west of Rio Bueno (a 9 hole, par 28, 1,357 yard course) and SuperClubs’ Golf Course (an 18 hole 72 par, 6,814 yard course located in Runaway Bay). Both are around 20 minutes away by car. The Sandals Golf & Country Club, an 18 hole, 72 par, 6311 yard course located in the hills east of Ocho Rios is about 35 minutes away. Established in 1951, it was formerly the Upton Golf Course. The nearest stables for riding or polo are both in St Ann - Chukka Cove at Laughlands about 10 minutes away by car and St Ann Polo Club and Equestrian Center in Drax Hall, just 5 minutes away. |
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Locality
Roaring Pavilion is tucked away in a fairly secret location in the parish of St Ann, near Mammee Bay, down what appears at first to be a rather untidy looking lane. The unauspicious entrance has been kept the way it is on purpose, dissuading anyone from the idea that a world class villa lurks beyond, but of course this all changes once you approach the villa itself. The villa is a good ninety minute drive from Montego Bay depending on road conditions, and around 20 minutes from the centre of Ocho Rios.
Ocho Rios is Jamaica’s busiest port of call for cruise ships and has developed plenty of shopping to suit, with a host of downtown shopping centres, craft markets, a themed Caribbean retail village and duty free outlets, as well as a handful of good restaurants and a bit of night life. The centre of the town sits between an attractive bay with a sweeping curve of white sand and a steep backdrop of extremely lush, forested hills. The most famous attraction in the area is Dunn’s River Falls just outside the town, where you can climb 600ft falls up into a nature park. You might also visit the dolphin attraction at Dolphin Cove, just a short drive from the villa. To the west of Ocho Rios and the villa are the less developed areas of Runaway Bay, about 20 minutes away by car, and Discovery Bay, which is about 30 minutes away.
The parish of St Ann is often referred to as the Garden Parish and there are plenty of natural attractions and activities including botanical gardens, nature parks, a fishing park, plantation tours and a forest canopy tour. There is bamboo and white water rafting east of Ocho Rios on the White River. There are also several stables for horse riding (even polo), scuba diving outfits, several golf courses and downhill mountain biking. Watersports are available on Turtle Beach in Ocho Rios or at James Bond Beach in Oracabessa. If you wish to visit an art gallery then try Harmony Hall Gallery or Wassi Art Pottery.
All of your food shopping is done for you at Roaring Pavilion, but should you wish to visit a supermarket, the General Food Supermarket is in Ocean Village Shopping Centre, Main Street, Ocho Rios. It is well stocked with both local and imported goods. |
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Useful Hints
Roaring Pavilion has a fully trained chef, who will prepare a welcome meal with food and drink supplies that will be brought in for your arrival. This must be paid for locally in cash unless you opt to prepay your groceries, in which case this should be done 60 days prior to arrival. You can ask your travel organiser or the villa agent (if booking direct) for a list. Be sure to make any special requirements known at this stage. The rest of the shopping for your stay will be done by the chef once you have liaised with her locally. The chef works to a budget of US$45-60 per adult, per day, depending on menus you choose i.e. imported meats and seafood will cost more. You will need to provide the chef with funds for all subsequent shopping in cash or travellers cheques (credit cards will incur a 5% surcharge) and there is a 15% fee. An all-inclusive meal and spa plan (which excludes drinks) is available at Roaring Pavilion, please see rates below. For menu information please see here.
If you are booking the villa on a room only basis, all spa treatements will attract a 15% surcharge.
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% for 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.
Roaring Pavilion’s laundress will attend to your personal laundry (excluding dry clean items). If it is handed over in the morning it is usually ready later that same afternoon.
Weddings:
Permission to hold a wedding or any large function at Roaring Pavilion should be obtained in advance, when making your initial reservation enquiry. Roaring Pavilion will permit small weddings of no more than 20 guests (including resident guests), for which there is a charge of US$250 per person (applies to all guests). If you are on the all-inclusive plan, the US$250 per person fee will only apply to non-resident guests. The fee covers all food and beverage for the function, plus a wedding cake.
All prices are subject to change without notice. |
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Rates
| | 16 Apr- 14 Dec 2007 | 15 Dec- 15 Apr 2007-08 | Christmas/ Christmas & New Year 2007-08 | 16 Apr- 14 Dec 2008 | Thanks- Giving 2008 | | Roaring Pavilion Room only 1-4 bedrooms All-inclusive 1 bedroom 2 bedrooms 4 bedrooms | 16,450 24,500 28,000 31,500 | 19,600 35,000 35,000 35,000 | N/A 49,000 49,000 49,000 | 16,450 24,500 28,000 31,500 | 18,025 35,000 35,000 35,000 | Rates are quoted in US $ per week (7 nights). All rates are subject to change without notice. The all-inclusive rate includes food, airport transfers from Montego Bay, a driver with car and spa treatments. Drinks and staff gratuities are not included. 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 when the all-inclusive plan is applicable. |
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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, Christmas and New Year). If you are booking within 60 days of your arrival, full payment must be made to secure the booking. A US$7,500 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 occurs during your stay. 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. |
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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 will then be pre-paid with your balance for the villa. The airport transfer from Montego Bay will take approximately 2 hours depending on traffic. If you have booked the all-inclusive rate, your transfers from Montego Bay will be included. 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 9 miles east Ocho Rios, just outside Oracabessa. The scheduled domestic service out of Montego Bay takes 25 minutes and from Tinson Pen Airport (not the international airport) in Kingston 15 minutes. The airstrip operates in daylight only. |
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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.
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 four 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. |
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