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Style: A wonderfully comfortable family home, in contemporary style with elegant old plantation features including pitched shingle roofs, white wooden balustrades, louvered windows and doors. Very welcoming, attractively and personally furnished with hardwood and wicker furniture
The Beach: Own private 100ft white sandy beach with excellent swimming and snorkelling, with floodlit area
The Rooms: 5 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms
Key features: An exclusive oceanfront villa for Jamaica villa rentals, excellent indoor and outdoor living space, swimming pool (15ft x 30ft), Jacuzzi, seafront gazebo with swing seats, jetty with sun terrace, beachside dining and BBQ deck, floodlit sea, water trampoline, floodlit tennis court, ball machine, sea kayaks and snorkelling equipment, family TV room with satellite TV, DVD, VCR and CD surround sound system, library of videos and CDs, cosy dining room, furnished veranda for living/dining with wet bar.
Children: Welcome
Staff: Butler, cook, housekeeper, laundress and gardener - resident butler |
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Description
Sugar Bay is an idyllic five bedroom holiday-home set on Jamaica’s north shore, one of the most popular of the excellent villas along the strip at Discovery Bay. It has a picture-perfect setting in excellently tended gardens, with steps leading from the lawn down to a very pretty white sand beach. And it has a wonderfully welcoming, Jamaican atmosphere - enhanced by Reds, the jolly and extremely hospitable butler – which makes it especially suited to families. Also, in addition to being a dream beachfront holiday home, Sugar Bay is a well loved family retreat, which has been filled with original artwork, local craftwork, collectables from around the world and family mementos.
The string of villas on Discovery Bay - set along Fortlands Road on the eastern shoreline of the bay - offer what can be argued as some of the best located, best looking and best equipped beachfront holiday villas available in the Caribbean. Sugar Bay is located towards the bottom curve of this stretch of coast. If you are looking for somewhere friendly and well turned out so that you can relax by the sea in style, and like the idea of being in a semi-residential, holiday community, Sugar Bay is perfect.
On arrival, the electric gated entrance opens onto an unusual paved and turf driveway, with a private, floodlit tennis court set to one side. The villa itself is an attractive, two storey building in pale yellow. It has contemporary Jamaican style, using many of the traditional features of the plantation great houses - white-painted shutters, balustrade balconies, lofty shingle roofs and fan tail windows. The plantation theme continues inside too, where it is enlivened by some bold use of colour, cheerful accessories and unusual touches. The owner’s family have a sugar and citrus plantation, a painting of which hangs in the villa.
The heart of the house is the formal sitting room, which is double height and has a ceiling of exposed timbers. In the tall walls are elegant windows topped with fan tail skylights, and at the room’s centre is a sweeping polished wooden staircase that leads up to a minstrel’s gallery. The sitting room is furnished in a typically tropical style, with a combination of plaited, natural fibre and upholstered seating, some traditional pieces of furniture and some original Jamaican oil paintings. A charming, farmhouse-style dining room is set to the side of this main room. It has a hardwood dining table with wooden, straw-weave chairs. Although this is the formal dining room, guests will often dine elsewhere, on the covered veranda and around the garden. Behind the dining room is a well equipped kitchen, from which the most delicious smells emit. Both traditional Jamaican and international fare are on the menu.
Upstairs, the interior floors are of polished wood, from a local tree called the breadnut (the rest of the villa has terracotta tiles). Leading off the minstrel’s gallery is a casual family room. This has a large and comfy corner sofa, a satellite TV, VCR and DVD with a library of videos, and a CD system with library of CDs. The quadraphonic speakers play in the sitting room, veranda and pool area. From the family room you can walk out onto a balcony overlooking the pool and beach.
Back downstairs, French doors lead from the main living room onto a large veranda, which also has fabulous views across the lawn, pool and bay. Framed with pillars and a low railing and festooned with flowers and vines, it is a very pleasant, shady spot. Shutters along the top can be dropped during the heat of the afternoon to give some more shade. The sitting area of the veranda has a collection of padded wooden seating, not unlike Adirondack chairs, with broad arms on which to rest drinks from the corner bar. There is a wall-mounted satellite TV. Outside the inner dining room is a casual dining area, where breakfast is normally served (so a coffee machine stands nearby).
One of the major draws of Sugar Bay is that everything is close to the villa. Steps lead down from the veranda onto the manicured lawn, through the middle of which runs a pathway down to the beach. To the side of the lawn is a lovely, freeform swimming pool, which has a sitting ledge at the shallow end and an adjoining Jacuzzi, from which you can enjoy the views of the bay. The pool is set in a paved sun terrace partly in the shade of two sea almond trees (another area used for alfresco dining) and it is in full view of the covered veranda, making it handy for parents.
The beach itself is literally a few steps beyond the pool and sun terrace. It is a lovely crescent of white sand at the head of a protected bay that is ideal for swimming. On the opposite site of the pool is a nice wooden dining deck which hovers above the beach. It has a large brick-built barbecue area with a stainless steel gas grill. Staff will light the area with blazing torches for a very special alfresco supper.
On the arm of the small bay, the rocky outcrop has been paved to make a jetty. It leads out to a gazebo, beyond which it extends to a sunning terrace in the bay. The gazebo has swing chairs – another spot to enjoy the views of the bay – but the chairs can also be taken down and the gazebo used for candlelit dinners. The jetty is a popular fishing spot with children, who also enjoy the marine life in the rock pools below. At night the water beneath is lit up with floodlights, which attracts lots of marine life, including rays, lobsters, octopus (known locally as sea cat) and a variety of fish.
Sugar Bay has five bedrooms, all of which are air-conditioned and have ceiling fans and hairdryers. Three of them are upstairs, facing the bay and giving onto balconies along the front of the house. On the north corner the bedroom has a queen size bamboo four poster draped in muslin, with a TV and en suite bathroom with tub/shower. Next to it is the family room, a purple-walled bedroom with two colonial-style, twin four poster beds which can convert to a king. It has an en suite bathroom with tub/shower and a sea view. These two bedrooms share the same balcony, onto which the family room also opens. On the opposite corner of the villa, also leading off the family room, is the master bedroom. This is spacious and has a colonial-style, king size, mahogany four poster with matching furniture, a wicker sitting area, a desk with computer and internet access and a TV. The master has its own balcony which looks directly over the pool, and a spacious en suite bathroom with step-up, whirlpool tub, a separate shower and a dressing room.
Downstairs, beneath the master bedroom, is a pretty blue room with a king size bed with wicker headboard. Its dressing room leads into an en suite bathroom with tub shower. The room has a TV and French doors giving out to a private patio, from which steps lead down onto the pool deck. The remaining bedroom is the only one without a sea view. Facing the drive, it has two double beds, terracotta-washed walls and an en suite bathroom with tub shower. |
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Beach & Swimming
A beautiful 100ft sweep of white sand beach sits at the bottom of Sugar Bay’s garden, with a flight of stone steps leading from the lawn straight onto the sand. It is very well protected and so it is an excellent area for swimming, particularly for children. The sun terrace next to the pool overlooks the beach on one side and on the other corner of the small bay a dining deck juts out slightly above the sand. Both are ideal vantage points for keeping an eye on children down on the beach and on the rocky outcrop and the jetty beyond – the jetty is a good spot for fishing and clambering over rock pools. Offshore to the north of the beach there is an inflatable sea trampoline and some good areas for snorkelling. Snorkelling equipment and sea kayaks are provided for guests’ use. At night an area of the seabed is floodlit, attracting lobster, stingrays, octopus and a variety of fish.
An attractive, free form, freshwater swimming pool (15ft x 30ft) is set in a newly extended, paved sun terrace, which is also used for alfresco dining in the shade of two sea almond trees. The pool is just a few steps below the covered veranda, and it is conveniently within full view, so that parents can relax there, whilst still being able to keep an eye on things. The pool has entry steps to the shallow end and a sitting shelf on one side. A Jacuzzi is set into the terrace at the same level. The beach is literally a few steps beyond the pool and sun terrace. |
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Sports & Recreation
Sugar Bay has its own private laykold tennis court which is floodlit for night play. There is a ball machine and rackets are available. Sea kayaks and snorkelling gear are also provided for guests, and there is a boat dock. 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, and 18 hole, par 72, 6,814 yard course located in Runaway Bay. Both are around 15 minutes away by car. About an hour’s drive is Sandals Golf & Country Club, an 18 hole, par 72, 6311 yard course located in the hills east of Ocho Rios. Originally established in 1951, it was formerly known as the Upton Golf Course. The nearest stables for riding or polo are both in St Ann. Chukka Cove at Laughlands is about 30 minutes by car and St Ann Polo Club and Equestrian Center in Drax Hall is approximately 30-40 minutes away. |
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Locality
Sugar Bay is set in an extremely popular and exclusive residential enclave, often referred to as “Millionaires Row”, in Discovery Bay. Just over a dozen luxury Jamaica holiday rental homes are strung along the private Fortlands Road on the bay’s eastern shoreline. The area is around an hours drive east of Montego Bay and 30 minutes west of Ocho Rios. The majority of the homes along this strip are owned by wealthy Jamaican families, many closely related, who have set about to create the best villa holiday environment. You can expect to smell the barbecues at 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.
Discovery Bay itself is a fairly low key place and there are just a small number of other rental properties dotted around the hillsides. Further up the road, on the west side of the bay is the Kaiser Bauxite Plant, whose large metal, dome-shaped storage tank is the most dominant building on the bay. It is from here that the bauxite is shipped. 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 he actually landed in nearby Rio Bueno). This 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. Puerto Seco village, which is just across the road from the entrance to Fortlands Road, consists of a post office, public library, petrol station, police station, small supermarket and patty shop. If you want to do some serious shopping, dine out or sample a bit of local nightlife then you will need to go into Ocho Rios. |
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Useful Hints
Provisioning:
The chef at Sugar Bay 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 transport costs.
The chef is a graduate of Villas by Linda Smith’s gourmet cuisine cooking course, which offers guests menus of a slightly higher standard. They 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 trip.
Gratuities:
Rental rates for villas in Jamaica do not include ‘tips’ and it is recommended that you should set aside 10% of the total villa rental fee in winter and 15% for summer. You will be expected to pay this directly to the staff before you leave (information on how this 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 laundry 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 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 of people attending the ceremony/reception exceeds the villa’s maximum occupancy. This fee is currently US$15 per person. Also note, that should party numbers exceed the maximum villa occupancy you will be expected to use an outside catering company. There is a location fee of US$750 for weddings at Sugar Bay. |
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Rates
| | 16 Apr- 14 Dec 2009 | Thanks- Giving 2009 | 15 Dec- 15 Apr 2009-10 | Christmas/ Christmas & New Year 2009-10 | 16 Apr- 14 Dec 2010 | | Sugar Bay 1-3 bedrooms 4-5 bedrooms | 8,000 11,900 | 12,685 12,685 | 10,000 13,900 | 25,330/ 26,330 25,330/ 26,330 | 8,000 11,900 | Rates are quoted in US$ 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. |
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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 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. |
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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 1 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. |
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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 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 five 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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