Blue Harbour, the original residence of the famous British playwright Noel Coward, is just 30 mins. from Ocho Rios and 5 mins. from Port Maria on the north coast of Jamaica. We excel in catering for couples, families, re-unions, group vacations, weddings, honeymoons or just plain relaxation. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Jamaica/blueharbour/hotel/465/17/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:51:58 EST Villa Grande is the largest of the three villas with 2 large bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, pantry and a living/dining room. Villa Chica is more secluded and closer to the sea and pool with 1 large bedroom, walk-in closet and bath. Villa Rose is located directly south of Villa Grande, it offers 3 rooms and an extra large bath. Many of Noel Coward's original furnishings are still incorporated in the decor of the villas. Each room opens to one of the large verandas with sweeping views of the coastline and the cooling air of the trade winds. The view over the top of Villa Chica from one of the verandas of Villa Grande is inspiring. You can see down the Jamaican coast, the Blue Mountains, Cabarita Island and Port Maria Bay. Galena point (1 mile east) is the closest point to Cuba on the entire island of Jamaica. The entire estate, fully staffed with its three villas, is available for rental to one party at a time. We can also accommodate singles, couples, and groups of up to 12 people with total privacy. We regularly have groups of 20 + (family re-unions, weddings, corporate retreats, etc.), there are plenty of extra beds. Treat yourself to the healing ocean air and tropical beauty of Blue Harbour. Located directly on the sea of Jamaica's scenic north coast, this lush, seven acre estate offers an ideal setting for relaxation and recreation. Swim in the saltwater pool, snorkel the offshore coral reefs, or lie back, read, and delight in native Jamaican cooking. The three villas of Blue Harbour and their copious verandas are your sanctuary from which to contemplate the gardens and terraces abundant with fruit and nut-bearing trees: almond, banana, plantain and coconuts. Tucked around a cove in the shape of a half moon, Blue Harbour commands an incredible view of the Caribbean, the Blue Mountains, Cabarita Island and Port Maria Bay. Tropical breezes and balmy weather are the trademark of Jamaica. The low humidity and scarcity of insects let the visitor enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. The average daytime temperature is about 80 (degrees) and nights are gentle and cool. AMENITIES: ACTIVITIES: The saltwater pool is right on the Caribbean Sea. One of only a handful of saltwater pools in Jamaica. Drained, scrubbed and filled weekly from the sea below. It's a little different at first, but you do get use to it. As a matter of fact you may come to prefer it once you think how long the "so-called" fresh water stays in those other pools. That water is constantly shocked with chemicals to stop it from growing, and it could be months old. Here, maybe your skin will thank you, and if the salt bothers you there is a fresh water shower only feet away to rinse immediately. Most of the pool area is exposed to the sun, however one side is always shaded so you can relax near the pool all day long. The tropical sun is very unforgiving so bring plenty of water proof sun screen. We have had a variety of guests stay with us and the pool has seen all states of undress, if you get the urge late one night to skinny dip under a full moon, no one will stop you here! Originally Noel built a second pool on the beach, several hurricanes later there is not much left. Though it's not for swimming any more, we normally do start our snorkeling excursions there. It's also the best place to launch the 2 person sea kayak (available, just ask). Jamaica is a large island with a endless number of things to do for the curious traveler. If you do want to venture out (which after a few days we doubt), here are a couple of things to do around Jamaica. If you are not looking forward to leaving the confines of Blue Harbour we have a few suggestions too. Have no fear there is plenty of nothing to do to keep you from getting bored. "The Land That Time Forgot!" Take a day trip by Mr. Perth's boat to Black Sand Beach, inaccessible by land. Journey through chocolate tree forests and abandoned slave plantations to the hidden waterfalls for a refreshing dip. "I've Never Met a Women More Beautiful Than Port Antonio!" Hop in Trevor's air conditioned van and visit Jamaica's most spectacular natural harbor. Lunch and swim at the Blue Lagoon. Take a raft ride down the Rio Grande. Or rent mountain bikes and ride down the trails to Annato Bay. Fans of jerk chicken shouldn't miss the original jerk stand at Boston Beach. "Night Life in Ocho Rios." Take a ride with Ernie to Ocho Rios and dance to live reggae music at the Rooftop Club, the Acropolis or the Jamaica Grand Hotel where for $20 US you can drink all you can and party till dawn at Jamaica-Me-Crazy. "Hemingway, Eat Your Heart Out!" Go fishing for the day with the real man of the sea Mr. Perth, our next-door neighbor in his power driven canoe. Mr. Perth, the winner of the 1996 Sportmanship award from the famed Port Antonio Marlin Tournament is well versed in the ways of catching "The Big One" around Jamaican waters. "Taster's Choice." Travel by car or van with Trevor or Ernie on an Eco tour of the John Crow National Park in the Blue Mountains home of the world famous coffee. "The Yard" (Yard = front yard/back yard/local area where you hang out). What usually happens around Blue Harbour is the guests get to know the staff and the locals and they end up just hanging around the yard. Under the thatch roof retreat, games of ping-pong, darts, cards and dominos are played with wild abandon late into the night. Not to mention a emptying a few cases of Red Stripe in the process. "The Pool" Hang out by the pool all day. Get wet, read a book, take a nap. You've got both the sun and shade. Fill a cooler with cold ones and you won't have to climb the 60 or so stairs to the fridge. About the only thing to do now is wait for the lunch bell. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Blue Harbour offers the services of a staff chef who specializes in home-cooked Jamaican and International cuisine. Soursop, strawberry papayas, mangoes, bread fruit, Ethiopian star-apples and ackee are only a few of the uniquely Jamaican cuisine. Try them with escovitch fish, curries and jerk chicken as you've never tasted it before. For a real adventure, ask our manager to accompany you on a tour of the local markets. The local markets are great for a tour but you wouldn't want to waste a day of food shopping on your vacation. Our quoted rates normally include 3 meals a day (alcoholic beverages and sodas are extra). For large groups the room rate can be quoted separate, with a on-going bill for food and beverages. All meals are served on the main veranda of villa Grande. The view down the coast is second to none. Breakfast is always served with plenty of fruit, toast (with guava jelly), coffee, tea and fresh squeezed juice. All of the food served is organically grown by local farmers, with many of the banana, plantain, coconuts, peppers, etc. coming from the Blue Harbour grounds themselves. Fried eggs, cheese omelettes, ackee and saul fish (salted cod) are typical morning main dishes. For lunch we eat light, usually sandwiches, home made soup and biscuits, bun and cheese, nothing too heavy. If your a junk food junky times can get pretty tough here (although you always can send Mark out to satisfy any late night cravings). Dinner is the main meal and done up right. Fish (tuna, king fish, snapper, mahi mahi, caught right out front), chicken, lobster, either fried, baked or curried served with fresh (just picked) vegetables. It'll be hard to return to frozen and fast food with all of this fresh delicious fish, fruits and vegetables. Type: Vacation Rental Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Jamaica/blueharbour/hotel/465/17/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:51:58 EST