Following is a sampling of quotes from our satisfied customers. We strive to attain a high level of customer satisfaction, and work closely with each of our customers to find the best possible Jamaica villa.
A Summer Place- Discovery Bay
Renting a Villa in Jamaica is the only way to go. Our
Villa, "A Summer Place" was beyond our expectations,
and so beautiful. The private pool and beach made it perfect.
The staff was so nice and accomidating, they made us need
or want for nothing. They were always one step ahead of
us in thought. The food that they prepared for us was
so delicious and they fed us and fed us and fed us!!!
Our wedding in the back yard was so perfect, we couldn't
have asked for anything else. Having a beautiful villa
big enough to hold our whole family for our very special
Christmas Holiday and wedding was more than we could have
dreamed of! They even had a Christmas tree ready, all
decorated and everything. We will never be able to match
that vacation, unless we go back!! :) (mmmmm) Thanks Caribbean
Villa Hideaways for setting up the most perfect vacation!
Michelle S.
December 2003
------------------------
A Summer Place could not have been a better accommodation for my family. We were a group of 17, with six children ages infant to teen. Everyone in the group appreciated their sleeping arrangements, which were private, quiet, beautifully decorated and comfortable. The huge covered veranda on the beach side of the home was a perfect living area for us, even on a slightly wet day. All the grounds, pool, beach areas were especially well kept. We thrived under the care of a wonderful staff. They were accommodating, gracious and friendly. Without any reservation, I could recommend A Summer Place to anyone.
Lana D.
January 2004
Dear Heather: Our whole family went to Jamaica and stayed in the wonderful villa that you recommended. While we were there one of our daughters got married right at the villa and you certainly helped greatly by helping us set it all up. We had great transportation that you also arranged and enjoyed the island immensely. The beach out our backdoor was great and all the young ones and grandparents had a blast all 16 of us. The food was terrific and the weather fantastic. The staff treated us like royalty and I cannot imagine a better way to have a vacation.
Where do I begin. This was the most wonderful vacation I have ever taken! The cottage was perfectly simple and romantic. The staff, including the dogs were more than we could have asked for.We arrived early and the staff kindly let us into one of the other villas while the guests checked out of the cottage.Rug the dog became my buddy and was nice to have when I was missing my own back home. The girls were very gracious in letting us do our own thing. It definitely felt like home away from home. My fiance and I have already discussed coming back for another stay. You will be hearing from us when we plan to return. Thank you for all help, you have been wonderful.
As a seasoned vacation-rental traveler, I must say Baywatch was perhaps the best villa my group has ever rented. The villa, its grounds, its pool, and its beach are glorious. The villa itself was spacious and welcoming; our group of 7 were able to spread out and never feel crowded. The great wrap-around porch allowed us shade when we wanted it and sun when we didn't. The beach was sandy and literally steps away, making it great to snorkel or kayak or just swim around whenever we felt like it. The villa is also a short walk to a funky little bar (Flavors) where we were able to have a few Red Stripes with the local clientele -- what a blast! Baywatch and its super-friendly staff (thank you, Sheryl, for cooking two of the most delicious meals we've ever had!) can't be beat!
Belinda R.
July 2009
------------------------
Baywatch is a beatiful villa! We had a wonderful time!
Jackie J
August 2009
------------------------
We had a good time and the staff was GREAT, especially Janet.
Debbie H.
February 2010
------------------------
We had a wonderful time in Jamaica. More than what we expected! The staff were great and very helpfull! Cheryl is a great cook and the Jamaican meals went over big with everyone. Thanks for all your help throughout our planning.
Marcia B
June 2010
------------------------------------------------
Our trip to Edgewater was absolutely wonderful!!! I loved waking up to the wonderful views from my room. And the staff (Gloria and Elaine) made us feel right at home, and their cooking was amazing! Their special touches like turning our beds down in the evening and unrequested pina coladas (how did Elaine know they were my favorite!) before dinner, made the trip memorable. We also really enjoyed Daniel our driver who was a delight to be around every day, and we appreciate you recommending their services!
Michelle K.
May 2008
------------------------
As the name implies, Edgewater Villa with its beach front location and great convenience was a fantastic place to stay. Nothing better than relaxing under the gazebo, in a warm twilight breeze, listening to the sound of the waves that are literally at your feet.
Steve K.
May 2008
------------------------------------------------
Just returned after a wonderful vacation at Four Winds villa. It was easily one of the best vacations that we have had. The house was everything that we wanted it to be. The owners called us twice and that was reassuring. The staff was extremely frindly. The swimming pool and the tennis court were very well maintaned. Joy was a very good cook. The villa was well equipped. My children have voted this as our best vacation ever and we would like to do this every other year. Thanks for all your help, greatly apprecated by all of us.
Dr. Ghatge
February 2009
------------------------------------------------ Jasmin Hill - Ocho Rios
I want to say that we had the best time in our lives. The villa was beautiful, and we snorkeled, kayaked, swam in the pool every day. The weather was great, a couple of days it rained, but not all day. The food was delicious. Angela and Lindel were awesome. Our driver, Daniel was very nice, we actually had a flat tire on the way to the villa. But he fixed within 10 minutes.
Maria D
June 2010
------------------------------------------------ Sea Grapes - Discovery Bay
The Sea Grapes was wonderful. The staff and the house was great so much better than the other side of the island. In 4 days we put in 11 hrs. of snorkeling found 1 of the best shells we have ever found and the staff cleaned and polished it for us. The jerk pork and chicken were wonderful. Can not say enough about the Sea Grapes. We will be back next year probably 2 times. Thank you Heather for saving our vacation and talk to you next year!
Charlie D.
March 2011
------------------------------------------------ Sea Haven - Discovery Bay
Well Heather it was agreed upon that this was the best vacation ever! Everything went smoothly from start to finish and we could not have enjoyed the house or the staff any more if we tried. Willie, our driver, was fantastic....he went way above and beyond even helping to find me an artist to create a pencil drawing for me. Alfred, the cook, was a dream anticipating our every want and need and can cook the most amazing local foods ever. Elva and Angela were both nice and efficient and quiet Joseph, the gardener kept the yard pristine! Thank you so much for your assistance with everything and for the suggestion of the van/driver....I would suggest this to everyone!
Attached you will find a few photos including Brant's birthday celebration with a rum cake Alfred baked that we'll all dream about for years to come.
We had a wonderful time; the staff and driver were truly the best and made the vacation a great experience. Alfred is amazing, Elva was great and we really enjoyed Willie the van driver, he was very knowledgeable. The property is beautiful the only negative we experienced was the mosquitoes and the staff did their best while they were there to help us combat them. If we ever return to Jamaica we will definitely try to return to Sea Haven.
Sheri H.
May 2009
------------------------
Everything was great! We really enjoyed staying there! Alfred and Elva were awesome! We could not have asked for more.
Scott H.
June 2009
------------------------
I want to thank you again for helping us with our vacation at the Sea Haven villa. It was one of the most beautiful and enjoyable vacations. We have stayed in other villas but this one has surpassed in hospitality and location. It is trully a "haven".
David & Iris W.
June 2009
------------------------
A grand time was had by all. Everything we requested was there upon arrival. Lactose free milk was also there. We were too lazy to set up a menu so we just told Alfred to stick with chicken and fish without cream sauces and include lots of fruits and vegetables . Some days we’d walk up to him in the kitchen and ask “What’s for dinner tonight?” and he’d tell us. I think the staff would probably tell you that we were and easy going group. One day someone came by with fresh lobsters on which we negotiated a price. They were enjoyed by all at the next dinner. One lobster was left uneaten and I told Alfred to enjoy it himself. It seems Alfred was on duty more hours than anyone else. He was first in and last out of the house and he was the one setting and clearing the table most often. Not only was all the food delicious but it was artistically presented.
The other assigned us the bedroom near the kitchen and I only glanced into the other 3 rooms which all looked nice. One day I went in search of a light bulb in the kitchen as I thought mine had burned out. It turned out the switch at the door – that we never used – had been turned off. I thought it might be worth mentioning that the rarely used kitchen cabinets could use a thorough cleaning. This is a minor thing as most guests are unlikely to go into them but as the owners of a small business we realize that you can’t fix something unless you know about it.
Having kayaks and snorkeling gear worked out very well. However, one strap on one of the orange fins snapped when trying to adjust it to the foot. I stepped on Erik’s mask and shattered the glass so the house equipment came in handy again. Tomas’ face mask seal cracked on the last day and we just left it there as it is a moderate leak. We found that there was a large variety of fish at the bottom of the metal ladder entry. Some of the best fish spotting was right there. The other good spot was just a few houses toward the main road. There is a house that was all shuttered (almost looks like it could be a bar) where the waters had lots of crevices as well as coral formations giving us lots of fish of many varieties. Winds picked up the last couple of days which made riding the waves in the kayaks fun but churned up bottom sand and debris so snorkeling wasn’t so good. It was agreed that having the kayaks available was a definite bonus.
The staff, and the islanders in general, were all very friendly and laid back. Things got done quietly and unobtrusively. Tomas came out one day with a big grin and announced that their laundry had been done. Before this none of us knew that we had a laundress. I promptly took our grungies out of the closet and put them in the hamper provided. It was nice to come home with less laundry than expected.
The Blue Mountain coffee was WONDERFUL. It is the smoothest stuff I’ve ever drunk!
Sue K.
April 2010
------------------------
We had an absolutely wonderfull time, the house was amazing, The staff was great, Alfred is an amazing cook, Elva took care of us like we were her own children. I felt like we were staying with our grandparents for the summer. The owner of the villa checked in with us, due to the Kingston trouble, she reassured us that everything was good where we were at, which I understood. The grounds of villa were amazing, we saw hummingbids daily.
We took over a thousand pictures, if you would like I could send you some more views of the house and grounds for your website.
This trip absolutely exceed my expectations by far.
I will definetly recomend you to my friends and family for future travel.
Once again thank you so much for making this happen for us.
Stan M.
May 2010
------------------------
Thanks Heather everything was wonderful and Alberts cooking was great! We are hoping to go back sometime in March.
Charlie D.
Jan 2011
------------------------
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Thank you very much for all of your help. It was a pleasure working with you and we appreciated your attention to detail in making our trip to Jamaica great.
Our trip was amazing! Sea Haven was a beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing place to stay at. The view was breath taking and the ocean was great! Watching the sun setting with Alfred's tropical drinks was heaven! The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold. It was very nice to have AC in the bedrooms for those moments when you truly needed to cool off!! Our beds were comfy to sleep in and we felt very safe during our stay at the villa. The house was very well maintained and the property grounds were exceptionally groomed. The flowers and trees surrounding the property was a very nice added touch! We especially enjoyed how the vegetation hid us from the neighboring villas. Elva did such a fantastic job ensuring our beds were made, the bathrooms were cleaned and stocked with fresh cleaned towels, and washing/folding our laundry. There are no words to describe Alfred's cooking!!! His meals were delicious and we never went hungry!! Both Elva and Alfred are wonderful people and they truly made our trip an amazing one!!!!!!! They both arrived at the villa daily and did everything they could to pamper us! We appreciated all of their hospitality!! Willy, our van driver, was a great addition to our memorable experience! He always showed up on time and never had an issue with hauling our families wherever they needed to go! Willy was very polite and extremely knowledgeable about Jamaica! Thank you Alfred, Elva, and Willy for everything!! We could not have picked a better place to get married at!
Enjoyed our stay at the villa. The food was excellent
and the staff were very pleasant.
Sharon W.
June 2007
------------------------
We had a wonderful time in Jamaica. More than what we expected! The staff were great and very helpfull! Cheryl is a great cook and the Jamaican meals went over big with everyone. Thanks for all your help throughout our planning.
Marcia
June 2010
------------------------------------------------
I had a wonderful vacation. My family and I were well
looked after. The staff there was great especially Lurline.
She made sure we were well fed and we were indeed and
the facilities was to our satisfaction. Thanks!
Yvette R.
December 2006
------------------------
Had a Great Time in Jamaica. The staff was great. Delma the cook and chief bottle washer was absolutely fantastic. My kids wanted to bring her home and live with us. Berle took very good care of us and
entertained the young ones or should I say they entertained her. Ron, I called him Captain Ron had the yard looking exceptional and would play around with the kids, when we walked outside of the gates, I
noticed he would keep an eye on us. He even helped Ben, Emilie & Taylor catch sand crabs one nite. Adrian our security guard was really good to us and kept watch over us, felt very safe. He joked around with the kids and even played soccer with the older ones in the bakyard. Him and I had several long talks about our 2
different countries. Our van driver, Clifton, was great at his job, always on time and "No Hassles", we went shopping, I noticed he would watch out for us and even haggled price for us a couple of times. Spanish Villa was very nice, little noisy at times, would definitely recommend it. Loved the big backyard and the 2nd story terrace. Woke up early every AM, Delma had coffee brewing and sat out and watched the sunrise, nice and peaceful. We had rain every afternoon, but was able to do eveything we wanted in am. Again everyone had a blast!! And the staff was "fantastic".
Greg M.
May 2008
Greg has offered his email address to anyone who would like more information. Contact us, if interested.
Just wanted to let you know that we just got back
from our trip and our stay at Stonaway was wondeful!
The staff, food and atmosphere was excellent!
Everyone was so nice and helpful. We enjoyed
most of our evenings on the verandah and during
the day the views were great! We also really appreciated
our driver Dwight who was very nice and a wealth
of information. Thank you for recommending Stonaway.
On our van ride from Stone Harbour to the airport, we were all quiet. We were all reflecting and I broke the silence by saying that this trip was the best vacation that I ever had. I had 5 gals agree with me. Our trip could not have been any better. We would not change a single thing. It was absolutely fantastic! Heather, we had such a wonderful time, it’s almost hard to describe.
First of all the grounds of Stone Harbour are just unbelievable. Second (and Tony) do a fabulous job with the upkeep. It’s gorgeous. And that first impression when you pull in the driveway – wow, breathtaking. The house is perfect: it’s comfortable, yet well-kept and decorated. All 6 of us could pile on the sectional couch during the thunderstorm.
The pool area – the hot tub, pool, hammock, and cabana with the tables – is great. We could plug in the boom box and listen to music, we could go from hot tub to pool easily… lay out by the pool and listen to the ocean… fabulous.
However none of these things compare to the staff. Joy always had a smile on her face. She wasn’t as social as Tony and Sadie but she seemed happy and was comfortable to be around. Sadie – what can you say about Sadie!! She’s an amazing cook, gets everything done with perfection simultaneously, always had great concoctions and encouraged us to try the local fare. She was delightful and didn’t seem to mind when we would have to ask her to repeat herself due to her thick Jamaican accent. Second, the gardener, was a hoot. He was so knowledgeable about so many things and he wanted us to experience his Jamaica. When he and Tony took us on our walk to Laughing Waters, he stopped frequently to point out vegetation and fruits and flowers. He was our little “walking fisherman”. Alas, we come to Tony… Tony is the secret gem of Stone Harbour, in my opinion. He was a watchful eye on us 6 gals at all times. When we were out in the kayaks, Tony was on the wall, watching. When we were out at the pool, late into the night, Tony was silently patrolling the grounds… We knew he was taking good care of us. He is a busy guy, taking care of a lot of things, but always with a positive attitude. We could tell that he has a great heart and we all enjoyed hearing about his family.
The transportation company did a fantastic job on being on call for us. They would call ahead to schedule our trips. The driver was always on time. They were so nice to work with. Our driver was Utan… he, too, was so great. He was always punctual, never, ever late. He always had a smile on his face. He was willing to answer all of our hundreds of questions. He even danced with us the night we went out. We felt that he also was a watchful eye. He was comforting.
Overall, Jamaica will hold a special place in our hearts – forever. It’s not often that 6 women can get together and be pampered by such great people. We truly were care-free for 5 days and it was amazing. Thank you for helping it become a reality!
Jill N.
June 2009
------------------------
We had a great time. The house and yard was beautiful. The bay was amazing. Most of all the staff and food were to die for. Delman, Tony, Joy and Second were all wonderful. We learned from them and enjoyed their company. We can not say enough of their hospitality. Uton, our driver, was also great. He showed us some amazing areas. We had a great vacation. Your help and the informaiton you sent was also very helpful and made us comfortable in our travels. Thanks so much.
Ann M
August 2010
------------------------
We had such a fantastic time and I wish that I was not getting a “Welcome Home” email because I wish I was still there! I think if you asked anyone in our group, they would say that this was the best vacation they have ever had. We could not have been more satisfied! Delma, Tony, Sherry-Anne, Second and Uton (our driver) all took excellent care of us and went beyond all of our expectations.
Food was amazing…we went out for lunch on one day to Scotchies, and while we enjoyed ourselves, we all agreed that Delma’s Jerk was way better! And Tony always seemed to arrive at the exact right moment with a cooler of drinks by the pool.
The villa itself was great—perfect layout for us and I am so glad we went with Stone Harbour over the other villas we were looking at.
For sure, I will never do an all inclusive hotel again. The service at Stone Harbour was so much more personal and Second (grounds keeper) and Uton in particular were very helpful in organizing excursions for us that avoided all the tourist traps and gave us a true feel for Jamaica.
We WILL be back…I don’t know when, but I can tell you it was so hard for us to leave…some of us were practically in tears…so I hope it won’t be too long before we return.
Thanks for all your help in organizing this vacation for us!!
Julia H
March 2011
-----------------------
We've just returned from our holiday at Stone Harbour. I can say without reservation, it was the *best* vacation we've ever had in Jamaica!
I was born in Jamaica and go back (at least) once a year with my family to see my parents and extended family, and have typically gone to one of the all inclusive resorts. It's been challenging to find somewhere that can cater to such a diverse group, ranging from my parents (82 and 80), through our kids (9 and 6). Well not any more - we're hooked on Stone Harbour!
From the moment we drove into the Villa when we were warmly welcomed by the staff to the day we left, we savoured every minute. Mrs .Johnson clearly has an artist's eye - lovely furniture, fabrics, tile and paintings were everywhere. The grounds and garden are so beautiful - coupled with the secluded feel provided by the high walls...we felt like we were in our own little tropical paradise! The kids spent almost every waking hour in the pool, hammock or the beach. The location in Ocho Rios was an great central location for our forays to Dunns River Falls, Green Grotto Caves, Mystic Mountain and occasional 'patty run'.
I have to comment on the professionalism and warmness of the staff. It's often tricky to balance privacy and service, but they did this perfectly.
Second was friendly...and funnny! He got us fresh coconut water and jelly every day to start the morning off, and also taught our kids to fly a kite. Sherrie Ann quietly went about her task of cleaning up after us and keeping the place immaculate depsite everythign our two kids could throw at her. Tony provided efficient, excellent service at meals, and helped us borrow a 2 seater kayak from next door so we could go out with the kids. And Miss Delma...what a gem! She is a fabulous cook and came up with menus to die for. Ackee and Saltfish, Rundown, dumplings, Jerk Chicken, pepper steak, the soups....mmmm! Even our (often picky) kids enjoyed the food.
Each and every one of them is a credit to the villa. Congratulations on assembling such an excellent team so focused on customer service and THANK YOU for making this such a memorable vacation.
Everything went well at Terra Nova, I only wish it had been longer. The staff was wonderful and we now wish we had gotten Elsie to do the cooking as grocery shopping took more of our time then we wanted. Heather's wedding was beautiful and the villa grounds accommodated the wedding perfectly.
Darlene K.
August 2009
------------------------
We have had wonderful times elsewhere
in the Caribbean and Mexico, but it was our first time to Jamaica.
We've never had a more enjoyable holiday! The Villa is precisely as described in words and photos... elegant, private, roomy and well- appointed. The setting is absolutely stunning. The staff is
absolutely first class; helpful, warm and supremely competent.
Elsie's cooking can't be beat - we hope she'll never be allowed to retire. Our driver from JUTA was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. We felt safe and well cared for in his hands. We would recommend this experience to anyone looking for a serene accommodation for a carefree vacation in Jamaica.
Presently I am sitting by the pool at Tropical Spice and its far beyond my expectations, you have handed me and friends a perfect weekend. Once again thank you a million for this opportunity. I am CERTAIN that we will be coming back to Tropical Spice at least 3 times each year.
After returning home...
Where do I begin? I think I'll begin by thank you for this opportunity me and my group definitely had a memorable Easter Weekend. On approaching the Villa our excitement grew immensely, the grounds were excellently maintained. The Villas themselves were quite spacious and welcoming. The pool was excellent, the privacy aspect was fabulous we could go about our activities without interrupting anyone was great. Jaqui and the rest of the staff were SUPERB we couldn't ask for more from them, they were very helpful and friendly.
I wish I could say it's good to be home, but I
guess that means we had a good vacation. Our group
really did enjoy our time at Villa Mawr, from
the time we were picked up at the airport to the
time we dropped back off at the airport to go
home. The van worked out fine for us. The driver,
Bailey (we never saw Daniel) was prompt and flexible
on timing while we were there.
The villa was just as the pictures showed on the
website and the staff was fantastic. They were
friendly, helpful and accommodating, especially
Garnet and Annette.
How hard it is to acclimate to the cold Nebraska weather after being in Jamaica....we had a wonderful time... the staff and driver were family by the time we returned....very professional and helpful. We have recommend Wag Waters to our friends and family...we will return some day. Thanks for all of your help...we weren't disappointed with anything.
