The 2 bedroom/2bathroom apartment in Santa Maria by the Caribbean Sea down below right in Ocho Rios is on the North coast of Jamaica with sea view from the terrace, both bedrooms and bathrooms windows.
The building is in colonial style. The apartment for rent is the home of a Caribbean Hotelier and ceramist who has lived there for past 32 years. It is Not purpose built short rental apartment.
From the ground floor the apartment is entered either by curved gentle stairs or by elevator to the next floor. As you enter the door you see the living room which is mostly in white, the terrace beyond and further to the large pool, the gardens and the Caribbean Sea.
The apartment is by the sea, a few steps down to the sea and the vanishing beach (blame it on climate change) and you have it's view from both bedrooms, bathrooms and Terrace. There is airconditioning and ceiling fan in the living/drawing room as well as in bedrooms. There is a ceiling fan in the kitchen too. Of the two bedrooms, one has a four poster king size bed( 78 inch by 74 inch ), it's ensuite bathroom and closet, the other a four poster old queen size bed ( 78 inch by 80 inch ) with it's own closet, bathroom and toilet. Each bathroom has an adjustable hand held shower and shower head. Linen and terry is provided.
The size of the apartment is 1754 sq ft. It is said that probably there are none 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartments of that size on North Coast except at Santa Maria.
There are books to read, cook and art works around from many countries. On regular basis new ceramics are made, sold, artworks and books bought and rearranged all over the apartment.
There is Nadene, Jamaican chef/housekeeper . Her Jamaican cuisine is excellent. Ask her to prepare a few typical Jamaican dishes. She Is there every day except on Sunday, her day off and official public holidays to cook and clean the apartment. She works 40 hour/ 6 day week.She comes around 11:30. Makes your beds, cleans the apartment and prepares your lunch. There after she is there to prepare your afternoon tea/ coffee and dinner. She does not live in. If you would like her to prepare your breakfast or work on her day off, make prior arrangement with her and for payment. She is a lovely Jamaican , always with a ready smile, always helpful and quite amenable. There is no extra charge for her services.. Gratuity is up to you.
There is full kitchen with fridge, freezer, large & small oven, microwave, electric cooking range, juicer, blender, toaster, griddle etc.
There is a clothes washer and dryer, iron and board in a separate room.
All meals are eaten on the Terrace, because of the beautiful surroundings. It is lovely to sip your morning tea or coffee on the terrace or gazebo and see the sun rise and watch cruise ships pass by in distance.
There are many things to do around Ocho Rios. Dunns River Falls, Blue Hole, Fern Gully, Mystic Mountain as well as Dolphins Cove are only 10-15 minutes drive. In the other direction you are headed for James Bond country, Golden Eye( Ian Fleming), Firefly Guest House( Sir Noel Coward) and Ian Fleming Airport. Port Antonio is a 2 hour drive.
Several restaurants are well worth a visit and the small hotel Jamaica Inn and Hermosa Cove can be counted for a very pleasant evening. Reservations required. You can taste cuisines from Jamaica, Italy, India, China and North America around. Of course there are fish restaurants too. Particularly General Foods and Progressive supermarkets carry imported and gourmet food items as well as local specialities. Not far from Santa Maria every Friday there is a Farmers Market.
There is a tennis court on the property. A tennis instructor is available by prior arrangement for lessons or to play at price. There is a reserved parking space for the apartment.
The apartment is in a gated community with 24 hour security guards.
Santa Maria is 100/120 minute drive from Montego Bay airport, 120/150 minute drive from Kingston airport, 20 minute drive from Ian Fleming Airport or 5 minute drive from Ocho Rios town Centre.
For transfers from the airports, after customs clearance there is JUTA desk for private taxi service and car rental offices. There are JUTA drivers also outside the arrival door. The taxi fare from Montego Bay to Santa Maria is about US $125+.From Kingston about US $150+.
At Montego Bay airport there is also Knutsford Express Bus service at scheduled hours to Ocho Rios ( Drax Hall) enroute to Kingston. The bus fare is about US $20 per person. The taxi fare from Drax Hall is about $20+ to Santa Maria.
My apartment is my home. I have excellent relations with my neighbors and condominium community and wish to maintain the same. Visitors are not allowed.
Latest news. American Airline now has flight from Miami to Ian Fleming Internatioal Airport every day, 20 minute drive from my apartment.
