Luxury Travel Advisor just returned from a two-day visit to Jamaica’s more tropical side, Port Antonio, and stayed at a hotel that can easily rivals some of the finest hotels in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril – the Trident Hotel.
Port Antonio is now the go-to spot for music aficionados with the debut of the Geejam Collection, led by music veteran and hotelier Jon Baker; partner and co-owner, Steve Beaver; and billionaire businessman and Port Antonio native Michael Lee-Chin.
The first two projects to debut are the oceanfront, all-villa Trident Hotel (just 13 units) and the landmark Trident Castle, which has been converted into a luxury eight-room hotel. The third is the Blue Lagoon Restaurant & Villas, which is set to open later in the year. Note: All Geejam Collection resorts are available for property takeovers.
The Trident Hotel, epitomizes laid-back with just 13 studios, one- and two-bedroom villas with private, heated plunge pools and terraces overlooking the sea. It was thoroughly renovated but maintains most of its original Jamaican-Georgian exteriors.
The hotel’s main 80-seat restaurant, Mike’s Supper Club, takes cues from the uptown Harlem style of years past and boasts an original Ferrari, red 1917 Steinway piano, live music, and spectacular views. The menu is designed by New York City’s Jamaican hot spot, Spur Tree, and will feature internationally influenced dishes with an emphasis on Jamaican and Japanese cuisine. Hint: Mike’s Supper Club has a live jazz band on weekends, and the popular Mento band, the Jolly Boys, perform at both Mike’s and Geejam Hotel’s Bushbar when they are not touring.
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| Private swimming pool at our villa |
We stayed in Villa no. 14 (there is no villa no. 13 for superstitious reasons), also known as the Shiprock Villa because it is so close to the ocean and the rocks. It was easily one of the best rooms I’ve ever stayed at in Jamaica. There’s a King-sized bed and a flat screen Smart TV to watch an array of movies on Netflix and to listen to just about any type of music. The room also comes with an outdoor shower. Note: some villas have outdoor showers while other have outdoor bath tubs. My tub was located in inside.
The best part of this room, however, was the private patio with a small swimming and lounge chairs. It is completely gated off from the other villas so you basically have a backyard to yourself. The pool is literally about two feet away from the ocean and elevated about two feet above the ocean. It’s not uncommon to get sprinkled by the ocean as the waves crash the rocks. The villa is also the closest one to the hotel’s private beach. Note: Most beaches in the Caribbean are public unless they are man-made like this one.
Tip: There is a helicopter landing pad for access to all hotels. All three can arrange for a tennis pro to play with their VIP guests. Also, a local jerk tasting (Port Antonio is the birthplace of jerk) can be arranged for foodies. The collection also offers private tours and fishing expeditions on Geejam’s private sport fishing boat, surfing expeditions at the nearby Long Bay Beach, and even recording studio time at Geejam Hotel.
Keep visiting www.luxurytraveladvisor.com for more on our recent visit to Port Antonio.