Jamaica Travel News

Island Outpost Names Nick Simmonds Director of Operations

Island Outpost has announced Nick Simmonds as Director of Operations. Currently Managing Director of the new Goldeneye Development in Oracabessa, Jamaica, since September 2006, Simmonds will additionally oversee all operational procedures and operations in his new role for the collection of boutique properties in Jamaica.

"As Director of Operations, I look forward to unifying each property of the prestigious Island Outpost collection through revitalized standards," said Simmonds. "Maintaining the exemplary service and gracious character of these Jamaican destinations will be my ultimate goal."

As Managing Director of Goldeneye, the former home to author Ian Fleming and the "birthplace" of James Bond, Simmonds is responsible of setting up all the future operational resort activities, including the construction phase of the new $120 million dollar resort, spa and residential development. In addition to his responsibilities as Managing Director, Simmonds also assists the local communities through Island Outpost's charitable Oracabessa Foundation as well as the Mary Vinson Foundation.

Simmonds spent more than two years as General Manager of the Cotton House Hotel, located in the St. Vincent and Grenadines, where he was responsible for complete control of the hotel's operational and planning aspects. From 2002 to 2003, Simmonds was Estate Director for Private Worldwide Property Portfolio in New York. Previously, he served as Hotel Manager for Parrot Cay Resort & Spa in the Turks and Caicos Islands for three years.

With a multicultural upbringing, Simmonds speaks Afrikaans, Zulu and Xosa in addition to English.

Labels: Ocho Rios, tourism

posted by Paris & John @ 5:11 PM

Jamaica Reports Successful Sumfest

As July comes to an end, Jamaica reports that the 15th Annual Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, held earlier this month at the Catherine Hall Complex in Montego Bay, was a success.

The event featured American multi-platinum rapper LL Cool J, Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, Shaggy, Beenie Man and Beres Hammond.

LL Cool J's hour-long set featured hits like Phenomenon, Radio, Number One (Love You Better), I Need Love among others. While declaring he was “King of Hip Hop”, LL Cool J paid tribute to the “King of Jamaica” - the reggae legend, Bob Marley - belting out Could You Be Loved and Jammin’.

The hip-hop soul queen, Mary J. Blige, performed an hour-long set included I’m Goin’ Down from 1994 studio album My Life and Take Me As I Am and Be Without You from her 2006 Best Selling Album The Breakthrough. She closed her set with No More Drama.

Earlier in the week (Thursday) thousands of guests attended Dancehall Night, dubbed Explosion, to see favorite acts including Beenie Man, Bounti Killer, Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Assassin, Vybz Kartel, Ninja Man, Anthony B, Cham and Chuck Fenda. This year's record attendance saw more than 15,000 patrons.

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism Basil Smith was pleased with the quality of this year’s event. “The Jamaica Tourist Board is delighted to once again be a partner in the staging of this remarkable event. An event such as Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest represents an important part of the culture of Brand Jamaica. Our rich music heritage transcends international barriers and is another part of the Jamaican experience we are proud to share with the world.”

During the week, most of Montego Bay’s hoteliers and villa operators reported full occupancy and with the dates a fixture on the music calendar patrons are encouraged to book in advance.

If you're already thinking ahead to next year, Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest is usually held at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay during the third week of July.

Labels: festivals, Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 1:23 PM

Jamaica Adding Convention Center in Montego Bay

Starting in December 2008, you just might find yourself hoping to get sent to a convention--in Montego Bay. The city's Rose Hall area will be the site of the new $51.67 million Montego Bay Convention Center.

The convention center is a joint venture between the Government of Jamaica and majority shareholder Ex-Im Bank of China, financing US$45.4 million.

The convention center will be built on 23 acres of land at Rose Hall and will provide approximately 215,278 square feet of rooms for meetings, exhibitions and other events.

Basil Smith, director of tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board declared that, "The construction of the convention center comes at an opportune time for Jamaica and will become the focal point of our Meetings, Conventions and Exhibitions product. Our plan is to share the true Jamaican experience, one that is filled with diversity, culture and adventure not only with the leisure travel market, but also with business travelers, corporations, incentive groups and meeting planners. This new convention center strengthens our appeal to these market segments and we look forward to welcoming new and returning groups for years to come."

Some renderings of the facility, courtesy the Urban Development Corporation (UDC):

Labels: Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 12:32 PM

New General Manager at The Caves

If you're a returning guest at The Caves in Negril, you'll see a new face at this Island Outpost on your next visit; a new General Manager has been announced. The Caves has appointed Kevin Clarke as General Manager; he will oversee all operations at the 10-room, cliff-side
retreat.

Born in Jamaica with a career spanning more than seven years in Jamaican hospitality industry, previously Mr. Clarke served as Food & Beverage Manager at Couples Ocho Rios, managing the F&B operations for the resort's 206 rooms, four restaurants and six bars. Prior to that, he worked as Food & Beverage Manager for Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Montego Bay, where he introduced standard training manuals and programs for all staff and maintained all F&B operations for the resort. Mr. Clarke also spent five years at Couples Negril resort, beginning as Dining Room Team Leader, eventually working up to the position of Food and Beverage Services Manager.

Mr. Clarke holds a certificate in Food and Beverage Management from the American Hotel and Lodging Association and has received team management training from the Tourism Product Development Company Ltd. in Westmoreland, Jamaica.

Labels: Negril

posted by Paris & John @ 2:59 PM

Strawberry Hill Offering Yoga Retreat

This fall, yogis flock to Strawberry Hill for Healthy Living, a six-night fitness escape in Jamaica's Blue Mountains. Teaming with Caribbean Fitness Consulting, the resort offers invigorating exercise courses amidst inspiring scenery.

Healthy Living Course: Strawberry Hill's Healthy Living courses are infused with Caribbean flair and guided by professional Caribbean Fitness Consulting instructors. Among featured sessions are:

• Yardi Fitness class with pulsating reggae music
• power Yoga
• H20 cardio
• resistance training
• power walking

Courses are set in a variety of locations, including the private Yoga (SHALA), Oasis Pool, main lawn and mountain trails. During breaks, yogis munch on tantalizing healthy snacks.

Fitness instructors can earn certifications and continuing educational credits.

Availability: Strawberry Hill's Healthy Living is available for booking September 17-24
and November 19-12, 2007.

Price: This package is priced at $595 per night for four persons in a two-bedroom villa. Two additional persons can join the villa for $150 per day for food and beverage. Studio suites are priced at $495 and deluxe villas at $390 (per X persons per night). Rates are subject to an additional 8.25% general consumption tax and 10% service charge. Airport transfers are not included.

For More Information:
• visit www.islandoutpost.com
• call 1-800-OUTPOST, Caribbean Fitness Consulting at 781-449-7636, or 0800-OUTPOST1 in the UK

Labels: Kingston

posted by Paris & John @ 2:57 PM

Roaring Pavilion Villa & Spa Offering Caribbean Fete Package

During JAPEX (the annual Jamaican travel trade show) this year, we had the opportunity to tour one of Jamaica's top villas, Roaring Pavilion. Located just west of Ocho Rios, this villa has been a favorite of the jet set for several years; celebrities ranging from Celine Dion to Mariah Carey to Jack Nicolson have all been lucky guests.

We just received word of a new package offered by this 5,000-square-foot estate with a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio and a full-service, onsite spa.

The Package: The Caribbean Fete package includes:

• Accommodations in four Master Suites
• Private Chef
• Butler
• All meals (with new Spa Menus by famed Caribbean cookbook author Virginia Burke)
• Two bottles of wine daily
• Celebration bonfire barbecue on James Bond Beach with fireworks
• Four signed copies of Virginia Burke's recent book Eat Caribbean
• Unlimited spa services, using Linge St. Barth and custom-blended products
• Full use of the house, grounds and spa
• Daily housekeeping service
• Nightly turndown service
• Beach attendant
• Airport transfers from Montego Bay
• Car and driver
• Concierge service

Price: The package starts at $4,500 per night for up to eight guests.

Rejuvenation Menus: The villa has tapped acclaimed Caribbean cookbook author Virginia Burke to design a series of spa cuisine Rejuvenation Menus based on ingredients that are indigenous to the Caribbean, rich in antioxidants and known to boost the immune system. For example, upon rising guests are offered Sorrel, Fever (Lemon) Grass or Sour Orange teas. (The herb Jamaican Red Sorrel is a powerful antioxidant.) Breakfast options include freshly squeezed juices, fruits and berries, whole grain breads and the traditional Jamaican breakfast of sautéed ackee (the national fruit of Jamaica) and saltfish. (The fat in ackee is monounsaturated - the same type as in olive oil).

Highlights of Virginia Burke's lunch and dinner Rejuvenation Menus include Pumpkin Soup followed by Fresh Escoveitched Chicken Salad with Pineapple and Cucumber; Conch Cerviche (marinated in lime juice, onions, tomatoes and sweet peppers) followed by Snapper Filet Steamed in Banana Leaf and served with Stuffed Chayote (squash); Grilled Jerk King Fish with Passion Fruit Sauce; Jerk Chicken served with a Salad of Papaya, Avocado and Watercress; and Grilled Lobster or the Catch of the Day served with Sweet Potatoes Dressed with Orange Vinaigrette. Guests can even indulge in healthy rum cocktails made with Sorrel and Ginger.

The spa cuisine is prepared by Roaring Pavilion's private chef Johanna Mitchell, who studied under world-renowned chef Albert Vinazza. Chef Mitchell can also prepare delectable European and Caribbean fusion fare and tailor menus to meet guests‚ special dietary needs. Meals are complemented by selections of fine French wines and a beautiful table, complete with Spode china, Christofle flatware, Waterford stemware and sterling silver tea service.

Customized Activities: Unlike a resort stay, villa life is fully customized to guest schedules. Roaring Pavilion's majordomo will arrange activities such as Caribbean cooking lessons; onsite yoga classes; golf, tennis and horseback riding excursions; water sports; and shopping. Guests are driven to their activities in a luxury car with a private chauffeur.

For more information:
• call 800-387-2726 from the U.S. and Canada
• e-mail info@lacurevillas.com
• visit the LaCURE Villas website

Labels: Ocho Rios, villas

posted by Paris & John @ 2:50 PM

Welcome to JamaicaTripper.com!

Welcome to JamaicaTripper.com! On this site, we'll be sharing our favorite places in Jamaica with you with more information that we have been able to provide in our many Jamaica guidebooks. We'll also be including photos and video from our trip as well as personalized advice to help you select the right destination for your getaway.

On this blog, we'll be covering the latest in Jamaican travel news, from special packages and promotions to news of hotel changes.

We hope you enjoy our new web site!

posted by Paris & John @ 12:55 PM