Jamaica Travel News

Island Records Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Roots, Rock & Reggae Tour

The Roots, Rock & Reggae tour offers emerging artists and music aficionados a chance to hone in their beat when booking six nights or more in any of or a combination of Island Outpost’s artistically influenced hotels, Strawberry Hill, Geejam and Jake’s, now through now through December 14, 2009 with stays in specific room categories:

Strawberry Hill, Blue Mountains

Room: Studio Suite. Situated on the mountaintop to stunning effect, Gong, Tree, Cedar and 59 Steps make up the property's four studios suites. Housing palatial four-poster beds with all-purpose kitchenettes, bathrooms and balconies, the studios capture the refined luxury and absolute peacefulness of the property. Each studio offers a quiet, personalized environment and features an uninterrupted canvas of the city lights of Kingston

Room Rate per Night: $595

Roots, Rock & Reggae: Strawberry Hill’s Musical History

In addition to touring Chris Blackwell’s wall of fame at Strawberry Hill, take a day to truly dive into the roots of the reggae culture. Tour the Bob Marley Museum, dedicated to the life and achievements of the phenomenal Reggae artist who Chris Blackwell led to international acclaim. Emerge through a musical history of artifacts, memorabilia, numerous writings and photographs, and other awe-inspiring mementos. The museum is Bob Marley's former place of residence and was home to the Tuff Gong record label. Feel the vibe and get inspired from the hundreds of artists, musicians, and producers from all over the world who have previously recorded at this studio and visited the museum.

Geejam, Port Antonio

Room: Ska. A unique cabin named in homage to the legacy of its respective Jamaican musical genres, Ska offers a mellow, airy octangular space with glass doors opening onto an elevated surround sound view. Ambient reverb of the sound-systems rolling across the hills or a rooster announcing the day can easily be heard from the room’s balcony or the cabin’s private hot tub..

Room Rate per Night: $595

Roots, Rock & Reggae: Geejam’s Studio Experience

A recently refurbished state-of-the-art recording studio is one of Geejam’s most prized features. An A-list of international music talent, including Gwen Stefani and No Doubt, Common, India.Arie, Björk, Tanya Stephens, Sly and Robbie and Gorillaz, have all written and recorded at the property. In addition to the top-of-the-line technology, including Pro Tools and a Neve console, the atmosphere at Geejam also lends itself to the continuous flow of creative juices. Even if not a professional, guests can book time on the mic to fulfill that lifelong fantasy with the 3-hour complimentary session. Studio packages are available to those booking a recording session. The three hour studio experience includes an introductory session in the control room and a demo session on the mic in the live room. Learn how a recording is assembled from tracking to mixing using the Pro Tools and start recording your stardom!

Jake's, Treasure Beach

Room: Deluxe One Bedroom Oceanfront. The ocean spray can be felt from the veranda of Seapuss, the deluxe oceanfront room. The aquatic theme enhanced by warm Moroccan accents redefines island groovy chic. Queen-sized bed offers ultimate refuge, while the private outdoor showers complete the perfect bathing ritual

Room Rate per Night: $295

Roots, Rock & Reggae: Henzell’s Drive

The bohemian atmosphere comes as no surprise here: Jake’s is run by the Henzell family, also responsible for Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come, the hippest Caribbean film of all time. Sally, its set designer, unfurled her talents here. Receive a Harder They Come DVD and CD and a poster, and take a beautiful drive down Jamaica's southwestern coast from Sav-La-Mar leading to Belmont’s fishing village which is the birth and resting place of one of the Wailers’ founding members…Peter Tosh.

For more information:

• visit www.islandoutpost.com
• call 1-800-OUTPOST

Labels: Kingston, Port Antonio, South Coast

posted by Paris and John @ 4:38 PM

Island Outpost Adds New Property in Port Antonio

Island Outpost which offers some of the most unique hotels in Jamaica (Jake's, Goldeneye, The Caves, Strawberry Hill) has announced the opening of a new property: Geejam.

Located in Port Antonio, this property was originally founded by music producer Jon Baker as a recording hideaway--through the years it hosted No Doubt, Common, India.Arie, Björk and Gorillaz, and others. Baker has now joined forces with fellow music industry veteran Steve Beaver to metamorphosize Geejam into an insider escape.

Geejam is located on six acres of the San San Estate within immediate proximity of Frenchman’s Cove. The property also borders Drapers, which was a little known village until Gwen Stefani gave it props at the 2003 Grammy Awards after recorded No Doubt’s multi-platinum album Hey Baby at Geejam. A 10-minute drive west will find travelers in the historic town of Port Antonio.

Accommodations: Geejam features three self-contained deluxe cabins – Ska, Mento and Rock Steady, which are privately arranged among banana trees with views of the Caribbean. The spacious Drum & Bass suite boasts 180-degree views. Sanwood, the hotel’s three-bedroom villa, features a private swimming pool and sundeck.

Amenities: Hotel amenities include a state of the art recording studio, spa therapies, swimming pool (Sanwood only), fully equipped air-conditioned fitness center with trainer, and the Bushbar, recently nominated by the Jamaican press as one of the “top ten most fascinating places to hang out.” Here a team of international chefs serve a distinctive blend of Jamaican-Japanese fusion cuisine.

Rates: Rates range from $495 USD to $1,950 in high season and from $425 USD to $1,750 USD in low season. Rates are based on double occupancy and include breakfast. All rates are subject to 18.25 percent tax and service.

For More Information:
• Visit www.geejamhotel.com or www.islandoutpost.com

Photo courtesy Geejam and Island Outpost

Labels: Port Antonio

posted by Paris and John @ 2:05 PM

POTD: Trident, Port Antonio

Long a favorite with the rich and famous set, Trident Villas & Hotel has a new owner and soon will be sporting some new renovations. We've heard different reopening dates for this famous property (best known as the place where Robin Moore penned The French Connection); we'll keep you posted as we hear a reopening date for this scenic accommodation.

Labels: Photo of the Day, Port Antonio

posted by Paris and John @ 12:27 PM

POTD: Village of St. George, Port Antonio

One of Jamaica's most unusual shopping areas, the Village of St. George in Port Antonio combines several architectural styles into one. Although it began as a shopping area for visitors, diminished tourism in Port Antonio has resulted in many of the St. George shops being converted into offices today.

Labels: Photo of the Day, Port Antonio

posted by Paris and John @ 3:48 PM

POTD: Jerk Stands at Boston Beach

Boston Beach near Port Antonio is known throughout Jamaica as THE place to go for jerk. The eateries are simple with carry-out and some seating; expect to pay just a few dollars for a meal. At most of the jerk stands, you'll walk right up to the pit and order by weight.

Labels: Photo of the Day, Port Antonio

posted by Paris and John @ 3:28 PM

POTD: Somerset Falls, near Port Antonio

Somerset Falls, located west of Port Antonio, is a tranquil stop, far quieter than Ocho Rios's Dunn's River Falls and more accessible than many other falls in the Portland area. Lush rainforest surrounds the walk up to the falls and the highlight of the visit is the chance to board a small boat and actually go beneath the falls into a small cave. This photo was shot as we entered the cave beneath the falls.

Labels: Photo of the Day, Port Antonio

posted by Paris and John @ 2:46 PM