Skylark in Montego Bay

Description from the manager

SKYLARK nestles among two peaceful acres of gated tropical gardens of lawn, flowers, palms, fruit trees and plantings.

SKYLARK nestles among two peaceful acres of gated tropical gardens of lawn, flowers, palms, fruit trees and plantings. The property is very private and secure. There are views of the Caribbean that look directly over Half Moon Bay. Other villas in the neighborhood are also on properties of 2 to 5 acres surrounded by rolling lawns. There is a full time live in staff of four.

One enters the house through a gated courtyard full of tropical plantings. The Living Room-Bar and separate Dining Room feature high cathedral... ceilings and French doors opening onto a covered Verandah and a Patio-Terrace where the Private Pool is located. The atmosphere is relaxed, casual and very airy with the waters of the Caribbean before you.

There are four Bedrooms with twin beds that can be made up as Kings and three tiled baths with showers and tubs. All rooms have ceiling fans and air-conditioning. Rollaway cots and cribs are available. The house is suitable for honeymoon couples or family groups of up to eight persons.

Accommodations: There are four fully decorated bedrooms each with a private bath with tub and shower. The bedrooms have twin beds that are made into king size beds if desired. There is a dressing table, bureau and ample closet space in every bedroom. New Skylark Improvements - January 2007 - Cable TV - with many channels - TV’s in all three bedrooms and the living room - Free Internet Wireless throughout the villa. - Vonage Phone System – - Callers TO Skylark from the US will only pay for a 617 area code (Boston) call. - Free overseas calls FROM Skylark to: US, Canada, Puerto Rico, UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, France. ( No calling to other countries) Note that most hotels have a charge for Internet usage and overseas calls.

Verandah opens onto the patio and private swimming pool. There is a 27” TV with a Direct TV Satellite Dish. There is also a VCR , a tape/CD player, a phone with fax, free WIRELESS INTERNET. A cable TV (with CN HBO, Showtime etc) in every bedroom and the living room with a VCR is portable and can be used anywhere in the house.

Large new 4th bedroom completed January 2009 - with 2 double beds and large "outdoor" shower and indoor shower. This is now the largest bedroom The new 4th bedroom is 18ft x 17ft, flat screen tv, ensuite bathroom, outdoor garden shower, and outside verandah.

STAFF The staff consists of a cook, maid, laundress and combination houseman/butler/bartender. At least two staff members will be full time at the villa and the will live in the staff quarters located next to the kitchen wing. The staff is very reliable and has been with us for many years. They will be able to answer almost any questions you may have. The staff will do all the cooking and will serve all the meals (at your direction). The laundress will wash guests’ clothes as well as the linens. Guest will not have to lift a finger. Guest should tip the staff as they see fit; however, we recommend a tipping as follows: Prepayment of 15% of the rental in low season and 10% in the high season. This is sent directly to the staff.

SECURITY Skylark is located in an exclusive neighborhood of luxury private homes on 2–5 acre properties. Skylark’s grounds are gated and well fenced. The houseman and our pet dogs are the watchmen and keep an eye on the property and house both night and day. Each room is provided with a safe to keep your valuables and tickets, etc. The staff is extremely reliable and honest.

FOOD The house will be stocked with an initial supply of staples and food that should last for two days. There are many ways that food, wine, liquor and beer can be purchased: The nearby A&H; Market will deliver food to the house; The Parkways Market is nearby and is convenient; The Blue Diamond Supermarket is about 8 minutes away; The best value for fresh fruits and vegetables is at the colorful, local market in Montego Bay; There is also an outdoor market in Falmouth to the East that is open two days a week; The Commissary at the Half Moon Hotel (shown below) has high quality, selected items.

Ask the cook about the best place to go. The cook will do the shopping there and the guests can go along for the local color. The market is very native and may not appeal to some guests - it is a real experience. Food costs average abut $30 US per day, per person. Imported meats and certain other imported items can be quite expensive. A menu of local fruits and vegetables is delicious and reasonable price wise. Most guests have most of their meals at the house (as eating out can be expensive). The hotels and restaurants are fun to go to for a different dining experience.

LINENS The house is fully furnished with linens and beach towels that the staff laundress will wash for you.

RATES PER WEEK A vacation at Skylark is a bargain compared to the cost of local hotels. For 4-8 persons, the cost of Skylark can amount to 30–50% of the cost of certain hotels. Montego Bay is readily accessible non-stop from many US cities. In addition, Skylark is only 15 minutes from the airport. This is a tremendous advantage over many other Caribbean islands. Within Jamaica, Skylark’s convenient location is also an advantage as many villas in Jamaica are 1-2 hours from the airport.

NEARBY VILLAS There are several nearby 4 bedroom villas that can accommodate up to 8 additional adults. One is next door and another just down the road. Depending upon availability, groups of: 14 –22 adults could be accommodated. This is ideal for wedding parties and other groups that like to vacation together.

BEACHES There are many beaches in our area that offer wonderful opportunities for swimming and water sports. Doctors Cave Beach, located in Montego Bay, is wide, with white sand and is “the beach” that made Montego Bay famous in the 1920’s to 1950’s The swimming is excellent and there are also watersports and a food bar. Wyndham Hotel has a beach and an “ amusement-water park facility” for all ages as part of the beach. Daily access to this operation is available from the hotel for a small fee; however, check with the concierge and there may be no charge if the hotel is not crowded Half Moon and Ritz-Carlton hotels, which are nearby, have beautiful beaches which are primarily for their guests; however, they both have bars and restaurants that are open to the public and can be used by Skylark guests at any time. They also offer recreational activities (tennis, sailing, etc.) which outsiders can use for a fee.

GOLF Skylark is located near four top- flight, 18-hole, championship golf courses and is clearly the “Golf Capital of the Caribbean”. These great courses are all within a 6 minute, or less, drive and are open to the public. The Tryall Golf course is about 35 minutes away to the West. Half Moon golf Club is only3 minutes away. Tel: 876-953-3105 White Witch (876) 518-0174. Cinnamon Hill Golf Club (near Wyndham) (876) 953-2650. Super Clubs Ironshore 876-953-3681

DINING OUT & DRINKS Half Moon Hotel, Sugarmill at Half Moon Golf Course, Ritz-Carlton, the Club House at the White Witch Golf Course on a hill above Rose Hall are great places to go for a drink at sunset of in the evening. All these place serve meals if you wish to dine there as well. There are many places in Montego Bay that appeal to different age groups and tastes. For an unusual setting try a new place Memorabilia just west of the Holiday Inn near the Caribou Hotel. They have a bar, restaurant and a beach. Both Round Hill Hotel (35-40 minutes away) and Tryall (45 minutes away) are open for drinks or meals. Call ahead to confirm. Round Hill has special dinners twice a week.

ROADTRIPS Negril is about 2 hours away and is a nice all day trip to the 7 mile long beach on the West End of Jamaica. Be sure to visit the cliffs on the way to the lighthouse and the famous Rick’s Café and Rock House. There are many hotels and restaurants along the beach. Ocho Rios, 2 hours to the East along the Coast, is a worthwhile day trip. Climb the falls and drive up beautiful fern gully. Local trips are plentiful. Check the Guide Books in Jamaica and many attractions will be listed.

DIRECTIONS Tell your driver you want to go to the Spring Farm area above the Holiday Inn. Proceed East from Montego Bay Airport about 6 miles until you pass the Holiday Inn on your left. One third of a mile beyond, turn right onto Spring Farm Drive, just before the Half Moon Golf Course. Go straight and bear left at the first intersection. As you pass the intersection, make a sharp 180 degree turn up the small but steep hill and then bear left onto Pimento Way. Skylark will be the 6th house on the right. Go to the second set of gates and the staff will come out to meet you.

Jamaican Treasures would like to thank the owner of Skylark for the use of his photos from his private collection. All photos by Nigel Lord. The new 4th bedroom (completed Jan 2009) is to the right of the 3rd bedroom. The 4th bedroom is 18ft x 17ft, flat screen tv, ensuite bathroom, outdoor garden shower, and outside verandah. InstanceEndEditable top Send Enquiry Now Villa Rates Bedrooms Summer April 16 - Dec 14 Winter Dec 15 - April 15 Christmas New Year 1 $2,000 $3,600 - - 2 $2,000 $3,600 - - 3 $2,300 $3,800 - - 4 $2,700 $4,200 $4,500 $4,500Read more

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