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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 5 |
| Bathrooms | 5 |
| Sleeps | 12 |
| Villa | |
| Suitability |
|---|
| No Pets |
| Smoking Allowed |
| Suitable for Elderly |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 15 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
Get the real scoop!
All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | Villa |
| Minimum Stay | 1 night |
| Bedrooms | 5 Total |
| Bathrooms | 5 Total |
| Sleeps | 12 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyNo Smoking allowedYes Suitable for childrenAsk Suitable for the elderlyYes Wheelchair accessibleAsk |
Description from the owner
A 'roots luxe' beach front guest house in Treasure Beach on the South Coast of Jamaica.
This section of the South Coast is one of the special hide-away spots of Jamaica.
Treasure Beach has no 'all inclusives', & Calabash House is surrounded by Jakes , long considered to be 'the hippest resort in the Caribbean'.
We offer a laid back, small town atmosphere, perfect for family vacations, or small workshops, as well as couples, friends or the individual traveler.
Our gracious staff will make sure you feel at home.
Jamaican food has always been considered the best in the Caribbean, & our cook Suzzet will be sure y...Read more
Amenities
Location
Calabash House
Treasure Beach, Jamaica
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (change)
| Date | Weeknight | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $75 - $85 | $85 | $2,000 - $2,300 | $0 | 1 night |
| Aug. 27 2012 - Dec. 14 2012 | $75 | - | $2,000 | - | 1 night |
| Dec. 15 2012 - Apr. 15 2013 | $85 | - | $2,300 | - | 1 night |
| Apr. 16 2013 - Dec. 14 2013 | $75 | - | $2,000 | - | 1 night |
| All Other Dates | $85 | $85 | $2,300 | - | 1 night |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the owner | |||||
Additional notes from owner
Please ask about nightly rates. Prices listed do not include services of chef.
SUMMER: April 15 to December 14 - $75 US per night, per room / Cottage
WINTER: December 15 to April 14 - $85 US per night, per room / Cottage
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: May 02, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
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Average
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Sara R
Richmond, VirginiaA Slice of Heaven
Left on 03/11/2013 for a stay in February 2013
Calabash House has become our home away from home in Jamaica. Its beautiful, art-filled rooms provide the perfect ambiance for our Writing Workshops while the beach, the constant sound of the surf, and the lush, tropical vines, flowers, and fruit feed our creative spirits. Suzet is a fabulous cook and we miss her the moment we leave. Calabash House is for the traveler who wants a sense of the true Jamaican experience, and as it turns out, travelers wanting the perfect place for a small intimate wedding!
Response from Elizabeth Seltzer - 03/13/2013
Owner
We missed you the moment you walked out the door as well.
Can't wait till you all walk back in. The workshop was just lovely.
Bless up Elizabeth & the Calabash House Crew -
musichicky
Burlington, Canada"Heavenly"
Left on 11/08/2012 for a stay in February 2012
Your own private beach and dining "porch" ... glorious views ... delicious food ... quiet ... birdwatching at a pond nearby ... short walk to Jake's for dinner ... wonderful wonderful time. Higly recommended !!
Response from Elizabeth Seltzer - 12/10/2012
Owner
So glad you enjoyed yourselves & we hope to see you again soon.
I have been working on improving the bathrooms all summer.
Bless up, from the Calabash House staff -
Turtle wrangler
Los AngelesCharming cottage right on the beach -- what's not to like?!
Left on 07/04/2012 for a stay in June 2012
Ahhh.. Just back from a much needed seven-night jaunt to Treasure Beach. I slept like a baby, lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean each night, in the charming Calabash House cottage. Off the beaten-path of the large tourist towns, Treasure Beach is a beautiful, rural gem with a close-knit community of friendly people. There is plenty to do and see in the area, if you look, and lots of peace and quiet if you don't. Calabash House, which boasts its own art gallery, is centrally located and right on a sweet little spot of beach. The property is well-tended by a helpful, yet non-obtrusive staff. Michael's bike rentals, on the property, are a nice bonus! The cottage that I stayed in had a bed that lured me in for long naps, a half-bath and a place to hang my clothes; an outside shower and kitchen rounded out the amenities. I was looking for somewhere to relax and unwind and I definately found that at Calabash House.
Response from Elizabeth Seltzer - 07/05/2012
Owner
So glad you enjoyed yourself with us.
The Cottage is my favorite too.....
You can really avoid the world!
Hope to see you again soon. -
M&M vacationers
Cherry Hill, NJIf you are looking for the real deal and not just another touris
Left on 07/04/2012 for a stay in May 2012
Calabash house is a great combination of attractive beaches and amazing topography. The vibe from the time you arrive is low-key and the staff is among the friendliest in the Caribbean.
The house itself is large and spacious; the living room is open to the kitchen and provides areas to lounge while you read a book, play a game of chess, or just chat with your fellow travelers. The rooms are over sized and allow you to spread out and really feel at home.
The hub of activities takes place in the back of the property. There is a wonderful shaded porch that looks out onto a private beach and has a large family style table for meals or late afternoon tropical drinks. The beautifully landscaped backyard leads you to an oasis of hammocks, warm sand, and blue water.
I must say that our favorite activity was exploring the area on daily walks. There are several shops and galleries representing local painters, sculptors, and other artists. There is also lively local cuisine available within walking distance but you might not get that far if you've had a chance to taste Suzette's food, the cook at Calabash. She is amazing!
While you can certainly relax into an almost zen like state while visiting there are activities to keep you busy if you wish. The YS Waterfalls, boat trips down the Black River, rum factory tours, or a visit to the Pelican Bar are only a short car ride away.
I can't recommend you visit soon enough and hope I have the opportunity to return.
Response from Elizabeth Seltzer - 07/05/2012
Owner
So glad you could all vacation with us.
Next time the zip line! -
cmtraveler
PhiladelphiaBeauty and art in Paradise
Left on 06/28/2012 for a stay in May 2012
Staying at Calabash House was wonderful. I plan to come again and would highly recommend a stay to friends.
The house is located in a beautiful part of Jamaica, unpopulated by crowds of tourists or noisy traffic. It is a haven (especially for artists) with the original paintings, mosaics, and vibrant colors in every corner. The views are breathtaking, both of the surrounding hills and the backyard paradise beach. The garden is decadent, well cared for, and filled with tropical fruit trees and splashes of local flowers, saturated with color. All of this against the bright blue sky and the cool turquoise (yes actually turquoise) of the ocean water.
The house is open and fresh; the staff are genuinely friendly and keep everything clean and welcoming. There is nothing like sleeping on cleanly made sheets, fresh from drying in the Jamaican sun. Suzzet is an amazing cook, and her meals were possibly the best part of the trip.
There are a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars within a very short walk, all with friendly service, local offerings, and some with live music. Ys Falls are nearby...I would highly recommend a trip there. It was the first time I have ever (if somewhat reluctantly) jumped off a waterfall. It was glorious, surreal, incredible.
If you'd love to rest in paradise for awhile without doing the same with hundreds of other paradise-seeking tourists, Calabash House is the place to go.
Response from Elizabeth Seltzer - 06/30/2012
Owner
We hope so much that you can come back soon!
-
KellieMcL
Atglen, PennsylvaniaPure Bliss
Left on 06/28/2012 for a stay in March 2012
My husband, 2 young sons and I have now traveled to Treasure Beach and Calabash House 2 times. On both occasions (which were for family reunions), we were met by the hip, friendly owner, Elizabeth, who - along with her staff - makes a stay there pure bliss!
The location in Treasure beach is pretty much perfection! It was only about 100 feet from the house to the hammocks, sand, and beautiful waters. My boys played happily in the shallows most mornings and even enjoyed body surfing/boogie boarding on the calmer days with a couple of local boys, too!
We were thrilled with the food prepared by the staff - and they were super nice/accommodating to our boys, who were the youngest of the family members at the house. Local fruit and veges, fish, lobster, and jerk chicken are just a few of the things you can expect!
While staying put is our idea of a relaxing vacation, we did venture out for day trips including the appleton Rum Tour, boats trips to the Pelican Bar and to Little Ochi for a seafood feast, and especially YS Falls! Everywhere we went, we were treated kindly, never hassled.
All in all, Calabash House is a wonderful place to spend time in the South of Jamaica away from the hectic, overpriced, touristy all-inclusives. Choose this spot for friendly locals, local cuisine, artsy environment and more. This is the real Jamaica! -
CaribbeanDane
London, United KingdomCalabash House - a delightful secret
Left on 06/25/2012 for a stay in March 2012
We were pleasantly surprised by the privacy and location of the house. We were not the only guests staying there are the time, but everyone seemed like-minded and we felt extremely comfortable there. The house is spacious and well-appointed. This was our second trip to Jamaica so we were not surprised by the odd miniscule power cut, or the sometimes lukewarm showers, we didn't care because the house was big enough with comfortable sitting areas, lots of books, plenty of tables and plenty of ice, available all the time. We enjoyed breakfast on the verandah over looking the pretty garden and ocean beyond. The beauty of this house is that it's virtually on the most lovely beach. We were looked after by the gorgeous Suzette and mysterious Yoni and young Michael. The owner Elizabeth is one of the nicest people, she has made Calabash House a welcoming and charming place from where to discover Jamaica and a joy to come back to late at night. We loved staying there very much, it was delightful.
Response from Elizabeth Seltzer - 06/30/2012
Owner
So glad to have had the pleasure of meeting you, & we hope to see you again soon.
-
flakhsfadlkjf
DenverSort of like camping, in a house
Left on 06/17/2012 for a stay in June 2012
We had 6 people stay in Calabash House and just returned a few days ago. We occupied every one of the 4 bedrooms. 3 of the 4 bedrooms are 2 rooms open to each other, with an adjoining bath, and the 4th room is actually on the porch, and is a single room with an adjoining bath.
The first room on the porch is actually locked out of the house in the evening "to keep the cats out" at night. This room gets very cold with wit's modern air conditioner and feels clean.
The second room is the largest with 3 double beds and tons of room to spare. This room never gets cold, but somewhat cool with the air running constantly. Both front rooms are also "on the street" and there is a fair amount of traffic that can be very loud with music, and people stopping by to see "Michael" one of the staff members. The bath to this room has little to no water pressure even when requested to "turn the pump on" (more on this later). So little pressure that one cannot rinse the sand down the drain of the shower, or, as my husband said, the hairs out of his razor when shaving.
The third room is a warmer color, but also cools off nicely.
The last room is the best with a large queen bed on a nice frame, and a cute bath with glass block. This room affords the ocean noises so loudly, and stays cool all on it's own with no air conditioning. It is along the back porch where the dining table is for most meals - so if this person were not awake when others were, that may wake them up.
The windows in Calabash House are not glass covered, so keeping the cool air in is not easy, and keeping noise outs also not easy.
There is a large kitchen that gets really really hot when Suzette is cooking.
Suzette is a good cook, but by no means a chef. Her food is tasty, but as we were there for a week, we grew a bit weary of stewed meat + garlic vegetables. Her salads are good. When I say stewed meat, I just mean meat coked to death in a tasty spice mixture. An artifact of not being close to a large city (I am guessing) means that Suzette does well with less than premium cuts of meat by cooking them a long time. I am not complaining, it's just a fact of her approach. We requested only that the food be "Jamaican" and not anything special for americans. She had a totally open menu to play with.
To say this place is in a town or a village is a stretch. You can walk to Jakes in 5 minutes or less, which is do-able even in the oppressively hot weather we experienced for the week we were there. Other than that, the house itself has it's own gift shop, there is another very tiny gift shop 5-10 minutes away, and one more that was never open. Now gift shop - these are very very small shops with locally produced items.
Calabash is an extremely rural area, which is exactly what I was looking for. It takes 2.5 to 3 hours from Montego Bay airport to get there. There is not much of anything close by.
The beach is essentially the back yard, for the most part. While we were there as I mentioned, the heat was oppressive. Elizabeth indicated this was normal. The mosquitos were ferocious in the evening, and there were biting ants or something in the yard (to get to the beach). The beach is small but nice. The ocean was very very rough the first couple of days - you couldn't go deeper than your knees because the waves knocked you over. Literally. It seemed to calm a bit before we left, but there are signs cemented into the beach that say "Danger rough current" on both sides of the house. So I am not sure how clam it may ever get.
Very close-by is the fishing bay. They don't go out when the ocean is so rough, but the last couple days we saw the boats go out and the village people come here to buy their snapper. They bring in small fish by the laundry basket to sell on the beach. A little further past that is an area of beach with many shells. There are a lot of tiny crabs everywhere, and a few larger ones to see from a distance. We did not see any fish.
The house itself is in dis-repair to me. Any time you want to use water you have to ask to have the pump turned on. There is a steady drip in your bath sink without the pump, but barely enough to brush one's teeth. So I found it irritating to ask constantly to have this pump turned on. The tiles in our bathroom were resting on the ledge, but not attached. The sink was so old, it couldn't have been cleaned to look better, although that was the appearance - that it just needed to be cleaned. In fact it was just so old, that is how it looked. Not all the bathrooms were like this, ours seemed to be the worst. Plus, our room didn't cool off well, so we were constantly running the air as well as 2 fans, which made for a less than comfortable visit. We had a baby and a 3 year old, so we felt a cool room for napping was needed. It was, again, oppressively hot there. The bathrooms were not lit well, which also added to the feeling of it not being clean. The paint was colorful, but not well done, and I think that also added o the feeling of it not seeming clean.
The staff does a nice job of meeting your every need. Laundry as you need it. They will not tell you no for anything, and all do everything in their power to make you happy. They aim to please, and they do a good job at it. Elizabeth has a small external room on the property and may show up to stay there while you are there too. Also there is another external guest room that remained unoccupied while we were there. I don't think those rooms - which are detached and in the yard - have plumbing, but I am not sure. Their shower is outside.
In all, I didn't like my stay there. Perhaps I wanted something different and didn't know it. I am not entirely sure what my issue with the place was. I had several - but mostly I was just too hot, and the house was not convenient with the constant having to ask to turn on a pump to wash my hands or wash my face before bed, or whatever, it just gave me the feeling of being in a far less developed area than Jamaica really is. The refrigerators smelled, and that really turned me off to make food for the baby in the rare times I needed to. There weren't really any containers to keep leftovers, so that was kind of gross if you missed a meal or needed a snack - you had to paw through items covered with paper towels or a cloth or not at all in a smelly refrigerator...
Also there is no hot water, which is actually not a problem at all for showers - the water stays more tepid than cool, but in terms of washing dishes, they heat a pot of water to mix with the cold, and that water stays in the sink for a long time - which is the only sink with any water pressure - so you are always in that kitchen sink - and it will have dishwater in there with food floating around in it waiting for another batch of dishes, which really kind of grossed me out.
The house needs a bit of modernizing - some glass in the windows for example would help immensely - especially the first 2 bedrooms. Most houses do have glass in the windows in the form of louvers, so I don't think this is out of the question.
Eating meals outside on the porch is nice except when the wasps get aggressive. There are a lot of wasps around the huge mango tree. Unfortunately the fruit was not ripe while we were there and we did not get to eat from the tree(s).
The staff is very nice. Very accommodating. The accommodations are on the rough side though. Wifi worked consistently while we were there. That was nice.
I believe there is a lot of bug spraying as we found dead cockroaches one morning (my son asked me what they were). I wasn't sure if I was happy they were dead, or more concerned that my baby was crawling all over that floor with the spray.Response from Elizabeth Seltzer - 06/30/2012
Owner
I'm so glad this reviewer & ALL my previous guests agree on ONE important thing - 'the staff will do everything in their power to make you happy'.
It's unfortunate when any traveler has a bad start to their vacation & it can set the tone for their entire trip.This family, traveling with small children, Left their luggage at home. Though the Calabash staff tried to help in this difficult circumstance, I'm sure it was a great inconvenience for them not to have their own things.
All in all, it can be hard to travel locally in an underdeveloped nation while still having an 'all inclusive' mentality. Add to that several difficult & unexpected circumstances: an unusually hot & dry spell [which I certainly didn't say was normal as I felt like booking a trip to Alaska myself], & no water from the main line for the length of their stay. It is obvious that small disappointments, none of which were helpful, can become greater and hard to overcome.
I wish we could have met all the guests varied expectations, but clearly our small rustic village was not the air-conditioned mecca these folks were expecting even though she felt 'The staff does a nice job of meeting your every need'. -
Maya vanessa
BostonTruly magical place!
Left on 01/23/2012 for a stay in January 2012
As my mother would say "Calabash House is truly a magical place." The owner herself welcomes you into her home as if you were family and makes sure that your experience is unforgettable. Even the gardner and the housekeeper feel like family during your stay. It is surrounded by both natural beauty as well as beautiful artwork that the owner herself creates. If you want a true Jamaican experience than forget the commercial resorts and come to Calabash House. I can promise you that your experience will surpass your expectations!
-
geoffpm
wayland, maPerfect location, Perfect accommodations, Perfect staff and an a
Left on 09/21/2011 for a stay in July 2010
My wife and I travelled to Treasure beach to visit our daughter and her BF who were working on an Organic farm and helping out the community non profits.
We were met by Michael when we arrived and were shown a fantastic large room right off the main room of the house. We were the only guests that week and had the house to ourselves as well as the beach and back yard. Our room had two queen sized beds, two levels and air conditioning. Very large and comforting with great wall decorations.
In fact , the entire house is filled with art on the walls, part of the walls ,etc. The house is well appointed and even had wireless internet (well when it was working , not their fault, but the fault of Cable and Wireless.
Suzette who runs things when Elizabeth isn't there was a fantastic aid in our stay. Not only is she a fantastic cook, she has a beautiful voice. She and my kid's BF sang duets at night.
Living on the beach in Treasure beach is the perfect location. 75 feet from our bedroom to the sand, clean beach, pristine waters. There are several mango trees on the property as well as ackie and other fruits. We gorged on Bombay mangoes the entire time. Also, Calabash house is a few min from the small convenience store and a few other places to eat. We cooked a few dinners at Calabash since we were there alone but I am not sure that is a regular occurence.
Many people have written about the calmer and more natural setting of Treasure Beach as opposed to the touristy north coast. I felt safe in TB, never was hassled , noone tried to sell me anything except fish and the people were as friendly as I have met since I started visiting Jamaica in the early 80s
a wonderful place to spend time in the breadbasket of Jamaica. Also , make the trip to Little Ochi for a seafood feast -
StephanieBolduc
Laval, CanadaUnforgettable
Left on 09/11/2011 for a stay in July 2011
If you want to visit and stay in Jamaica outside touristic area, Calabash house is a great place to experiment. My boyfriend and I spend 3 nights there and trust me it was not enough. We rent a cottage in front of the beach and it was the best part of our trip. The desertic beach is perfect if you want to relax and enjoy the wonderfull landscape of Jamaica. No disturbance at all, we spend our days on the beach, in the hammock or doing some activites. The staff of Calabash house is awesome, you will feel like home. Suzet and the staff can prepare you some lobster, fish, breakfast and it was always delicious. Ask Suzet information about activites, she will help you to organize it. Pelican bar, YS fall, Black river everything is possible and really easy to organize. If you want to live Jamaican culture, meet people, have fun and relax you are at the right place. The only thing that you have to care when you stay at Calabash house it's... Enjoy.
-
WalkGood11
Silver Creek, New YorkPerfect for My Group!
Left on 08/11/2011 for a stay in June 2011
Absolutely perfect!!! I recently stayed at Calabash House with a group. The property, house, cottage and staff were absolutely perfect. I travel pretty extensively, and I can say that this was one of the best run guesthouses that I have ever stayed.
The location is great - right on the beach, and just down the street from numerous restaurant choices. We really enjoyed being able to swim right in front of the guesthouse. The beach there really is beautiful, and we basically had it to ourselves.
The staff were really the highlight of our stay. They really went out of their way to meet our every need. They truly exhibited the friendly, polite and accommodating vibe that makes Treasure Beach so welcoming. They are also outstanding cooks, and we ate almost all our meals right on the porch.
The property, grounds, house, and cottage are kept up perfectly. I wouldn't change a thing. The rooms are beautiful, the beds are comfortable, and everything just works (AC, Wifi, etc.).
Overall, a perfect travel experience. Calabash House is a real gem in Treasure Beach. -
Claire M
West Chester, PAThe Best Location, Food and atmosphere in Jamaica!
Left on 06/09/2010 for a stay in April 2010
Ten of my friends and I decided we needed some sunshine at the end of a very long and cold winter. We chose Jamaica and the Calabash House as our home away from home for the week.
Treasure Beach is exactly that, a Jamaican treasure. Set off the beaten path with just enough going on that you don't feel too remote. No crowds or vendors harassing you.
Calabash House has the best beach in Treasure Beach. We woke up with a swim in the rolling waves and ended our days with rum punch on the porch overlooking the water. In between being totally lazy and our day adventures we were fed incredible food cooked by the amazing Suzette. Calabash House was the perfect location and setting for the 11 of us to relax and have a great time. Suzette and Yoni are completely fantastic and helped us out with everything we wanted to do - arranging massages, boat trips, etc. - couldn't have asked for a better staff to make the trip easy and comfortable.
This was my second trip back to Calabash house and it definitely wont be my last!
Make sure you check out;
YS Falls, Pelican Bar, Jake's, Little Ochie -
kgardner40
mobile, alCalabash House, an unforgettable experience!
Left on 05/10/2010 for a stay in April 2010
I had a amazing one-week stay at the Calabash House in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. A delicious breakfast and dinner were provided daily and included many local Jamaican dishes, which was a real treat. The chefs Suzette and Yoni were amazing, extremely friendly and professional. The Calabash House itself was breathtaking, all the mosaic work done by Elizabeth really lent to a unique vacation experience unlike anything I've been a part of before. I feel like we got a really authentic experience of Jamaica as opposed to a generalized vacation package that most tourists probably got upon flying into Montego Bay. We were beachfront, had plenty of time to relax and play in the water, had indoor and outdoor showers and a great lounge in the main house. I would reccommend Calabash House to anyone seeking an authentic, relaxing trip in Jamaica off the beaten trail. Thanks for making my experience unforgettable!!
-
georgettek
PhiladelphiaBest Vacation Ever!
Left on 05/08/2010 for a stay in April 2010
The Calabash House was such an amazing experience, I would definitely recommend it to anyone heading to Jamaica! It was not touristy at all, which is exactly what our group wanted. Though at the same time, there were fun experiences for tourists under an hour's drive away. Our chef, Suzette, was amazing, she made the best breakfasts and dinners that I've ever had! The housekeeper, Yoni, had clean sheets on our beds every day and kept the house clean and in order. Though there were eleven of us, we fit comfortably in the house, on the veranda, and of course, on the beach! If you want a vacation away from the hustle and bustle, Treasure Beach is the place to go and the Calabash House is the place to stay!!
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