If you are a reader of this newsletter, you know that my love and affection for Round Hill, Jamaica is well documented, but I have fallen in love all over again at the discovery of this cozy and charming cottage, Almond Hill.
My family has rented villas in or near Round Hill over the years, but for this particular trip, there were only five of us going (my husband, twin boys and my mom came with us for a few days as well) so we did not need a big house but we wanted the amenities of a villa. I stumbled upon this charming cottage and it ended up being perfect for our needs.
Almond Hill has four bedrooms, with the possibility of only renting three for a lower price, and sleeps up to eight. It is one of the smallest villas I have come across in this area of Jamaica – most of them are on the larger side, with 5-6 bedrooms sleeping 12 or more – which you don’t always need.
The owners of the cottage are Guy and Lady Rose Monson – and I do not mean to stereotype but their names alone might give you an indication of why this Caribbean villa has all the charm of what I imagine a cottage in the English countryside might have. (Also I believe this is just one of their properties at Round Hill and in fact I think the entire Round Hill estate was owned by the family at one time.)
A few clues about the owner’s heritage if the names didn’t give it away would be the worn needlepoint topped card table complete with a well worn deck of cards, a silver monogrammed ice bucket in the bookshelves, black and white photos of the family members at various equestrian events, and books by British authors lining the bookshelves (I think my mother read three of them during her stay.)
What I loved about it most was that it clearly has not changed at all in 30 + years. I found an old scrapbook and there are photos from big parties at the cottage in years past — the same furniture in those photos is the furniture they have now, just with different fabric. It is classic, comfortable and I love that the owners do not have any desire to modernize it like many of the other villas in this area.
TO CHECK OR NOT TO CHECK
I know the check or not to check debate is raging right now given all the insanity with post covid travel, and I really could go either way on that decision with one exception: Villas in Jamaica.
And the reason is this: You will want for nothing when you rent a villa in Jamaica.
As I have mentioned, your meals are prepared, your rooms are cleaned daily, coffee is ready for you when you wake up and cocktails are made for you when you feel thirsty.
But most importantly for this decision, your laundry is done for you every single day and brought back to your room folded on a tray – which means that you only need a couple of pairs of pajamas and workout gear or tennis clothes, your kids only need a few swimsuits and t-shirts, shorts, a couple of nice outfits for dinner and that’s it. So there is truly no need to check if you stay in one of the villas that offers these services (not all do – you can email me if you want more background on the differences).
But what about the sunscreen you ask?? I had the same thought too and here’s the answer. Two options: 1 – ask the villa manager to purchase some for you in town when they are grocery shopping or 2 (this is the one I recommend) – buy plenty of these little bottles that meet the TSA liquid restrictions and you’re good to go.
Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 and Glow Stick SPF 50
Mineral Spray SPF 50 and Glow Oil SPF 50
And reminder that you need this travel bag to place on top of your roller – it holds so much stuff. The bottom section unzips and you can fit all your shoes and books (and sunscreen bottles!)
I have written a lot about Jamaica and my thoughts on renting villas – if you want more details go to the Travel section on my website, click on Jamaica and you will find all my posts and advice there. Or you can click here.
One love!
