Great River House - featured in 'Caribbean Travel and Life' is one of our favorite Jamaican villas. Newly refurbished,completely redecorated and landscaped, Great River House sets the standard for gracious Jamaican villa living.
Set on over four acres of rolling lawns, the house commands sweeping views of the sea with amenities of an exclusive private retreat. The property features citrus, mango and pimento trees with flowering plants and royal palms gently lit at night to create a stunning tropical landscape. The entire property is fenced with wrought iron gates ensuring complete privacy. Outdoor play areas include the hard surface north/south tennis court with wind screen, grassy areas for practicing putting and long drives and badminton and croquet equipment supplied for entertainment. Tree swings for children with a fire pit for marshmallow roasting add extra fun. Fresh herbs, island fruits and flowers are yours for the picking and are included in the chef's menus.
Designed in 1956, for a member of the DuPont family, Great River House's total renovation combines a timeless elegance with state of the art technology including WiFi, Sonos, Apple TV and Roku. The 8,000 square foot home is a light filled happy and gorgeous space, newly decorated in icy blues, pinks and white to reflect the sky. Sofas and club chairs in designer fabrics are as comfortable as they are beautiful. Open and airy the villa has the unique feature of every room having attractive louvered screened windows and doors. The villa is filled with island crafted mahogany furniture preserving the old Jamaican great house tradition yet incorporating modern fabrics. Kohler-designed en-suite bathrooms complete with water tiles, a chef's kitchen and an expansive Entertainment/Library/Game room [ 60' flat screen TV and DVD] all opening to the outside with its tropical beauty complete the picture of this elegant villa.
Candlelight dinners created by 'the finest chef on the North Shore' are served in a formal (air conditioned) dining room or more casually under the stars on the expansive stone deck with lanterns, all surrounding the extraordinary serpentine salt water infinity pool. As you enter, the villa opens to a large living room with views through to the Caribbean leading to an extensive covered veranda focusing on indoor/outdoor living, so much a part of Jamaican life. The new salt water pool is but two steps down from the living area and is surrounded by a 2,400 square foot stone deck with lots of space for relaxing and privacy.
A flower filled side courtyard with outdoor shower offers a retreat for relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatments. Throughout the day and evening the Great River valley breezes and trade winds create a gentle, environment. At night watch the twinkling lights of cruise ships and fishermen's lanterns or study the stars through the house telescope as you listen to the tree frogs and enjoy the jasmine scented air. Savor morning coffee and banana bread as the sun peeks through lush foliage.
Combining tradition and innovation each of the five bedrooms and en-suite baths is filled with custom made island furniture accented with well known designer fabrics, fluffy towels, your choice of feather or hypoallergenic pillows as well as fine linens, good sized closets and chests for clothes. Four bedrooms radiate from the living areas of the house. The fifth bedroom and bath has its own low-walled terrace complete with seating and access to the tennis court and expansive gardens on the lower level near the entertainment/ games area and powder room. Configurations of the bedrooms include king beds in three with the remaining two having twins which may be combined into kings. A pull out twin sleeper/sofa is available in one of the bedrooms.
Great River Estate is eight miles west of Montego Bay International Airport. Conveniently located only a few minutes away from Round Hill, the North Shore's most elegant hotel and four miles from Tryall Club with its internationally acclaimed 18 hole championship golf course. Great River Estate is a private community of some twenty villas built on a hill along the Great River overlooking the Caribbean Sea with 24 hour manned security as you enter the community.
A friendly, professional staff of six (chef, concierge/butler, housekeeping maids, gardener and night manager) will greet you and help you quickly acclimate to your new home, create personalized menus, arrange tee times at the exclusive White Witch and Cinnamon Hill golf courses and coordinate travel needs to Round Hill, Tryall, Montego Bay and any other island destination you choose. Custom menus include freshly caught fish & lobster from the local fishermen, famous jerk style barbeque cooked on the home’s own jerk drum and the freshest of local fruits and vegetables.
A special amenity to Great River House is membership at Round Hill. Just a short 5 minute ride finds you at one of the finest private resorts in the Caribbean. Membership entitles guests to access Round Hill's private beach, water sports program, fitness center, Spa, pool and jogging trail.
Bedroom Configuration:
All bedrooms are air conditioned with quiet split units, ceiling fans and private bathrooms. Screened louvers if you prefer to enjoy wonderful breezes to air-conditioning. High quality linens in every bedroom. Comfortable reading chairs and benches and good lighting. Wireless audio system and cable TV is some bedrooms. Bathrooms are all updated with Kohler fixtures, walk in showers. Soothing color palette. All new beds in 2015 and include king size beds (3), twin beds (4), baby crib (2),pack and Play 1.
-Bedroom 1 Master bedrooms has a canopy king size bed. Cable TV and beautiful private terrace with seating and chaises and Caribbean Sea view.
-Bedroom 2 Has king size bed, cable TV and large bathroom. Private balcony opens to beautiful view of the Caribbean and garden. Connecting door to Bedoom #3, perfect for families with children.
-Bedroom 3 Has two twin beds or 1 king bed and a twin bed sleep sofa. The bedroom has a garden view.
-Bedroom 4 Has king bed. This bedroom overlooks the tennis court and garden and has cool Great River breeze at night.
-Bedroom 5 This king bedroom is in a quiet, private location with private patio and seating area with garden views.
Villa Amenities:
- 5-bedroom/6.5-bathroom private villa at the exclusive gated Great River Estate community
- Salt water infinity pool, overlooking the Caribbean Sea
- childrens' play area with swings
- TV with DVD and extensive library
- Wireless internet access
- iPod docks
- private tennis court
- Full staff of 6 comprising of chef, butler, housekeepers, night manager and gardener
- Round Hill Resort membership