Jamaica
Location: Port Antonio
Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, Port Antonio, Jamaica, is a small, luxury, eco-chic hotel nestled between the majesty of the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. Known throughout the world for its beaches and music, Jamaica offers so much more if you venture beyond the beaches. Travel to Port Antonio, the other side of Jamaica. Discover the land the Tainos called ' Xamayca: the land of wood and water'. Lush tropical rainforests, cool rivers, tumbling waterfalls and tropical "dream” beaches such as Frenchman’s Cove await you. Enjoy Port Antonio, a destination that provides the perfect combination of relaxation, romance, discovery, adventure, ecotourism and environmental responsibility.
Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is an enchanting intimate hideaway overlooking the town of Port Antonio, which is just 10 minutes drive away, and a mere 5 minutes from the romantic Frenchman's Cove. Hotel Mocking Bird Hill's hilltop location offers superb vistas - spectacular by day and romantic by night. Enjoy cool breezes and panoramic mountain and ocean views from this close-to-the-beach hilltop retreat nestled in 6.5 lush tropical acres. Hotel Mocking Bird Hill offers guests quiet and peaceful surroundings.
Port Antonio is a tropical paradise, the jewel in Jamaica's crown. The area offers visitors unparalleled natural beauty - rugged, exciting coastlines, romantic beaches, hidden coves, rivers, and waterfalls with the Blue Mountain Range providing a spectacular backdrop. Port Antonio, the capital of the parish of Portland, has retained its charm as a quiet rural township and is home to one of the most beautiful harbours in the Caribbean. A walk through town is a walk through history, with its narrow streets linked with buildings from another era, including the Anglican stone church and Fort George (1729) overlooking the harbours, with its cannons pointing out to sea.
Accommodation
Jamaica’s award-winning environmentally friendly luxury boutique hotel is romantic, peaceful, gracious and comfortable – the perfect Jamaican holiday hideaway tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, close to Port Antonio and minutes from the beach. At Hotel Mocking Bird Hill guests are greeted with warm hospitality and can enjoy fine cuisine in the hotel’s highly acclaimed restaurant Mille Fleurs.
The ten select accommodations have been lovingly appointed with hand crafted bamboo furniture, locally printed fabrics and decorated with original art. The atmosphere is infused with warmth and is as comfortable as a good friend's home. Relax in your hammock and enjoy the picturesque beauty of the unspoilt natural landscape of the north east coastline of Jamaica.
Eco Policies
Eco-design - The buildings of this eco-hotel are integrated into the landscape so that they do not disturb the skyline. Mocking Bird Hill is in a hurricane zone area where there are strict building codes to ensure that buildings withstand the winds, therefore the hotel does not have a concrete structure. The house was designed to maximise on natural wind, ventilation and daylight, with large eves providing shade against the hot sun on the balconies. The hotel also utilised and remodelled an existing structure rather than building from scratch.
Energy – The eco-hotel uses solar-power to heat water along with energy-efficient equipment and as much day-light as possible to reduce energy consumption. Energy usage is also kept to a minimum using simple methods such as washing lines to dry clothes instead of driers, no air-conditioning, no minibars, no TV ‘s etc.
Conservation – Hotel Mocking Bird Hill contribute to a Jamaican project which seeks to preserve and improve the Jamaican environment. The hotel partners with the Jamaica Conservation Development Trust (JCDT), a Jamaican NGO that has an extensive reforestation programme using mainly native Jamaican forest trees, particularly those that are fast growing and have little value for lumber but which are excellent for biodiversity - these include species like Alchornea latifolia - Dovewood, Clethra occidentalis - Soapwood, Hibiscus elatus - Blue Mahoe and Hernandia catalpifolia - Water Mahoe (the tree the endangered Giant Swallowtail Butterfly lays its eggs on and the only plant the caterpillars will eat). The JCDT grows most of the seedlings in their nursery at Holywell as well as in some community nurseries. In areas closer to communities fruit trees are also planted. The JCDT plants in areas that have been identified (using satellite imagery and ground-truthing) as high priority areas for rehabilitation.
Ecological sustainability - Hotel Mocking Bird Hill has teamed up with STI (Sustainable Tourism Initative) and is working towards becoming a carbon neutral eco-boutique hotel by offsetting carbon emissions and enabling guests to offset the carbon emissions produced by their flights to Jamaica. STI has an accredited carbon offsetting programme: My Climate. STI has recently calculated the hotel’s emissions and established that Hotel Mocking Bird Hill produces 68.78 VERs (verified emission reductions, ton of CO2 equivalent) annually. The hotel will be making a financial contribution to My Climate towards offsetting these emissions.
Mocking Bird Hill also has a waste water treatment system which uses anaeroebic bacteria and is trying to find funding to enable installation of a pump run on solar-power to pump water back up the hill to irrigate the garden.
Another principle is avoidance of waste, so most of the hotel’s supplies are bought in bulk without packaging, and delivered in reusable boxes and bags.
Waste is composted and recycled (bottles given back to bee keepers, bottles in the restaurant as lamps and flower bed borders, handmade paper making project and buy back the handmade paper).
Community - The guest information folder gives extensive information about local culture and customs. Products are purchased locally and the hotel uses local guides and transport providers, supports local projects and recommends local eateries.
Except for one of the 2 co-owners and one chef all staff are from the country and the neighbouring areas.
Mocking Bird Hill also has a programme to support the local school along with a women’s handmade paper making project and another project which makes chocolate tea balls and herb baskets are purchased as guest amenities.
Facilities
At Hotel Mocking Bird Hill's Restaurant Mille Fleurs, Port Antonio, Jamaica you can discover Creative Caribbean Cuisine. Restaurant Mille Fleurs offers terrace dining with spectacular views overlooking the harbour of Port Antonio and the sweep of tropically forested hills with the Caribbean Sea as a background. Sample some of the finest food in Jamaica at this romantic restaurant where you can enjoy the best of creative caribbean cuisine.
Opening Hours: Breakfast 08:00 - 10:30 hrs. Lunch 12:00 - 14:30 hrs. Dinner 19:00 - 21:30 hrs. (last order)
The bar offers excellent views of the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean and provides a spectacular setting for evening drinks. It is tastefully furnished with white wicker and floral accents.
Use of poolside lounge chairs, beach towels and use of snorkelling equipment is free of charge. Laundry service and limited room service are also available for a fee.
A library is to be found in the bar. Read and relax while enjoying the panoramic vistas offered from this hilltop vantage point. The friendly staff provide courteous and unobtrusive service.
There is also complimentary internet access and a complimentary afternoon tea for in-house guests.
Things To See And Do
There are a range of activities for you to enjoy: bird watching, hiking, cycling, snorkelling, diving or you can just laze in your hammock and watch emerald green hummingbirds dart from flower to flower.
Relaxation is the order of the day and the untouched beauty that surrounds you provides the perfect
background to escape and unwind.
Hotel Mocking Bird Hill can arrange customised tours in Port Antonio as well as excursions in Jamaica for you. Additional services the hotel can help you to arrange include:
- Massage
- Baby Sitting
- Art classes in drawing and sculpture
Room Description
Large and airy rooms with cool white tiles and large balconies with hammocks invite you to relax and enjoy splendid views and provide a comfortable, fresh atmosphere. The breeze-cooled rooms have fans (and blankets for the cool winter nights), cotton linen, mosquito nets, tropical plants, attractive hand printed floral fabrics and original artwork offer simple elegance with an individual touch and a Caribbean flair. Fresh flower arrangements, tropical fruit plate and cool spring water greet the guests.
Coffee-making facilities, radio/clock, hairdryer and make-up magnifying mirrors are provided in all rooms. Free safes are provided in the rooms.
There are three types of rooms:-
- The standard room is a simple, cosy room close to the pool with an interconnecting door to the adjoining room, thus ideal for families.
- The garden view rooms are comfortable rooms with balconies which look into the garden.
- The superior rooms are on the upper level and offer views overlooking both the lush hillside and the sea in the background. Additional amenities and European style bathroom fittings enhance your comfort.
Prices & Booking Policies
Currency: US dollar ($)
Prices and inclusions: Prices for a standard or garden view room range from US$125-245 (approx £63-123) per room per night with up to 2 people in the room. Prices for a superior room range from US$245-295 (approx £113-148) per room per night with up to 2 people sharing the room.
Prices are room only (no meals included) and include tax.
Child prices: Children aged 0-12 years go free when sharing a room with 2 adults.
Extra adult prices: A third person sharing a room pays US$48.95 (approx £25) per night.
Special offers: For stays between 1st May and 15th December 2008 book 7 nights for the price of 6!
Check-in / Check-out times: Check in 13.00 / Check out 12.00 (late check-outs and early check-ins can be requested (on the booking form) and will be allowed if possible.
As reception desk is not open 24 hours please advise your estimated time of arrival (via the booking form, or at a later date if you don’t know yet) especially if it is a late arrival after 9pm.
Opening dates: The hotel generally closes in September for 3 weeks for annual leave. For 2008 the hotel will close from 2nd – 29th September reopening on the 30th. Bookings are currently being taken until 19th December 2008.
Restrictions: There are no minimum night restrictions.
Deposit: A deposit of 30% of the total booking fee is payable at time of booking. Your booking will not be fully confirmed until this payment is received. The payment will be taken using the credit card details you provide at time of booking - please note that the hotel does not accept American Express. The hotel must then receive the full balance at least 10 days prior to your arrival.
Cancellation policy: All cancellations must be received in writing. Deposits are refundable for cancellations received more than 30 days prior to arrival date less an administrative fee of US$65.00 (approx £33). For cancellations received up to:
- 14 days prior to arrival 30% of the total room cost will be retained.
- 7 days prior to arrival 50% of the total room cost will be retained.
Within 3 days of arrival date 70% of the total room cost will be retained.
There are no refunds for cancellations received within 2 days of arrival date, for no shows or early departures.
Payment methods: Payment by cash or credit card (American Express is not accepted). Credit card surcharge of 5% only for sums of less than US$60.
Getting There And Around
To get to Jamaica there are two international airports, in Kingston, Jamaica, the Norman Manley International (KIN) in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the Donald Sangster International (MBJ). Many airlines fly to Jamaica. All charter airlines arrive in Montego Bay.
If you are hiring a car, the hotel can provide you with directions on how to get to the hotel. Otherwise, you can take a taxi from the airport.
There are two official types of taxis in Jamaica. Charter taxis and route taxis. Charter taxis are similar to taxis in most countries, they collect you from your location and take you to another location and you are the only passenger. These cabs are officially licensed and insured. The route taxi is a collective taxi. These cars are licensed as public passenger vehicles and have red license plates. They are very cheap and any easy way to do short distances as long as you don’t mind sharing with others. There is another type of taxi which most Jamaicans refer to as "robots". These are also collective taxis and they also have low fares. The problem with these taxis is that they are not licensed as public passenger vehicles and are often not fully insured and are therefore not liable if there is an accident. It is therefore recommended that you do not use these cabs. As a result of not being licensed as public passenger vehicles they do not have red license plates and are thus easy to tell apart from the route taxis. Jamaican taxis do not have metres so make sure you settle on the price of your trip before you set off.
For airport transfers and tours the hotel works with a local transportation provider and can arrange airport transfers on request (please enquire about this on your booking form). The fares are generally more attractive than the regular taxi companies.
