Jake’s Hotel is a Caribbean treasure

For hedonists in search of a quiet patch in a sometimes troubled paradise, the ocean views and spiced jerk chicken aromas at Jake’s Hotel in Jamaica immediately seduce the visitor.

A modest family-owned hotel, Jake’s is only a nine-minute walk from the pristine waters and string of secluded coves known as Treasure Beach on Jamaica’s south coast.

Founder of Jake’s, Sally Henzell was keen to create something special away from the usual tourist traps and the hotel is her dream made real. For Sally, a set designer, window dresser, poet, painter, stylist and architect, the hotel’s design reflects a lifetime of Caribbean memories beginning with her childhood excursions to the south coast and continuing through her love and marriage to legendary local filmmaker, the late Perry Henzell.

Her wild bohemian flair was further influenced by a holiday in Barcelona which left an infinite impression on Sally with the hotel’s orange ochre walls and mismatched ceramic tiles portraying elements of Gaudi’s Catalan designs.

For those looking to reach a more exalted state of island bliss, a new yoga retreat offers the chance to participate in yoga classes in an extraordinary setting - a driftwood-enclosed deck overlooking the vast Caribbean Sea.

Sally’s son, Jason, has also contributed to the property’s expansion. A rather tame 30-minute walk away from the hotel and sitting on a point overlooking the water, a three-bedroom abode Pelican Villa is a brand new addition featuring a swimming pool and private access to the quiet fishing beach of Billy’s Bay.

Villa guests can take their taste buds on a local culinary experience prepared by the resort’s private housekeeper. The menu features authentic Jamaican cuisine including ‘callaloo’ and fresh seafood seasoned with aromatic jerk spices. Beyond the villa, Sally has worked tirelessly to promote local produce and much of the changing daily menu at the hotel highlights the seasonal wares of the island’s almost 40,000 local farmers and fishermen.

Nicole Pierre