Jakes

Rooms

The rooms, cottages and villas are all named after sea creatures and designed in a carefree, eccentric style. You get thatched roofs, garden or sea views, colourful walls, lovely beds with mosquito nets, antique Jamaican furniture, local art and an abundance of striped cotton cushions. Bathroooms are a mixture - some showers, some tubs, either indoor or out. Be aware that water is heated by solar panels, so on overcast days it can be tepid.

There are 24 rooms at Jakes. The budget-friendly options are the standard ocean view rooms - Jellyfish and Starfish - and the standard garden view rooms - Conch and Coral; we'd say the sea view is worth the upgrade. There are also deluxe options: Seahorse and Cowrie - all with garden views - or Abalone, Cockles and Hammerhead - all with ocean views. Seapuss bungalows come with additional perks like hammocks, verandas or four-poster beds, plus that all-important sea view. Romantics will love the Honeymoon Suites: Octopussy 3 (which we stayed in) has a wonderful uninterrupted view of the sea, plus an outdoor bathroom with a shower and tub.

Groups of friends and families will like the cottages, all of which have self-catering facilities. Sweet Lip and Snapper are great value, each with 1 double and 1 twin room, plus indoor and outdoor dining, and a large wooden deck. Mussels has the bonus of a rooftop terrace and a private seafront pool.

There are also several larger villas and cottages located a short walk from the main site, in Old Wharf on the sands of Treasure Bay. Hope House features a star gazing deck, a Jacuzzi and an infinity pool, while the Calabash Bay Villa has private beach access, a fresh water pool and 3 dedicated staff and a daily chef. Calabash Bay Cottage, though smaller, also has a full kitchen and a housekeeper and butler. The newest is multi-level five-bedroomed Tree House Villa which comes with a large freshwater pool and wraparound deck plus a rooftop bar/lounge with sea views. Largest is the Seaweed Luxury Villa sleeping up to 12! It has a games room, a private gym, a hot tub, a split level infinity pool and an outdoor bar and grill.

Features include:

• Bluetooth sound system
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

There are 2 main eateries. Both serve a la carte menus; no meals are included in the room rate.

At Jake's Restaurant, you can sit ocean-side or undercover in a cheery, colourful setting, and the imaginative seasonal menu is sourced from local fishermen and farmers. It changes daily and is simply chalked up on a board with several starters, mains and puddings. For lunch, try the smoked marlin dip and crackers, or delicious jerk pork. Dinner may include fresh kingfish (sold directly from the boat) or curry crab with grilled plantain and mango chutney, and homemade ice creams. Breakfast is a selection of continental and traditional Jamaican dishes such as papaya pancakes and peanut porridge, plus an array of fresh fruit.

Expect to find loads of people taking advantage of the beachside WiFi at Jack Sprat, with a seaside setting that's hard to beat: plenty of laptops alongside the legendary seafood and pizza. It also serves local Caribbean food, and has weekly BBQs with bonfires and local musicians playing.

There are also occasional farm and fisherfolk dinners, which take place on a long table by the beach. Room service is only available to the Octopussy Honeymoon suites. Picnics can be made for excursions with a little advance notice. Inspired by the food? The chefs offer Jamaican cooking lessons for up to 4 people - learn how to prepare traditional dishes, and work with local seasoning and spices. Drinkswise, Dougie’s Bar overlooking the pool, terrace and sea will quench your thirst; the rum punch is knockout, and the bar closes when the last guest leaves.

If your cottage has a kitchen, the hotel can shop for you, so that fresh produce is waiting on arrival, and for other meals local grocery stores are a short stroll away. You'll have a stove, toaster, blender and fridge-freezer; the larger villas also have a microwave.

If you fancy exploring the friendly little town of Treasure Beach (everyone will soon know your name), check out the small country eateries Diner's Delight, Smurf Cafe and Wild Onion for a taste of authentic Jamaica with food sourced from local farmers. For something more quirky, Little Ochie is a short boat ride away. Here you'll find vintage fishing boats with thatched roofs, set on stilts at the sea's edge. Choose your sea catch from an icebox, and tell the kitchen how you'd like it cooked.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Drift off in the Driftwood Spa, where treatments in 2 elegant oceanside rooms will take you down a notch. The signature Caribbean facial comes recommended, but the spicy wild ginger and lemongrass scrub sounds amazing, so you might need to treat yourself twice
  
  
• It’s very easy to stay by the saltwater pool and absorb the peace. But rouse yourself at least once...
  
  
• ... because a boat trip to The Pelican Bar is a must. It's a precarious-looking shack built on stilts ¾ mile out to sea (a 20-minute boat ride), but the welcome is warm, the beer is cool and the grilled fish lunch a treat. On the way you may even see dolphins. Reception can arrange a local boatman for you
  
  
• The Black River and YS Falls are a popular daytrip. There are 8 tiers of waterfalls, with natural swimming pools by each. Experienced local guides and transportation can be arranged
  
  
• Book a fishing expedition with the locals - you can help pull the fisherman’s traps or set your own line, and you're likely to catch snapper, jackfish, kingfish, tuna or grouper, which you can bring back to Jake's and ask the chef to cook it up for you
  
  
• Explore nearby beaches: Jack Spratt, Frenchman's, Calabash Bay and Old Wharf. All are prone to undertows so be aware of this, but they are all popular spots to bodyboard and snorkel
  
  
• Try Reggae-lates (reggae-infused pilates and yoga), or the Roots Rock Yoga in the Yoga Pavilion; there are sometimes yoga retreats here, too
  
  
• Visit the local craft co operatives - at House of Treasures the women make lovely bowls and bags; great holiday souvenirs
  
  
• Hike or bike past watermelons in a field, people sitting on their porch, houses decorated with wonderful shell work, and local men making fish pots
  
  
• There's birding an hour away at Belmont, which is towards Montego Bay

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Private guided tours
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Yoga

Kids

Jake's is fun, bohemian and just the right side of shabby-chic: your children's messiness won't stand out like a sore thumb, but it still feels like a treat to be here. Children are welcome and there are plenty of excursions for older children as well as a kids club and a large range of activities on and off site. While it is suitable for all ages, we think that it's particularly good for teenagers.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Most of the cottages or villas are ideal for families. Snapper, Sweet Lip and Mussels are located on site so are closer to amenities. Calabash Bay Cottage and the luxury villas including the newest Tree House Villa are located off site so may be better for those with teenagers. Most rooms have an outdoor shower and day bed for that maximum seaside vibe.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport 2 hours
• Hospital: 30 minutes
• Doctor: 10 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Jake's is set in Treasure Beach, Calabash Bay in the friendly, ethnically diverse and prosperous precinct of Port Elizabeth on the south coast of Jamaica.

By Air:
Fly into Sangster International Airport at Montego Bay on the west coast of Jamaica, which is served by many airlines from the US mainland, Europe and the Caribbean. Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer from Montego Bay - see rates. It’s a 2.5-hour drive from Montego Bay, and a similar time from Kingston. Other smaller airfields around the island such as Norman Manley Boulevard on the west coast near Negril can accommodate helicopters and smaller domestic flights.

By Car:
If you intend to take it easy at Jake's, there's no real need to hire a car - staff can arrange taxis or car hire for any day trips you may take. But if you want to be independent, be aware that the minimum age of driver is 23, and companies often require a $1500 deposit (that may max out your card). Some roads are still closed due to damage caused by the last hurricane several years ago, and the eastern coast road from Kingston is badly eroded by landslides, so a 4x4 is advisable if you are going to explore. Be prepared for a cross-country adventure to get here. Signage is not a regular feature on the trip, but you will undoubtedly pass through some interesting villages. See our car rental recommendations.

Jamaican Taxis
There are 2 official types of taxis in Jamaica: Charter Taxis (officially licensed and insured, for sole use of passenger) and Route Taxis (a collective taxi, with red license plates). Robots are also collective taxis, but are often not licensed / insured and not recommended.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.