Hotel Mockingbird Hill

L'ambiente è molto buono, ma non ci sono molti insetti volanti nell'acqua calda!

Non aspettarti un'esperienza di catena di hotel di lusso. Questo è un hotel boutique di 10 unità con attenzione personale da parte del direttore e del personale. Sebbene forse non sia affascinante come un hotel a cinque stelle, ha infinitamente più fascino, dai fiori freschi ritagliati dalla proprietà che circonda l'hotel alla sala da pranzo all'aperto e alla piscina circondata dalla giungla ai suoni musicali degli uccelli. Posto meraviglioso in cui soggiornare!

Posto bellissimo, la proprietaria del locale chiamata Angela ci ha accolti molto bene, è stata molto premurosa, siamo arrivati ​​a tarda notte e ci ha accolti prontamente a braccia aperte. La colazione era il punto debole, infatti qui a Jamica, per via dei punti che stiamo attraversando, non è facile trovare un caffè più simile a quello a cui siamo abituati in Brasile.

Abbiamo adorato il nostro soggiorno a Mockingbird Hill, e Angie è stata un'ospite meravigliosa e premurosa (un esempio - ha notato che ho chiesto una salsa di peperoncino a colazione, e quindi mi ha suggerito di raccogliere alcuni cappelli di scotch freschi dal giardino per la mia frittata il giorno seguente - piccoli tocchi del genere lo fanno sentire come a casa lontano da casa!). Ci è piaciuto essere ambientati negli splendidi giardini tropicali, circondati dalla natura e nascosti in cima alla collina: i suoni degli uccelli e degli insetti mentre dormi sono rumorosi, ma se ti piacciono (come facciamo noi) è incredibilmente tranquillo e meditativo . Abbiamo anche apprezzato la ventilazione naturale in tutto l'edificio e le numerose aree per sedersi e godersi l'ambiente circostante. Se stai cercando un resort con lo stampino e tutto ciò che comporta (intrattenimento, aria condizionata, ecc.), Non è questo! Ma questo è ciò che ci è piaciuto. Un posto molto riposante in cui tornare dopo il trambusto di Port Antonio. Non vedo l'ora di tornare e provare il ristorante quando riaprirà!

Beware: The property is for sale or in process of being sold. The owners are absentee, and the manager has not kept up the hotel's services. I'm sure this was once a wonderful hotel, but no longer. Four of us stayed 3 nights -- all reservations are pre-paid and non-refundable, otherwise we would have left. The property is perched on a hill, and the grounds are beautiful and lush, though seating throughout the walkable property is rusted out metal. The manager promotes the hotel as "sustainable" though that simply means no a/c, no refrigeration, no ice. (We have stayed in many sustainable properties over the years, and all provide a water station so you can refill your water bottles, etc, and also ice). The rooms have a fan and mosquito netting over the bed that partially blocks the breeze from the fan (manager suggests to use the mosquito netting, it is a tropical environment). No screens on the windows, and some of the shutter slats are painted shut. We found cockroaches in our rooms. Beds were comfortable, and bathroom fine. The outdoor seating was quite worn, same with around the small pool (heavily chlorinated). The bar is no longer open, though the manager will sell you warm beer and red wine. The restaurant has been rented out to a chef who is temporarily on the island. He does a nice job under the circumstances, serving breakfast and dinner, both a bit pricey. The chef and the server were delightful. Note that the property is not walking distance to anything, so you must travel by car to restaurants, shops and beaches. Angela (manager) lent us an ice chest for some items we needed to refrigerate, though we had to drive to buy ice each day (not a sustainable-friendly thing). Given all of the above, one would think the pricing would be discounted -- it isn't. The price was similar to the other 5 hotels we stayed in (all wonderful) as we toured around the island.

We stayed at Hotel Mockingbird Hotel in Port Antonio for 1 night in mid-March as part of a tour with Arrowhead Birding Tours (Dwayne Swabay was a great guide). Check in was quick and easy…there are lots of steps so keep that mind if that is an issue. The hotel is surrounded by the rainforest on a steep hill with lots of flowers. There are great views from the top floor of the main dining room. It was odd being the only guests on the property, but there was a night watchman. We felt safe and left our room wide open to get some breeze…there is no AC. This hotel has some age, but everything was clean. Our room was basic but had a big bed with a mosquito net, a bathroom, and stuff for making coffee…all we needed. We had a large sitting area and deck overlooking the rainforest…we even had a female peacock roost right off the deck. We had a chance to do some birdwatching before it got dark and found a roosting Potoo. We went out in the evening and got some great views of a resident Jamaican owl. We did have dinner there…again was odd to have the chef to ourselves. Our dinner was good, but our guide was not happy with his fish. We left before breakfast. This is a nice quiet place with its own little slice of paradise…I would recommend.

Our main goal in Jamaica was to explore the smaller endemic wildlife in the eastern part of the island, so we booked this hotel with this purpose in mind. The garden of the hotel is large and has many spots to watch the local wildlife. We in fact only left the premises once to head to the blue mountains. The rooms are spacious with the possibility to make yourself a tea or coffee (coffee and fresh drinking water is provided) whenever you feel like it. Rooms are clean and equipped with everything you need for a stay. Following their eco concept AC is not installed but fans and the wind from the sea are enough to cool you down. The staff is very helpful, always friendly if approached. Breakfast can be included - go straight for the Jamaican options for breakfast. Chef Mike is Italian but is very experienced in the Jamaican Cuisine. If you expect the same prices as in the streets for the menu you shouldn’t bother to order. Angela was taking care of every request and can organize whatever tour you want to do. We enjoyed our stay very much are grateful for this pieces of nature close by the place where you sleep. As our purpose might be very specific: check their website for all details before you book. If you’re used to (or expect) all-inclusive beach resorts you might find this hotel a bit odd. As a small place of peace and stillness close to Port Antonio you’ll most likely enjoy the maximum of 10 guests inside of a beautiful (because not overdone) garden.

Not stayed here just decided to go for dinner as we were staying locally. The views are great but the food less so. Firstly what restaurant doesn’t have white wine, when serving fish on the menu. Also no Diet Coke or orange juice but we did get warm water beer and sprite so not all bad. The meal was average, starters were okay, nothing special but the mains were just a piece of fish two potatoes and big pieces of ginger. A total rip off for $95 plus the restaurant is separate to the bar $14.5 so they bring you two bills and it’s cash only. When it came to desert we weren’t asked if we wanted some we were told “you don’t want desert do you” 🤣 waitress tried to take away my drink that was half full and obviously wasn’t trained in waitressing. Such a shame as it would have been a lovely place to have a nice meal. If nothing else it reminded us a bit of faulty towers.

Really liked staying here. We chose this hotel due to its proximity to Jamaica's prime birding locations and were satisfied with the amenities offered and the kindness of the staff. Chef Mike cooked up some very good meals and was rather flexible with his menu. The night guy, Sifron, spent a good portion of time helping us find and photograph the resident pair of Jamaican Owls