Budget
Your budget
will consist of the villa rent plus the 3 G's:
Groceries, Gratuities and Ground Transportation
The Villa Rent
This buys you exclusive use of the fully-staffed villa and all amenities that come with it as described on each villa page. Rates are based on double occupancy per bedroom.
High Season: December 15 to April 15
Low season: April 16 to December 14
See rental rates for all villas
Groceries
Food, glorious food, is yet another reason thousands of people choose the villa vacation. The Villas by Linda Smith Gourmet Cuisine Cooking Course was started in 2004 to raise the bar on everyday menus, and our chefs brilliantly rose to the challenge! Click here to learn more about menus in our villas.
A typical grocery budget is $50-$60 per adult per day and $25 per day for preteens. This may vary up or
down depending on market prices and menus. If you request shrimp, lobster, imported beef or large
quantities of other food items, this estimate will increase. Your cook will pre-purchase your first
few meals, pantry staples and a small starter bar (a few bottles of Red Stripe, moderately-priced wine
and rum). Additional alcohol requests will increase your budget.
If you wish to go to the various markets
with your cook, you are welcome. Otherwise, simply review with her your tastes and distastes and she'll
handle it all while you stay at the villa and relax. At week's end, she will present receipts and reconcile
your account. [Note: A few villas have higher food and beverage budgets.] We cannot accept prepayment for
groceries or staff gratuities at Tryall Club villas. Please be prepared to pay for your groceries with
cash or credit cards and to tip your villa staff and driver with cash. They will welcome both US and
Jamaican dollars.
Estimating grocery costs is not a science. Much depends on the menus you want and current market
prices. Obviously, this is a variable so anticipate that your cook may refund money at week's
end... or ask you for more money mid-week. In either case, your cook or chef will
reconcile your food and beverage bill at week's end.
On your first day at the villa, your cook will meet with you regarding menus for the week, then
finish the week's shopping. At that time, you will give her cash for your food and drink
plus her $60 taxi fare. Plan to pay for your groceries and gratuities in cash. Both
USDollars and JADollars are welcomed. Alternatively, if one or more of you wish to go to
the supermarket with your cook, you may use your credit card. (Stores will not accept your
card from your cook if you are not present with her.) Roadside vendors of fresh fruits
and produce will require cash.
Additional Guests
Additional guests attract additional charges. This fee is waived for infants under 6 months of age.
Most villas charge $30 per night for each additional guest.
The following are exceptions.
| A Summer Place on Discovery Bay | $50 per night |
| Good Hope Plantation | $50 per night |
| Malatai on the Beach | $50 per night |
| Keela Wee on Discovery Bay | $100 per night |
| Makana on Discovery Bay | $100 per night |
| Sugar Bay on Discovery Bay | $50 per night |
| Whispering Waters on Discovery Bay | $100 per night |
| Amanoka on Discovery Bay | $150 per night |
| Villa Lido on the Beach | $35 per night |
Still Have Questions?
See our Frequently Asked Questions or
send us an email.
Call one of our knowledgeable agents. We'll be right here with the answers!
Ground Transportation
We recommend our excellent drivers and their air-conditioned vans either fulltime or on
call. Fulltime driver service is $875 per week plus 15% gratuity; this includes 1
complimentary tank of gas. Alternatively, we can rent a self-drive car for you
(left side driving, right hand steering.) See our complete schedule of rates.
Gratuities for Staff
Recommended staff gratuity at the end of your stay is 10% of the villa rental
in High Season, 15% in Low Season, divided among your staff members in
accordance with the Gratuity Guide you'll find in your Welcome Book.
Plan to pay for your gratuities in cash. Both USDollars and JADollars
are welcomed. (Good Hope and Silent Waters require prepayment of gratuities).
Child Care
For dedicated support, employment of a nanny enables the best of all holiday worlds: carefree parents and children being cared for nearby. Our nannies work for $10 per hour. Plan to pay also approximately $20 per day for your nanny's meals. We can provide cribs and high chairs on request, for a modest fee. Staff in all our villas love children.
| How big is too big? You don't need eight people to rent a home with four bedrooms. Many villas offer staggered rates, so depending on the size of the group, renters can pay either the one- to two-bedroom rate or a rate for three- to four- or five- to six-bedrooms and still enjoy all the amenities of a larger home. "You pay based on the number of bedrooms you need.... |
 |
5 Things to Ask Yourself
Caribbean Travel + Life Magazine, September 2010
Payment, Cancellation
and Damage Deposit Policy
A 25% deposit confirms a reservation. Balance is due 60 days before travel. No
refunds for cancellations are made within 60 days prior to scheduled occupancy.
For cancellations 61 or more days prior to scheduled occupancy, we will refund all
deposits less a 10% cancellation fee.
For Thanksgiving week cancellations made 91
or more days prior to scheduled occupancy, we will refund all deposits less a 10%
cancellation fee.
For Christmas and New Year's week cancellations made more than
120 days prior to scheduled occupancy, we will refund all deposits less a 10%
cancellation fee.
A $500 damage deposit ($1,000 in some villas) applies to each
reservation. We will refund this promptly when you return home if no damage occurs
during your stay.
hillside overlooking Montego bay
Goat Hill, 3 bedrooms View this villa
