FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Rates Where can I see a list of all villa rates? Budget How much will groceries and dining cost? How much will a driver cost? How do I handle tipping the villa staff? Do you offer a Senior Citizen Discount? Jamaica Basics What travel documents do I need for Jamaica? What currency does Jamaica use? Where can I book flights to Jamaica? What is Jamaica's weather like? What do we do in a case of a hurricane? Will my cell phone work in Jamaica? Terms and Conditions Minimum Stay Requirements Damage Deposit Payment and Cancellation Policy Extra Guests

Villa Basics What does a standard villa include? What do the villa staff do for us? Where are your villas located in Jamaica? What time is checkin/checkout? Choosing a Villa You have 88 villas. How do I choose the right one? Which villas are best for a family? Which villas are best for golf and tennis? Where can I find villas on the beach? Attractions and Activities What is there to do in Montego Bay? What is there to do in Ocho Rios? Where can I scuba dive in Jamaica? If my villa does not have beach club membership,
what beaches can I use? Trip Planning How do I organize a vacation for a large group? How do I arrange a wedding in Jamaica? Where can I find gourmet food and fine wine?

Who has all the answers?

When it comes to villa vacations in Jamaica, we stand apart from other agencies.

We have the answers.

Our staff have been booking vacations, traveling to Jamaica, developing villa homes, and training hospitality staff for 25 years.

Call us at 301 - 229 - 4300
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
linda@jamaicavillas.com

Our aim is to make the booking of your villa vacation as easy as possible for you. On this page you will find answers to questions that we are typically asked by clients.

Rates

The rates we publish are for 7 days and 7 nights.

See all High and Low Season Rates.
See all Christmas and New Years week Rates.

Low Season: from April 16 to December 14
High Season: from December 15 to April 15
Christmas and New Year weeks have their own rates.

Budget

In addition to villa rental, your major costs will include the three G's -- groceries, ground transport (driver), and gratuities for staff. More information is available on our budget page.

Groceries

A typical grocery budget is $45-$55 per adult per day and $20 per day for preteens. This may vary up or down depending on market prices and menus. See our budget page for a more detailed breakdown of grocery costs.

Hiring a Driver

We can arrange a private driver to take you to and from the airport ($80-$220 round trip), and on specific sight-seeing and shopping trips. We can also arrange a full time private driver for your vacation.
See our ground transporation page for full details.

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 at the villa. Plan to pay your grocery and gratuity monies in cash: US dollars or Jamaican dollars.

Senior Citizen Discount

Ask about our Senior Citizen rates. 10% discount for youngsters over 65. Verification required. Not applicable to holiday weeks including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Presidents Week and Easter. Does not apply to all villas ... or to reservations through outside agents.

Jamaica

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required to ensure you will be permitted to board your flight.

Recommended for US travelers:
Passport Card -- Us Dept. of State -- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

If you have questions about this requirement or are a citizen of another country, call 1-800-233-4582 (Jamaica Tourist Board).

In the USA, you can check with the Embassy of Jamaica, 1520 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 tel (202) 452-0660. Or you may contact your local embassy.

Currency

US dollars are accepted island wide. Exchange rates vary if you choose to purchase Jamaican dollars. You can see the latest Jamaican-USD conversion rate for reference.

Most commercial establishments, including grocery and liquor stores, accept credit cards. Staff and driver gratuities, however, must be paid in cash locally unless you have prepaid for these items. (Remember that most villas will accept prepayment through your agent for groceries and gratuities if you prefer so that you may deal with less cash during your trip.)

Flights to Jamaica

Tourism is Jamaica's leading industry, so reserve flights early. Your destination is Montego Bay, Jamaica, and the airport code is MBJ.

Air Jamaica, Air Canada, Air Tran, American, British Air, Continental, Delta, Jet Blue, Northwest, United, USAir and Virgin Atlantic are major carriers. Several charters operate from the East Coast, the Midwest and Europe. A new private plane terminal enables expedited Immigration and Customs clearance for our private plane passengers.

When researching prices it is always a good idea to press airline reservation agents for the best possible deals. In many cases tenacity can produce significant savings.

Weather

Jamaica enjoys typical Caribbean weather: 80's and 90's by day and 70's at night. Winter to summer variance is only 10 degrees. It is more likely to rain in May or June and September or October than in other months. The island is rarely affected by hurricanes. Dress is casual. Coats, ties and expensive jewelry are not appropriate. In winter months, you may need a cotton sweater after sunset. Do take mosquito repellent! (Consumer Reports recommends Ben's 100, Ultra Muskol or Cutters, available at sporting goods stores and trail outfitters).

If you are travelling in September or October, we suggest that you purchase travel insurance. Jamaica has experienced only two hurricanes in 50 years. Likelihood of another when you are there is minimal. This is merely a suggestion and the choice is yours.

Today's Weather in Jamaica

Montego Bay Weather Forecast, Jamaica

In Case of Hurricane

If Jamaica's North Coast is under a hurricane watch or warning which closes the Montego Bay airport and prevents your arrival, we will offer you a rain check which you may use for the same villa any time in the next 12 months. (If you choose High Season dates, you may simply pay the difference.)

If a hurricane affects Jamaica while you're already there, closing the Montego Bay airport and preventing your departure, we will make every effort to accommodate you in the most comfortable way possible. Remaining in your own villa may be the best option.

However, if you are travelling in August, September or October -- or if you have health concerns for yourself or anyone else in your group -- we recommend travel insurance. Be advised that Villas by Linda Smith makes no claim regarding any insurer's service or coverage. Your choice of insurers is at your own discretion.

In the past 57 years, only 6 hurricanes have hit Jamaica:
1951 Charlie, August 17
1963 Flora, October 5-7
1980 Allen, August 4-7
1988 Gilbert, September 12
2004 Ivan, September 10-11
2007 Dean, August 19

Cell Phones

Your U.S. cell phone will work if your provider in the U.S. is T Mobile or Cingular. It will not work if your provider is Verizon or Sprint. Call your provider to ask whether your cell will work in Jamaica.

Note: Be sure to enable ROAMING in Jamaica.

Alternatively, visit any Digicel store in Jamaica and they'll set you up. All of our drivers and staff know where the most convenient Digicel outlets are. Digicel phones are inexpensive, and phone time cards are available in nearly all shops and gas stations. Overseas call rates are quite reasonable. Try your own cell first. If it doesn't work in Jamaica, purchase of a Digicel is my strongest recommendation for ease, economy and convenience.

Note that several of our villas offer complimentary cell phones during your vacation.

Terms and Conditions

Minimum Stay Requirements

Typical minimum stay requirements are 7 nights in High Season and 5 nights in Low Season. However, we are happy to make exceptions in some cases.

Damage Deposits

Damage Deposits in most of our villas are US$500 per week. (see exceptions) These will not be assessed if no damage occurs during your stay. If partial damage does occur (a broken lamp, a remote control tossed in the pool, etc.), we will assess an appropriate amount. If no damage occurs, your Damage Deposit will be refunded immediately after you return home. If you have paid by credit card, we will charge damage against your credit card only if necessary and we will advise you in advance.

Payment and Cancellation

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 made 61 or more days prior to scheduled occupancy, we will refund all deposits less a 10% cancellation fee. (Deposits for Roaring Pavilion, Sundown and Rio Chico are non-refundable.)

Policies for Christmas and New Year's weeks differ. A 50% deposit confirms a reservation. Balance is due 120 days before travel. No refunds for cancellations are made within 120 days prior to scheduled occupancy. For cancellations made more than 120 days prior to scheduled occupancy, we will refund all deposits less a 10% cancellation fee.

You may wish to purchase TRAVEL INSURANCE.

ALL RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CONFIRM BEFORE BOOKING.

Extra Guests

Extra guests in any room attract a surcharge of $30 each per night. The following villas are exceptions.

A Summer Place on Discovery Bay $50 per night
Good Hope Plantation $50 per night
Nutmeg $50 per night
Malatai on the Beach $50 per night
Keela Wee on Discovery Bay $50 per night
Makana on Discovery Bay $50 per night
Sugar Bay on Discovery Bay $50 per night
Whispering Waters on Discovery Bay $50 per night
Amanoka on Discovery Bay $150 per night

Villa Basics

Features Included in all Villas

All of our villas are fully staffed. A full-time dedicated chef, butler, housekeeper and personal laundress attend exclusively to your villa.

Other basics include a pool, television, internet, and an air-conditioned house. And there's more. Every villa offers a varied set of additional amenities. You can explore the list of features on our search page.

Staff and Services

Your cook will handle grocery shopping and meal preparation. She will pre-purchase your first few meals plus pantry staples, then finish the week's shopping after meeting with you. At week's end, she will present receipts for all food and beverage and reconcile your account.

Your cook will also pre-purchase 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 her, 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.

The day starts while guests are still asleep. The cook quietly places pots of steaming Jamaican coffee on the verandah. Full breakfast is served when all guests are ready. A typical breakfast may include fresh-squeezed orange juice and fresh fruits, banana fritters or plantain, eggs, bacon, pancakes or cereal ~ or Jamaican ackee and salt fish. For lunches and dinners, your cook will prepare her own mix of Jamaican specialties ~ including delicious homemade soups and desserts, lobster, curried goat, jerk pork or chicken, pasta, lamb, beef, fresh fish ~ or serve traditional American fare as you request. Warning: Jamaican cooks are excellent and portions are generous!

Your chambermaid and laundress will care for every detail of your bedroom and bath ~ providing fresh linens and flowers, returning your neatly-folded laundry, and turning down your bed each evening. The gardener will maintain the pool and grounds immaculately each day. Most villas are staffed by a butler as well who serves, tends bar and generally facilitates.

Location

Most of our villas are located within 10 miles of Montego Bay on the North shore of Jamaica. Montego Bay has an international airport where tourist flights come in, enabling guests to reach "home" 20 minutes after clearing Customs. Eleven of our villas are on beautiful Discovery Bay, one is on the beach in Runaway Bay and seven are oceanfront in Ocho Rios.

Check-in and Check-out Times

Check-in time is 1:00 p.m. in most villas, 3:00 p.m. in others. Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. in most, 12 noon in others. Ask us when you have selected your villa what times apply to you. If no other guests are scheduled to occupy your villa on arrival and departure days, you are welcome to check in early and check out as late as you wish. Ask any agent in our office to advise you of the occupancy schedule of your villa. Remember that the schedule may change prior to your travel date, so you may wish to check with us again the week prior to your trip.

Choosing a Villa

How to Find the Right Villa

The single best way to find the right villa is to give us a call.
301 - 229 - 4300. We are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Our booking agents know the villas, and our expertise lies in finding the best villa for your vacation.

The second best way to find a villa that suits you is to start with our
Search Page. Whether you're interested in on-site tennis, a heated pool, a helicopter pad, handicap access or beach club membership, you will be able to choose the options that interest you.

Families

Some of our villas are particularly well suited for children. Factors we consider when recommending specific homes as child-friendly include:
-- grassy lawn and outdoor play area
-- safe distance between house and swimming pool
-- membership in beach clubs, kids' clubs
-- children's videos
-- adjoining bedrooms for parents and children.
Please take a look at our full list of Family-Friendly Villas.

Golf

We offer 25 golf villas on or very near Jamaica's top golf courses -- The Tryall Club, Half Moon, Three Palms at Rose Hall and the White Witch at the Ritz Carlton. See our list of golf courses and greens fees, as well as a description of Jamaica's golf courses. You can also browse our full list of villas with golf access.

Tennis

Many of our villas include a private tennis court on their grounds. See our list of villas with tennis courts.

Beachfront Villas

We offer many villas situated directly on oceanfront beaches. However, many of our higher end villas are not on the beach. They are located 5 to 10 minutes from the beach. This leaves you within an easy walk or golf cart ride from the sand, but affords a quieter locale for relaxing poolside.

See our list of public and beach clubs.
Also see our full list of beachfront villas.

Attractions and Activities

Activities in Montego Bay

The outfitters in Montego Bay provide opportunity for jungle canopy tours, horseback riding, swimming with dolphings, sport fishing and more. In town you will find restaurants, bars and night life. Take a look at our full page of Montego Bay Activities.

Activities in Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios offers great opportunity for water sports, museums and historical sight-seeing. Take a look at our full page of Ocho Rios Activities.

Scuba in Jamaica

Scuba is available in Montego Bay, including a DC-3 airplane wreck and several ecosystems in the Montego Bay Marine Park, opened in 1992. However, more of the dive activity happens in Negril, on the west end of Jamaica, where conditions are calm year round.

Beaches

Many of our villas include membership in resort, including Tryall Club,
Round Hill Beach Club, and Palmyra Resort. These memberships allow access to beaches, nightlife and restaurants, as well as world class tennis and golf facilities.

In addition, the northern Jamaica shore offers some outstanding
public beaches.

Trip Planning

Large Groups

Our family of villas can accomodate large family reunions, corporte retreats or other meetings. We offer a full list of villas suitable for large events and gatherings.

Weddings

We offer extensive wedding guidance for planning your big day. A Jamaican villa makes the perfect location for a gracious tropical wedding. Take a look at our full list of wedding friendly villas.

The villa where the wedding takes place requires a minimum one-week rental at full house rate.