Knockando at Round Hill • Montego Bay, Jamaica Villa

About Knockando at Round Hill

More than 50 years ago, a visionary named John Pringle dreamed of turning a magical Jamaican hillside and waterfront into a luxurious retreat and he named it Round Hill. He sat upon the hill, gazed over the deep blue sea and selected the site for his own home, the genesis of what was to become a renowned resort for guests from around the world. Today, that home is Knockando, distinguished by one of the most breathtaking views in the Caribbean.

• deluxe 5½-bedroom private villa atop prestigious Round Hill … plus*
• staff of 7: cook, butlers, housekeeper, laundress, gardeners
• 20' X 40' private saltwater pool with unique mosaic Chinese dragon design
• wireless Internet access for laptop users in all bedrooms except Treetops
• DVD, VCRs and cable televisions: news, sports, movies, family and children’s programs
• sound system in living room, dining room, verandah, and pool areas
• library of CDs, DVDs and videos for parents and children
• deluxe Lynx grill for steaks, chops, fish, chicken and lobster
• handicap accessible: ramp, 3 handicap bathrooms and toilets, and Rascal electric transportation cart for transport to beach club
• child friendly: children’s playroom/bedroom*
• complimentary crib, high chair, portable playpen (Graco) and 2 strollers
• nearby nanny’s bedroom with en-suite bathroom
• 2 complimentary four-seat golf carts for transport to beach
• complimentary use of Round Hill fitness room via special homeowner-paid membership for guests

More than 50 years ago, a visionary named John Pringle dreamed of turning a magical Jamaican hillside and waterfront into a luxurious retreat and he named it Round Hill. He sat upon the hill, gazed over the deep blue sea and selected the site for his own home, the genesis of what was to become a renowned resort for guests from around the world. Today, that home is Knockando, distinguished by one of the most breathtaking views in the Caribbean.

On floors of cool Jamaican marble in hues of gray, pink, cream and salmon; rich mahogany; high ceilings and lovely antiques ~ Knockando evokes a sense of old Jamaica updated with contemporary comforts and amenities.

The large living room has a parquet floor, cable television, DVD and Internet connection. The living room opens wide to the heart of the house ~ a 1,300-square-foot verandah with generous seating areas in white canvas on oversize bamboo sofas and chairs under five ceiling fans. At one end of the verandah is a bamboo wet bar, icemaker, fridge and cable television. At the opposite end is a wheelchair-accessible bathroom and gently- ramped path to the pool terrace just below. Home-cooked meals typically are served al fresco on the long verandah. Three other dining areas include the option of an elegant indoor dining room with a 10’ mahogany pedestal table set with Rosenthal, Minton or Royal Worcester china and sterling silver.

Knockando is Gaelic. It refers to the distillery in Speyside, Scotland, renowned as home of the finest single malt scotch in the world.

Accommodations

Master Bedroom (650 square feet)
Kingsize bed; television: dressing room with padded mahogany spindle crib; en-suite bathroom with bidet; large walk-in shower and sunken bathtub big enough for two. A creamy dreamy suite. Adjoins Middle Bedroom.

Middle Bedroom
2 queensize beds; television; en-suite bathroom with tub-shower combination. Dressing room has interior passage to Master Bedroom via door that may left open or locked in the night for privacy.

*Blue Room(400 square feet)
Kingsize bed, television, en-suite bathroom with double-sink marble vanity and wheelchair accessible shower with bench, 4 ceilings fans. Interior hallway to small room with one twin bed for child,* nanny or other adult. Connecting pocket door may be left open or closed in the night.

Treetops
Queensize bed in romantic bedroom on private upper level, parquet floor, walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom with wonderful open-air pink marble shower with sea view. Wraparound wood plank balcony. Gorgeous views on three sides.

The Cottage(400 square feet)
Freestanding building across the lawn. Queensize bed; television, VCR and sound system; desk; wet bar and
fridge; wood plank floors and bookshelves. En-suite-bathroom, booster toilet with side rails, wheelchair accessible shower and bench, Jacuzzi bathtub. Excellent handicap accommodation.

Olivia's Treehouse
Down one flight of stairs and directly under Treetops (good upstairs-downstairs suite for parents and children). Fanciful playroom/bedroom for children. Bunk beds with side rails; trundle beds for two more. Television and VCR, children’s videos, stuffed animals, books, toys, games, blackboard, little sink and toilet. (Not really in a tree.) The entire property is child-friendly and has baby gates to limit unsupervised access to the pool area.

Maximum desired occupancy is 13 guests. All bathrooms provide hair dryers. All bedrooms and Olivia’s Treehouse feature state-of-the-art remote control air conditioning.

Round Hill Hotel and Beach Club Membership

A special amenity available to guests in this villa is membership at Round Hill ... just one minute from the villa and one of the finest private resorts on Jamaica's North Coast. Membership entitles guests to access Round Hill's private beach and tennis on hard-surface courts lit for night play and with pro on call. (Charges apply to lessons and ball boys.) Round Hill also offers a jogging trail, gift shop, logo shop, beach bar, piano bar, Continental cuisine in the hotel restaurant ... and unforgettable long sunsets from the waterfront terrace. For additional charges, members may enjoy the spa, Pineapple Kids Club, fitness center, a range of water sports and parties (Monday beach party, Wednesday Manager's Cocktail Party, Friday Jamaica Night). Round Hill has an annual closure - for 2012 Round Hill will be closed between September 4 - October 9.

Round Hill was chosen by Condé Nast Traveler for its Gold List of "the best places to stay in the whole world."

The Tryall Club Membership

A significant amenity for guests in this villa is membership at the excellent Tryall Club.  On 2,200 acres, Tryall’s golf course is among the most beautiful in the world.  Its 18 hillside and seaside fairways have been home to the Johnnie Walker, Mazda and other PGA championship events.  The resident pro offers workshops and private lessons.   The Tryall tennis club features nine Nova Cushion courts, some lit for night play, with world-class pro’s on call.  All whites required. 

The beach is well planned for parents and children. Have lunch at the beach bar.  Work out in the well-equipped gym.  Jog the marked trails. Snorkeling, kayaking, hobie cat and sunfish are complimentary.  Glass bottom boats, charter fishing, a boat to the reef and any captained craft attract various fees.  Enjoy the week’s events, including the Monday Night Manager’s Cocktail Party and the Wednesday and Friday night beach parties (Friday Seafood Night on the Beach Buffet is excellent).

On the hill, enjoy the historic Great House for afternoon tea and a magnificent view from the terrace.  Shop at the commissary and boutique, meet for happy hour at the bar, and browse a wealth of Jamaican, Haitian and Cuban works and souvenirs in the Gallery of West Indian Art.  And don’t miss the massive Tryall pool!

For a great write-up of the Tryall Club, see Dana Vachon's article Club Jamaica in Departures Magazine.

The Tryall Club was chosen by Condé Nast Traveler for its Gold List of "the best places to stay in the whole world.”

Tryall Club Temporary Membership Fee

Tryall is a private club whose members may use most Club facilities at no charge with the exception of golf, food and beverage, and spa services. Complimentary amenities include the beach, most water sports, tennis, the excellent gym, the Hummingbird Kids Club, Great House afternoon tea, the Manager's Cocktail Party and various special events.

The Tryall Club requires all villa and condo guests to become members during their stay via a Temporary Membership Fee of US$100 per week for each guest 18 or older, or US$20 per day per person for stays of less than 7 days.

Plan to pay your Temporary Membership Fee locally at the Front Desk in the Great House when you register. Credit cards are accepted. You will be given a temporary membership card to enable your access to all Club facilities.

Rental Rates

Guest Reviews

• Dear Linda,

  We had a wonderful week at Knockando. The staff went out of their way to accommodate our two families. I don't know what more they could've done. And Jerome's cooking was off the charts. We are used to the finer restaurants of New York and Washington, and we think his dishes stacked up with the best of them.

  Britt S.

  McLean, VA

  January 2012

• Dear Linda,

  The Knockando staff is an amazing team! They are warn, accommodating and professional and we can't thank them enough for making our stay so comfortable and enjoyable. The villa is absolutely beautiful and the view is breathtaking. We loved the lay-out and the amount of space we had. This was an incredible experience and we will be back

  Laura W

  New York

  April 2011

• Dear Linda,

  The staff at Knockando provides excellent service with joy and pleasure. Everyone was very in tune to all our needs throughout the day and met them perfectly. Such exceptional service is what makes a visit to Knockando terrific! This was a delightful family vacation and we are grateful to the wonderful staff at the villa

  Estelle S.

  New York, NY

  January 2011