Wharf House on the Beach • Montego Bay, Jamaica Villa

About Wharf House on the Beach

Imagine a 300-year-old cluster of hand-hewn stone buildings next to the sea. Gun slots in 18-inch stone walls conjure a tale of soldiers defending the wharf and its sugar trade from Caribbean pirates and foreign invaders. Now enter the 21st Century and recreate the image as a casual compound with a kitchen, bathrooms, air-conditioned bedrooms, cable television, sound system and tiled swimming pool. This is today’s Wharf House.

• 18th Century waterfront wharf house restored as family home
• 4 air-conditioned bedrooms ... 2 in Main House and 2 in detached cottages
• Children’s Play Cottage, games cupboard, videos, pool toys
• full staff: cook, butler, housekeeper, laundress, gardeners
• complimentary sea kayak
• 15’ x 30’ swimming pool
• cable television, DVD player, VCR, sound system with CD player
• large old stone barn with ping pong, wet bar and powder room
• Wireless Internet access (bring your laptop) 

Imagine a 300-year-old cluster of hand-hewn stone buildings next to the sea. Gun slots in 18-inch stone walls conjure a tale of soldiers defending the wharf and its sugar trade from Caribbean pirates and foreign invaders. Now enter the 21st Century and recreate the image as a casual compound with a kitchen, bathrooms, air-conditioned bedrooms, cable television, sound system and tiled swimming pool. This is today’s Wharf House ~ a comfortable home on the water’s edge which has preserved a piece of history and added contemporary charm and comfort ~ while retaining a definite rustic quality.

The site is comprised of five buildings. Walkways connect living spaces, swimming pool and deck. Two stately old cotton trees grace the lawns.

The property is indeed waterfront and has a small sandy beach. Wave action may sometimes leave the water’s edge strewn with pebbles, which the gardener will remove each day if necessary.

The Main House consists of the casual living room with television and high rafter-and-beam ceiling. Adjacent is the large indoor dining area which features antique Chippendale chairs around a gleaming 10’ mahogany table. All rooms share a wonderful collection of contemporary Haitian and Jamaican art. Floors throughout are stone, brick and dark mahogany. While museum-quality antique sideboards, chests and cupboards are reminders of past centuries, Wharf House is designed for comfort and fun. Living room furniture is wicker slipcovered in washable white canvas so guests can feel free to put their feet up and relax.

Adjoining the living and dining rooms are the two front bedrooms and connecting bathroom. Two detached cottages hold two additional bedrooms.

On the sea side of the Main House, wide mahogany doors open to a terrace of old brick and a 60’ over-the-water wooden deck. Sunrise here is a time of day to treasure ... with a cup of rich Jamaican eye-opener coffee and the morning songs of doves. At dusk, if clouds dot the sky, the sunset is beautiful.

This part of the Bay is an environmentally protected Marine Water Park. The ocean view over turquoise water is lovely. By day, children love to feed the fish from the deck. Evenings, the deck is a breezy spot for home-cooked dinners under the stars. The view becomes a glamorous light show reflecting over the water from the town of Montego Bay and lighted cruise ships.

If you’ve left your pets behind, be advised that The Wharf House is home to our happy dogs (one handsome Rottweiler and two beautiful German Shepherd mix). They tend to stay on the west side of the property out of guests’ awareness. If you wish, they can be kept in their kennel by the staff quarters and allowed to run only at night.

Accommodations

Master Cottage ~ 1 bedroom
Kingsize 4-poster bed, walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom with tub-shower combination. Right next to the sea. Beautiful sea view all day. Romantic night view of lights of Montego Bay shimmering across the water. The rhythm of waves lapping the shore lulls guests in this room to sleep each night.

Cottage 2 ~ 1 bedroom
Twin 4-poster beds, en-suite bathroom with tiled walk-in shower. Bedroom opens to central garden.
Bathroom opens to pool terrace. Sea and garden views.

Main House ~ 2 connecting bedrooms for parents and children
Queen Room
Queensize 4-poster bed. Shares connecting bathroom with Child’s Bedroom. Walk-in closet, double-basin vanity and tub-shower combnation. Ideal for parents or nanny sharing this suite with children. Sea and garden views.

Children’s Room
Low toddler-height twin beds (38"x74" mattresses ... one inch less than adult twins). Shared bathroom connects to Queen Room. Also available to teens or adults .

Powder Room
In passageway by living room ~ 4th full bathroom with tub-shower combination

Children's Play Cottage
The old brick building that housed a kitchen in 1755 is now a fully outfitted child's dream cottage. Stuffed animals, dolls, toys, games and miniature furniture fill this little fantasy room ... plus rocking lion, dollhouse with 4 tiny furnished rooms, Fisher-Price play kitchen, dressing-up clothes and little 4-poster bed for afternoon naps. Employment of a sweet Jamaican nanny enables the best of all holiday worlds: carefree parents and enthralled children not far away. 

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 such a wonderful time, and the staff was so kind and exceptional. You guys really delivered everything as promised, and Jamaica is an inspiring place.

  Peter W., Toronto, Ontario, February 2012

• Dear Linda,

  We loved our staff and their attention to all of our needs. They were warm,

  kind, and friendly!

  Mindy K., Cortlandt Manor NY, Jun 2007

• Dear Linda,

  Everyone is warm, welcoming, and wonderful. They make us feel at home.

  Every meal is great!

  Regina D., Tucson AZ, Jun 2007

• Dear Linda,

  We feel that all resorts should be judged against your properties and your standards. We were never in need of anything. The staff are very professional and they became like family before we departed.

  Pictures cannot express the beautiful accommodations or wonderful staff.

  David B.,

  Buford GA, May 2007

• Dear Linda,

  The staff was professional,

  friendly and they provided top notch service. The food was well prepared and served with excellent attention to detail. All this group enjoyed their experience at Wharf House. We liked being on the beach and having the close proximity to Montego Bay.

  Dianne H., San Leandro CA, Feb 2007

• Dear Linda,

  Service was always excellent at Wharf House and the dinner table always looked lovely. The villa is an excellent place for young children with the toys and books that are available.

  Kari E., Jan 2007

• Dear Linda,

  The staff was professional and attentive. The villa was clean and very comfortable and the beach is just great for kids.

  Jacqueline

  B., Jan 2007

• Dear Linda,

  We had great service and the staff was extremely welcoming, friendly and helpful working between our 2 villas. We felt at home and loved being down on the water.

  Maureen R., Carlisle MA, Dec 2006

• Dear Linda,

  We loved the staff. They are lovely people, extremely efficient, and courteous. Our gratitude to all for making us feel so comfortable.

  Lisa F., Pacific Palisades

  CA, June 2006

• Dear Linda,

  All the staff at Wharf House were especially friendly and did an excellent job accommodating us. The food was great and the drinks were perfect.

  Thanks so much!Hillman G., Fayetteville NC, Apr 2006

• Dear Linda, We immediately felt at home. The staff at Wharf House worked together as a team to ensure that all our needs were met. This is a relaxing, welcoming villa with a great view. It is a lovely place to be. Paula

  K., Toronto CAN, Mar 2006

• Dear Linda, Wharf House is a lovely villa with a very nice staff. GREAT swimming "hole"! Becky L., Decatur GA, Mar 2006

• Dear Linda, The staff at Wharf House is great. They are personable and attentive.

  We especially appreciated the attention they showed to our baby. The photos on the website are every representative of the villa. It was refreshing to see that.Krista F., Toronto CAN, Nov 2005

• Dear Linda, Everyone was wonderful. Glenroy was very attentive and we loved

  Gwen's cooking. We were well taken care of all week. Irene

  L., West Cape May NJ, Dec 2005