COCONUT is a very private 5-bedroom cottage nestled into an acre on a gentle hillside that was the original 500-acre plantation of Round Hill Estate. Set in a storybook wooded lot, the villa accommodates couples and families in three bedrooms in the Main House and two more bedrooms in the Cottage just a few yards away.
Thoroughly upgraded and tastefully redecorated in 2013, today's Coconut is a brilliant testimony that wonderful old Colonial charm can co-exist seamlessly with contemporary comforts and amenities.
Situated to take advantage of the trade winds, the villa overlooks the stunning east view of the Caribbean Sea and Montego Bay. A pool deck and wonderful fresh-water swimming pool are a few steps down from the verandah and offer an impressive, uninterrupted sea view clear to the horizon. Colourful tropical landscaping adorns the grounds. Coconut's own organic garden provides fresh basil, parsley, beans, tomatoes, scotch bonnet, mangoes, coconuts, breadfruit, "uglyfruit" and, of course, ackee (Jamaican's national dish).
Inside, the stylish living room is the center of the Main House. Like all three bedrooms in the Main House, the living room opens to the covered furnished long verandah and "that view". In open-space plan, a comfy nook with cable TV, bar and ceiling-to-floor library shelves form an indoor entertainment area.
Mealtime at Coconut merits special mention. Chef's Special is an eponymous Coconut Basa as many times as you want it this week! On place settings of Christofle silver and Wedgwood china, memorable meals are created by talented Chef Leighton and served by ever-smiling Butler Allan. (Although Allan is always standing by, adults and children alike love to summon him with the antique dinner bell from France that sits on the Queen Anne dining table.) A few guest favourites are Leighton's bbq jerk pork chops, bananas flambe, all-day-every-day chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies and a homemade ice cream cake that kids beg for "just one more time." Guests actually applaud Leighton's meals.
But mealtimes are also memorable thanks to the very location of Coconut. Complementing marvelous meals is the undeniably romantic view over the sea to the east. After dusk, the lights of passing cruise ships and of the town of Montego Bay across the sea sparkle like a distant diamond necklace. When the moon is full, it seems to drift directly toward Coconut and turns the sea to silver. Mesmerizingly beautiful.
For larger groups, combine Coconut with sister villa Almond Hill. Within walking distance yet also quite private, pairing the two will create nine bedrooms, two swimming pools, and a combined staff of thirteen. Both villas come with membership at Round Hill for beach, tennis and other activities.
Location
Distance to Beach: 1 minute drive to Round Hill Beach
Distance to Town: 22 minute drive to Montego Bay
Distance to Airport: 22 minutes to Sangster International Airport (MBJ)
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