Reasonably priced and with a common balcony overlooking the water, Carleen’s Villa Guest House has seven no-frills rooms (US$40) equipped with ceiling fans, two twin beds, TVs, and hot water in private baths. There’s no pool and no food, but it’s five minutes away Mahogany Beach, Ochi’s most popular with locals.
Call or email for assistance planning your trip: +1 (212) 203-0064 | reservations@moonjamaica.com
Guesthouse
Ocho Rios and the Central North Coast
River Lodge
River Lodge (US$60–80 per room, including breakfast) is located on the site of a refurbished 400-year-old Spanish fort owned by Brigitta Fuchslocher. Rooms inside the fort complement a pair of cottages. From River Lodge there are hectares and hectares of unspoiled wilderness reaching almost all the way along the coast to Port Maria, where waterfalls and black-sand beaches are best reached by boat with the local fishermen.
Mahoe Villa Guest House
Mahoe Villa Guest House is a cozy and private guesthouse run by Michael Riley. There are seven basic rooms (US$40-60 depending on size) with either one double or two single beds, fan, TV, and shared bath; plus two slightly larger rooms (US$50) with private bath and private entrance; as well as a master suite (US$80) with standing fan, a component stereo, TV, a whirlpool bath, two walk-in closets, and a private balcony with sea view.
Tamarind Great House
Tamarind Great House (US$105–138 d) on Crescent Estate was destroyed by fire in 1987, and then rebuilt and restored to a 10-bedroom colonial-style great house by English couple Gillian and Barry Chambers, who live on the property with their son Gary. Nine attractive rooms have fans and private baths with hot water. Some rooms have private balconies. The house was completely rebuilt on the foundation of the original, while furnishings and decor reflect the colonial period.