The thrills of Mocking Bird Hill
Published:Sunday | May 19, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Latoya Grindley, Staff Reporter
Nestled in the hills of Drapers, Port Antonio, sits the eco-friendly boutique-style Hotel Mocking Bird Hill. Surrounded by towering trees and chirping birds, this 10-bedroom haven epitomises what a place of retreat is all about.
Owner and manager of the property for over 20 years, Barbara Walker, tells Outlook that the hotel caters to persons looking for relaxation and tranquility. This is demonstrated inside the rooms which are all furnished without televisions, in an attempt to 'lock' people away from the outside world.
"For locals, we get a lot of self-employed persons and managers who are highly stressed, and just want a break to sleep and relax without any distractions. As for the foreigners who come here, they want to explore Jamaica, so in the days they are hardly in their rooms. Rooms are insulated with fans, there is free WiFi, but there is just no television to disturb the peace," Walker adds.
Quite
noticeable as well is the colour scheme utilised in all the
rooms.
"Blue and white are very restful colours. They
are very easy on the senses," explains Walker.
She
notes that visitors are made to feel like family and friends and not
merely guests. According to Walker, this intimate setting is one of the
selling points of the small hotel.
"When guests come
here, we make them feel as if they are visiting a friend or a family
member. We don't even have a check-in counter. When guests come, we send
them to the bar and veranda and, while they are filling out their
check-in form, they are sipping on a complimentary
drink."
In keeping with the rustic nature theme, the
furniture at the hotel is made with local woods such as bamboo and
mahogany. Rooms are decorated with wooden fixtures and fresh plants,
which reflect a contemporary-yet-natural feel. Ensuring that they remain
in mint condition, the rooms have over time gone through renovations,
which include the now-European and modern-design
bathrooms.
Rooms range from economy to deluxe, with
each room boasting various views that range from garden to ocean. For
guests who would like to learn about the island's culture and explore
the parish, the hotel can arrange tours to various
attractions.
"If you want to experience Jamaica and
learn or experience more of our culture, we have packages for that,"
ensures Walker.
There are also wellness programmes on
property which include beauty treatments, herbal baths and massages
which are done in a highly secluded section of the main garden. Massages
are done by certified masseuses who make visits upon
request.
Free to roam, guests can enjoy the serenity
and tranquillity of the garden, which is a favourite spot to read and
enjoy Mother Nature in her purest form.
To satisfy
appetites, there is the in-house restaurant which boasts a creative
Caribbean menu, serving up local dishes with a twist. The restaurant is
not limited to persons staying on property.
"The
restaurant is open to the public and we often have persons driving up
just to dine. Food is freshly prepared, which is why we encourage
reservations. We use as much local produce as we can, and we also have
our own vegetable garden. Everything is made in-house like our pasta and
breads."
The popularity of the restaurant is growing
as a lot of locals use the opportunity to drive out for the experience
and food.
"We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and we
find that more and more people are stopping by to dine and celebrate
special occasions. Just recently, we had a surprise engagement where a
young man proposed to his girlfriend."
Not the typical
hotel, Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is clear on its niche market. From its
location, décor and concept, guests should be ready to enjoy and
appreciate mother nature as they are forced to forget about the stresses
of everyday life. It is also perfect for families and couples to bask
in each other's company without having to compete with outside
distractions.
Hotel
Mocking Bird Hill can be contacted at
619-1215.