Vacations are meant to be relaxing escapes, during which time ticks away slowly and the real world seems a blessedly great distance away. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, fronting the Caribbean sea, Villa BennMaya offers all the amenities of a resort, with all the solitude of a private island.
This is not Sandals. This is a secluded, private villa where one can wend away the hours soaking sun on the pool deck, interrupted only by sumptuous local meals prepared by the villa staff. (Or, perhaps, an intensive in-room massage from a local practitioner.)
Yet only a few kilometers away are the beaches, attractions and shopping enjoyed by thousands of resorts and cruise ship visitors around the busy port of Ocho Rios. BennMaya offers the best of both worlds -- the Jamaica of Ian Fleming and Noel Coward (whose estates are nearby) and that of Carnival and Norwegian Cruises.
Stephanie, who runs Bennmaya, is a bigger-than-life personality whose zest for life is only surpassed by the intense flavor of her cuisine. Her strong local connections mean nothing is out of the question for BennMaya guests; if you have an idea, Stephanie has a way to make it happen.
I've been visiting BennMaya for many years. It's my favorite hideaway, and if you visit, I'm confident it will become yours as well.