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Hotel Mocking Bird Hill: Traveler Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
  • A summary score based on quality, quantity and age of traveler ratings.
4 of 5 stars 51 reviews
51 Reviews
5.0 of 5 stars
31
4.0 of 5 stars
6
3.0 of 5 stars
4
2.0 of 5 stars
5
1.0 of 5 stars
5
TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
  • Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
#3 of 19 hotels in Port Antonio
Show Hotel DetailsHide Hotel Details
  • Hotel class: 3 of 5
  • Rooms: 10
Description: Environmentally friendly boutique hotel, intimate, peaceful with ocean,mountain & forest vistas; 15 min to Port Antonio. This description is based on information provided by the hotel.
Address:
Mocking Bird Hill
P.O. Box 254
Port Antonio
Jamaica
Check Rates: $174 Avg. Price
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TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews

Reviews of Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

( 7-11 of 51 )
“not too much serenity”

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

2 of 5 stars
washington, dc
Mar 5, 2008
2/2 found this review helpful

My wife and I stayed there for three nights in early January, and they advertise that you will have a very serene experience, and I must say, the beauty of the place was diminished by the obvious problems the staff and management were in the middle of...

First, we were handed a list of things to expect when we arrived. This included complimentary morning coffee and an afternoon drink. The staff seemed totally unaware that this was the case when we went looking for their supposed complimentary Blue Mountain Jamaican morning coffee. Same case with the afternoon drink. Also, there were two charges on the bill for morning coffee when we checked out (which they did remove after a not-so-friendly confrontation with a staff member (that is not too harsh a word).

Also, and perhaps most disturbing, we heard the management arguing with (or yelling at) the staff a few times as we approached the main building and this certainly disrupted the serene environment.

One of the staff members did confide in us that there had been a major staff turnover the 1st of the year and that this could possibly be a cause of our problems.

Finally, there was an extra charge on our bill for a fee that had been added after we made our reservation, and the staff member we dealt with had a hard time believing that we should not be charged for it.

Call me crazy, but I believe that in the service/hotel industry, the customer is always right, and a customer should not be treated with a snooty attitude.

All in all, the place was indeed beautiful (but you definitely need a rental car if you want to explore the surrounding area), the views are top-notch, but with all of these problems that made us increasingly uncomfortable, unless they do a major staff training and learn to hide moments that break the serenity of the environment, we will not be going back to a place that was quite expensive.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sinkor's Summary
Date of Stay: January 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Quality time with friends
Age group: 35-49
Member since: March 05, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
probably not
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Outdoor / Adventure, Other
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Management Response
mbhpot, Owner
(Management representative)
Mar 8, 2008
We find it interesting that this past guest has waited two months to post a review. We are aware of his complaint and would just like to point out that the complimentary services are provided during specific times and outside of these times items consumed are charged normally. The client was charged because the service, according to our team member, was provided outside of the times listed. The charge was removed. We do note where issues lie and appreciate positive guest feedback in order to fine tune and improve our services. The feedback from this guest, while not entirely positive has in fact inspired us to put up notices at reception and in our bar listing the complimentary meals and beverages and the exact times during which they are offered. These notices will prevent any such misunderstandings in the future. We would also like to mention that we did not have a large staff turnover on January 1, but we did have some employees who were ill and we were working with temps and trainees. This can happen in any business. As in all businesses, at times it is very necessary to be very firm with employees. None of us can recall yelling at staff during this person's stay, in fact we make it a point NOT to yell at staff and we do endeavour to have very good relationships with our team. It is for this reason that staff who have left us in the past come back to us seeking re-employment. We were however quite loud with a taxi driver who was very late to pick up other guests. It is important to check facts before making claims. We must disagree with the idea that the customer is always right. Customers are right within reason, and therefore, as a little gesture, and to say sorry for the misunderstanding we had flowers sent to this guest after his return home. We note that this is not mentioned in the review.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Check Rates
Average price*: $174 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
“Deceptive Owners”

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

1 of 5 stars
georgia
Feb 20, 2008
2/2 found this review helpful

One should take the negative reviews seriously. I had a hotel voucher for a four night stay at Mockingbird Hill. With the full agreement of the hotel owner, I submitted the voucher to the hotel in advance of my planned vacation with the understanding, verified by numerous e mails, that I or a friend could use the voucher on a later date based on availability. Mockingbird Hill acknowleged the receipt of the voucher and thanked me via e mail. I first booked an early December date but cancelled due to the heavy rains and mosquito problem at the time. This was done with the approval of Mockingbird Hill. In late February 2008, I attempted to have a friend s name substituted on the voucher as had been agreeded upon. I asked a staff member if there were available dates in April 2008 and was told that there were dates available. I then asked if my friend could call to confirm the dates-my friend was very open as to the dates. The hotel would not agree nor refuse to make a reservation. They would claim that the responsible person was in a staff meeting all day or some other excuse. My e mails, faxes and telephone calls were ignored. I filed a complaint with the Jamaican Tourist Board.The owners of Mockingbird Hill sent the Tourist Board fabricated e mails that they said were from me. The emails, it seems ,had no date or time of delivery. I was eventually refunded the cost of the voucher minus a service charge.As I received the voucher though a travel auction site, I could not replace the vacation at another resort-I had wanted friends to celebrate their anniversary at the hotel. I found the owners of Mockingbird Hill to be very deceptive to say the least.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jetburd's Summary
Date of Stay: February 2008
Member since: August 14, 2006
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Management Response
mbhpot, Owner
(Management representative)
Feb 22, 2008
This person says that his date of stay was in February 2008. This person has NEVER stayed at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill. Last year he booked the hotel with Skyauctions. Skyauctions bookings are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-changeable. For whatever reason this person needed to change his dates and despite Skyauction's terms and conditions, and trying to be helpful, we said yes. He then changed his mind and decided that he would not come, but asked if we would accept someone else. Again, in order to be helpful we said yes. He then asked if we had availability in February and we said yes. He then asked to confirm so we asked him for the dates. None was forthcoming so we told him we could not confirm without specific dates. He then asked if he could send someone else in April, and again trying to be helpful we said yes. He asked us to confirm, so we asked for the dates in order to confirm. None was forthcoming so we told him we could not confirm without specific dates. These responses made him very irate. We then had serious discussions with Skyauctions and together we decided that the best option was for Skyauctions to make an exception and refund him his money as they too wanted nothing more to do this person. This comment is full of inaccuracies and twisted truths by a person who has never stayed here and who seems to be intent on fulfilling his threat to maligning the integrity of the management of Hotel Mocking Bird Hill and damage the reputation of the hotel. We are now requesting the Jamaica Tourist Board to deal with this matter.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Check Rates
Average price*: $174 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
“Wonderful”

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

Feb 18, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

We spent 13 blissful days at the Mockingbird Hill Hotel. The ambience is tranquil but far from stuffy, the staff friendly and helpful, and the rooms bright, airy and cool. The owners were extremely knowlegable and helpful in arranging excurtions, as well as being a mine of information on the locality.
The Restaurant is one of the best I've had the pleasure of eating in-the menu changed daily, and none of the choices was repeated during our 13 day stay.
Highly recommended!

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
cymro1's Summary
Date of Stay: February 2008
Member since: February 18, 2008
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $174 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
“The Jewel of Port Antonio”

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

5 of 5 stars
New York, NY
Jan 24, 2008
3/3 found this review helpful

This was our first trip to Jamaica, and our stay at the Mocking Bird Hill made it completely worthwhile. The quite ambiance and lush vegetation surrounding the hotel created a relaxing, serene environment. If you’re seeking a hotel that is warm, friendly, luxurious, personal, and comfortable, then Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is the place for you.

The drive from the Kingston Airport was quite long, so expect a good 3-4 hour drive on very bad roads. We arrived at the hotel very late at night, and were immediately greeted by hotel staff, and Shireen, one of the owners. She accompanied us to our room and served us with fish soup and fresh fruit, the perfect snack before a good nights sleep. The next morning, after soaking in the view and the natural beauty around us, the long drive was forgotten.

The hotel is very sophisticated and has a very romantic, detailed, and charming feeling. The rooms are very spacious and breezy, and lounging outside on the porch hammock forces you to be in a very relaxed and positive state of mind. The hotel staff was extremely friendly, professional, and very accommodating, and the owners, Shireen and Barbara, make it very easy for their guests to feel at home. The fact that the hotel is eco-friendly really makes it easier for the guests to enjoy their surroundings and appreciate this earth for all its natural beauty.

The food at the Mille Fleurs restaurant was excellent. Everything was made with high quality, local fresh food(even the fruit punch!), and the menu was very versatile. The dishes were delicious; some of the best meals I’ve ever had. There is nothing like having a delicious meal while enjoying the quiet and peaceful views of Port Antonio.

The hotel has many activities to offer, raft rides down the Rio Grande, hiking up the Blue Mountains, bird watching, horse-back riding, but for us, the most relaxing place to be was a day at the Frenchman’s Cove private beach. It is a 30 minute walk from the hotel, or a 5 minute car ride away. Walking on the roads in Port Antonio was very nice. The locals are very friendly and eager to talk to you. I recommend taking a trip to Boston, the local Jerk center, to try all the food.

I recommend this hotel to anyone who is seeking a quiet and peaceful hotel with a luxurious local charm to it. Coming from a big bustling city, this was the perfect getaway. We had an amazing 5 day stay, and look forward to visiting again next year.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — the overall natural and peaceful experience
    • Disliked — the long drive to the hotel, but you easily forget about it!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kieletaitano's Summary
Date of Stay: January 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Romantic getaway
Age group: 25-34
Member since: January 24, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $174 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com
“What a gem!”

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

5 of 5 stars
Houston
Jan 13, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

I loved my stay at Mocking Bird Hill. This small, elegant hotel has well thought out guest rooms, perfectly maintained and beautifully decorated. From the hammock on my porch to the comfortable mattress, interesting in-room reading materials, upscale bathroom and crisp, pretty linens, I could not have been more pleased. The view off my porch was beautiful -- but the views off the restuarant and bar are truly amazing. The hotel is filled with art, has a good small library and is surronded by the prettiest gardens I saw in Port Antonio. The pool area is pleasant and I feel asleep during my deep tissue massage in the open air "spa hut". Service at the hotel was uniformly friendly and only ocassionally slightly slow -- I did not experience anything remotely approaching a service problem, as described in earlier reviews and I was there over New Year's when the property was busy. I have to especially recommend the hotel's kitchen -- the food was simply amazing. I ate all my meals at the hotel and did not have a single dish that was less than about a 7 on a 10 point scale. Great breads and desserts, perfectly cooked snapper in various sauces, fresh creative salads and interesting starters. I used to live on a remote island in the Caribbean and come from a family involved in fine dining, so have a true appreciation for what's involved in running a restaurant in a place like Port Antonio. Kudos to Mockingbird Hil's kitchen -- what they create each day is really about as good as it gets. All in all, a top quality, sophisticated inn that manages to be low key and relaxing at the same time.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
WHorn's Summary
Date of Stay: December 2007
Member since: January 13, 2008
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $174 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-454-6835 from hotels.com

Reviews of Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

( 7-11 of 51 )
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Hotel Mocking Bird Hill Address

Mocking Bird Hill | P.O. Box 254, Port Antonio, Jamaica