I have relied on Trip Advisor's traveller reviews quite a bit in the past (to gauge the quality of various types of accommodations when planning trips) but never thought that I would write a review myself.
I am a Jamaican who stayed at Jakes in June 2008, and I am brimming with pride over the quality of this off-the-beaten path experience.
Jakes represents Jamaica at its finest: natural, unsurpassed beauty; unpretentious vibe; authentic, earnest people; and fabulous food.
I spent two nights at Jakes as part of a much-needed "mental detox" from the big city and all of life's hassles. I will certainly be back in the future. I stayed in a deluxe oceanview unit (Abalone Up) for two nights. Words cannot express what it is like to simply commune with the sea and just "be"...
As one who does not enjoy the "cookie cutter" experiences at conventional tourist resorts, Jakes was truly a pleasant surprise. I can't say enough about the employees--lovely, not "in your face". The local cuisine at Jack Sprats is pretty darn good., and I quite enjoyed getting knocked out by Dougie's special rum punch. :-)
I've stayed at one of Island Outpost's other resorts, Strawberry Hill, which in my opinion, is a more upscale product than Jakes. However, I will actually rank Jakes over Strawberry Hill (a lovely, lovely mountain resort, but a completely different vibe than the "chill" atmosphere at Jakes).
I would classify Jakes as "rustic chic". You have all the amenities/modern conveniences, without the sterile or outlandish features of some resort hotels. All in all, a very "organic" experience.
Finally, in this day and age when crime and security is at the forefront of all of our minds, I'd like to say that I felt extremely safe as a single female guest at Jakes. Treasure Beach does not have the lush beauty or endless white-sand beaches of other parts of the island (e.g., Port Antonio; Negril) but it is a subtle reminder of a dimension of Jamaica that once was and one that I hope we can recapture in the future.
I've been fortunate to have lived, visited, and worked in all parts of the globe but trust me, there is no place on earth like Jamaica. If Jakes doesn't sound like your cup of tea, then please just come. Our economy needs the funds generated through tourism, and there are lots of top-quality hotels and resorts to choose from. However, if you are interested in something different from the norm--and are willing to make the long trek to Treasure Beach--then give Jakes a try. You won't be disappointed.




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