Paradise on the Rocks

This is a boutique resort, and it’s the place to stay if you want to be a minute from the beach instead of taking a 10-minute walk from a mega resort. I keep coming back. I knew this place before it was Yard House, and the new owners are amazing and very hospitable. The food is good, the drinks are cold, and the blue mountain coffee is strong.

The food was fine once I got over the shock, but it didn’t taste like authentic Caribbean cuisine. It felt like a substitute meant to suit international tastes. I never expected to find food in the UK that felt 100% more authentic than in the Jamaica I love. I had a fantastic week here and only returned to the UK yesterday. I’d give the accommodation and staff four stars. The assistant manager was friendly, professional, and seemed to work every day, all day, so five stars for his work ethic. Housekeeping gets five stars too. The few staff members I encountered were good at their work and had a friendly Jamaican “no problem” attitude. I’ll be back next year.

The room was clean and bigger than I expected, and Yard Beach House is set right on beautiful 7 mile beach. But the grounds weren’t well kept. They need a paint job and regular maintenance, and the weeds and grass weren’t taken care of properly. As a Jamaican, I was underwhelmed. If you have a vehicle, go to unlimited fries near the roundabout. They have the best local food in JAMAICAN Dollars aka it’s a good local spot. The prices can’t be beat.

It’s a clean, quiet place right on the beach, good for rest and relaxation. Check-in went well. Charlene was always polite and smiling, and went out of her way to make sure we were OK. When our shower did work, we were promptly moved to an upgraded room. Charlene personally handled our housekeeping needs during the move.