Jay's Guest House II

The view from the terrace was breathtaking, and our room was spotless and pretty. Angela was a wonderful host who checked that we were doing alright, and her cooking gave us a great introduction to Jamaican food. We also enjoyed talking with Mr. Jackson, who shared lots of insight about life in the area. The scenery is lovely, and it’s a great place to set out for the Blue Mountain Peak hike. We had a lovely stay at Jay's guesthouse 2, and felt it was well worth the money.

The sunrise summit hike was the main reason we came to this part of the island, and it was a highlight. Lamar guided us to a lookout, where we caught a brief sunrise through the clouds. We also took a coffee farm tour with Ken, who shared fresh grapefruit from his trees. Angela greeted us and was a gracious, knowledgeable host. Jay and Angela made it easy to arrange the peak hike, coffee tour, and transportation. Breakfast was excellent, and we could set the time the night before. Dinner was very good too, with prices clearly listed on Jay’s website, so there were no surprises. The cool breezes and darkness by 7pm made for excellent sleeping conditions. We stayed three nights and had a wonderful time. The kitchen and TV were available, though we didn’t need them. We had the Guesthouse to ourselves for most of our stay, and it was nice to meet other guests on the last night. A 4-wheel drive is needed for the challenging roads, especially following Hurricane Melissa. Jay can provide a driver if you ask. Clear pricing made planning easy.

The family and staff are lovely, and the guesthouse feels cozy and laid-back. Jay was always quick to respond, which I really appreciated. It’s a handy place to stay for the Blue Mountain Peak trail since it’s close to the start. I’d suggest taking their drop-off service to the entrance, though. It’s nearby, but not quite that nearby.

The views of the Blue Mountains were stunning, and my stay at Jay’s House felt special from the start. The family welcomed me warmly and treated me like one of their own while respecting my need for personal space. I’m quite introverted, so that mattered to me. My room was very clean and had a hot bath. I’m allergic to dust, but didn’t sneeze once during my two nights there. The food was delicious and generous. Growing up in the Ethiopian highlands, I was reminded of childhood by the way they called me when meals were ready and by being close to animals and nature. Seeing goats, hens, and dogs with the mountains all around made the stay unforgettable. They picked me up at Norman Manley International Airport and dropped me at Mavis Bank for my return trip, which made travel hassle-free. I hiked during the day and didn’t need a guide, though they do offer guide services.