Jake's: A Jamaican Alternative Looking for a Jamaica getaway that's a getaway from the all-inclusive resorts for which the island is known? The answer just might be Jake's, a small hideaway on the quiet South Coast. This Treasure Beach property, part of the elite Island Outpost collection of properties, may be tucked away from the mainstream in terms of tourism but since its 1993 opening it has been a favorite with the glitterati, hosting names from the music world such as U2’s Adam Clayton, Annie Lennox, and Joan Osborne and boxer Lennox Lewis. Surprisingly enough, though, you don't have to have the bank account of a rock star to afford a stay at Jake's; rooms begin at under $100 per night during off season.
What Makes It Dreamy:
Peace and quiet and a funky style are the main draws of Jake's, a place
for couples really looking to get away from it all and into a relaxed
rhythm with the sea. Beach kitsch best describes the decor of the resorts
guest rooms and villas, each in pale shades of ochre, blue, pink and lavender
with tin roofs. Fifteen cottages make up the offerings, some which rent
the top and bottom floors separately. Each of the guest rooms at Jake's is filled with rustic local furniture: cast iron beds and platform beds covered with a veil of mosquito netting. Each room includes a private bathroom and outdoor shower. Rooms are not air-conditioned and have no room phones or TVs but each includes a ceiling fan.
What To Do: Don't expect round the clock activities here; guests have some options but many get out and find their own adventures. Jakes's encourages its guests to get out and mingle in the neighborhood, whether that means fishing with the locals or hitting a rum shop. Jake's offers a boat shuttle out to Pelican Bar, a Robinson Crusoe-type hut that's on a shallow shoal 3/4 of a mile out to sea. Inland, activities include a cruise on the Black River for a look at local crocodiles, a romp at YS Falls, or a visit to Milk River Bath and Alligator Pond. The hotel includes a saltwater pool as well as a massage facility.
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Lovetripper.com Romantic Travel Guide
The
celeb connections at Jake's date back to its roots; this property was
developed by Sally Henzell and her son Jason, whose father, Perry Henzell,
was the producer, director, and coauthor of The Harder They Come,
the Jamaican classic film that starred Jimmy Cliff. For years, Jason Henzell
worked as general manager of Jake's, along the way founding BREDS, a foundation
dedicated to community tourism, before becoming president of Island Outpost.
Dining:
Jake's is home to an open-air restaurant serving Jamaican cuisine
such as ackee and saltfish, conch salad, pumpkin soup and steamed fresh.
At the edge of the property, you'll find the beachside Jack Sprat Restaurant.
From the casual outdoor tables to the late-night dancehall rhythm, it's
a place to come and hang loose. Jerk crab joins guest favorites like jerk
chicken on the menu, followed by a cooling dose of Kingston's Devon House
ice cream (don't miss the coconut). 
