The Buzz

A visit to Kingston, arguably the Caribbean’s most vibrant metropolis, would never be complete without a visit to one of the most famous and iconic heritage houses in the Western Hemisphere: Devon House. Located in the heart of Jamaica’s capital city and cultural district, Devon House is one of the few remaining green spaces in Kingston and also has the distinction of being named the country’s first gastronomy center. Commissioned in 1881, the house was built by the country’s first black millionaire George Stiebel who rose from being a carpenter to becoming one of the country’s richest men following his success in gold mining during a stint in South America.

The Georgian-syle mansion was the original home of Jamaica’s National Gallery of Art in 1968 before being opened officially as a museum in 1974 and showcases many original antique furniture and accessories throughout its interior reminiscent of 19th century affluence. The property's manicured lawns and interior courtyard are now home to over 20 craft and souvenir shops, restaurants, bar, bakery, play area for children and the world renowned signature ice cream shop. Devon House is a multiple recipient of the Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor in addition to being selected as the 4th Best Place in the World to enjoy ice cream by National Geographic’s “Food Journeys of a Lifetime'' publication.

Devon House is open daily and tours of the mansion are conducted Sundays to Fridays and is located 10 minutes by car from the hotel. Visit them at www.devonhouseja.com and on Facebook @DevonHouseJamaica and Instagram @DevonHouseJa

COVID-19 ADVISORY

Due to the Covid-19 related government restrictions, the gates of Devon House will close 1hr before any specified curfew time allotted daily. Mansion Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 persons with sanitizing conducted before and after each group. Public access to the lawns and children’s play area are restricted until further notice. All entrances have been fitted with sanitizing dispensers and all retail outlets provide hand sanitizers upon entry. All patrons accessing the property must wear masks.

For dining mere steps away, just head over to the property’s flagship eatery, Grog Shoppe Restaurant. Situated in what used to be the horse and carriage stable as well as the blacksmith’s shop for the mansion, this restaurant serves a la carte Jamaican and international cuisine, either indoor or al fresco, Mondays to Saturdays.

Their menu consists of hearty soups, savoury appetisers, delectable salads, sumptuous entrees and decadent desserts all served with the trademark warm Jamaican hospitality.

Mahogany Tree Bar is a picturesque, al fresco bar located on the terrace across from the Grog Shoppe. It is famous for the Devon Duppy cocktail, which features a rum-based recipe that packs quite a punch, and is one of the few open-air bars in the capital city. In addition to a wide array of cocktails, beers, wines and liqueurs, the bar menu also consists of tasty sandwiches, hamburgers, canapes, pies and soups. Live performances are also a feature on weekends.

La Pizzeria, located next door to the Grog Shoppe, offers up authentic Italian-style handmade gourmet pizzas. Their menu includes traditional pizzas like Margarita, Napoletana & Pepperoni and introduces island-inspired Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork or Jamaican pizzas. Vegans and vegetarian options are also available including Arugula and Ital-Vegetarian. Grog Shoppe is located 10 minutes by car from the hotel. Visit them at www.grogshoppejm.com and on Facebook.com @GrogShoppeRestaurant and Instagram @Grog.Shoppe.Jm

COVID-19 ADVISORY

Due to the Covid-19 related government restrictions, the gates of Devon House will close 1 hour before any specified curfew time allotted daily. All entrances have been fitted with sanitizing dispensers. All patrons accessing the property, including those wishing to dine with us, must wear masks. Thermometers and sanitising stations have also been put in place at Grog Shoppe Restaurant, Mahogany Tree Bar and La Pizzeria.

Dunn’s River Falls, arguably Jamaica’s most popular attraction for both residents and visitors alike, is considered one of the country’s national treasures. As one of the most visited attractions on the island, it provides picturesque views of both a tropical jungle and the sparkling azure waters of the Caribbean Sea, seen from falls that extend as high as 180 feet while extending to a length of 600 feet. It stands as a living testament to Jamaica’s natural beauty and is the most beloved of all the Jamaican falls, attracting millions of the world’s visitors each year.

This iconic attraction is a highly promoted location in the country, largely due to the satisfaction level of the many people who decide to go there while on vacation in Jamaica. With multiple waterfalls, cascading over limestone ledges then pouring into the ocean, the attraction caters to both the more adventurous, who wish to hike the falls, known as a ‘wet climb’, with or without a guide or those who simply wish to take a ‘dry climb’ where they are able to walk alongside the falls via a walking trail.

A brisk 90 minute hike will take you on an exhilarating adventure through lush surroundings, with pools you can swim in dotting the way to the summit. At the base of the waterfall, you will find both its defining feature, and what makes it so unique as the falls empty directly into the Caribbean Sea at Little Dunn’s River Beach. Described as a living and growing phenomenon, it continuously regenerates itself from deposits of travertine rock, the result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river, as it flows over the falls. The small dome-shaped cataracts are usually associated with thermal spring activity found in limestone caves. This, combined with its location near to the sea, gives Dunn's River the distinction of being the only one of its kind in the Caribbean, and one of the few travertine waterfalls in the entire world! They are open daily from 8:30am - 4:00pm and are located 75 minutes from the hotel.

Visit them at https://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com/ or on Facebook @DunnsRiverFallsandPark and Instagram @DunnsRiverFalls_

COVID-19 ADVISORY

• Guides required to regularly wash hands
• Face masks required for travelers in public areas
• Face masks required for guides in public areas
• Gear/equipment sanitized between use
• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
• Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
• Regular temperature checks for staff
• Temperature checks for tour participants upon arrival
• Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
• Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
• Social distancing enforced throughout experience

An idyllic, former fishing village, Ocho Rios was developed with tourism in mind becoming a much sought-after stopover destination on Jamaica’s northern coast. As home to the busiest cruise ship port on the island, Ochi (as it is known locally) is also where you will find the world-famous, award-winning experiences Mystic Mountain and the iconic Dunn’s River Falls, arguably, Jamaica’s most popular attraction.

The year was 2008 when the Mystic Mountain attraction first opened with a bobsled experience inspired by the ground-breaking Jamaican bobsled team that participated in the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. This historic achievement would form the basis for the development and production of the highly acclaimed Hollywood film, “Cool Runnings” which chronicles the story of the bobsledders.

Set in the lush rain forest just outside Ocho Rios, Mystic Mountain is the heart and soul of the Jamaica rainforest activities, offering a nature theme park that features thrill rides, gardens and pools. Adrenaline junkies can zip through the jungle on ziplines and bobsleds, while more laid-back visitors can enjoy panoramic views on a chairlift canopy ride stretching across the over 100 acre property. The area allows for a unique and varied view of Ocho Rios, as it is set in the mountains rising over 700 feet.

A ‘must do’ on anyone’s list of “green” things to do in Jamaica, the environmentally friendly Mystic Mountain attraction is an unforgettable eco-adventure for everyone in your family. Besides all the mesmerizing green landscapes and blue waters of this beautiful ecosystem, it also provides a relaxing experience after all your adrenaline fueled activities. You can either enjoy the cool Caribbean breeze from an infinity edge pool or have a delightful meal at the restaurant or visit their gift shop for that keepsake souvenir. They are open daily from 9am - 5pm and located 75 minutes from the hotel.

Visit them at https://rainforestadventure.com/mystic-mountain-jamaica/ or on @MysticMountainBobsledJamaica on Facebook and @MysticMountainBobsledJa on Instagram.

COVID-19 ADVISORY

• Guides required to regularly wash hands
• Contactless payment for gratuities and add-ons
• Face masks required for travelers in public areas
• Face masks required for guides in public areas
• Gear/equipment sanitized between use
• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
• Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
• Regular temperature checks for staff
• Temperature checks for tour participants upon arrival
• Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
• Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
• Social distancing enforced throughout experience