(Reader – if you don’t have the time to read my review, then the short version is - You haven’t experienced a real holiday until you have been to Bluefields!)

We’ve been on many wonderful holidays, but this is the first holiday destination that provides exactly what it says on the tin and more…..it needs to be experienced to be believed.

Flying from Dublin (Ireland) to Montego Bay was long with the stopover in London, but as promised, by Bluefields Bay Villas, we arrived and our smiling driver Neville was waiting for us. We completed the paperwork for the hire car (of course organised by the staff at Bluefields), and we were driven through Montego Bay, and onward to Bluefields Bay.

I had been responsible for the planning, and had read extensively on the area, and the villas, but Liam and Maddie had no real idea of what to expect, and were wondering if the destination was going to be worthy of the long trip from home. I of course, was hoping that it was going to be as wonderful as I had been led to believe!

We arrived at Milestone Cottage in the early evening. What a welcome! Carmen, the manager, Neisha, Therma Jean and Maurice were waiting to greet us. Entering our holiday home, I was hit by a wonderful woody smell, that with the warmth of the greeting, the beautiful villa, and of course an ocean as my back garden, I knew that I had hit the jackpot. Liam hadn’t even finished his first bottle of beer (handed to him chilled); when he told me that the journey was worth it.

Very early the next morning, we woke to hot coffee, clear skies, and the sounds of the ocean lapping on our beach.

I don’t have enough adjectives in my vocabulary to describe our next 2 weeks of what has been the most relaxing holiday we have ever had. Our holiday home was beautiful and we felt very comfortable and relaxed.
Our days at the sandy beach were truly memorable, great snorkelling, clean, warm water, comfortable sun beds, and special frozen drinks delivered, and when we didn’t feel like moving from the villa, we swam from Milestone’s waterfront Gazebo, or spent hours exploring the coast by kayak. (Needs to be seen to be believed)!

As with many of the recommendations that I have read, the staff of Bluefields make a huge effort and successfully ensure that the holiday is one that dreams are made of. There is nothing missed. We were lucky enough to be there when the owners Debbie and Braxton were there – lucky because they are amazing hosts. What makes this place truly special outside of wonderful homes, food, service and location is the personal service, from the moment you arrive at Montego Bay, to the moment you (sadly) board the flight home you are made to feel that a happy holiday is the only priority.

I can’t sign off without mentioning the Jerk lunch and the Managers Cocktail Party, which are a great opportunity to meet the other lucky Bluefields guests and some local residents – we met some lovely people.

My husband and I had a wonderful stay in the incredible Hermitage. The villa is spectacular - an awesome architectural design - and to be surrounded by the most beautiful grounds and sea made our stay one of the most unique vacations we have had. On top of that, we were treated like royalty by a staff that was kind and caring. We were delighted to have the chance to meet the owners, as well as other quests at a sunset cocktail party.

The highlight of our excursion day was definitely YS Falls. Again, we were treated like VIPs with a personal tour by Ninja. He took my hand and I was able to really experience the falls without falling in!
Percy, Marvin, Sharon, and Rose made our stay so memorable and relaxing. We hope to return before too long.

This was our second year in a row vacationing at Bluefields Bay Villas and it was every bit as magical as the first time. This year we stayed in Hermitage for the week of Thanksgiving. The house was incredible; the views from every window are spectacular and quite frankly unparalleled! We brought our children (ages 18 years, 2 years and 10 months) and they all had a blast! We were there with friends and family staying in three of the other houses as well so it was quite a fun time for us. We visited the primary school that Bluefields Bay Villa’s support and brought them some supplies they needed, after getting a list from the office of Bluefields weeks before our departure. It was great for the all the kids (there were other children in our group at other houses) to visit and bring the children supplies. It was a great lesson in being Thankful and sharing with others. The staff went above and beyond in every way. They were so sweet to our kids and the two little ones loved their nannies (included in the price of the vacation, how awesome is that)! Our oldest brought a friend and they enjoyed kayaking all over the place, snorkeling at the reefs just in front of our villa, and hanging out at the beach or pool. All the water activities were included as well and the teens took full advantage of that. The meals were delicious and the cooks were awesome at meeting our crazy dietary restrictions (vegans). It was paradise and we were so sad to leave. We look forward to our next visit. In fact our 2 year old continually asks us about when we are going back to JAMAICA!!! The entire vacation was tailored to us and I could not think of a thing I would change, it really was perfect!

It was my first trip to Jamaica but what a great way to be introduced to this beautiful island. Bluefields Bay Villas were heaven on earth because the location and staff were simply amazing. When you first arrive at the airport you can feel a bit flustered with all the taxi cab drivers but I quickly caught site of 1 our 3 fabulous drivers for the week. Neville had the biggest smile on his face and you knew from that moment you were going to have a great week. All 3 drivers Neville, Maurice and Percy were very friendly, informative and helpful at any given moment.

When you arrive at the villas the setting is absolutely breath taking because they are located in the beautiful Westmoreland Area (which is a great country side). I stayed at the Hermitage with friends and the staff great you like you are the most important person in the world. We arrived around dinner time and the table was set so artfully. Carmen gives you a great overview of all of the services and some helpful hints about how to survive your week (i.e. keeping the mosquitoes at bay). The rooms in our villa were amazing, spacious and very clean.

We ate 3 meals a day and were served drinks all day. Let me say this, Rose is AMAZING cook and if you stay at the Hermitage you are totally lucking out with great cooked food. Sharon, Marvin (who always knew what you needed at the moment), Keneil, Aldeen, Dwight, James (the Jerk King), Papito were just fabulous in their treatment and service. If you want to see what real customer service is you go to Bluefields Bay Villas!

The biggest highlight of my trip besides the beautiful scenery, food and trips were the massages! On the first morning Carmen introduced us to Nicholas. He mentioned that there were spa services we could choose from to make our great trip even better. I got a massage on the first full day of my vacation and let me tell you it was the BEST massage I have ever received, I even got another one on my second last day there. They say the lomi lomi massage in Hawaii is the best…I had the lomi lomi massage and it couldn’t even compete with Nicholas’s massage. I have 3 massage therapists in Toronto and even they don’t rank as good as him. I was completely boneless and stress free after he worked out all of the kinks. When you go to Bluefields please get a massage and request for Nicholas…you will not regret it! If I could steal him away from Jamaica I totally would…lol

All in all this place is an amazing stay and worth every penny you pay for it. I’m going back to Jamaica in the New Year for the simple fact that I had such a great first trip.