Reviews of Property: 4 Holiday apartments for your independent vacation close to the beach
Description
Apartment,
Studio, Sleeps 4, 1 Bathroom
Studio, Sleeps 4, 1 Bathroom
Facilities
near the sea, town,
garden,
terrace,
balcony,
TV
Rates
per property
Set rates in US Dollars
Set rates in US Dollars
$299 -
$349/week
GBP Conversion - Estimated
£179 -
£209/week Peter & Audrey Bättig
+41 (0)44-945 04 79
+41 (0)79-345 62 44
+41 (0)79-345 62 44
Speaks: English, French, German
7 Reviews of Property 1923 in Port Maria, Jamaica
Go to page (Page 1 of 1)
1
Great time in Port Maria
Review Submitted: March 16, 2009
Date of Stay: January 2009
It's my 3rd time in Jamaica and my 1st time in Port Maria. The apartments are very clean and comfortable and situated perfectly near the beach and town. The management was very helpful and give a lot of good tips. I enjoy the nice sandy beach with the local bars and people. No tourists at the beach and in the town but I meet a lot of nice locals. Also there is a lot of locals take aways and restaurants, which are serving fresh fish, seafood and typical local dishes. If you like the european standarts you have to go to Ocho Rios and there you will find all the tourists restaurants, night clubs and shops. You can also visit James Bond beach, Reggea Beach and the prospect plantation. Horse back riding at Prospect Plantation was a very special highlight of my holidays.
I will come back to Port Maria again because you get a lovely apartment for a small price.
Thanks to the management which let me experience Jamaica in a different way. Respect to all locals and people I get to know.
Irie
Hanny
I will come back to Port Maria again because you get a lovely apartment for a small price.
Thanks to the management which let me experience Jamaica in a different way. Respect to all locals and people I get to know.
Irie
Hanny
For the adventure traveler only...
Review Submitted: January 16, 2009
Date of Stay: December 2008
This property is for folks looking for the 'real jamaica'. You *will* find it here, complete with local 'restaurants', shopping and nature. The owners are very helpful and responsive and the property is well kept, well built and comfortable. The town is interested and the residents seem to look out for the random tourists that arrive.
However, the above picture of the beach and description that accompanies it are misleading.
* The beach looks nothing like the above. It's piled high (2-3 feet in some places) with debris, trash and wreckage. As there are no resorts here, no one cleans it, because no one uses it. The above photo must have been taken 15 years ago, because that beach isn't here.
* The staff, Church and the driver Charlie brown, are responsible and nice, but not very communicative about what is around or what is offered, nor did we find them around that much. This could be an asset to many, but for us, we needed some guidance. But to say that 'they will ensure an unforgettable holiday' is inaccurate. When we set up a local hike in the hills, the negotiated rate with a local was exorbitant. 80$ USD for a 90 min hike. If you work everything through caretaker Church and driver Charlie Brown and take time to get to know them and trust em, your experience will be vastly improved.
* There was a woman on the property, who repeatedly badgered us to cook for us. In fact, she is related to the owner's wife; her house has a gate that opens up onto the property. We had been warned about her, but we decided to go with it anyways. Bad choice: she will inflate the price of groceries (3000J for 1200J worth of goods) and will repeatedly ask you to buy her alcohol. She is a decent cook, but it hardly worth the hassle; she will enter your apartment uninvited, often drunk and won't leave without being rude. Find another cook; don't engage her.
* There are NO 'tourist' restaurants in town, but there are 2-3 jamaican places that serve good jamaican food and of course the jerk stands and patty place near the large market. These range from a shack with 2 plastic tables to a larger place with fluorescent lighting. Want a sit down dinner? Take a bus to Ocho Rios.
* Again, the owners are responsible, responsive and cooperative.
* Best bet is to have an idea of what is around and plan accordingly and negotiate diligently for some inside knowledge of the real jamaica.
* This place is secure and we felt very comfortable.
However, the above picture of the beach and description that accompanies it are misleading.
* The beach looks nothing like the above. It's piled high (2-3 feet in some places) with debris, trash and wreckage. As there are no resorts here, no one cleans it, because no one uses it. The above photo must have been taken 15 years ago, because that beach isn't here.
* The staff, Church and the driver Charlie brown, are responsible and nice, but not very communicative about what is around or what is offered, nor did we find them around that much. This could be an asset to many, but for us, we needed some guidance. But to say that 'they will ensure an unforgettable holiday' is inaccurate. When we set up a local hike in the hills, the negotiated rate with a local was exorbitant. 80$ USD for a 90 min hike. If you work everything through caretaker Church and driver Charlie Brown and take time to get to know them and trust em, your experience will be vastly improved.
* There was a woman on the property, who repeatedly badgered us to cook for us. In fact, she is related to the owner's wife; her house has a gate that opens up onto the property. We had been warned about her, but we decided to go with it anyways. Bad choice: she will inflate the price of groceries (3000J for 1200J worth of goods) and will repeatedly ask you to buy her alcohol. She is a decent cook, but it hardly worth the hassle; she will enter your apartment uninvited, often drunk and won't leave without being rude. Find another cook; don't engage her.
* There are NO 'tourist' restaurants in town, but there are 2-3 jamaican places that serve good jamaican food and of course the jerk stands and patty place near the large market. These range from a shack with 2 plastic tables to a larger place with fluorescent lighting. Want a sit down dinner? Take a bus to Ocho Rios.
* Again, the owners are responsible, responsive and cooperative.
* Best bet is to have an idea of what is around and plan accordingly and negotiate diligently for some inside knowledge of the real jamaica.
* This place is secure and we felt very comfortable.
Owner's Response: Dear future guests
we are always happy to get some feedback from our guests. We take our responsability as the owners very serious and we need to get some honest feedbacks to improve our service.
First we want to say it again because a lot of travelers have a wrong picture of the island. Jamaica is a third world country and a lot of people have no steady job or any other income. Travelers to Jamaica have to have in mind that they have to negotiate prices and follow simple guidelines when you are traveling a third world country. The majority of the Jamaicans are very helpful and friendly and we are shure that you will enjoy your stay.
1. The beach in Port Maria is about 1,5km long and sandy. It is used mostly by locals and not very often by tourists. In the stormy and winter season from October to January we lately have a lot of rain and winter storms and then it can be that there is more wood and garbage is coming down to the beach with the 2 nearby rivers. The pictures (2005 - 2008) on our page are not misleading there are only taking in the summer season when the beach get cleaned regulary. In the winter season the beach only get cleaned 2 or 3 times because the Jamaicans do not use the beach too much in the cold winter (25 - 30 degrees). The nicest places of the beach are a 5 to 10 min. walk along the seaside out of the town. We will soon update our page with some new pics taken in 2009.
2. We are personaly in Jamaica at the moment and we are setting up a new management to improve the communication and our services.
3. We are not offering any cooking services at Sunrise Apartments. The past management which was in charge since the start of 2008 did allow our family to do so without our knowledge. We are sorry for that inconvenience and we did sort it out with our new manager and our family and those things will shurly not happen again.
4. As we write on our homepage Port Maria is not a tourist resort and you will only find local restaurants and a Kentucky fried chicken in the town center. If you are looking for an US or European standart restaurant you would have to go to Ocho Rios or another tourist resort and the prices are like at your home or even higher.
We thanks our guests for the review and we are shure that with our new management future guests will have a great time in Port Maria and Jamaica.
Greetings
The owners
we are always happy to get some feedback from our guests. We take our responsability as the owners very serious and we need to get some honest feedbacks to improve our service.
First we want to say it again because a lot of travelers have a wrong picture of the island. Jamaica is a third world country and a lot of people have no steady job or any other income. Travelers to Jamaica have to have in mind that they have to negotiate prices and follow simple guidelines when you are traveling a third world country. The majority of the Jamaicans are very helpful and friendly and we are shure that you will enjoy your stay.
1. The beach in Port Maria is about 1,5km long and sandy. It is used mostly by locals and not very often by tourists. In the stormy and winter season from October to January we lately have a lot of rain and winter storms and then it can be that there is more wood and garbage is coming down to the beach with the 2 nearby rivers. The pictures (2005 - 2008) on our page are not misleading there are only taking in the summer season when the beach get cleaned regulary. In the winter season the beach only get cleaned 2 or 3 times because the Jamaicans do not use the beach too much in the cold winter (25 - 30 degrees). The nicest places of the beach are a 5 to 10 min. walk along the seaside out of the town. We will soon update our page with some new pics taken in 2009.
2. We are personaly in Jamaica at the moment and we are setting up a new management to improve the communication and our services.
3. We are not offering any cooking services at Sunrise Apartments. The past management which was in charge since the start of 2008 did allow our family to do so without our knowledge. We are sorry for that inconvenience and we did sort it out with our new manager and our family and those things will shurly not happen again.
4. As we write on our homepage Port Maria is not a tourist resort and you will only find local restaurants and a Kentucky fried chicken in the town center. If you are looking for an US or European standart restaurant you would have to go to Ocho Rios or another tourist resort and the prices are like at your home or even higher.
We thanks our guests for the review and we are shure that with our new management future guests will have a great time in Port Maria and Jamaica.
Greetings
The owners
miss
Review Submitted: January 2, 2009
Date of Stay: December 2008
Port Maria is a lovely town where I most likely will come back one day.But the beach is not good for swimming and the pictures about the beach have been taken propably years ago.Nowadays it is full of garbage.
Sunrise Apartments location is very good.
Yes there is a TV and stereo and other but none of these are working .In most days only cold water was running.Cleaning was once a week and there had not been done a very good cleaning for a long long time.
Sunrise Apartments location is very good.
Yes there is a TV and stereo and other but none of these are working .In most days only cold water was running.Cleaning was once a week and there had not been done a very good cleaning for a long long time.
Christmas in Jamaica
Review Submitted: December 30, 2007
Date of Stay: December 2007
Exchange your money at the Western Union and use Jamaican Money. It goes a long way!!
Christmas is a wonderful time to be in Jamaica. As we drove up we were welcomed with open arms. Mr.Winston C took care us and we felt very welcome. And we enjoyed Ruff, he is the most wonderful dog!!! For the week we were in Jamaica, our son's became friends with the local residents of Port Maria. Me,my husband and 9 year old daughter enjoyed shopping the markets, and the street vendors. Everyone was nice, very nice. Christmas Eve is an all day and night affair celebrated with shopping, and music. The festivities start on Christmas Eve morning, and continue till 6 am Chirstmas Morning. The Jonkanoo and Gran' Market, are the names of their celebrations. We did the local tourist thing in Ocho Rios which included Margaritaville, Shaw Park Gardens, the Craft Market, and Dolphin Cove. While on our way to Shaw Park Gardens, we met up with a local Man named Rambo. We payed our entrance fee, and he gave us a personal tour. He told us the history of the garden, and taught us about the plants. Then we were escorted on the most wonderful journey to Murphy Hill. The highest point overlooking Ocho Rios. The most amazing view ever. Heaven truly does exist. It cost $2.00. Then he took us down another road, and drove through Fern Gully. We rented a car while there. I recommend renting only if you are a very good driver. The roads are narrow. Diving is on the left side of the road. And Jamaicans have a certain way of driving. All over Port Maria,Taxis are available. So transportation is available. And when it was time to go back to kingston and catch our flight, Mr.Winston C came with us so we would not get lost. The road signs are not as dominiate as they are in the states, so it is very easy to get lost. The apartments were the best part of our stay, because honestly had a place to call home when were done with our activities. THE PRICE was the best of all the places we researched. Seeing the people of Jamaica was much better than looking out the window of an over priced hotel and resort. The people are who we came to see. And we were pleased. All of the people in the world could learn alot from the people of Jamaica!!!
Christmas is a wonderful time to be in Jamaica. As we drove up we were welcomed with open arms. Mr.Winston C took care us and we felt very welcome. And we enjoyed Ruff, he is the most wonderful dog!!! For the week we were in Jamaica, our son's became friends with the local residents of Port Maria. Me,my husband and 9 year old daughter enjoyed shopping the markets, and the street vendors. Everyone was nice, very nice. Christmas Eve is an all day and night affair celebrated with shopping, and music. The festivities start on Christmas Eve morning, and continue till 6 am Chirstmas Morning. The Jonkanoo and Gran' Market, are the names of their celebrations. We did the local tourist thing in Ocho Rios which included Margaritaville, Shaw Park Gardens, the Craft Market, and Dolphin Cove. While on our way to Shaw Park Gardens, we met up with a local Man named Rambo. We payed our entrance fee, and he gave us a personal tour. He told us the history of the garden, and taught us about the plants. Then we were escorted on the most wonderful journey to Murphy Hill. The highest point overlooking Ocho Rios. The most amazing view ever. Heaven truly does exist. It cost $2.00. Then he took us down another road, and drove through Fern Gully. We rented a car while there. I recommend renting only if you are a very good driver. The roads are narrow. Diving is on the left side of the road. And Jamaicans have a certain way of driving. All over Port Maria,Taxis are available. So transportation is available. And when it was time to go back to kingston and catch our flight, Mr.Winston C came with us so we would not get lost. The road signs are not as dominiate as they are in the states, so it is very easy to get lost. The apartments were the best part of our stay, because honestly had a place to call home when were done with our activities. THE PRICE was the best of all the places we researched. Seeing the people of Jamaica was much better than looking out the window of an over priced hotel and resort. The people are who we came to see. And we were pleased. All of the people in the world could learn alot from the people of Jamaica!!!
Comments from Owner Guestbook
Review Submitted: December 6, 2007
Date of Stay: December 2007
Fr, 26.7.2002 23:00 Ray- thomas
just great
Hello
the few week`s we stayed at sunrise apt... was wonderful, good time weather nice.......!!!!!. The people we meet are great we did feel welcome ---- one love jamaica
Mi, 28.4.2004 23:16 Hanny & Bruno, Switzerland
Super Ferien
Auch nach dem 3 mal in den Sunrise Apartments wird es uns nicht langweilig und wir werden wieder einmal die wunderbaren Leute in Jamaika besuchen gehen.
Grüsse an alle Jamaika Fans
Fr, 14.1.2005 20:57 Greg from NY
IRIE MAN
Sun, fun and a great time in Jamaica. Special thanks to Winston and Angie from Sunrise and all locals I know. Back in the states I miss you all. I love Jamaica!!!!!
Di, 8.3.2005 18:21 Sally, London
Wonderful vacation
Hello Sunrise Apartments and staff,
my time at your apartments was wonderful and the locals were friendly and helpful. I travel around the island, but still didn't see everything. I love Jamaica and I will be returning soon again. One Love! SameSally
just great
Hello
the few week`s we stayed at sunrise apt... was wonderful, good time weather nice.......!!!!!. The people we meet are great we did feel welcome ---- one love jamaica
Mi, 28.4.2004 23:16 Hanny & Bruno, Switzerland
Super Ferien
Auch nach dem 3 mal in den Sunrise Apartments wird es uns nicht langweilig und wir werden wieder einmal die wunderbaren Leute in Jamaika besuchen gehen.
Grüsse an alle Jamaika Fans
Fr, 14.1.2005 20:57 Greg from NY
IRIE MAN
Sun, fun and a great time in Jamaica. Special thanks to Winston and Angie from Sunrise and all locals I know. Back in the states I miss you all. I love Jamaica!!!!!
Di, 8.3.2005 18:21 Sally, London
Wonderful vacation
Hello Sunrise Apartments and staff,
my time at your apartments was wonderful and the locals were friendly and helpful. I travel around the island, but still didn't see everything. I love Jamaica and I will be returning soon again. One Love! SameSally
Schönster Fleck in Port Maria!
Review Submitted: September 21, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2008
Das Sunrise ist für jamaikanische Verhältnisse TOP!
Wir könnten jetz bei der Lage des Guesthouse Abstriche machen, aber wer weiß, wo er ist, sieht schnell ein, das man den schönsten Fleck in Port Maria gebucht hat.
Man muß halt bisschen weit fahren, um was zu sehen. z.b. Dunns River, versch.andere Strände.
Die guesthouse Family ist in Ordnung, jedoch auch n bisschen auf "Bigman's Money" aus. Obwohl wir keine waren. Aber das ist Jamaikastyle, und man hat schon viel Geld mitzunehmen;-)
Sie helfen aber wo Sie können, wenn man was unternehmen möchte, und versorgen auch gleich n vertrauensvollen Driver, oder n Kasten Red Stripe:-) oder andere Sachen.
Wer Karibik-Whitesandbeaches mit Liegen und Cocktails möchte, sollte ein AI Hotel in Negril buchen.
Für Abenteurer allerdings wirds ein wohnlicher aber auch anpassungspflichtiger Trip. English ist Pflicht. Wer nur deutsch spricht, sollte zu Haus bleiben...keine Chance!
Man sieht jedenfalls "Real Jamaica" wie es wirklich ist.
Der 400m entfernte,lange Sandtrand ist der einzige Naturstrand in JA. Wer es ohne Tourismus mag, ist hier genau richtig.
Kleine Bretterbuden-Beachbars sorgen für Flüssigkeit, und Unterhaltung:-)
Hoffe ich konnte jedem Interessenten hier helfen!
Also denn...
bless & greetz to Winston, Big Mum and Co.
Marco, Vince & Geli
Wir könnten jetz bei der Lage des Guesthouse Abstriche machen, aber wer weiß, wo er ist, sieht schnell ein, das man den schönsten Fleck in Port Maria gebucht hat.
Man muß halt bisschen weit fahren, um was zu sehen. z.b. Dunns River, versch.andere Strände.
Die guesthouse Family ist in Ordnung, jedoch auch n bisschen auf "Bigman's Money" aus. Obwohl wir keine waren. Aber das ist Jamaikastyle, und man hat schon viel Geld mitzunehmen;-)
Sie helfen aber wo Sie können, wenn man was unternehmen möchte, und versorgen auch gleich n vertrauensvollen Driver, oder n Kasten Red Stripe:-) oder andere Sachen.
Wer Karibik-Whitesandbeaches mit Liegen und Cocktails möchte, sollte ein AI Hotel in Negril buchen.
Für Abenteurer allerdings wirds ein wohnlicher aber auch anpassungspflichtiger Trip. English ist Pflicht. Wer nur deutsch spricht, sollte zu Haus bleiben...keine Chance!
Man sieht jedenfalls "Real Jamaica" wie es wirklich ist.
Der 400m entfernte,lange Sandtrand ist der einzige Naturstrand in JA. Wer es ohne Tourismus mag, ist hier genau richtig.
Kleine Bretterbuden-Beachbars sorgen für Flüssigkeit, und Unterhaltung:-)
Hoffe ich konnte jedem Interessenten hier helfen!
Also denn...
bless & greetz to Winston, Big Mum and Co.
Marco, Vince & Geli
Owner's Response: Unsere privaten Ferienwohnungen sind für ideal für Individual Reisende die das wirklich Jamaika kennenlernen möchten, abseits der Touristenströme. Wir werden ein Wörtchen mit der Guesthouse family sprechen wegen des "Bigman Money" und sind zuversichtlich dies in den Griff zu bekommen. Leider ist dies in einem Drittwelt Land wie Jamaika nie ganz auszuschliessen, da die Mehrheit der Einheimischen doch sehr arm ist. Grundsätzlich sind die Jamaikaner aber sehr gastfreundlich und hilfsbereit. Wir arbeiten in Jamaika ausschliesslich mit Einheimischen Arbeitskräften und berücksichtigen nur lokale Handwerker um die Region zu stärken mit Tourismus (in kleinem Rahmen) und Arbeitsplätzen.
Herzliche Grüsse an alle.
Sunrise Apartments
Herzliche Grüsse an alle.
Sunrise Apartments
You have already voted for this review. Thanks for voting!
Thank you for your response.
Helpful votes:
Go to page (Page 1 of 1)
1
