The Hotel Villa Bella is a charming treasure of a place located in the cool mountain town of Christiana, Jamaica. I have stayed here with my colleagues on three extended occasions now: last March and June of 2009, and currently March, 2010. We have had rooms in the annex and in the main upstairs part of this renovated Jamaican "great house," and the rooms, floors, beds, and bathrooms have always been spotless.
The open veranda on the first floor is where their wonderful restaurant and sitting areas open to mountain views are located. The tables are always set with colorful and upscale settings, and the staff is well-trained to provide friendly, timely, and professional service during meals. The food is outstanding! I can attest that the kitchen is very clean and the food is prepared fresh daily. If you come you must try the Pepperpot Soup (a healthy blend of callaloo, scallions, and chilis) or the Rasta Pasta, a tasty island-style vegetarian pasta dish. Chicken and fish dishes are also served – as part of a Jamaican and international cuisine. You have to try the homemade “ginger beer” (which is actually non- alcoholic), a healthy and stimulating treat.
Breakfasts are always pleasant, served anytime from 7:30 am onward, and if you rise early enough you can enjoy the morning misty air and great views over Jamaican or American style breakfasts. The staff will pick fresh organic oranges and grapefruits for you from their gardens to complement a nice tropical fruit offering every morning. Unlike many places I've visited on Jamaica, you really have a lot of options to choose from for breakfast - from traditional local dishes to French toast to callaloo omelettes to homemade porridge, all complemented by freshly brewed locally-produced high mountain coffee. A treat is when they have fresh bread pudding for dessert in the evenings :) I am a picky eater (I go for healthy, fresh, unprocessed and oil-free foods) and I can vouch for the fact that all you have to do is ask, and the staff will gladly meet your dining preferences.
Safety and reliability is a non-issue here - due to the nature of my work on the island, I have brought countless items of expensive equipment with me and have never had any sort of issue whatsoever. I’ve left my laptop, blackberry, cash, and digital camera in my room and even on the restaurant tables with absolutely no problem whatsoever. As a matter of fact we forgot several items here last June, and the staff kindly notified me and kept them safe for me (they offered to send them but in my case it wasn’t necessary).
The town of Christiana is a safe place with great fresh weather, and is an excellent base for visiting off-the-beaten track features of Jamaica's South Coast away from the tourist droves: hiking in the hills, day trips to YS Falls, the hidden Milk River and Spa with spring waters known for their skin curative powers, the local Milk River beach, and the Ghoury Caves. On Friday and Saturday nights you can walk down the road to get a real Jamaican music experience, where locals jam to outdoor music. For sports or exercise enthusiasts there is a field right next door to the hotel where you can run and exercise in the fresh air, or maybe see a local game of soccer. The town has everything you need i.e. banks with ATMs, supermarket, etc. Because Christiana is centrally located, trips to Treasure Beach, Montego, Negril, and Kingston are just a couple hours away. I have driven to all these places from Christiana and I can verify that the roads are good, and the staff will gladly give you turn-by-turn directions. Speaking of the staff…
The staff is led by the original hotel owner, one of the most vibrant, charming, and most intelligent hoteliers I've ever met. Her Canadian-born hotel manager and the rest of her local staff are all completely reliable, professional, and warm. They will remember you by name and even remember how you take your coffee and meals! They are always ready to provide you with items you may need or otherwise attend to you. We have had many special requests for them and they have always dealt with our requests in a professional and friendly manner, making us feel right at home.
When you visit Jamaica, you must come stay at this hidden gem!! You will also feel great about supporting a local establishment, local families, and being able to eat local healthy yet upscale food, rather than overpaying at a big impersonal hotel chain. A real charming spot of old Jamaica with plenty of modern amenities. Highly recommended!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
