Mel's Botanical Retreat “Garden Oasis” 2 bedroom

This charming hand built wooden home is nestled among terraced gardens and surrounded by jungle near the top of Kentucky Mountain. Be enchanted by the quiet solitude and intimate jungle setting with stunning views of the sunset off the private veranda. When the need for adventure or change of scene arises you can easily travel down to beautiful Bluefields beach or enjoy sightseeing at nearby attractions. After ascending the primitive winding mountain road to (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) ft you walk down a short jungle path by Dobson's shop to this beautiful wooden cottage hand-built by a master woodworker and surrounded by terraced gardens, you will know you have chosen well. Three verandas, multiple hammocks, electricity, flush toilet, shower, tv/dvd, gas stove, and two comfortable beds are some of the amenities. The Garden Oasis cabin also has a kitchen with four burners, an oven, a refrigerator, toaster, hot water kettle and everything you need to prepare meals. If you don’t feel like cooking, we can cook some or all of your meals. You may eat your meals at Mel’s Kitchen & Bar or for a more meditative or romantic “vibe” enjoy your meals delivered to you on your private veranda. All breakfasts include fresh juice or smoothie, fresh fruit, organic coffee from the farm, as well as hot entrees featuring farm raised eggs, Jamaicas national dish called Ackee & Salt Fish, banana pancakes, veggie omelets and much more depending on your dietary requirements* Lunch & Dinner includes traditional Jamaican dishes of local fish, locally grown chicken or Jamaican Fusion depending on dietary needs. *We cater to plant based, vegan or Ital, vegetarian, keto & gluten free diets. Just let use know how we can best accommodate you. Dinner upon arrival: $ 15 usd per person per meal Breakfast upon departure: $15 usd per person per meal We have two rental cottages on the property, this listing called the “Garden Oasis” that sleeps 3-4 and is perfect for friends and family traveling together or the romantic cabin called the “the Blue Mahoe” that’s perfect for couples and solo travelers. Each cabin is surrounded by lush flower gardens, coconut trees, soursop, pear, and starfruit. Private pathways lead you to your private space. What is central to the entire retreat and visible to each cabin is Mel’s Kitchen and Bar that has been sustainably built with native hardwoods. There is a large dining table that seats up to 8 people and a bar counter that seats two to three more that looks over into the kitchen area. As much or as little as guests would prefer. We can cook some or all of your meals and will be available to answer your questions, give guidance, arrange tours and outings, and provide you with exceptional service. Your privacy and space will be honored. The flowers, birds and panoramic views down the mountain are stunning. The peace and tranquility of the jungle is unparalleled. The tight-knit friendly community that live and work on the mountain are true treasures. It is a seductive and alluring place. You won't want to leave. What is there to do at Mel’s Botanical Retreat beside relax in the garden, birdwatch, practice yoga, meditate, read, play badminton, watch movies on the flat screen TV, play board games or cards with your loved ones, shoot some hoops with the local children, enjoy craft made cocktails, karaoke and dancing in the kitchen, play acoustic guitar or head out for the night to drink some rum, red stripes while learning how to play Dominos or Ludi with the locals or just to kick back and simply soak up some sweet reggae music? We offer guided ecotours for a small fee that directly support the locals in the community. Beach hike with a local guide Learn about the local flora and fauna while you meander through the jungle down to Bluefields Beach. Our guests absolutely LOVE this experience many return year after year to do it again 5-6 Hours Coffee farm hike with local guide. Includes “local” style roasting and tasting. Picking and tasting of the coffee “cherry” is seasonal, but the tour is available year round. You may purchase the hand picked “High Mountain” coffee you roasted after the tour 1.5 -2 hours Cooking Lessons with a local cook featuring traditional Jamaican cuisine with locally raised chickens from Kiaras grandmother or plant based, called Ital with local fruits and vegetables. The experience includes everything needed to create the meal as well as local juice that you will learn to make with your guide. 4-5 Hours Learn the Art of Traditional Jamaican Jerk with a local farmer and community member who has been making jerk since he was a small child. You and your guide will cook with local organic chickens, hike around the mountainside to find and gather pimento wood and leaves. Watch closely or you may miss some of the tricks of his amazing Jerk Sauce recipe. The Meal includes Jerk Chicken, local bread and coconut peas and rice made over a wood fire. Water is provided. Cold Jamaican Lager called Red Stripe and local rum is available for purchase Mel’s Kitchen & Bar. 4-5 hours Ganja Hike with a local “herbsman”. Seasonal Mel’s Father, Kiaras Grandfather is a Rasta Man and has been growing this medicinal plant for almost his entire life. He has also been teaching his trade to the younger generation that live in the community. Learn the history, ask questions about growing methods and have your mind blown with just how labor intensive this kind of farming is. Who knows you may even learn how to roll the perfect spliff Rastaman style with local organic tobacco called “Grabba” 3-4 hours Local Community Tour package for guests who book a 5 to 7 night stay are offered a special discounted price for all 5 tours. For Solo travelers: $150 Usd includes tax Beach Hike, Coffee Roasting, Ganja History and Tour, *Culinary Arts Class, the *Art of Jerk History and Cook Out Includes 2 meals with sides and a beverage and over 20 hours of instruction and adventure. For a couple or two friends: $200 Usd includes tax Beach Hike, Coffee Roasting, Ganja History and Tour, *Culinary Arts Class, the *Art of Jerk History and Cook Out Includes 4 meals and side dishes including a beverage and over 20 hours of adventure and instruction. *Cooking and The Art of Jerk can be tailored to our Vegan and Vegetarian guests. Just let us know, we are happy to accommodate you. DOES THE RETREAT HAVE WI-FI: Yes, we do have complimentary Wi-Fi however the connection can be a little variable and while generally fine for checking an occasional email, (Hidden by Airbnb) , or the news headlines, you shouldn’t expect to stream movies etc. WHAT IF I’M A DIGITAL NOMAD AND NEED A FAST RELIABLE CONNECTION: No problem, you can purchase a local SIM card for your unlocked smart phone from DigiCell in Montego Bay, Negril, or Savanna-La-Mar for under $5.00 usd and purchase a data plan with 25GB for under $25.00 Usd If using our transportation services, ask our driver to stop for you WHERE CAN I GET LOCAL CURRENCY? Closest ATM, Cambio & Banks 12.5 miles 20 km Savanna la Mar WHERE CAN I EAT BESIDES AT THE RETREAT? Closest “Cook Shop” 2 miles 3.2 km •Ovelettes & Blacks” Fried Chicken -N- Chips (French Fries) Beer, soda & juice $400 jmd to $800 jmd Restaurants: 7 miles 11.2 km Bluefields The Cracked Conch - Seafood Lobster (in season) Fish Oxtail, Organic Steak Beer, wine & cocktails $ (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) jmd Jerk Omar’s 7.5 miles 13 km Bluefields Jerk Chicken,Jerk sauce & hard-dough bread $600 jmd Pizza: 12.5 miles 20 km Savanna la Mar Pizzas.Wings, Chilli Dog, Chicken Sandwich, Fries $ (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) jmd Fast Food: Burger King, Popeyes, Juicy Patties & KFC 12.5 miles 20 km Savanna la Mar Burgers, Chicken, Fries, Corn, Cookies, Patties, Soup, Banana Bread $ (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) Boarder Jerk: Ramble 16 miles 26 km Jerk Pork, Jerk Chicken, Festival, Breadfruit, Roast Yam, Green & Rip Plantain Beer, Rum, Soda $ (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) JMD Vegan Rasta Aid Negril 30 miles 48 km Chickpea Curry, Rasta Pasta, Veggie Sandwich, Hummus, Fried Plantain, Coconut Drops, Gizzardas, Pumpkin Bread Lemonade, Fresh Press Juices $ (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) jmd $$$$ Weekly Rental Car $$$ Private Airport Transport fro (Website hidden by Airbnb) Montego Bay $$ Knutsford Express to Savanna-La-Mar (Website hidden by Airbnb) and pick up from our drive (Website hidden by Airbnb) (check website for current rates) $ Route Cabs / Coaster Bus (Website hidden by Airbnb) no luggage or large bags Many of our guests opt for the private airport transport. It’s stress free, your vacation starts as soon as exit customs. Your dollars support the local community of Kentucky. We are happy to arrange that for you. Where exactly are you located? Kentucky District Westmoreland Parish We are: 8 Miles from Bluefields Beach 9 miles from Sav or Savannah-La-Ma (Website hidden by Airbnb) The Parish Capital 34 miles from Negril 37 miles from the Montego Bay Airport 39 miles from Treasure Beach 124 miles from Kingston Airport I WANT TO RENT A CAR: DO I NEED A 4x4 TO GET UP THE MOUNTAIN ? Our guests have made it to Mel’s without a 4x4, it depends on your driving experience and comfort. We are located 5 miles or 8 KM up the mountain road, just off of the main coastal Hwy A2. It’s best to plan your arrival during daylight hours. If that’s not possible, just let us know your expected arrival time and we will be on the look out for you. It should take about 25 to 35 minutes for a 1st time driver (5 miles or 8 km) after you turn off of A2, the main coastal hwy/ road. Average rental prices: Car $50 4x4 $75 a day WHO SHOULD I RENT MY CAR FROM: We have been working with Pat’s Rental Car since we opened. They are a Jamaican owed father and son business located in Savannah-la-mar. They provide FREE delivery of the rental car to the airport so you are enjoying your vacation almost immediately after exiting customs. Tell them MBR sent you for the best treatment and prices. Near by Attractions: Tours can be arranged Or Drive your own vehicle or rental car: Jamaican Owned: within 30 mins - 1 hours drive of the retreat Bluefields Beach Omar’s Jerk Center Benta Falls Mayfield Falls Abeokuta Paradise Nature Park w/ spring water fed pool Peter Tosh Memorial Local Artist and Wood Carvers studio - “Jah Calo” see hand carved and painted “ Mel’s Botanical Retreat” sign for examples of his amazing work. Custom personalized carvings available with advanced notice. ATM & Local Banks Grocery Stores with local and imported goods Open Air Farmers and Seafood Market Souvenir shopping at Fontana Pharmacy where they accept credit cards with photo ID with rates far lower than the Airports for the same merchandise -including key chains, magenta, postcards, stamps, T-Shirts, sweatshirts, childrens tank tops, coffee mugs, salt and pepper shakers, coasters, insulated water bottles, sun dresses, swim trunks and suits, music CDs, books by local authors, collectible spoons, beach bags and back packs, sun hats, and winter caps, photos books, placemats, picture frames, serving trays & hand made leather sandals and much much more South Coast: Between 1 hour and 1.5 hour drive YS Falls -closed Mondays Bamboo Ave Lovers Leap Pelican Bar Black River Safari Appleton Rum Factory Little Ochi famous seafood restaurant Jack Sprats food, drinks w/ beach access Jake’s for Cocktails Private Beaches for beach combing ATM for Local Currency Negril: Between 1 hour and 1.5 hour drive Rick’s Café (free admission) Snorkeling @ 7 mile beach Glass Bottom Boat tours Blue Hole Gardens- Brighton Large Craft Market with local Artisans Sunset &. Cliff Diving @ Rick’s Café (free admission) Alfred’s for live reggae on the famous 7-Mike beach (free admission) Xtabi for cliff jumping ( free admission) Live reggae @ Roots Bamboo on 7-mile beach (depends on who’s performing between free - $35 usd) Jimmy Buffets Margaretville (free admission) Scuba diving & certifications including Padi “Discovery Scuba” classes and dive for first time divers under $100 Usd (many dive center options) Stanleys Deep Sea Fishing ATV Adventure Jamwest Adventure Park w/ -Horseback riding, zip line- Catamaran “party cruise” Children’s play ground and vegan ice cream Shop behind Hi/Lo super market in Negril Pasty’s for Lattes, mochas, hand made cakes and local ice cream Tea Houses with Mushroom teas and herb cakes and ice creams and shakes MONTEGO BAY ( 1.5 to 2 hour) Hip Strip and famous Pork Pit Jerk Center Rose Hall Great House Craft Market Jimmy Buffets Margaretville (free admission) And so much more OCHO RIOS ( 3 hour drive) Dunns River Falls Blue Hole Ocho Rios Prospect Plantation River Tubing Mystic Mountain Saint Ann: 3.5 hour drive 9 mile Bob Marleys birthplace And so much more Just ask we are happy to assist Mel’s Botanical Retreat has been awarded the Airbnb ‘Super Host’ badge every year since accepting its first guests in June of (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) Our water supply is captured rainwater. Our cabins are sustainably built with local hard wood. Our showers are heated by the sun. We have dogs, cats, birds and chickens all living in harmony on the property. We are Jamaican owned and can’t wait to introduce you to our little slice of paradise. We offer transportation services, local community tours, tours around Jamaica and meals. Local Community Tour package for guests who book a 5 to 7 night stay are offered a special discounted price for all 5 community tours. *see “neighborhood” section for complete details on each community tour. For Solo travelers: $150 Usd includes tax Beach Hike, Coffee Roasting, Ganja History and Tour, *Culinary Arts Class, the *Art of Jerk History and Cook Out Includes 2 meals with sides and a beverage and over 20 hours of instruction and adventure. For a couple or two friends: $200 Usd includes tax Beach Hike, Coffee Roasting, Ganja History and Tour, *Culinary Arts Class, the *Art of Jerk History and Cook Out Includes 4 meals and side dishes including a beverage and over 20 hours of adventure and instruction. *Cooking and The Art of Jerk can be tailored to our Vegan and Vegetarian guests. Just let us know, we are happy to accommodate you.