As usual, professional helpful staff
Michelle as fab as ever!
Please let the airline know that they need to improve the diabetic meals. It is not only sweet things that need to be reduced but also the amount of carbs.
It was all very good, the room, the meals, and the facilities, including the beach and the service there. We had a good discount for the pool out of action, which did not affect us greatly. The pick up at the airport was rather casual with an old vehicle, but the return was fine.
Great work Gordon and team.
Gordon Hibbert, as ever excellent service
The only slight issue we had was when we arrived in Barbados there didn’t appear to be the private transfer there for us …no one was holding a DialAFlight board up. We eventually got it sorted
We will be using you again.
Flights and hotel really good. Had to get a room upgrade at Sandpiper - but no extra charge.
Everything worked like clockwork. Your local rep was excellent
You always look after us very well
Always a brilliant service
Your service is outstanding and I will be using you again
As always DialAFlight delivered. Recommend to everyone - especially Curtis who knows EXACTLY what we want
Great help finding our holiday - excellent support to book what we wanted and follow through to ensure we were organised to travel
I loved the personal service and the phone call before my flight to make sure everything was OK. Brilliant
Holiday was wonderful but would not go back to Accra Beach Hotel. We were told to ask for upgrade when we got there, as we has stayed twice before, they did not oblige. The room had no balcony and was tired, needed upgrading.
As always can rely on DialAFlight for worry free travel arrangements.
Great hotel, location and the staff were very friendly
Would always trust you to make life easy.
Telephone calls answered swiftly. Staff members courteous and knowledgeable.
I have been using DialAFlight for a few years but had not been away since before the Pandemic. Just used the company again and the standards and customer care is still the same. Excellent!
Keep up the good work.
Had a great trip. Hotels were good standard. All arrangements went smoothly
It was my first time booking with DialAflight and it was a great experience. Thanks to the team for making sure I checked in and asking if I need any help. I will be definitely booking again
Julie Harris is very helpful and keeps in touch
Simple, easy professional. A pleasure to do business with.
Marshall put together the perfect holiday to St Lucia for us. Will definitely return to DialAFlight
Paul Jones provides an excellent service. I couldn’t ask for more.
The House has gone all inclusive which is a big change. But the property Is in need of updating. Sunbeds were a problem as with 100pc occupation there simply not enough. That apart it was a really good break and the all inclusive option certainly helped control the cost on what has become an expensive island.
Teddy the barman confides wistfully that he just missed the chance to serve a rum punch to Marilyn Monroe back in 1957.
He joined the staff of Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios shortly after her visit, but he has shaken a cocktail for supermodel Kate Moss and former Prime Minister Sir John Major.
Teddy is a legend here, having notched up almost 60 years working at one of the most famous hotels in the Caribbean.
Famous guests
The hotel's owner, Peter Morrow, however, can remember watching Marilyn being photographed with her new husband Arthur Miller beside the beach at Jamaica Inn. 'She posed just here,' says Peter, pointing to the spot.
The then most famous couple in the world had spent several days on the island on honeymoon at Moon Point, the luxurious villa of Lady Pamela Bird, an English aristocrat, before returning, via Jamaica Inn, to New York.
Jacket and tie were then obligatory at this last vestige of colonial-style entertaining in the Caribbean. Jamaica Inn is still traditional but with a definite modern twist, as ageing rock stars now slip into view alongside dowagers and American grandes dames. Think cucumber sandwiches at tea time, yet also young surfers among the guests.
Jamaica Inn evokes tranquillity and calm with its white-painted cottages, as well as old-school charm (the waiters wear white jackets in the evenings).
There are no TVs in the rooms but modern touches include a holistic spa.
Our day starts at breakfast with sergeant fish being fed titbits in the turquoise sea just below the terrace. The tables feature pink tablecloths and white napkins - a wonderful contrast to the cobalt blue sky. The croquet lawn is just yards from the sea, offering the reassuring click of mallet on ball. Actor Rupert Everett is reputed to beat all-comers.
Sepia photographs in the library feature Sir Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming - further proof of the hotel's glamorous past.
Guests meander up from their waterside cottages past almond and apple trees to Teddy's Bar, where the dirty banana cocktails are truly lethal.
Meanwhile, the food here is fresh, simple and truly delicious.
For those who want a wonderful close-up sight of the natural world, it’s often possible to spot turtles hatching on the beach.
One day we headed to nearby Dolphin Cove, where you can swim with dolphins. Our journey took us past banana trees, orange groves, mystic mountains and hawkers in the street selling Jamaican flags and toy guitars made from bamboo.
Getting in touch with nature
Entering the water, I quickly discovered that the gun-metal grey nose of a dolphin is hard and smooth, almost synthetic.
These delightful creatures are sleek and engaging, and somehow perfectly behaved. They jumped, barked, glided, and appeared to smile and laugh as they cavorted with us in the water.
We swam with them in a roped off area and got so close to the dolphins that we were able to 'shake hands' with their flippers. It was a little like touching the rubber casing of a watch.
Fifteen minutes from the cove is Golden Eye, which began life as a Spartan bungalow on a clifftop, and is where Ian Fleming wrote some of his James Bond books.
A few years ago, Golden Eye was transformed into a luxurious resort with extraordinary lagoon villas - you can even stay in the room where Fleming's original writing desk remains.
There is a beachside pool and lively beach bar where songs from Island Records' back catalogue - the famous label was formed on the island - play night and day. For those who like music at the bar and do not in the least want complete tranquillity, this is the place to be.
Time to relax again
After our lively outing, it was good to return to Jamaica Inn and the comfort of our cottage, with its huge lounge and veranda overlooking the sea.
We also had our own plunge pool, which can be heated. This might seem an unnecessary luxury in the Caribbean, but it is a surprisingly good idea as it means you can swim late at night or early in the morning and never feel the slightest chill.
After a refreshing dip, there was only one thing to do: head back to Teddy's for an early evening cocktail and listen to more fascinating stories from his past.
First published in the Mail on Sunday - November 2018
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