Villa by the Sea - Jamaica's Finest in Duncan

• WOW.....

  WOW.....

  • Guest Love to Travel
  • Date of stay 02/08/13
  • Review Submitted 02/26/13
  We arrived at the Yellow Canary for a short but incredible visit. Hearing negative comments about Jamaica I was unsure of what to expect. Johnny picked us up at the airport and was wonderful he took us to the market and entertained myself and 3 children.He was a joy our entire trip and available whenever needed. His rates were reasonable and we did a great afternoon at Dunns River Iris the housekeeper and cook is beyond belief. We would travel to Jamaica just to see her. The food she made was wonderful and my kids learned so much about Jamaica and its people. We are planning to return next year. I feel like we got a taste of real culture and a vacation my children will never forget. Thanks Iris and Johnny for a great memory.See you next year.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, girls getaway, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• TRANQUALITY AT IT'S BEST

  TRANQUALITY AT IT'S BEST

  • Guest Fayemizer
  • Date of stay 01/26/13
  • Review Submitted 02/02/13
  I have just taken an early retirement and decided to spend sometime in Jamaica. The "Yellow Canary" Villa in Duncan's Bay was recommended to me by some friends that stayed there previously, I took myself,my mother and my Aunt there for 5 days, "what a marvellous experience", the villa was such a wonderful place to relax and chill-out after working so hard after all these years, with it's comfortable loungers(both inside and outside). The beach is just a stone throw away, lovely and clean with the most amazing Sea View, not overcrowded and you are left to swim or rest-up in peace. Veronica and her staff are very friendly and informative. The Villa is well kept, clean and with all the amenities and if you so wish, breakfast,lunch and dinner can be provided also (which is amazing, if you are willing to try something different. From there you can go on to visit other places of interest, like Dunnns River Falls,The Great House, Ochi Rios and Falmouth is also close by where the big ships comes in to dock. Veronica also recommended a lovely fish restaurant where we had the most amazing fish experience. Will defenately go back and stay sometime soon.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, people with disabilities, families with young children.

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• Well deserved rest by the sea

  Well deserved rest by the sea

  • Guest Marcus
  • Date of stay 12/02/12
  • Review Submitted 12/13/12
  I have just spent a great week relaxing and swimming, I never been to a more beautiful setting before, and I have travelled the Caribbean. This villa is practically on the beach, which makes it even more of a relaxing retreat as there is no effort required. The beach is clean and the sea a beautiful shade of blue. I found the villa itself, a home from home with all the comforts you expect in our own home. Wireless Internet and a modern music centre helps to break up the day of relaxing. The villa is equip with modern kitchen utilities and appliances, not that I had to cook, there was a fantastic lady who would make breakfast lunch or dinner and this was arranged by the owner of the villa. The bedrooms were spacious and clean and the decor is well maintained and modern, this was truly a great experience which I would recommend to anyone who like to relax and kit back.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with teenagers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• My unforgetable 2 months stay in Yellow Canary Villa, Jamaica . . . .

  My unforgetable 2 months stay in Yellow Canary Villa, Jamaica . . . .

  • Guest Aggie & Freddy
  • Date of stay 05/25/12
  • Review Submitted 09/22/12
  I stayed at the Yellow Canary Villa for 2 months after being made redundant from my job. This was just what I needed - Jamaica and staying at this exceptional wonderful villa by the sea is a must and I will most definitely be returning back next year with my partner. The villa was exactly how it looks on the website and the photos does not to it any justice. The beach was clean and just a minute walk and was something from a postcard. The sea water warn and clean. What was an extra bonus was the delightful Iris, who is the most amazing cook! She was so accommodating and I have to say she cooks a mean breakfast Jamaican style. She also cooks English or American breakfast and dinners if you wish. She made our 2 month visit very enjoyable. After breakfast I would retreat to the tranquillity and well kept garden. In the evenings I would just relax in the hot tub jacuzzi and enjoy. Leroys bar is a must and the music is great. My only disappointment is not being able to return to this wonderful villa in Duncans Bay any sooner.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, people with disabilities, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Forget the tourist traps, stay in the Villa by the Sea

  Forget the tourist traps, stay in the Villa by the Sea

  • Guest Katie
  • Date of stay 12/31/11
  • Review Submitted 02/14/12
  This review is past due, perhaps because we are so hesitant to share how awesome of a place this hideaway was for fear of not being able to book the next time we want to come back. Miss Iris needs to be credited for making the trip excellent. Sure, her meals were only phenomenal and her suggestions on where to go to experience the real Jamaica (Luminous Lagoon, Fire Waters), not the tourist Jamaica (although you must climb the Dunn River Falls in Ocho Rios) are great, but it was honestly being able to share our vacation with her. We missed her on her day off and she was doled out multiple hugs the day we left. We also had Charlie, the gardener, looking after us. He was also great to visit with and took us down to Leroy’s on New Year’s Eve for live music and lots of celebration. He also took us to this awesome cave the indigenous lived in. And Johhny, who picked us up at the airport and took us out on our adventures, he’s just a riot. Spend the time getting to know the people in Jamaica; it’ll enrich your trip. The villa was not a disappointment in the least, nor the gardens that Charlie kept up. We were perfectly content to spend the morning in the garden before going off on our day’s adventure or heading down to the beach and walking the shore line, swimming or catching a tan. Note, if you are coming after or during the holidays, there is a lot more traffic on the beach, which unfortunately leads to more debris. It’s such beautiful sand and water, but between Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s activities, it was looking a little more like Spring Break in Cancun. I don’t think that is indicative of the rest of the time spent there. The music was bumping from Leroy’s during the weekend, but all of us were taking our iPods off, to groove along to it. I’ll finish with this: When you get home and Bob Marley comes on the local radio station, it’s going to have a whole new meaning to you. You’ll be smiling and fondly thinking of the awesome experience you had and the phenomenal people you met in Jamaica, who all look so very much younger than their years. There’s something to be said for that. All the best – Aaron, Beth and Katie

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/3

• Fabulous...Just Fabulous

  Fabulous...Just Fabulous

  • Guest Scrow595
  • Date of stay 12/25/11
  • Review Submitted 01/07/12
  My husband and I and another couple just returned from our Christmas vacation at the Yellow Canary. WOW!!! It is everything and more as described, from the time Johnny picked us up at the airport until he returned us 6 days later. Miss Iris was a wonderful cook who attended to our every need and desire. The villa was well kept and very comfortable both in and out. The beach was 500 yards...most of the time we had it to to ourselves. The only downside was that the beach bar played very loud music for two of the days we were there but that's because it was Boxing Day and folks had a couple of days off. The owner was very easy to deal with...no problem mon. We would stay at this villa again in a heartbeat. Can't wait to go back! A very big thank you to Veronica, Iris, and Johnny for making this a special holiday vacation.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Had a wonderful week in Duncans Bay

  Had a wonderful week in Duncans Bay

  • Guest Loves travel and adventure
  • Date of stay 07/09/11
  • Review Submitted 08/02/11
  I spent a week at the Yellow Canary in July with my husband, son and relatives. We had an awesome time. The property is nice, and well maintained. It's mid-block on the street and just steps from the beach. The beach was awesome, and the water was crystal clear. The majority of the time, we had the beach to ourselves. Snorkeling was great right there too, we saw sting rays, starfish, sea cucumbers, conch, sand dollars. Being on the north shore, you also get the benefit of both sunrise and sunset on the beach. Iris is an amazing cook. She cooked Jamaican food for us every meal. We tried everything, and had no complaints on any of it. She makes everything from scratch. I especially loved her fresh pineapple crepes for breakfast myself. We had a couple of excursions planned and Iris hooked us up with a driver named Patrice. She was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed spending time with her. We did a day trip to Ocho Rios and Dunn River Falls, and an evening trip over to 'Time and Place' for a sunset lobster dinner on the beach, then went to the Luminous Lagoon in Falmouth. Tony the owner of Time and Place hooked us up for a private tour of the Luminous Lagoon, for the same price as Glistening Waters charges and we got to spend more time out in the bay. We also went scuba diving out of Runaway Bay with Resort Divers. They came and picked us up at the entrance to Silver Sands, and brought us back to the villa afterwards. It turned out to be a private dive at our own pace. They took us out to a plane wreck and ship wreck, and then to a reef offshore. One afternoon, Charley our gardener led us over to an Arawake cave a few minutes walk from our villa. Escaped slaves hid and lived there long ago. It's pretty large, with lots of rooms, and there is even a tomb in it, and bats flying around. Very interesting and cool. A heads up for Americans, use to staying in resorts and having most tolietries provided. Bring all your own tolietries including (soap, shampoo, wash cloths, and a hairdryer if needed). These items were not included. Also insect repellant is a must. And unless you're brave enough to rent a car, you'll also need cash for your drivers, and you'll need cash for your groceries. There is an ATM in Duncans next to the grocery. where you can get cash when needed. We highly recommend this villa and area to anyone that wants more of a real Jamaican experience, versus a resort experience. Can't wait to go back and do it all again.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Hello Theresa Thank you very much for a wonderful review. We here at the Yellow Canary welcome you and family back and we all send greetings. Regards Veronica and team

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Duncan's fun, relaxation & renewal

  Duncan's fun, relaxation & renewal

  • Guest Sugar Mama & Doctor Love
  • Date of stay 06/16/11
  • Review Submitted 06/26/11
  The Yellow Canary experience was wonderful. The villa is in a quiet area along Duncan's Bay with no high rise resorts in site. You get the true feeling of Jamaica and the people, while being within an easy taxi ride of either Ocho Rios or Montego Bay. Saturday evenings at LeRoy's on the beach is not to be missed, but a weeknight of absolute quiet and serenity at a beach side table should also be experienced. Iris, the housekeeper and cook, was fabulous and provided wonderful insights into the people and the culture, as well as providing fabulous meals. We bought fish and lobster directly from the fisherman next to LeRoy's, and asked Iris to cook other traditional Jamaican dishes as well. Visits to the village of Duncan's to buy food and other supplies was also a great experience with Iris at our side to guide the process. But she was also happy to do the shopping for you, and let you just sit back and be served. We found taxi service reasonably priced and easy to arrange (with Iris' help) for both short trips to the village, or longer day trips to Ochie. We won't hesitate to return and visit our new friends in the Duncan's area.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

  Owner response: Thank you very much Sherry and Tony for adding your views of the area here in Duncans Bay and your time spent at the Yellow Canary. We are all happy that you both have had a wonderful holiday here. Veronica

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Fantastic Vacation

  Fantastic Vacation

  • Guest Pete
  • Date of stay 03/23/11
  • Review Submitted 04/09/11
  This was second trip to Jamaica & met our expectations and more. Reviews can not tell all til you go to the villa at Duncan's Bay. Veronica met us at airport just as planned and drove us to villa. The Yellow Canary was well kept. Iris, the housekeeper, was incredible with her cooking, her knowledge of the island and local customs. The villa is close to everything you want to do. Dunns River Falls, Dolphin Cove, Outameni( cultural center), Glistening Lagoon, Burwood Beach, and a 30 second walk to Duncan's Bay. Kids were in the ocean every day by 9 a.m. They did not want to come home. Thanks for a memorable trip.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• TRANQUIL LOCATION!

  TRANQUIL LOCATION!

  • Guest Kasia,Trevor,Vian,Bridget & Latoya
  • Date of stay 02/23/11
  • Review Submitted 04/08/11
  Myself, Fiance, 5 month old daughter , Mum and sister, stayed here for 12 nights and totaly enjoyed our stay! The property is well maintained and comes with the lovely housekeeper Ms. Iris, who is very helpful and friendly! She was always willing to assist and ensure our stay was positive. Whenever we had a question about the Island or its attractions, Ms. Iris either knew the answer or did her best to find out! Charlie the gardener works hard at keeping the garden looking lovely! Would recommend this property to anyone wishing to stay in Duncans! Thank you Veronica, Ms. Iris and Charlie! X

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, people with disabilities, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Nightly $160-$220 up to 6 persons
(extra charge for using Hot Tub Jacuzzi)

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.