Our family stayed at Seven Palms for 10 days and left feeling relaxed and indulged, having fallen in love with Jamaica, Seven Palms and the many lovely people we met.
If you would like the experience of staying in a small hotel, where your meals are freshly prepared, and staff take care of you, but the privacy of a well appointed home, then Seven Palms is ideal.
The villa exceeded expectations (the photos don't do it justice), and the friendly, welcoming staff, from Kevin who met us at the airport on arrival, to Abby (property manager), and Carlene and Elizabeth (who prepared delicious meals including breakfasts of fruit fresh from the villa's garden, and local specialities), Sylvan and the grounds team, all of whom made us feel instantly at home (we also have to mention Koda and Susan).
Having access to private beaches, as well as the villa's watersports equipment (kayaks and snorkelling kit), meant we didn't have to worry about organising anything and could make the most of being close to the sea.
Tips on places to see and things to do were exactly what we were looking for, and we would highly recommend Resort Divers (recommended by the owners).
What we loved:
-experiencing Jamaica without the filter of a formulaic resort hotel
-meeting locals, including the staff at the villa,
-eating home-cooked Jamaican food
-the beautiful grounds of the villa and the large swimming pool
-eating breakfast on the veranda whilst watching hummingbirds dart around the feeders hanging from the veranda roof
-proximity to the sea
-visiting the Irie Blue Hole and falls
-Abby's advice to do sight-seeing when there are no cruise ships docked
-Jamaican patties, festival, and the jerk chicken at Scotchies at Draxhall, Ocho Rios
-diving and snorkelling around the reefs
-dinner at Shells'-on-the-Beach and the lovely owner, Shelly
Seven Palms offers the perfect holiday for a family, or two, who want to get to know Jamaica, but also have plenty of home comforts. We loved every day there and are already planning a return visit!