Anyone with any updates or insight if they will open in November? I am getting itchy to make reservations.
Regards,
Bob
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Anyone with any updates or insight if they will open in November? I am getting itchy to make reservations.
Regards,
Bob
I had the chance to meet up with Susan while see she was in the states this summer. It will be reopening. She's having a bar put in and had just purchased some new lighting for it when we met up with her.
Good to hear she is making upgrades. Too magical a place not to.
I was told they will only be operating in the winter season - November to March
Wow - one head scratcher after another.Quote:
Originally Posted by Coop
Many fond memories, high season or low. I agree with you, Ras. Magical and not just a little quirky, too. Respect --Marblehead
A bar sounds nice. Gonna be a year or so until Negril again for us.
I was there this past March 2016....Place was empty.. Only 4 rooms occupied....I wonder what is happening.....
no lights on der........no employees mi see walking around......ladders out of da wata.......dead there
it's closed to guests mi guess and has been all Summer ........for sale for $1.6 million US.....
Cool Runnings, Marko
It appeared abandoned two weeks ago and is actively for sale. Cut the price in half and it will sell...Quote:
Originally Posted by Marko
Wow, how much would it cost to level the place and start over?
It hurts my heart to read those words, Georgie. I don't even want to consider that as a possibility. We have so many happy memories at that place, I'm really sad about the current situation and I hope very much that Susan can make things work there. Or someone else that would buy it and just improve upon what is so special about the Blue Cave Castle. It is truly a one-of-a-kind place.Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa Georgie
Sending all of the positive vibrations their way that I possibly can...
Hey Papa,Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa Georgie
There's a good set of building there. No reason to tear it down. Build around it and find a workable business plan.....
But what do I know?......I'm still building a board house (AND VERANDAH SOON!) on Zion Hill........
Cap
we have stayed at blue cave several timesand love the penthouse . still are more beach people so its been a few years. susan pretty much kept to herself and Petrona is who we spoke to though sUSAN WAS FRIENDLY ENUFF WHEN WE PASSED BY..to me it is one of the most popular places and reasonable on the cliff side.
wonder what happened and does anyone know what the sale price is?
I personally would tear it down and start over. Set up some rustic huts with AC for those that need it. No bar, and no restaurant, however I would have the staff make an amazing breakfast including in room rates. The West End needs a place like Nirvana......
Isn't the lot North of BCC for sale? Probably be cheaper to start with a lot than buy a lot with buildings and tear them down and rebuild. IDK about lot sizes though.
~Moose
I was thinking the same thing. The lot between Blue Cave and Gas's Bike Rental has been up of for sale, for a while.Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmicMoose
Cap, Linston gave us tour and I was in awe at the peacefulness and beauty up on the Hill. The new house looks great!Quote:
Originally Posted by captaind
I will say - I do support Linston's plan to put a pool where the Round House used to to stand. ;)
On sale. I searched around a bit and can't find any professional ads for it. Is it for sale by owner? I'm thinking Steve's kids are the actual owners...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marko
Have you ever stayed there? I have been to a lot of places in Jamaica, but none have been able to match the uniqueness of the BCC. There are some areas to improve upon, sure, but that place is magical. The penthouse especially.Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
Booger, I like your thinking on this.
I have, in the Penthouse in July a few years back. The heat was brutal and i ended up checking out early to stay at a place with AC.Quote:
Originally Posted by TAH
Teddy was working the restaurant and his cooking was outstanding. The poor airflow in the restaurant made it unusable, so I ate mostly on my balcony or near the water.
I'll save the castles for Euorpe.
Although I have seen a listing and heard its for sale, that is not the case. The property has been tied up in litigation for years over an ownership dispute between Susan and her deceased husbands family. While she would like to sell someday, she is unable to do so until all parties can come to an agreement. That doesn't appear like it's going to happen anytime soon.
Susan has admitted the castle has suffered some "setbacks" with the recent staff changes, along with other factors beyond her control, that has caused bookings to drop significantly. She wants to make a renewed effort to increase bookings once it reopens. It seems adding the bar is just the first step in transforming the hotel.
I hope she can make it work. I love that place.
"It could happen!" - Judy TenutaQuote:
Originally Posted by Mike_D
Today I received an E-mail from Susan. They plan to open November 20th.
We booked the penthouse (first time for us) for our last 2 nights in Jamaica. Our plan, at this time, is to spend our first week at Coco and look for a place on the cliffs for the second week and then the last 2 nights at the Castle. We will book Coco in advance, but walk the west end looking for a deal for the second week. Home Sweet Home, Xtabi, Banana Shout, maybe one of the cheap rooms at Catcha Falling Star are all on the list to look at. Any other suggestions? It must be on the cliffs side of the road.
I'm holding out a fleck of hope that Susan will open the Castle a bit earlier, as we would have spent our entire time there.
Regards,
Bob
Wishing Susan all the best.
Cap & Linston
I am a fan of HSH, it has a pool/jacuzzi and its own bar and restaurant, great rooms and good security.Quote:
Originally Posted by rjonsun
Another you can look at is Mirage. It is adults only, great pool, hopefully repairs done to the jacuzzi, no bar, no food. And, if you want, no clothes! Its owned by Grizzell's who own Charella Inn, so you know its run right. I've stayed there and the feeling of having a hotel to yourself is pretty darn cool!
At Xtabi, unless you spring for a cottage, your room will be across the road, as is the pool.
Mirage is very nice.....have stayed there the last 3 years, 6 wks. at a clip. Don't ever remember having a jacuzzi, pleases enlighten me?
I'm not surprised about Blue Cave's recent troubles. We had been staying there for 15 years, but, when they (Susan, the owner, and her new man) fired Teddy (brilliant chef and Petrona's man) and then Petrona herself (beloved manager since it was built), not to mention prohibiting the staff from interacting with the guests anymore, the magic was gone for us. You will find us at Sunset on the Cliffs from 11/30 - 12/28 this year.
I just saw on FBook (can't be fake news, I read it on the internet) that BCC is opening 20Dec (it was from 03Nov so maybe they meant 20Nov?) with all of the old staff and security. I have a feeling that doesn't include Petrona and Teddy...
Our 2 nights in the penthouse didn't happen while in Negril less than 2 weeks ago. We did stop in and see Susan and checked out the property. There have been some notable improvements and some of the old staff is scheduled to come back. Because they probably won't open until around Christmas, I won't post any photos or other information. There is no sense starting up the rumor mill. I wish Susan and the BCC staff all the best and hope we can stay there again sometime. Maybe some of the guests at the end of the month can post some photos.
We ended up at Xtabi (across the street) for 3 nights and then down to Home Sweet Home for 5 more nights.
Regards,
Bob
First place we stayed in Negril, ever, was the penthouse, about 17 years ago. Loved it (and froze at night with only a fan but that was January).
Had my birthday dinner there two years ago with a 15 or so friends....Teddy and Petrona made that happen. It was magical.
I've stayed in 4 or 5 of the rooms there and loved them all. IMO the place really does need an onsite bar-restaurant. Even if one has to order ahead or whatever.
Wishing them nothing but the best. Have stayed in almost every room and were married there 9 years ago. Teddy and Pet would be missed. Thankfully Teddy has found a home as head chef at Treehouse!
C'mon rjonsun. Not even a tidbit?
Ironically this was the hottest room I have ever stayed in. It was July though not December, and I had to move out as I was miserable. If the room had AC it would be a fantastic room to stay in.Quote:
Originally Posted by ohliz
Glad to see Teddy has found steady employment at Treehouse. He is an awesome chef and I'll be sure to visit Treehouse to check out the menu.
November-April I never worry about AC. July is a different story :)
Screens and fans are non-negotiable for me, though the PH has the added benefit of being so high up there aren't many bugs.
Superior rooms at the Castle all have A/C for those that require it. The place is a bargain especially during low season. $60/$90 for deluxe/superior (ac) and $120 for penthouse. Breakfast included would be great but Peewees next door has a good breakfast for $500 J and Pablos is just across the road.Quote:
Originally Posted by booger