Places to stay in Port Antonio

[TAH]

TAH,

I just returned from Portland. Solo for 11 nights and didn’t experience one moment of fear or trouble. I stayed (for the first time) at a villa that will from now on be my Portland home away from home. The property, located in Fairy Hill Gardens, is owned by a wonderful couple whose objective is to ensure their guests feel like family. Not meddlesome, just attentive. Seven units and all but two have AC. I plan to post information about Winnifred Breeze soon, but if you are considering visiting Portland, I will be happy to pass on a contact number to you or anyone else via PM now.

Not disputing anything JitterBug posted because she is more knowledgeable about the area than I am, but I visited Long Bay quite a bit while I was there in October of last year as well as a few weeks ago. I didn’t see crack users at anytime. Could have been because I stayed mainly on the beach side and not in the community? Like she said, it's a beautiful area.

Two Long Bay bar/restaurants where I hang out are frequented well by tourists. Most times I didn’t leave until dark and would hop a route taxi back to my room.

I don’t know where the robberies you spoke of took place, but I’ve stayed at several properties in Portland (always alone) and never felt unsafe at any of them. Again, I’m speaking from my own experiences.

I can recommend Match Resort, Tim Bamboo and Winnifred Breeze without hesitation. Toss in Gee Jam, Trident Castle or the Palace if your pockets are that deep. The other places I stayed are guesthouses/villas but because they don’t have AC, I won’t recommend them.

Thanks for the info, vi. I was kinda hoping you'd respond here, as I had read your trip report a few months back and figured you'd know about the area. I feel somewhat better now, though still a bit apprehensive. We're not at all the AI type of people, we generally stay at smaller, low key places. No AC generally isn't a problem during the months we travel to JA, so that wouldn't be a deal breaker for me as long as there is a breeze and decent ventilation in the room. If you don't mind, I would appreciate the contact info, and any other quick tips you may have. Thanks again.

[sammyb]

Agree with Vi have never felt unsafe while in Portland...the complete opposite. I'm naturally street smart so I never leave 'that" at home but never feared while there and a few times stayed in the Villa at Fern Hill which is VERY remote. All other places I've stayed I too have felt safe. I have read about issues in long bay and because of that I don't think I would stay in the area but it's not because I've felt unsafe while visiting. I think you will love Port Antonio and all that the area has to offer. Very different vibe there as compared to other parishes.

[TAH]

Agree with Vi have never felt unsafe while in Portland...the complete opposite. I'm naturally street smart so I never leave 'that" at home but never feared while there and a few times stayed in the Villa at Fern Hill which is VERY remote. All other places I've stayed I too have felt safe. I have read about issues in long bay and because of that I don't think I would stay in the area but it's not because I've felt unsafe while visiting. I think you will love Port Antonio and all that the area has to offer. Very different vibe there as compared to other parishes.

Thanks, I really appreciate the responses. I'm a very street wise guy, and we love to get off the beaten track, but some of the stories I'd read combined with having never been to that side of the island (and the fact that the misses is very attractive) gave me second thoughts. Our last trip we stayed in a guesthouse in Treasure Beach, on Tranquility Bay, and absolutely loved it. We walked everywhere (so much walking I think my feet are still bruised) at all hours and never felt unsafe at all. One night we got lost and had forgotten our flashlight (it gets very dark there at night), we were six miles away from our place and walking little dirt tracks trying to find our way back. Ended up running into some random guy walking his daughter home, and he walked us all the way back to our place. We were just amazed, and really decided then that we wanted to get out and explore the island further. You guys have given me the push I needed, Portland is up next. Again, many thanks.