Carousel Villa Runaway Bay Jamaica - Holiday Villa Rental

January 18, 2007 ~~~~~~~

I have just completed booking my 6th trip to the Carousel villa in Runaway Bay Jamaica. What an awesome vacation. For anyone interested in a vacation full of total relaxation, immersion into the Jamaica culture, great golf, superb beach, and other activities, there is no better vacation than the Carousel Villa.
My family (including 4 kids) has been going for years. The staff there has become our family friends, we talk to them often. The villa has all the modern necessities, and even a few you don't need on vacation, it has it all. The pool is awesome, the layout is spacious and it is so comfortable.
The meals are unlike anything you can experience in any restaurant in Jamaica, good home-cooked meals, whatever your fancy is. I have developed friendships with my caddy of 12 years Martin, my snorkel/dive coach Daniel, our horseman Robert, and the entire villa staff. Millie, Oswald, John, Angie are world class people who make your vacation as stress-free as possible.
Our driver Eric has helped us really see and experience the "real Jamaica" along with just hanging out as our friend. Hours of dominoes and Red Stripes make for great vacation memories. I highly recommend the Carousel Villa to anyone considering a Jamaica vacation and would be happy to provide any addtional info via email.~~~~~~~~
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October 04, 2006~~~~~~~~~~

What can I say about our stay at Carousel? Hmmmm, let me think......It was probably some of the best 4 days of my life! Our arrival went so smooth, our driver Eric was prompt, we had no problem finding him, he was right where Jennifer said he would be. He was very informative about Runaway Bay and the towns we were passing on the way. I had inadvertently packed my toiletries in my carry-on so in the trash they had to go before I could get through security.
Eric was nice enough to stop at a store for me to stock back up before we got to the villa. He was such a sweet man! So we get to the villa and I am just amazed! It was beautiful. The pool in the middle when you first walk in is great. When you are in the pool at night looking up to the open sky, you feel like you are in a planetarium. The sky was so clear, you could see the milky way and other constellations!
Ossie and Ms. Millie were the greatest! We had good food for every meal! They went out of their way to even cook for a birthday pool party that we had for my friend. To this day she is still talking about the party saying that it was the best birthday party she has ever had! Ms Millie did our laundry (we didn�t even ask her to!) and turned down our beds every night and set the air conditioner, so that our rooms were not too hot when we went to bed. Fresh towels for the beach/pool were plentiful.
We have stayed at other villas in Runaway Bay, but this by far was the best in my book. When in Runaway Bay, make sure you look up The "Horseman", Robert. He has 13 horses that are extremely well groomed, and very very well trained.
Robert, or his cousin Milton, will pick you up at the villa and take you on a ride you will never forget. You will go up into the hills and will be able to look out over the beach and Runaway Bay. The view is spectacular, especially if you are there right before sunset. Then you will ride down the hill to the beach and literally ride into the sunset. It is FABULOUS! Robert and his cousin Milton are the greatest. They will tell you all about Runaway Bay and answer whatever question you have. They can even make suggestions of where to party like a tourist or a local.
Robert can be reached at (876) 376-7164. My advice for your trip - pack light you won�t need much more than a swimsuit and cover-up! If you do go out, it is all casual. Take one day and go into Ocho Rios (Ochie) go shopping, go swim with the dolphins, make sure to stop and get some Juicy Patties (they are the BEST!) Try the meat and cheese.

Then stay in Runaway Bay the rest of the time - you will have a well deserved restful vacation. Make sure to order a drink at the bar from Alphonso (tell him he makes weak drinks and he will make them REALLY strong - he likes a challenge!) :-) he makes really good drinks and they are by no means weak! Make sure you order some food from Chef - just place the order with Alphonso. Ask around for Bola to ride the jet skis. If he is not there, ask Alphonso or Robert (Horseman) to give him a call. It is a lot of fun!!!!
A big thanks to Jennifer & Bill for their outstanding customer service. Jennifer is so sweet and will make sure that whatever your needs are, they are met. She does a great job putting together a packet for your review prior to the trip so that you know what is going on and what you can do in the area. Thanks for making the trip great Jennifer - we will most definitely be back!!!!
Myriam Simmons, Minnesota ********************************************

October 05, 2006~~~~~~~~~~
I'm glad to hear that Carousel is getting better and enjoyed hearing a couple ideas you planted in my head for our next visit. I brought my four young kids under age 10 in June '06'. We were worried about the pool and water and the kids, but now after a few months had passed the place grew on us and all of us want to go back and do things we missed the first time.
There are soooo many things to do in the area. My six year old wants snorkel lessons, which we will give him before we go back. He loved snorkeling in "a fish tank". My wife and I loved the bargaining games we played with the locals in the markets of Ocho Rios. We just have to avoid the ships in port days to get the best deals.

I think one thing that stands out that I forget to mention to people is Carousel is the only villa that provides the carts to drive to the beach at leisure. The other villas suggest calling for transportation or walking. And its no walk I would do with four kids. The owners have put together the most thoughtout complete (no surprises) package I have found.
We'll be back in Feb. '08' and are anxious already. I see your from Minnesota, we'll be up there for a week at Easter break. From Mall of America to the North Shore.~~~~~~~~
Rick and family from Illinois. ********************************************

August 22, 2006~~~~~~~~
I stayed in Runaway Bay at Carousel Villa and loved it!. The pool was in the center of the house and it was fantastic! We ate like Kings - lobster, jerk chicken, etc! We received diving lessons in the pool and then headed out to the Sea! We even road horses through the mountains and the sea. The best part was that they brought the horses right to the villa to pick us up! We are planning on going back this winter, I need to make the call soon to book it! I hope they still have some openings!~~~~~~~~~~~

Laura Brown, Indiana ********************************************

March 08, 2007~~~~~~~~
I am staying there in June 2007. I did a ton of research on many different villas in and around that area. I compiled a huge notebook. Then i went through highlighting good & bad at each place. Carousel Villa won hands down Also I have E-mailed a person who stayed there and he told me he was a cop, and that he & his family always felt totally safe there. That was good enough for me!~~~~~~~~
M&M Travelers ********************************************

2/26/07~~~~~~~~~~~
Billy and Jen: Just wanted to thank you for providing such a well run vaction villa. We have been to jamaica over 6 times prior to this trip and stayed at our favorite place in Negril, but after this trip we have a new favorite place to go. The villa was much more than we expected, and QUIET! Relaxing at the pool with the IPOD hooked into your villa wide system was great. Robert the horseman was very nice and treated us to a great ride. Millie and Ozzie were very good and the food was right on! We are planning a return trip as soon as time allows and based on our experience we are seriously considering having our company meeting at the villa when the time comes.~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks Again Mike & Cari
From: Indianapolis, IN

******************************************** 10/4/06~~~~~~~~

I just recently returned from a fabulous visit to Runaway Bay and Carousel Villa. This was my 4th trip this year to Runaway Bay and Carousel Villa was by far the best villa I have stayed at in Runaway Bay. The staff, Ossie and Ms. Millie were great! They made our stay so relaxing and they pampered us beyond belief.
This trip was a birthday week getaway and I couldn't have picked a better place to spend my birthday. If you decide to stay at Carousel, you WILL NOT be disappointed :-)
Just bring your swimsuit and your appetite and you will have a fabulous time!!!!!!!! Thanks to Jenn for all of your help and attention to our needs while we stayed at your villa.~~~~~~~~~
Leila from Arizona ********************************************

8/27/05~~~~~~~~
You will love it! I am going back for my 1y anniversary. I got married just outside of the villa on May 6, 2005. Just my husband and I stayed at the villa, and it was so peaceful. Some days we just hung out and other days we went scuba diving and horse back riding. Oh and the water is that pretty aqual/teal color.
The maid and butler at the villa are so kind and easy to love. We were never bothered except when they asked what we would like to eat and when. We love music so we took all our cd's and listened to the stero surrounding the pool. We were living it up and we cant wait to go back. If you stay at the villa, you may never want to stay at a hotel again. Just think of all the privacy.
Peace~~~~~~~~~~
Brittany Martin, Indiana ********************************************

8/22/05~~~~~~~~~~
Jenn and Bill provided us a wonderful opportunity to get away and tune out. After some time in a very volatile Iraq, this was what the doctor ordered and Jenn and Bill delivered. We were pampered and taken care of from clean towels to Miss Millie's gourmet cuisine. Oswald was attentive and John went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed from the grocery and package store. With nothing to worry about, we did just that- worried over nothing. Thanks, guys!!~~~~~~~~
Dave and Jill, Atlanta ******************************************

7/18/05~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill & Jennifer, My family just returned from 12 wonderful days at Runaway Bay. It was our 5th trip staying at Carousel Villa. We first began visiting in 1995 and we are counting the days until our next visit. The upgrades, modernization, golf package, and new decor is fantastic. The villa is like a fine wine, improving over time. The villa staff and other friends we have made there make this trip once in a lifetime, each time we go. The villa staff of Oswald, Millie, John, and Angela exceed all of our expectations, we consider them family friends. Eric (driver), Daniel (diving), Robert (Horseback), Hanna (hair braids), Martin Whyte (caddie) and others have all become close friends whom we talk & write to regularly. Where else can you develop friendships like these on a vacation? Over the years we have stayed at the villa with and without our children. We have found both experiences to be equally relaxing and rewarding. The food, views from the villa, pampering, private beach, and overall environment is one of a kind. I have several friends who say that they have visited Jamaica (staying in all-inclusive hotels).
My response to them is that they have not REALLY visited Jamaica. I am in the process of planning my return trip next summer. I will be forwarding some fantastic photos from our recent trip. Feel free to forward anyone who may be considering a visit to me for any insight or additional information. Thanks for your flexibility with dates, booking, and overall responsive during my trip planning.~~~~~~~~~~
Randy Burke, Ohio ********************************************

5/26/05~~~~~~~~

i found this wonderful place and sent my mother and some family down .. they loved it .. we will be planning a return trip.~~~~~~~
Travis kelley, iowa *******************************************

5/6/05~~~~~~~~~

Jennifer, The experience at the villa was wonderful. This was our 4th trip to Jamaica but the first in a villa. We had been going to 5 star all-inclusives and had been only somewhat pleased. Cindy and I both agree this was our favorite trip to the island and the only way to go in the future. The villa was great, very relaxing, and had a feel of old elgance,(in a good way), it reminded me of the Greenbriar in WV, in a way. We liked the large rooms and huge bathroom.
The grounds were well kept and the view of the ocean provide me with hours of thought. The staff is the heart of this great place. I can't say enough about these wonderful people. They all made us feel like family and could'nt have done anything any better.

Wow !! Millie could possibly be the best cook there is. Every single thing she cooked was the best that I have ever had, anywhere, at any price. At our special request she made a beef roast, a whole turkey and dressing dinner, fantastic ribs, and awesome red snapper. She is a very sweet woman as well. Oswald was very good ! He was always the perfect professional and you could set your watch by his punctuality. The call to breakfast, " ya mon " , meant breakfast is served and it was always great.
What a nice guy. John was fun to talk to and did a very nice job on the grounds. Eric, our driver, treated us great and went out of his way to make us feel comfortable and safe. He has a great sense of humor and kept us laughing most of the time. On a day trip, we were 3 hours into the mountains, on a road no wider than the van and Cindy asked Eric if he was sure this was the right road. Sounding concerned, he said, "You know , I was wondering the same thing." He then burst out laughing as we turned the corner and hit the main road. What a fun trip that was. I know I've rambled on a bit but there are so many stories I would like to tell.
All in all I woulld like to say that we both found a new respect and sincere love for the Jamaican people and the island in general. I think we owe it all to Carosel Villa. Congratulations to you as the new owners of this great place. You should be very proud !! We'll book again soon. Thanks again.~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeff and Cindy Gardner, Florida *****************************************

5/4/05~~~~~~~~~

Thankyou Bill and Jennifer for an incredible stay at your villa! Where do I begin? The excellent food, the wonderful staff, the view of the golf course, the dive and the horseback riding through the mountains! It was all so incredible! Oswald and Millie (Great Cooks!) had fresh seafood, what ever we wanted every meal.
The Kachie and Papaya were my favorite. Daniel, the dive intructor, came to the villa, we took about an hour lesson in the pool and then out to the reef. We saw so many fish! Shopping, ah...... the exchange 60 Jamaican dollars to 1 American ... enough said. Cannot wait to return next year!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~
Karen Lawrence Morgan County Indiana ****************************************

4/6/05~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello Bill and Jennifer: I just now have had the time to write you about my awesome Jamaican vacation at your Villa! It was absolutely breathtaking especially the view from the Veranda: the Golf Course and the Sea! You made it so easy to experience the true Jamaica..we rode horses in the mountains and the Caribbean Sea, we scuba dove with Dan and we shopped the Market in Ocho Rios! Your driver Eric was a God send :) I have never been so pampered in my life! The ethnic food was fabulous...P.S. I found akee at the City Market Downtown! Millie and Oswald were so friendly and they took great care of us! We will definatly be back! Thank you so much for sharing your home with us!~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laura Brown and Family, Indianapolis ****************************************

4/4/05~~~~~~~~~~~
Well we are back in cold Chicago after a week in your tropical paradise. The villa was even better than we had imagined. It was so clean and comfortable
The location was wonderful and the staff incredible. Millie and Oswald were two of the nicest, most considerate people we have met. They really made sure everything was up to par and that we were comfortable. The food was great! We are now addicted to akee and chocho and trying desperately to find it here. And the lobster, wow!! The pool was awesome and the beach was so peaceful.
We have stayed in some of the most exclusive resorts and hotels in the world from Europe to The Beverly Hills Hotel but suffice it to say that this was the most peaceful and relaxing vacation we have ever had.We will definitely be coming back! Anyone interested in renting your villa will be in for a great treat. Go for it!!! Thanks a million Jennifer,Bill,Millie and Oswald.~~~~~~~~~~
Sincerely,Alex-Joanne-Dean-Matthew, Chicago ****************************************

3/22/05~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Jennifer, We are getting ready to leave in a few hours for your beautiful villa. We cannot thank you enough for being so wonderful during the entire planning process. After dealing with you it's hard to think about going with a regular hotel again. Your tips and advice and special touches are greatly appreciated and I know they will go along way in making our trip to Jamaica more pleasurable. We will sign in upon return and let you know how everything went. With sincerest thanks,~~~~~~~~~~
Joanne and Alex, Chicago **************************************

2/20/05~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Bill and Jennifer, Just wanted to touch base with you and let you know we had a wonderful time at the Villa. Millie, Oswald and John were great. The food, the beach, snorkeling, diving with Daniel, the pool, the peace and quiet, all were GREAT! We also wanted to thank you both again for your willingness to work with our schedule, as that was above and beyond and we really appreciated your flexibility.~~~~~~~~
Sincerely, Jim Walling. Colorado ***************************************

1/9/05 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have stayed at Carousel Villa with my family. It is a wonderful, magical place that will be a fond memory for me forever. I hope to go back again someday. It has been about 10 years ago, but I can see the beauty of the grounds in my mind still. We spent a wonderful Christmas week there, just the family, sharing wonderful memories. I was happy to read in your description of the villa that Mildred, Oswald and John are still there. My sons will always remember them, especially "Ozzie" (as they nicknamed their favorite, Oswald).~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Patty Hancock, Indiana