Description
A small boutique hotel located in the sleepy fishing village of Treasure Beach on Jamaica's South Coast. Jake's has been dubbed the chic-est shack in the Caribbean by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Created by theatrical designer Sally Henzell and influenced by architect Antonio Gaudi, Jake's stands out as a unique piece of art.
COMING THIS FALL - JAKES NEW HONEYMOON SUITES
Dining
Jake's Dining:
A wide variety of local dishes cooked to order. Jake's kitchen is famous for great soups (Pumpkin is a favourite), Crab Cakes, Jerk Chicken, and Lobster Salad.
History
The year Sally Henzell was born her father designed and built Treasure Cot, a small seaside retreat just down the road from today’s Jakes. Treasure Beach was Sally’s family’s favorite place in the whole world - long lazy summer days were spent fishing, swimming and taking walks - simple pleasures were much appreciated – music, stories, bonfires, starry nights and full moons. In those days dirt roads and donkeys were the common means of transport - Treasure Beach was mostly unknown to the rest of Jamaica. Sally’s mother was good at keeping Treasure Beach a secret, if anyone with “development” in mind appeared Sally’s mom was quick to respond with letters telling of shark attacks, undertows and frequent drownings, largely imaginary off-putting scenarios. Sixty years later and still relatively untouched by high-density hotels and tourism, Treasure Beach remains a retreat for those seeking quiet solitude and nature unembellished. In 1991 Sally bought the parcel of land which has become Jake's – it had one small house which she envisioned as a vacation cottage for her family. “But when I was finishing the house, we had nowhere to eat, so I decided this had to be a restaurant.” In 1993 Sally opened Jake's “with four solar powered lights, a flirtatious cook and electricity from an extension cord next door. But then we had nowhere to live, so I became a builder and did another house.” Sally started the hotel by renting out half the new two bedroom cottage. About that time Jason – Sally and husband Perry’s (Perry is the writer and director of Jamaica’s classic reggae film “The Harder They Come”) son - announced he was ready to leave banking and devote himself to Jake’s as full time partner and general manager. Sally and Jason became the perfect team. From restaurant and one room Jake's has grown to two restaurants and 29 rooms (there are 4 2 - bedroom cottages and 1 3 - bedroom cottage, the rest romantic single bedroom bungalows) and continues to be a work in progress. Sally designed Jake's with a huge heart and bohemian spirit – each cottage is designed around, and inspired by the landscape, each building honoring the gifts of nature. Rooms are furnished with antiques and found objects that have been creatively recycled.