Hospitality Jamaica :: One of the best nature getaways

Located in the Port Antonio resort area, it is one of the more historically rich and fascinating resorts. According to manager Frank Lawrence, there was an employed broker in the Florida area with the sole duty of providing the wants of the guests. Items which could not be found in Jamaica were sourced in Florida and brought in within 24 hours, he bragged. "Guests then were primarily upscale."

With a fresh-water stream, along with a secure beach surrounded by jetted rocks sheltering its white sand in the heart of the Jamaican rainforest, Frenchman's Cove is still one of the best nature getaways. Today, it may not be as swanky, but this Jamaican landmark has not lost its luxurious and rustic appeal, providing the comfort of a modern-day resort.

It opened its door during Jamaican Independence celebrations in 1962 and is located on 48-acres which boast 16 villas, two suites, 10 studios, 10 one-bedroom, four two-bedroom, and one three-bedroom flat. It is a popular destination for weddings, honeymoons, vacations, retreats and workshops.

Hospitality Jamaica spent two nights at the resort recently and in an interview with New Jersey insurance executive Stephen Shenkman, he said, "As a person who has been coming to Frenchman's Cove for the past seven years, I say with great certainty that this beautiful verdant unspoiled land is the best kept secret, from its natural beauty to its embracing people".

He hopes that even as it attracts more people for its development, it will remain natural.

Jamaica's first all-inclusive

Frenchman's Cove was purchased by Garfield Weston from Cold Harbour Limited in the mid-1950s. His idea, initially, was to build a complex to accommodate his own executives and merited staff. However, Cold Harbour Estates stipulated in the purchase contract that this unique site become a public resort to help in the development of the San San area in particular and the region in general. His oldest son, Grainger, took over and completed the various construction stages to create the still existing Frenchman's Cove resort.

Grainger Weston's original plan was to impose a new resort concept where a guest would pay a flat fee to include all services - food, drinks, transportation and tips (no tipping allowed). He employed Swiss-born hotelier Jean-Pierre Aubry who enthusiastically shared Grainger's views of the operation and executed the task with great success. Each guest enjoyed about the best service to be had: one housekeeper, one butler for two. Breakfast was served by the same housekeeper at the individual one or two-bedroom cottages beautifully laid out around the cliffs, with utmost privacy. An electrical golf buggy was at the disposal of each guest to move freely around the property (beach, dining area, etc.) if they did not wish to walk. Each night, the buggies were automatically charge in front of the cottage. Lunch was served anywhere a guest wished: under a blooming tree, beach or cottage by the individual butler.