Hotel Jamaican Colors

Wherever you’re coming from, arriving at Hotel Jamaican Colors feels like an accomplishment. Located off a dirt road in Jamaica’s northeastern Portland Parish, Hotel Jamaican Colors is surrounded by, well, nothing. The hotel is the type of place where you can hear birds chirping in the morning and crickets humming in the evening. Guests laze the day away in hammocks that overlook the ocean and splash around in the small pool. There isn’t much to do here, but that’s kind of the point. Garden grounds are dotted with colorful cottages decorated with everything from a painted Jamaican flag to a mural of Bob Marley. Hotel Jamaican Colors attracts all kinds of travelers, from families with children, to couples, to solo backpackers. The clientele is quite international, drawing from the United States, Canada, and Europe. Since the owners are French, the hotel receives lots of French and French Canadian visitors. Travelers who only speak English shouldn’t have too much trouble communicating about basic matters (the owners speak a tiny bit of English), but in-depth conversations might be difficult. 

Hotel Jamaican Colors is located on a secluded clifftop property in Portland Parish. The nearest noteworthy town is Port Antonio, a laid-back beach town with an authentic Caribbean feel. Portland doesn’t draw the same tourist crowds as Montego Bay or Negril, but adventurous travelers tend to appreciate Portland’s locals-only atmosphere. Many travelers use Portland as a base to explore the natural wonders of the lushest -- and rainiest -- part of Jamaica, including the Blue Mountains, Rio Grande Valley, and the Blue Lagoon-- the same one featured in the 1980 Brooke Shields' flick by the same name. There isn’t much to see or do in the immediate area surrounding Hotel Jamaican Colors, but there is a secluded beach within a 10-minute walk. The only downside is that the beach is often littered with trash. The nearest airport to Hotel Jamaican Colors is Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, a whopping two- and a-half hours away. The trip from the airport is a colorful one -- and we’re not just referring to the scenery. Roads are bumpy and sometimes flooded. Traffic jams are caused by goats in the road. And careless local drivers can make for a headache-inducing journey. We’d recommend the hotel’s airport transport service (additional fee) over a car rental. Even drivers accustomed to driving in the Caribbean will be challenged on these roads. 

Rooms at Hotel Jamaican Colors are charmingly rustic. Housed in individual cottages, rooms have an authentic Jamaican feel. Each cottage is painted in pastel shades of green and yellow (the colors of the Jamaican flag), and has a nationally-inspired name like Reggae or One Love. Inside, whitewashed wood plank walls are brightened with colorful accents, and each room looks a bit different from the next. One cottage has a yellow theme, while its neighbor features red hues. Cottages have one king- or two twin-size beds, which come expertly wrapped in mosquito netting. Rooms are equipped with mini-fridges and standing fans, but there aren’t any TVs, Wi-Fi access, or air conditioners. Bathrooms are tiny, with shower stalls and pedestal sinks, but showers have hot water and excellent pressure. In addition to the property’s five cottages, Hotel Jamaican Colors also has a larger bungalow with a kitchenette. The bungalow has one bedroom with a king-size bed and two twin beds in the living area. There’s also an attic loft where more mattresses can be added for additional people. The bungalow is ideal for families, or anyone intending to stay at the hotel for an extended period.  

Hotel Jamaican Colors is light on features. It has a small pool that overlooks the ocean, the pool is surrounded by plastic lounge chairs, and there’s a covered cabana with several hammocks. Plenty of guests spend their days relaxing by the pool, or at the nearby beach. Though the property isn’t technically on the beach, there is one within walking distance. The tiny cove is stunning, except it’s littered with lots of trash. Guests can walk to the beach from the hotel in about 10 minutes, but the pathway there is steep and slippery, so we suggest wearing proper footwear (aka not flip-flops). Adjacent to the pool is the hotel’s restaurant and bar. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and breakfast is included in the nightly room rate. Breakfast is a continental buffet consisting of fresh fruit and homemade pastries, bread, and jam. Don’t leave Hotel Jamaican Colors without spreading guava jam on toast! There’s also tea and excellent Jamaican coffee. Lunch and dinner are served a la carte, and the menus consists of local specialities like jerk chicken, coconut lobster curry, and escovitch snapper. It also has a European/American section with pizza, pasta, and burgers. All meals are prepared by the owners, using fresh, local ingredients. The bar is a casual open-air space with a pool table and scattered wicker chairs. At night guests order drinks and play a few rounds of pool before heading off to bed. Nightlife here is non-existent, and the property typically becomes completely quiet by 11 pm. There’s free Wi-Fi in the restaurant area. Once connected, the Wi-Fi is fast and maintains a strong signal as long as guests remain around the bar and restaurant.