White Owl

With a 200 feet oceanfront location and surrounded by a mature garden, the setting of White Owl can only be described as breathtaking. From the delightful ocean hideaway spots to the absolutely charming interiors, this is a villa for true escapists who love nothing more than the sound of the wind and the waves.

Found at the far eastern end of Country Club Drive, bordering the ocean and surrounded by a very large, beautifully mature garden, is a very special home. And this is a home in the true sense of the word, as it is one of the very first villas to be built at the Tryall Club and has remained in the same family ever since. When the owners came to visit the land, as they turned to walk away from the ocean, a white owl was sitting staring at the bough of a tree and so it was only natural that their home should be called White Owl.

If you dream of staying awhile in a quintessential beachfront cottage where the waves lap the shoreline, the trade winds blow and the sea and sky constantly shift from one shade of blue to another then this will not disappoint and you may well feel that you have found your utopia. Inherently Jamaican in its spirit and through the colourful works of art that adorn the walls which include paintings and sculptures of owls, the interior style is a celebration of tropical family life with white painted furniture, hand- stenciled pieces, soft- hued fabrics and books aplenty to read. It is a much loved, lived-in home that is instantly welcoming – there is even a wall thoughtfully hung with an assortment of straw hats, some plain and some embellished in case you forgot to bring your own.

The lofty living room is the core of the house with doors that open up on all sides to allow the sea air to flow through and the painted furniture is arranged to provide several seating areas – ideal for entertaining. At the ocean end of the room, doors lead out to a very pretty veranda that flows around the outside of the room, arranged with white rattan chairs to relax in, tables for drinks, a dining area, and the swimming pool close by. The beach and sea are just steps away, as is the rolling expanse of the garden to the right. The private 200 foot long pier is a splendid attribute and there are numerous spaces along the wide private shorefront upon which to dine, sit quietly and read, practice yoga or recline, and await the green flash as the sun disappears over the horizon.

There are three large bedrooms and a small 4th bedroom each with a flat-screen television. All are fully air-conditioned. You will more often than not find that by being so close to the sea that the ceiling fans are sufficient together with the ocean breeze. Pleasing pastel colours, white painted and wicker furniture, and interesting paintings and objects ensure that each room has its own particular character. The extremely large master bedroom faces both the ocean and the gardens, with doors leading out to the sea. The high conical ceiling and graceful window architraves are reminiscent of a classical Jamaican Great House, and the atmosphere is one of both calm and serenity. The en suite bathroom has a shower and a separate bathtub. The second, equally spacious guest bedroom has a king-size bed and opens to face the swimming pool and sea; the third bedroom has twin beds that can be made into a king and the fourth smaller bedroom has two twin beds that can also be turned into a king. All have en suite bathrooms with a bath/shower combination.

The experienced staff includes some who have served White Owl for over twenty years, bringing warmth and knowledge of Jamaica as well as the Tryall Club. The cook is known for inspired home cooking using herbs, leaves and vegetables grown in the garden.