A Family Affair

by with No Comment Blogs
There could be nothing better in life than to spend time with family that is untroubled by any other responsibility than making sure that sunscreen is applied or life vests are secured.
Who Needs TV When You Can Climb a Tree?
Or, Hide Inside One?
No getting lost in the woods, just hiding out in the massive buttress roots of the giant cotton trees.For the Youngest Travellers
We have a crib, playpen, daybed and highchairs for the youngest of travellers. A nanny service is also available.Learning Architecture on The Beach
Whose Turn For Dishes?
And mom and dad don’t need to spend a minute in the supermarket or kitchen.Our staff does it all – shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning up. Now, that’s service.Tennis Anyone?
The tennis court is in great shape. Our security guard, Charmer, has masterfully top-dressed it and rolled it. George, our gardener, makes sure that it is watered and broomed. Local tennis pros are available for hitting and teaching. Just bring your own rackets, balls and shoes, but we do have general purpose rackets for adults and children, and a bucket of practice balls for those who want to give it a try.
What, me worry?
We all need an escape from these uncertain and stressful times and where could be a better place be than in a hammock in the Caribbean? The very words hammock, canoe, tobacco and bar-b-que were all given to us by the Arawack indians of Jamaica. The indentured servants from India most likely brought ganja to Jamaica where it is now legal for medicinal purposes.
Book Now and Save

Coming In From The Cold

by with No Comment Blogs
Island Escape
Relief is just a flight away from the bone-chilling effects of winter and from the Covid restrictions of social distancing and mask wearing.
Whether you want to have a long respite or a brief getaway, there are still about six weeks available at Llantrissant with spans as short as five days, up to eighteen days, and anything in-between. Check the availabilty calendar for the open dates.We are waiving the weekend surcharge for stays longer than seven nights. We are also offering a 10% last-minute getaway discount for any reservations made within one week of departure and a 20% discount made within three days of departure. The minimum night stay requirement is four nights in the peak season and two nights in the off-peak season.Our BeachesThe name Beachcliff came about from the fact that we are at the beginning of the cliffs on the West End and we have two pocket beaches that represent extensions of the Seven Mile Beach, therefore, the tagline, “Where the Cliffs and The Beaches Meet.”
The larger of the two beaches is about 120 feet long, and the smaller is about 60 feet. Both beaches have sandy bottoms with occasional stones that get washed in by‘big seas’. The coral reefs seem to be making a comeback but are struggling to do so as are all the reefs globally.
Our four kayaks and two standup paddleboards can be launched from any of the beaches and easily from the boat landing especially for anyone who is interested in venturing out to sea when the seas are rough.
We have life jackets for adults and a limited number of life jackets for children. We also have four swimming bouys that attach at the waist for those who want to do open water swimming. There are at least a dozen pairs of fins and a dozen masks and snorkels.
All of the watersports equipment is available at no charge, but a damage/loss waiver is required.Hanging out
There are no shortages of chaise lounges, Adirondack chairs and hammocks which you can place anywhere on the property to spend with friends and family.
DiningThe veranda has been the go-to spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, the large table on the seawall can be a nice alternative, especially during the Spring and Summer at sunset.
Sparkling Water ServiceWe are offering a special sparkling water service. With the availability of bottled spring water in 5 gallon bottles that has a dispenser, the staff is now trained to fizz the water using a SodaStream dispenser. You will have a choice of either flat or sparkling water or both that will be served in stoppered bottles with your meals. The cost of the 5 gallon bottled water is US$7.00 delivered as needed and an additional fee is charged for the gas depending on the size of the group and the length of stay.
TennisWe maintain our red clay court in tip-top shape throughout the year. It is watered when required, and rolled at least once a week.
Tennis pros are available for individual or group lessons at US$40 per hour.Our StaffIn the hospitality industry, except for healthcare, the value of a great staff can not be overstated. The villa vacation experience in Jamaica is defined by its staff and ours is second to none. Depending on the size of the group, there may be only one but as many as three housekeepers who share the duties of cooking and housekeeping. The groundskeeper is responsible for maintaining the tennis court, lawns and beaches. The night watchmen are kept on their toes by the presence of our two dogs, Stella and Sam. We have six walkie-talkies that are used by the staff during the day and are available to the guests during the night to communicate with the watchman. Our manager is on-call for any questions or emergencies. Our minibus drivers are members of JUTAand operate independently and are available for airport transfers and day trips.Looking AheadThe Government of Jamaica has been very proactive regarding the pandemic with strict entry requirements and mitigation measures for the hospitality industry. There is no doubt that the pandemic will last for years and will be accompanied by fatigue and stress. A vacation is probably the best medicine under these circumstances and we are encouraging our loyal base and prospective guests to take advantage of the unique environment of Llantrissant Beachcliff Villa for that special experience.
Rate ChangesWe have not had a rate increase in almost 10 years so we will be increasing the rates by a little less than 10% for the 2022-23 Season. The peak season begins at Thanksgiving week and runs through April 14th, 2023. The Holiday rates are at the whole-house rate regardless of occupancy.Greetings for the New YearWith all of the exigencies of the past two years, we have been fortunate to have a very resilient staff who have been devoted to us as we have been to them. This cohesiveness has made our visits to the property less stressful and more enjoyable than we could have expected. It has been a labor of love for all the years that we have owned the place, and there does not seem to be anything, even Covid-19, that can shake this devotion.We are hoping that all of you are as blessed as we have been, and hope that the New Year will bring you prosperity and peace.All the best from,Craig and Cherry and the Staff

Environmentally Friendly

by with No Comment Blogs
Since many prospective guests have wondered why we don’t have air conditioning at Llantrissant I have included the photo below that was taken at 7:00 AM.
August 2, 2021 at Llantrissant

This photograph of the humidity/temperature sensor was taken around 7AM on August 2, 2021 showing that the temperature was 73°F or 23°C. This was no aberration. For almost the entire month of July and early August, the early mornings were in the mid-70s which meant that with ceiling fans blowing directly downward onto the beds, the perceived temperature was actually lower and required that a bedspread be pulled over oneself. You will note that the humidity was 88% which was the result of the summer rains that are typical for a subtropical climate. However, with the sea breezes and ceiling fans, it contributed to a cooling rather than a muggy effect. The open architecture of the house is complemented by its ceiling fans that promote airflow through the louvered windows and wide-open doors. Such airiness unites the interior with the external environment. This has made it possible to avoid the negative consequences that air conditioning is having on climate change.

Since Jamaica is in the Tropic of Cancer, it is considerably milder than the equatorial tropical zone. In particular, Negril is facing west which not only makes for spectacular sunsets but also for less overall rainfall. Oftentimes, rains from across the bay never reach the West End which makes it somewhat arid.

Llantrissant itself is located on a small peninsula facing northwardly into the Caribbean Sea which means that it picks up sea breezes from all directions. And, the magnificent canopy provided by our centuries-old cotton trees makes Llantrissant one of the coolest places to be.
Sunny in Negril, raining in Hanover.

Thanksgiving in Negril.

There are still some open dates available for the remainder of this year, including the week of Thanksgiving. We are all so weary of the pandemic, but take advantage of the special discounts available for the remainder of this year.Weddings and Receptions
The word Llantrissant means “a place where lovers meet” and we believe that there is a magic here that can only enhance any wedding and reception. Our reservation model is shifting away from week-long stays in order to accommodate events. This means that there will only be a two-night minimum stay for events to provide for the setup and take-down processes. Also, we have eliminated the Saturday check-in and check-out, hence there is more flexibility to make your plans.

Social Media Contributions.

Obviously, it has been pretty rough over the past year and a half. Nevertheless, we have kept the property staffed on a 24/7 basis. We are all hoping for the best but hope alone is not the answer. For any and all of you who have stayed at Llantrissant, we would appreciate it if you post your comments and photographs on Trip Advisor, Instagram at beach_cliff, FaceBook at Llantrissant Beachcliff Villa or Llantrissant Villa. and Twitter @beachcliffvilla.

Covid-19 Update.

The Jamaican government has been doing a terrific job with limited resources. The latest statistics show that there have been a total of 63,831 cases and 1,431 deaths islandwide. Most of our staff has been vaccinated and/or are waiting to get vaccinated. We are following the guidelines by wearing masks, keeping socially distant when possible, and using hand sanitizers. Curfews are strictly adhered to which means that our staff may have to leave the property earlier than usual but not until the evening meal has been prepared.

History in the Making

On July 25, 2021 an article about Llantrissant appeared in the Sunday Gleaner. Although it was a very complimentary piece the author neglected to address the fact that a historical wooden house needs constant maintenance. Sometimes when a door scrapes on the floor it is because of the gradual shifting of the Earth and the simple remedy is to take the door off its hinges and plane the bottom. However, at other times, a greater effort and material is needed to shore up the structure of the house to realign door jams.
Looking Ahead

Hopefully, 2022 will be a brighter and safer year than it has been over the past year and a half. The vaccination program in the US seems to be working but we still have a long way to go. Please stay safe so that you can visit us in the coming year.

All The best,

Craig, Cherry and the Staff.