Great Huts Resort is a nature lover’s dream, situated on top of the cliffs that overlook Boston Bay beach and the Caribbean sea. Unique huts are positioned throughout the property that offers something different. A favourite with wellness practitioners and yoga enthusiasts. However, for us, it didn’t achieve the satisfaction that others had experienced.
As we liked the idea of seeing something unique, we were interested in seeing the African influences and in, being honest, staying somewhere a little different. The journey there, however, was something else.
The Journey
We visited Great Huts Resort from Kingston. It’s a long drive taking us nearly 4 hours to get there.
Leaving Kingston traffic with the taxi drivers weaving in and out of traffic, delivery drivers on motorbikes honking their horns, and hazard lights flashing as they pull in and out of traffic at dangerous speeds is the norm. While also avoiding potholes. The journey takes us up over the mountains, where we see more packed buses taking people back to their villages.
We enjoy driving up into the mountains. Roads cut into hills, the different assortments of trees, bushes that line the street, and odd colorful houses that pop out from between the trees.
Unfortunately, this all changes once you enter Port Antonio and the worse roads I’ve seen. I have seen landslides in the mountains and repairs done to roads affected by them over the years of living in Jamaica. But the roads near Port Antonio and to Boston beach are something else. How the local people manage the state of the roads, either full of potholes, or poorly filled repairs, I do not know.
During our visit, the water company was repairing/replacing the main water pipe running along the road. Strangely after the work had moved to the next section, the road was covered back up and left in a worse state than before they started.
Some roads in Jamaica are bad. Potholes are a thing. However, for visitors visiting the great places around Jamaica, seeing the roads that bad after getting off the plane is not a true reflection of Jamaica.
Arriving at Great Huts Resort
Great Huts Resort is at the end of a road next to Boston Beach. Full of bars, stalls, and restaurants. While bustling in the day, come alive at night, when the lights and music start to increase.
If arriving by car, you can park outside the gate leading into the property. It’s a small area, but when we arrived there was only one other car, so we managed to park near the gate.
This site reminds you to pack lightly, as there are steps, rocks, and roots to navigate to your hut. Even more special when it’s raining, as the different surfaces add a bit of spice to the walk.
Reception is located below the main dining, along with the kitchen. The area is decorated with artworks hanging on the walls or standing proudly.
Given that Jamaica is the land of wood and water, both are abundant here.
Nature Lover’s Dream?
The huts are dotted around the site, peering through trees and tucked away in bushes. Some are on the edge of the cliffs looking out to see, others are more inland. The great house is at the back of the property, decorated nicely, clean, and very different from the rustic huts.
Some of the huts have outdoor showers and outdoor toilets. A few have small plunge pools; others are treehouses overlooking the site and out to sea. Each has its charms.
There is also a mini zoo type. There was a giant tortoise and a parrot in one enclosure and a selection of small birds in another.
If choosing one of the huts, the website states that if you don’t like the idea of crabs and lizards wandering around, this is not the place for you. This is true; harmless crabs freely roam inside and outside your hut, and lizards pop up, helping to catch the bugs that are attracted to the light in the evening.
Cockroaches scurry around when disturbed, often near the outdoor toilet and shower area. This can make going to the bathroom or using the shower a bit of a shock.
During our stay, we had several cats patrolling the area. You would see them pop their heads in to see what you’re doing and then wander off. No idea if they live on-site or just visiting.
This is living outside with everything that comes with it. People have been known to like the idea but decide it is too much after a night or two.
Too much nature?
There is, however, a choice to stay in the Royal African Rooms, which are in the main building at the back of the property where the rooms are all finely decorated, come without wandering crabs and lizards, and are a bit more luxurious for those not wanting to go too far down the basic living standards. This is also where the outdoor pool is situated.
Our Hut – Sea Grape
We opted for a Safari Chic hut, Sea Grape. This boasts being amongst sea grape trees, having two rooms, one being a separate dining area with cliffside views of the Caribbean sea. An outdoor soaking tub and outdoor bathroom and shower facility as well. A fridge is provided in the room and a small closet.
It did indeed have all those things. There are no doors to the hut, a half door with a curtain separates you from outside. And another curtain between the outdoor seating area and outdoor restroom/shower area adds a bit of privacy.
The huts lack any air conditioning but have a floor fan. These are most useful when placed close to a person. The fan becomes useless if used in the evening when the netting is around the bed. So you have a choice of the net and no benefit from the fan, or no net, slight breeze, and a chance of mosquitos.
While the outdoor toilet is covered, the shower is not. Therefore when it rains, you have a choice of natural or piped water for your shower.
The tin roof makes a racket when it rains, and the outdoor seating area is soaked if the wind blows in the right direction.
Things we didn’t like with the Sea Grape Hut
The bedroom area has a large bed, only accessed from one side, which is a pain unless you are sleeping closest to the way out.
With the number of visitors running around the place, we lived out of our bags and zipped them up afterwards in fear of taking a new friend home.
The outdoor soaking tub was out of action. This was not mentioned at the time of booking. Otherwise, we would have swapped. A soaking tub would have been nice when the humidity gets a bit too much.
Credit to the staff, they did ask if we wanted another hut, but availability was such that only one hut was available for the remainder of our stay. We decided to stay in the Sea Grape.
Culture
There is a lot of culture on show as you enter Great Huts Resort, from the artefacts, the styling of each Hut, and the dining room. It is said that locals and visitors from around the world, like artists, poets, scholars, and artisans, have visited and stayed in the huts to be inspired.
The site had a humble beginning starting with only 3 tents, and then permanent structures were built with the help of locals. The attraction for the idea and vision was born and culture into what it is today.
More about the story can be read here.
We felt we missed out on a lot of this information when we arrived. There was no welcome and introduction to Great Huts, no explanation of what was on site, or the history of anything there. There was no walk-around showing us or teaching us something we didn’t already read online.
In Kingston, for example, there is plenty of Jamaican cultural experiences to explore, including the Water Lane Mural Project, Heroes Park, and Bob Marley Museum, to name a few.
Our take away
I had read in the local newspaper that the property was up for sale. Covid had hit hard, and the owner wanted to focus more on the work he continued to do in the parish.
With this information, I looked at things in a different light, The grounds were overgrown in areas, and the soaker tub hadn’t been fixed for a while. Our mosquito netting in our room was stained and full of holes. The bathroom fittings were stained. The outside decking required a little repair.
The place was clean but not looking its best. All that could be forgiven if not for the price. We just didn’t feel the love that the place probably once had.
With all this being said, the Royal African house was immaculate. Everything was pristine and looked fresh. We didn’t get to see any rooms, but we imagine they would be in tip-top condition.
FAQ
How private is the Sea Grape Hut
We would say not entirely. If it’s windy, the front door curtain becomes a great sail and flaps around, showing your goods to the outside if you are not careful. The bedroom to the seating area has a thin curtain that is useless in windy conditions. This is not an issue when it’s your partner, but there is always a risk when the gardener/pool cleaner is walking right outside your hut.
The outdoor toilet has a small 3-foot privacy bamboo fence to protect your modesty, and the bamboo walls are covered from accidental viewings from the outside. Not sure it’s as effective in the evenings as it is in the daytime.
Do they have wifi?
Yes, although not in the huts. The main buildings seem to have wifi.
What was the food like?
The breakfast was nicely portioned and of excellent quality. You have the Jamaican version, salt fish and achee with breadfruit, and a selection of fruit. You can also have a more international breakfast, for example, a choice of eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit.
For the evening there is a nice selection of foods depending on availability. All cooked well and hot on arrival, whether you’re eating in the main dining hall or have it back at your hut.
What about the wildlife?
As I mentioned before, as stated on the website, there is a selection of crabs and lizards that live there, and you are staying with them. The lizards will dart away as soon as they spot movement. The crabs are more entertaining. They come out more in the evenings and, for us, were found around the outdoor bathroom areas. You might have a problem if you are shy about using the bathroom when being watched.
Also, when you are in bed and get up in the middle of the night, we will get a little started when you see a crab crossing your path.
Would we go again?
Ultimately we can see the attraction, as it indeed attracted us to take a look. However, while the staff was pleasant and helpful, the place for us lacked any enthusiasm. No one was chilling out in the great hall listening to music, and hammocks were all empty. No one was walking around with some healthy beverage pretending it tasted nice. However, I’m getting into adding ginger in my fruit drinks. We have experienced wellness retreats in other countries, stayed in Yurts, and experienced glamping. Great Huts Resort just left us feeling short for the price we paid. For us, it didn’t feel Jamaican, and it didn’t feel African. The closest is probably going into the street at night and spending time with the locals at other stalls or enjoying the surrounding area.
Huts looked tired, and we didn’t get any sort of vibe in the place. I think the organised packages may be more enjoyable for a wellness retreat, as it’s probably more purposeful than just turning up and expecting a hive of people performing Yoga and activities for anyone to try and get into or just a sense of relaxation and peace.
Like I mentioned before, maybe it’s the turn down of trade or the fact that attention is being spent elsewhere due to the impending sale. Whatever it is, it wasn’t for us, maybe we didn’t get it, but we did give it a go, and we are glad we tried it. Our current journey continues. Our relaxing beach retreat is still Bahia – Private Beach Cottage in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. There are even crabs walking around the property, not in it but outside. Until we find another place that beats Bahia in Runaway Bay, it’s still our No1.
As I mentioned earlier, culturally, we loved the artwork there and still love the idea, but for us, we came away without learning anything that we couldn’t find online and weren’t as comfortable as we hoped.