Okay I’m back again and I figured the most fitting first post would be the guest house I stayed at. It’s called Treasures, and it’s located in the town of Claremont in St Ann, Jamaica, which is way up in the hills. Not near a beach of any kind but the weather and scenery are to die for up here! Its so much cooler in the hills.
Treasure’s guest house is owned by a Jamaican, Peter Treasure. He fixed up the place and has been running it for the last couple years. A close friend of mine who used to live in Claremont recommended the place to me, so I thought I’d give it a try.
Owner - Peter Treasure
This next picture is the street view of the place. You can see the HUGE verandah on the second floor which is where everyone seems to gather for drinks, food, conversation, etc. On the main level there are a couple shops that Peter also runs, as well as a bar that’s part of the guest house. Its a nice place to gather for a drink and a game of pool.
Front of Treasure's guest house
When I stayed here we were in a large group, so I got a chance to see 5 out of the 10 or so rooms here. All of them were basic but more than adequate, some with huge bathrooms! Mine had a great size bathroom, cable TV and ceiling fan. I never took pictures of my room but here’s one of the rooms.
There is also a kitchen available for use by all the guests on the second level. We used it every day to cook and kept our groceries in the large fridge in there. Outside the kitchen is another HUGE verandah area for dining, chilling and just hanging out. Our friends used it for dancing.
I think the biggest bonus about the guest house was the swimming pool which I hear just opened in June. It was nice and refreshing considering Claremont is not close to water. The pool was located up the hill behind the guesthouse. Its a bit of a climb up some stairs but once you’re up there the view is to DIE for! Amazing view of the countryside.
Rooftop of guest house, looking down from swimming pool.
View of the countryside from the swimming pool deck.
Okay now here are all the important details about Treasure’s Guest House, in case you’d consider staying here. This is all my opinion.
I paid $3000 JMD per night for my room, which is about $38 CAD….very reasonable! I figure when I can pay so little for a decent place to stay then I can’t really complain about what was wrong with it.
The cleaning service was just okay, sometimes I never saw the cleaning lady for days. I had to ask for new towels and toilet paper on those days. And my shower door was broken for my entire stay, no one came to fix it which was annoying because I had to wipe up the flood on the floor every day. And I did encounter a roach or two in my bathroom, which I’m used to in Jamaica. Some places have them, some don’t.
Overall I liked staying here and would probably do it again since its a familiar place now. For me, it was the friends I stayed with that made this place feel like home.
4:05 pm on September 28th, 2009
From lillith & Damswells pics on FB, I would totally stay there. Whatz a roach or two amongst friends, lmao. The price is pretty damn good for having a pool/and bar footsteps away.
4:16 pm on September 28th, 2009
Amen to that sister! It was just such a chill place to be.
4:54 pm on September 28th, 2009
wicked wicked wicked!! Treasures is a steal!
5:15 pm on September 28th, 2009
that was MY room!!!
I was completey impressed with the guesthouse. I will stay there again in a heartbeat! I was fortunate enough to NOT have a roach visit (or any bugs for that matter) and we left our windows open all day. The verandah was by far my favorite area followed by the bar/pool table downstairs.
Can’t wait to go back in March!
5:32 pm on September 28th, 2009
Yah I used the pic of your room because by the time I wanted to do mine, I had 3 men in there messed it all up!! LOL. Don’t worry, you can have copyright on those pics LMAO!
1:54 pm on October 1st, 2009
home sweet home!!!!
8:46 pm on October 2nd, 2009
i had the pleasure of staying at the Treasure’s Inn and i do agree the place is beautiful. the price is definately a steal for the services and activities. the beach is only down the road about 15 mins… but with the pool and scenery being so relaxing i didnt feel the need to go anywhere! cant wait to spend christmas there!
3:45 pm on October 3rd, 2009
You stayed there?? That’s great! Yah its definitely a nice chill place to hang, we loved it.
6:16 pm on October 4th, 2009
they are definitely amazing hosts, and do try to accommodate everyone. Peter and his wife are like family.
6:18 pm on October 4th, 2009
i have stayed many times and love it there everytime…..i highly recommend it for the “local” jamaica!!!
8:42 pm on October 4th, 2009
It’s so great to have found someone else who understands what its like to fall SO in LOVE with a Caribbean Island and its people! My friends all think I’m nuts for becoming so obsessed with Anguilla, but I’m glad to see there are others out there like me.
Your trip reports and photos are fantastic and really help to capture real Jamaican life. I hope to visit Jamaica too one day, but I’m sure you understand how hard it is to pull yourself away from your favorite island. Thanks for sharing!
4:05 pm on October 7th, 2009
Oh believe me I totally understand that. So many places I want to see but they all have to wait for now LOL.
7:24 am on March 8th, 2010
Thanks so much for the great review. We are planning to visit Jamaica in July, 2010 and Treasures will certainly be on our list to visit. With the room prices so reasonable I will be able to bring a few of my dear Jamaican friends with me as well.
12:49 pm on March 17th, 2010
Great post. I grew up in this small town. I did not even realize these accomodations existed there. I own my own place there, but it is the best kept secret in jamaica.
2:11 pm on March 17th, 2010
You mean you own a guest house???? I might be interested in trying it out!
8:49 pm on March 20th, 2010
JC,
My family home possibly could double guess house…someday. I think you found one of the best kept secrets in Jamaica. Location, ambiance and the people…just teriffic!!!
Maurice
12:13 pm on March 21st, 2010
Yah I enjoyed Claremont…especially the weather! Nice and cool and the scenery of the countryside is to die for!
6:42 am on May 31st, 2010
I have stayed here and was not impressed at all. The service overall was terrible. Rooms were dirty, the bathroom looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in ages. I would not recommend this place and would not go there again. Sort it out!!
6:58 am on May 31st, 2010
I agree. Wondered where I could put a comment on to warn people of what they are getting for their money. The pictures are not telling the truth and I felt like the place was a front for illegal crimes. Too much going on, too many people coming and going. Think the government need to investigate this place thouroughly. Especially with the crack down on drugs!!!! Say no more, just be careful.
Dirty, and an unsafe feeling.
Cheap it really is, don’t waste your money on this small time place.
7:12 am on May 31st, 2010
Just to warn you Mr Treasure is a wanted criminal.
Go there and you will be participating in his illegal earnings
He is a wanted man and will be found.
Clean up Jamaica
it is beautiful, but clear out the criminals. Don’t harbor them
9:42 am on May 31st, 2010
Well he didn’t harm me so I have no comment. Sorry you feel that way. LOL.
9:44 am on May 31st, 2010
Well it seems there’s a posse out to get Treasures LOL!! Anyways it wasn’t the best place I’ve stayed either but it definitely wasn’t like you guys are saying. Everyone’s experiences are different. Sorry yours were worse than mine.
1:42 am on June 1st, 2010
True, he is nice JC. But aren’t all criminals. Want to keep their head down ummm!!! Remember they are hiding, so be nice and no one notices. Get on the wrong side or disclose what you know, different story. No need to be sorry. No one out to get Treasures, just letting people know what they are paying for. The news speaks for itself and there is no difference in Treasures!!!! Same scenario
9:14 am on June 1st, 2010
Well I can’t confirm nor deny anything since I have no clue about any shady dealings there. A few things did NOT impress me about the place and Peter too but I gotta try everything once. If what you say is true, I suppose I could assume that about other places too. But if it doesn’t directly impact me then no harm done.
I appreciate your honesty.
5:40 pm on July 18th, 2010
My family and friends were going to book a few nights at Treasures-as we liked the pics on this link. When we arrived we went to view the “pool” we were told it was working. My hubby, being a little leary insisted on climbing the hill and when we got to the pool it was filled with black dirty & disgusting water. Since we love to swim we didn’t even bother to view the rooms. Very disappointed as we had traveled a long way to get to Claremont..
6:26 pm on July 28th, 2010
Wow, finally people being honest about Treasures. What a shame that people travel so far, because of some pictures they see on the net to find out it is a lie. Glad Jill didn’t waste anymore time or money on a place so poor. Sounds awful…… Just when you want a nice place to relax
2:04 pm on July 29th, 2010
Yea Janice it’s great to have many insights on places to stay because what one person considers to be a great place, might have been really bad for the next. For me Treasures was so-so….I thought it was overpriced for the experience I had there. I’ve stayed in MUCH better places for less money.