Blumah Palace
MORANT BAY,St. Thomas:
THE AIMS and objectives of the St. Thomas Homecoming Movement is the development of eco-tourism and the economic growth of the parish. Owners of many small resorts are anticipating new life as a result of the activities of the Movement.
Most resorts in the parish have been battling to survive, as not much use is made of the natural resources which are prime for eco-tourism.
There's the Blumah Palace on the outskirts of Morant Bay, which boasts facilities such as conference rooms where the Homecoming Movement will host its investment seminar under the guidance of the St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce.
The classy wedding atmosphere of beautiful flowers around a small garden of local fruits is secluded, safe, and attractive. Blumah Palace is an elegant guest house with spacious bedrooms and possesses an ambience of a large, luxurious Jamaican home. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, cable television for single occupancy and executive suite complete with an ocean view.
Whispering Bamboo Cove in Retreat is classy. It has large bedrooms with antique furniture, air-conditioning and cable TV. Owner Marcia Bennett told The Gleaner that her showpiece is a place for relaxation from the everyday hustle and bustle of life. "It's ideal for weddings, seminars and dinners; it's just first class at reasonable rates," she said. With 15 bedrooms, food is no problem as the friendly staff provides local, European and Chinese dishes, and anything extra you may desire.
Moving further east, you will find the healing waters of the Bath Fountain Hotel. According to history, the healing waters cured the wounds of a slave in the 1800's. Today, hundreds flock to this resort to find the healing powers of the water. Scientifically, the water comprises of calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphate, bicarbonate, chloride with a radioactivity of 4.90 per cent per litre of water.
With 15 rooms and a state-of-the-art kitchen, manager Ed Gallimore says that no other place in the parish can provide such relaxation, healing power and historical legacy. But if you are not in for the hotel facility, many in the area make a living by being tour guides into the hills, where warm water gushes from rocks.
Morant Villas stands tall in the parish capital as one of the many attractive resorts. It's skyscraping palm and mango trees provide a sense of beauty overlooking the cool waters of the fishing harbour. With a large conference room and a detached bar which contains space for small meetings, the resort has all the basic amenities for comfort.
Golden Shore Resort is another classic attraction. Away from the crowd, this resort is tucked away in its own paradise. Manager Derrick Hamilton confessed that with the location just an hour drive's away from the Norman Manley International Airport, the property on the coastline is the ambience for tranquillity and relaxation.
