Reviews of Tamarind Great House 3 stars
Crescent Estate, Oracabessa, Jamaica

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Reviewed: 27 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewThis is a true oasis surrounded by beautiful nature. The house is decorated with such good taste, and the hosts are very welcoming, they made us feel like we are visiting a family member. The breakfast was EXCEPTIONAL fully sourced from the farm near the house, we tried fruit we’ve never seen before.
Reviewed: 7 April 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewAs per the above. Hostess was great. A memorable stay and location. The breakfast and dinners were excellent.
The owners should delete from Booking.com the fact that they provide an evening meal. This is no longer the case. However, the owner did provide us with an evening meal when asked.
Reviewed: 14 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewMountains view, friendly host, natural breakfast. Colonial style of the house. In the poverty we saw around us in Jamaica, this place is one of the clearest memories. Choose this place for a holiday and a different experience of the British, European spirit and colonial attitude.
Driving from Kingston in a rental car over bad roads, after dark and through hills was a nerve- and health-testing experience. I chose the long way. Potholes difficult to avoid. Not enough hot water for 3-4 family members. In the mountains it is hard to expect something very comfortable.
Reviewed: 6 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewThe location was beautiful and just what I needed to clear my head and just relax. Jilly was such a gracious host, and I enjoyed our little chats. It's definitely a location I'd love to spend more time relaxing in..
Reviewed: 5 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewThe history, the natural beauty and the breakfast.
None.
Reviewed: 6 August 2024 · Stayed in August 2024
Verified reviewThere’s no doubt that this is a beautiful property and it’s a short drive (10 mins) to the main road, that has lots of restaurants and tourist attractions. It’s peaceful, comes with a pool, the owner makes a delicious breakfast, the room is spacious with a fantastic terrace overlooking the rainforest, and it has heaps of character and charm. It’s also good value for money for what you get.
This is our second time here and both times now we have been take advantage of by the owners. The first time we were told we could use the washing machine for free, but then he charged us $15 the next day. We don’t mind this, but you need to let guests know in advance. This time, we were told to pay cash on departure for the room, but nowhere do you tell guests that this is the case. Luckily, we had some. However, what really annoyed us, was the lady stated it was an additional 10% on the stated price. Booking.com clearly states that all taxes and charges are included in the price. Yet again, the owners are trying to get extra money from guests. The room would benefit from getting a cheap portable $80 air conditioning from Amazon, as we were sweating all night. The WiFi didn’t work in the rooms.
I'm fairly certain all fees are available on booking.com. Had you bought this to our attention I could have quickly shown you on the webpage. Booking.com is not the easiest to work with, changing and adding fees without notice. On our page, it says to add the 10% government tax, as the room was already discounted $20 per night. Maybe take this up with Booking.com. You were also upgraded to the corner balcony room, almost double the size as the regular queen room. So you actually paid around $80 for a $125 room.
I'm fairly certain all fees are available on booking.com. Had you bought this to our attention I could have quickly shown you on the webpage. Booking.com is not the easiest to work with, changing and adding fees without notice. On our page,… Show more
Reviewed: 14 April 2024 · Stayed in April 2024
Verified reviewWe were amazed at how beautiful the location was. The house and grounds were stunning. The pool was glorious. We would highly recommend a visit.
Can’t fault it.
Reviewed: 31 March 2024 · Stayed in March 2024
Verified reviewPeaceful
Location slightly further away from the town
Reviewed: 12 March 2024 · Stayed in March 2024
Verified reviewThe house is absolutely stunning, full of history, charm, charachter and peaceful after a day out-a true haven to come back too. Run and family owned, i was made to feel welcome and part of the family. Morning/afternoon coffee/tea with the hosts was super interesting. Thoroughly recomend this hidden gem on top of a hill🙂
Reviewed: 19 September 2023 · Stayed in September 2023
Verified reviewReviewed: 26 July 2023 · Stayed in July 2023
Verified reviewThe Tamarind great house is just beautiful! The house is amazing, the room is very spacious and the owner is so sweet, definitely felt at home and safe! Breakfast is great!
There are two ways to the property and I took the wrong one, learned to stay as long as you can in the main road! Pay attention on the way your gps fives to get there, it doesn’t take long from main road!
Reviewed: 15 April 2023 · Stayed in February 2023
Verified reviewThe area and the house itself are beautiful. The dogs are very friendly and so cute! The owner made me dinner, which was just noodles and quite expensive, but since there are no restaurants or supermarkets close by, it was the only option.
It's not a good idea to stay there if you don't have your own car. You have to hope to get drivers, which can be difficult. The wifi doesnt work in the rooms. The British owner is superficially nice enough and likes to chat, which was nice since I was by myself (there were no other guests) but I had enough when she started with racist comments about the Jamaicans and denying the Holocaust happened... (not that I wanted to drift to that tropic but well, people seem to assume that's what Germans want to talk about). I wouldn't stay there again, even though the area is really spectacularly beautiful.
You are clearly delusional.
Reviewed: 9 April 2023 · Stayed in March 2023
Verified reviewFabulous house in a beautiful peaceful location overlooking the Jamaican countryside. Welcoming owners. Superb breakfasts. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would happily return.
An option to have evening meals on site would have been useful, but there are plenty of places to eat in nearby Oracabessa, eg, Savoury Flavoury by the gas station (near Golden Eye) is good.
Reviewed: 30 March 2023 · Stayed in March 2023
Verified reviewReally enjoyed staying in this peace haven in the country
Space Quiet and lovely breakfast
Reviewed: 8 March 2023 · Stayed in March 2023
Verified reviewThe wonderful location in the middle of a vast area of topical forest, so we didn’t mind the journey which was over some really bad roads. Lovely large pool, where I enjoyed a great swim. Interesting hosts, with whom we enjoyed chatting Beautiful large house filled with fascinating pictures and antiques Lovely spacious room with windows on two sides and a balcony with a good view Delicious breakfast
We would have been grateful for an offer of some refreshment on our arrival, especially as the hosts at that time were enjoying cups of tea. There was a kettle and a couple of teabags in our room but no milk to suit our British tastes The bed was too hard for us; there was no give in the mattress. It could have done with a padded topper on it. It was quite far (20 mins)to the nearest restaurant (cafes actually) in Oracabessa so we had to eat dinner earlier than normal, as we wanted to avoid driving back in the dark. Finding listed places turned out to be difficult and /or there were parking problems, so we ended up eating at a place next to a gas station . Not salubrious but decent food!
Reviewed: 13 January 2023 · Stayed in January 2023
Verified reviewThe Tamarind is an absolute gem. A large, colonial-style house with wooden floors, a sweeping staircase and elegant, spacious bedrooms, its location is exceptional. You'll find yourself surrounded by lush vegetation, beautiful birdsong and a relaxing sense of space and tranquility. Our wonderful host, Gillian, kindly upgraded us to a larger room with a huge balcony from which we gazed at the morning sky, the stars at night and admired the wide-ranging canopy of trees below. A delicious breakfast was served on the balcony below, always including home-grown produce like plantain, breadfruit and bananas, and we often watched hummingbirds and even a woodpecker as we ate. There is also a beautiful swimming pool just across the lawn which we loved using. Gillian and her son Gary are kind and helpful hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed our four-night stay, which felt totally unique.
Wi-Fi is slightly erratic but understandable when you see the location and who cares when you're in such an idyllic spot! The road leading from the main road to the Tamarind has a very uneaven surface an numerous potholes, which are a challenge! However, we managed perfectly well in a small hire car so as long as you take it easy and navigate the dips and drops with care, it's definitely worth it to reach your end destination.
Reviewed: 28 December 2022 · Stayed in December 2022
Verified reviewReviewed: 24 October 2022 · Stayed in October 2022
Verified reviewThe place was nice
but I was disappointed with breakfast and the utensils was not so clean. The whole presentation was disappointing for me and my colleagues
We are listed as a b&b in the hills, perfect for quiet weekends away, not an all inclusive party scene. We are sorry our venue wasn't to your groups taste. The map on our booking.com page clearly shows we are away from the towns and crowds. Having 8 people with luggage in one car must have been more than uncomfortable, likely triggering the poor location score you gave us. The complimentary breakfast including breadfruit, plantain, avacado, eggs, toast and other pastries, fresh fruits and juice, coffee and tea, is normally sufficient for even our most adventurous traveler's.
We are listed as a b&b in the hills, perfect for quiet weekends away, not an all inclusive party scene. We are sorry our venue wasn't to your groups taste. The map on our booking.com page clearly shows we are away from the towns and crowds.… Show more