Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
1of5
Jakes:
The core philosophy of the resort revolves around respect for the community and the environment. The hotel staff and management work hand in hand with the local community in an effort to create a sustainable future for all.
Formed in 1998, BREDS is a non-profit organization concerned with the promotion of Education, Sports and Heritage in Treasure Beach. BREDS is run by volunteers and is funded by donations, the Dollar-a-Night initiative by which participating guest houses contribute US $1.00 for each room night rented, and annual fund-raisers such as the Treasure Beach off Road Triathlon and the Treasure Beach Hook 'N' Line fishing tournament.
Projects to Date include:
- Established a Computer Lab at the Sandy Bank Primary School
- Constructed Basketball / Netball court at the Sandy Bank Primary School
- Sponsors Treasure Beach United soccer team
- Sponsors Treasure Beach Riprris Basketball team
- Sponsors Annual Treasure Beach Gospel Christmas Party
- Maintaining beach clean up at Treasure Beach
- Addition of canteen / library and bathrooms at Gods School, Sandy Bank ( in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Zionsville, Indiana)
- Upgrading of soccer / cricket pitch at Sandy Bank Primary School
- Introduced Sports Trust Program, with sports equipment and training to 13 basic schools.
The hotel actively encourages guests to spend the time meeting and getting to know people from the local community stating that “you will encounter an exceedingly friendly local population of farmers and fishermen whose survival is based on their intrinsic knowledge of nature’s elements”.
The hotel features links to the “Pack for a Purpose” scheme that enables guests to bring much needed items to support local projects. Ideally located between Pedro Plains, the “Breadbasket of Jamaica” and Pedro Keys, home to the most fertile fishing grounds in the country – Jake's is perfectly poised to showcase everything local and delicious in Jamaica.
The kitchen uses 90% local fresh produce in its meal preparation. With farms located no more than 15 miles away, fresh vegetables are an easy get! The menu also features 80% local meats and 100% of local seafood. Wherever possible, processed items produced in Jamaica are used - this includes traditional processed spice mixes such as curry powder, allspice, and pimento.
Fresh fruit is all island-grown, with mangos being at the heart of St Elizabeth. Jakes also receives fairly frequent deliveries of organic oranges for morning juice, all island-grown. Jake’s has a “treasured” relationship with the Treasure Beach Ital Farmers Association (TIFA), which keeps the kitchen stacked with organic local items. TIFA provides Jakes with a weekly staple scallion supply (essential for rice and peas), and seasonal loads of items like arugula, romaine lettuce, herbs such as basil, cilantro and lemon basil, bok choy, and gourmet greens.
Specialty items arrive as part of a "farm to kitchen" agreement, in which TIFA notifies Jake's of local produce in stock and Jake's agrees to serve dishes highlighting those items. The partnership has given birth to popular dishes like a fresh picked arugula salad with a light lime dressing and shaved parmesan. The TIFA farm that supplies the items is about as local as it gets - roughly five miles from the property and run by a Jamaican.
Strawberry Hill:
Local community:
- Purchasing from local producers is prioirtised. Most fruit and vegetables are purchased in the local area and the balance is from Coronation Market in Kingston.
- Investment is made in the community through a music school, dancing lessons, adult education and private tutoring for adults.
- Annual donations have been pledged for the development of a large Sports facility over a ten year period in conjunction with the Irish Town, Middleton Residents Association.
- One dollar per room night sold is donated to the Jamaican Conservation Development Trust to assist in the preservation of Mount Horab, the last 700 acres of primary forest found west of the Blue Mountain Peak and an important habitat to 24 of the 24 endemic species of birds found in the mountains.
- Other donations are made to individual projects involving community-based associations.
- Baking, eggs and locally made craft items are encouraged and purchased.
Strawberry Hill is part of the Island Outpost group of hotels, owned by Chris Blackwell the founder of Island Records. From the very beginning, Chris Blackwell believed that community must come first. Captivated by the rhythms and the storytellers of a rich and diverse culture, Chris was determined to give something back to the people of Jamaica. This commitment and determination continues today through the Island ACTS foundation that funds and promotes better health, education and welfare in some of Jamaica's poorest communities. Through Island ACTS, your stay at Jake’s and Strawberry Hill will contribute to vital conservation and community projects.
Environment:
Design - No trees were cut down – all buildings were sited around them.
- All roadways were laid on the remnants of pathways solidifying the natural topography in the modern design.
- All electrical and telephonic cabling was ducted and laid underground to preserve the sites natural integrity.
Energy Management - The location at 3000 ft allows the luxury of not having to fit air conditioners in the rooms. However fans are available on request.
- To ensure minimum electricity consumption, 3 phase power was contracted and installed to allow Strawberry Hill to use power efficient 3-phase motors.
- Energy saving light bulbs are installed on the front entrances and verandahs of the rooms.
Chemical Husbandry - No pesticides or insecticides are used in the garden.
- Only phosphate and chlorine free detergents are used in the laundry and housekeeping departments.
- All detergents used in the Laundry, Kitchens and Housekeeping departments are environmentally friendly.
- Intentionally changed table settings from white linen at lunch and dinner to use fabric place mats and serviettes to reduce laundry usage.
- No form of chemical fertilizer is used in the gardens or coffee farm.
- Daily monitoring of pool chorine content and Ph according to HCCP regulations, allows as little chlorine to be used as possible.
- All Spa products are from Aveda who use organic plant ingredients and recycled plastic for their bottling.
Waste - All organic waste from the kitchen is given to pig farmers.
- Plastic bottles are sent to the recycling plant in Kingston.
- All other garbage is collected by a registered Governmental firm to ensure correct disposal.
- All usable garden clippings are composted for use as mulch in the gardens.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
