| When you research your next vacation rental | | | | for the staff was overwhelming. |
| accommodation, be it a Jamaica villa or cottage, I | | | | I hear these stories about the great staff in the |
| am sure you will spend a lot of time checking out | | | | Jamaica villas and cottages all the time. So I was |
| the property closely. These may be among the | | | | not surprised. However, as Kate went on telling |
| many questions you will ask: | | | | me about her prior experience at The Orchid |
| Does it have the required number of bedrooms | | | | House, it became apparent that what she really |
| and are they big enough? | | | | found valuable was the fact that there were two |
| Can I swim laps in the pool or is it just for cooling | | | | cooks who did a morning and an evening shift so |
| off? | | | | all meals were prepared and served when the |
| Is the sea view shown on the web site really | | | | guests wanted them. In most houses, there is |
| what I will see when I relax on that lounge chair | | | | one cook and if that person works an eight hour |
| on the deck? | | | | day, then dinner is going to be very early, or |
| How far will I have to go to shop for groceries? | | | | prepared and left for you to warm up and serve |
| All important questions to be sure. But are you | | | | yourself. |
| forgetting a very important aspect of your | | | | Now, a lot of guests don't have any problem with |
| Jamaica accommodation rental? Let me tell you | | | | that. But Kate and Ted obviously felt that with a |
| what happened to me this morning. | | | | larger group, they didn't want to have to do that |
| After my early morning cup of Blue Mountain | | | | and would prefer to have staff doing it for them, |
| Coffee which I sipped as I watched the sun rise | | | | and fitting in with their schedule. Why should the |
| over the bay at Silver Sands Jamaica, I went out | | | | guests on their vacation adjust to suit the |
| for a walk and some exercise. I love the early | | | | schedule of the staff? |
| mornings at Silver Sands - so quiet and peaceful. I | | | | This is not the first time I have had a report like |
| passed Rum Jetty cottage as Errol, former | | | | this. Kate is not alone. In fact guests who have |
| fisherman, was taking some guests out to snorkel | | | | also stayed at Primrose Path, Santa Margherita, |
| at the coral reef. And I said good morning to a | | | | Rum Jetty, and Endless Summer Villa have all |
| young woman doing some yoga stretches on the | | | | raved about how well the two-cook system |
| road up by Blue Moon Villa. | | | | works. |
| As I was heading back to Endless Summer Villa, | | | | So when you are choosing your Jamaica rental, |
| Kate, a repeat visitor with whom I had a long | | | | you must ask about the staff. What hours do the |
| conversation the day before came rushing out of | | | | staff work? How many of them are there and |
| Casuarina Cottage, saying she wanted to tell me | | | | what do they do? Will all your meals be prepared |
| something that she did not emphasize before. She | | | | and served at times that you want, and will the |
| and Ted were coming to the end of another | | | | staff clean up the kitchen before they go home? |
| enjoyable stay at Silver Sands and were very | | | | Is baby-sitting available? |
| happy with Claudette, the cook and housekeeper, | | | | But don't just ask the rental agency these |
| at Casuarina. | | | | questions, check out the reviews for the |
| Kate then told me that when they come back | | | | accommodation yourself. What have former |
| with their grandchildren, they would most likely | | | | guests said about the staff? Do they write |
| return to The Orchid House. She hastened to add | | | | reviews that reflect a warmth and affection |
| that they were very happy at Casuarina and that | | | | when they mention the staff? |
| it was perfect for just her and Ted. But when | | | | And very very important, does the Jamaica rental |
| they have a larger group, they would go to The | | | | house in which you are interested, have a lot of |
| Orchid House because of the staff there. Kate | | | | repeat clients? If the guests keeping going back |
| then spent a great deal of time telling me how | | | | for more, you can be sure that the staff has a |
| wonderful Dionne and Margaret were. Besides | | | | lot to do with it. Think - would you go back to a |
| good food and a clean and tidy house, the staff | | | | very lovely house in a perfect setting if the staff |
| were so attentive to the grandchildren. The praise | | | | did not provide good service? I thought not. |