In short… Jakes is a bohemian getaway in Treasure Beach, on Jamaica’s unspoilt southwestern coast. In October 2025, it found itself in the eye of Hurricane Melissa and was almost entirely ripped apart. This month, after an almost one million USD rebuild, it opened in all its entirety.
The surroundings… Treasure Beach is a laid-back community with 10 restaurants and a handful of B&Bs. It’s a far cry from the large, all-inclusive resorts of Ocho Rios or Negril, and is the place to go if you want the kind of vacation where meeting the locals is part of the fun. The area is known as the breadbasket of Jamaica, characterized by small farms, fishing villages and a rocky coastline dotted with picturesque bays.
The backstory… Owner Sally Henzell was born in Jamaica; her parents emigrated from the UK in the 1920s, and in 1993 she started Jake’s as a restaurant servicing backpackers and her bohemian friends who wanted to come and stay in her motley assortment of cabins. In 1995, a caller from New York asked if they could land a helicopter at Treasure Beach and Sally’s son Jason stepped in to say yes… and set about sorting a landing strip and transforming Jake’s from a backpacker hangout to a boutique hotel.
The vibe… Sally and Jason are very much involved, and the hotel is a glorious combination of them both, culminating in a shared vision of offering sustainable community tourism that welcomes visitors into the heart of Jamaica. Despite the gentle hubbub around Dougies beach bar, Jakes’ remoteness feels real, and an anything-goes, unshowy atmosphere means you can turn up for dinner in a swimsuit if you want to.
The rooms… Jakes stretches across 14 acres, seven of which are coastal and host a mix of oceanfront bungalows, cottages and rooms—all are individually decorated with local art and crafts and come with private terraces, mosquito nets and coffee machines. Five villas with private pools, chefs and concierge service are so tucked away you wouldn’t know they were there and a local landing strip services those arriving by private plane.
Food and drink… Jakes rum punch is the perfect sundowner, and the sun sets straight into the sea. Both the main restaurant and Jack Sprats, its informal beachside spot, serve fresh local produce; catch of the day typically includes red snapper, lobster and marlin; the island’s best jerk sauces are made in the area and appear on chicken and pork, washed down with key lime pie.
The wellness…Treasure Beach started out as a wellness destination, and Jakes seaside yoga deck hosts daily sessions and international retreats. The Driftwood Spa offers treatments using natural, Jamaican made products. In the village, Smurfs Café and wellness center also offers a range of classes and treatments (‘prostate’ or ‘yoni’ steam, anyone?) and legendary breakfasts.
Is it kid friendly? Everyone is welcome; kids bob in the pool and the two beaches are lifeguarded. Opposite Jakes is a 17-acre sports facility and it’s not hard to conjure a team for a game of football or cricket with the locals; (professional Caribbean cricketers Brian Lara and Chris Gayle have also swung a bat here).
Be sure to… Hit the ocean with Captain Dennis Boat Tours and see dolphins before a sundowner at the (newly rebuilt) floating Pelican Bar. The town of Black River, which was almost totally destroyed by the hurricane, is once more offering tours where sightings of crocodiles and exotic birds are the draw.
Parting words… Hurricane Melissa was the strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit Jamaica, costing the nation more than 10 billion USD in damage. Jakes and the surrounding five parishes were cut off with no electricity or mains water for two weeks. Jakes’ local charity, Breds, was central to getting Treasure Beach back on its feet, and the reopened hotel is a symbol of Jamaica’s recovery. The island is 96% back on the grid now, but it desperately needs visitors, so don’t wait until next year, go now!
Date of stay… 13-16 February 2026
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