Cedars Estate Villa St Mary

Written by Kareem LaTouche

The drive to Cedars Estate is the first sign that you are leaving the predictable tourist corridors behind. Once I turned off toward Exchange and pushed further inland, the road transitioned into a narrow, winding parochial path near Labyrinth, St. Mary. It is a single lane that demands respect; you stay tucked to your side and toot your horn around every blind corner.

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Quick Facts

Who it is for: This estate is ideal for families.

What it is NOT: It is not a location for those seeking a fast-paced, urban nightlife or a beach-front setting.

Tip: While the property provides high-speed Wi-Fi, there is only one television located in the main living room. If you are someone who prefers to be glued to the tube, it is recommended to carry a tablet or personal device for private viewing.

What stands out: Having a private dinner under the stars, on the lower lawn.

Occupancy: 5 Bedroom, sleeps up to 10 people

What it is similar to:

Must try food: Escovitch Fish served with bammy and roast-baked sweet potato

Attractions Close by

Blue Hole

Blue Adventure Park

Location Labyrinth, St. Mary, Jamaica.

Contact: Info@cedarsestate.com, 416-894-0221, www.cedarsestate.com

Despite the concentration required to navigate, the surroundings are magnetic. Fruit trees canopy the road, creating natural tunnels of shade that break the Caribbean sun into flickering patterns on the windshield. After passing the main gate, a mile-long private pathway leads to the house, a distance that guarantees a level of seclusion rarely found in modern developments.

By the time I reached the villa, the noise of the world had vanished. Waiting to greet me with the kind of warmth usually reserved for returning relatives were the owners, Mackeda and Claude Armstrong, along with their daughter.

“Can you smell how fresh and clean the air is?” Mackeda asked as I stepped out of the car. She was right. At this elevation, the air loses its coastal humidity and takes on a crisp, herbaceous quality.

From British Plantation to Jamaican Sanctuary

The history of this 121-acre estate is a long one, stretching back to 1898 when it was established by British descendants. In its early life, it was a powerhouse of pimento production, yielding over 8,000 lbs per harvest, and later served as a cattle farm with its own onsite slaughterhouse.

Today, the narrative has shifted. The property is now firmly in the hands of a Jamaican couple who have spent years navigating the high-pressure world of law and business in Canada. For Mackeda, who grew up in Spanish Town before migrating in her early twenties, the acquisition of the estate felt less like a business transaction and more like a spiritual assignment.

“Let me start by saying, nowhere is better than yard,” Mackeda told me. “Canada gave me opportunity and a platform to grow, but Jamaica is my root. My success abroad means little if it doesn’t circle back to building my country and uplifting my people.”

Reimagining the Georgian Manor

The villa is a 300-year-old structure that has been thoughtfully reimagined. It sits on a high ridge, providing panoramic views of the forested St. Mary hills. The design is a sophisticated blend of English manor silhouettes and tropical functionality:

The Structure: A complex, multi-gabled roof with dark tiling anchors the house, while the exterior walls feature classic stone masonry that looks as though it grew directly out of the hillside.
The Entrance: A stone-paved path leads to a formal peaked portico. The center point is a distinctive red door—a classic Georgian hallmark.
The Windows: The house utilizes original counterbalance and louvre windows, allowing the mountain breeze to circulate naturally through every room.
The Interior: Inside, the floors are finished with smooth terrazzo tiles and the walls with traditional stucco.

What makes the interior truly personal are the commissioned paintings. Mackeda requested specific scenes that reflect her childhood memories in Jamaica, turning the walls into a visual diary of her journey. Much of the furniture is also crafted from Cedar wood harvested directly from the property, which is littered with the majestic trees that give the estate its name.

The Luxury of Undisturbed Space

As a “Luxury Farm House Villa,” Cedars Estate offers five bedrooms, including two primary suites with dedicated washrooms. It can sleep ten people, but you won’t find individual room listings on booking sites.

“The ‘no single room’ policy is very intentional,” Mackeda explained. “Cedars isn’t a hotel—it’s a sanctuary. When families rent the villa, they aren’t sharing space or energy with strangers. In today’s fast-paced world, undisturbed peace is the ultimate luxury.”

The outdoor spaces are designed for this exact purpose. To the right of the main house, a rectangular swimming pool sits next to a circular gazebo with a steep conical roof. A lower lawn area offers a vantage point for the most spectacular star-watching or candlelit dinners.

A Living, Breathing Farm-to-Table Experience

The heart of the estate is its 121 acres of fertile soil, fed by water flowing from the nearby Spanish Bridge. The vision here is agro-tourism in its purest form. The land produces breadfruit, coconut, herbs, and medicinal plants.

Dining here is about the connection to the earth. With a private chef, butler, and housekeeper on hand, guests can harvest their own fruits or vegetables before seeing them prepared in the kitchen.

“Farm-to-table isn’t a trend here,” Mackeda noted. “It’s how we live. Guests enjoy fresh callaloo, roasted root vegetables, and coconut-based dishes. You can taste the difference when food is grown with intention.”

Community and Adventure in St. Mary

The Armstrongs view the estate as an engine for the local community, with the potential to provide jobs for over 100 people across farming, hospitality, and tours. Some team members belong to families that have been tied to this specific land for generations.

For those looking to venture beyond the stone walls, the estate is a gateway to some of the parish’s most iconic spots. A “perfect day” might involve a morning hike through the property’s trails, followed by a trip to the Blue Hole or a swim in the natural waters of the Spanish Bridge.

Final Reflections

Owning a property of this magnitude wasn’t a childhood dream for Mackeda, but it has become her most significant achievement. It is a project built on resilience and a refusal to forget where she came from.

“Cedars Estate is not just a place to stay,” she concluded. “It’s a place to share stories and connection. You come as a guest and leave as family.”

As I left the estate and began the winding drive back toward the main road, the scent of cedar and fresh rain stayed with me—a reminder that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to return to your roots.

How long does it take to get to The Cedars Estate, from these central points:

Kingston (Norman Manley International Airport): 2 hrs, 6 mins.
Montego Bay (Sangster International Airport): 2 hrs, 0 mins.
Ocho Rios: 28 mins.
Negril: 3 hrs, 25 mins.

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