Returning resident builds villa in Manchester.

Written by Kareem LaTouche

I have never ventured into deep rural Manchester before, so when this Airbnb owner, Paulette, reached out to me, via Facebook, I used the opportunity to explore the parish.

She saw a popular video of mine, where I was purchasing ackee from a vendor and said she liked the platform and asked if I would be willing to showcase her Property. What piqued my interest was how structured the villa looked and the fact that it was located in Lancaster, a district I knew very little about.

“I grew up with my grandmother in Lancaster, she was my everything. She believed a lot in education, so she did her best to ensure that I always went to school. In my time, the community played a big role in nurturing kids. For example, if you were rude, you got scolded and if you were hungry, you got fed.”

“I started living in this house in 1992, and in those days we didn’t have any running water or inside bathroom, but I had a big dream for myself and the property. At the time things were never easy, because I also had two kids taking care of, but I was always content and I reared chicken for extra income.

In a constant pursuit to better herself and her family, Paulette migrated to the states in the 2000s. After working tirelessly, she decided to put her money to good use by reinvesting in her hometown.

“I did two jobs in America and I told myself that one was for my expenses and the other was for this house. At first I thought of it as a retirement home, so I started to expand at the back in 2018 and added a lot of modern amenities. By the time I was finished, I had seven lovely rooms and then the AirBNB concept came to me,” she stated.

Quick Facts

Who is it for: Groups of four or more, travel officers, budget travellers and Adventurers.

What it is NOT: Though the accommodations are very nice, it is akin to a warm and intimate family home rather than a hotel room.

Tip: If you are an adventurer and want to explore Manchester, St. Elizabeth or surrounding areas but want to avoid the high cost of tourist towns, this is a great place to stay. Also, during the winter season the days are short, so you might only get six hours of sunshine.

What stands out: All the amenities that are available for no extra charge. This includes: A fully operational kitchen with a gas stove, microwave, toaster oven, blender, stocked pantry, WiFi, TV’s, washing machine, outside grill etc. Also, the property has some decorative lights at night to keep the grounds well lit and give it a very comforting visual appeal.

What to carry: A sweater, as this parish is known to be relatively cold at nights, as far as tropical weather goes. Luckily there is a water heater.

Must try food: The jerk spot down the road.

What is it similar to: Jay’s Guesthouse

Location: Lancaster, Manchester.

General price range: $50 – $100

Contact: 754-246-8695, Airbnb link

Home away from home

The first thing that greets your eyes is the garden area at the front. Adorned with Zoysia grass, and local plants and flowers, it’s a lovely spot to relax and take pictures.

There are also cameras all over, and the property is well gated and grilled to provide an extra layer of security.

“I was the manager of a major retail store in the states and one of my main responsibilities was safety. So it’s a habit of mine to make sure I do everything I can to protect my property and the people in it,” revealed Paulette.

Adjacent to the veranda is a gazebo, which has a cooking grill, dinner table and speakers if guests want to have a small event.

Finding Lancaster

As I passed the veranda the first thing that greeted me was the living room and I couldn’t help but notice that there were a lot of alcoholic beverages.

“Some people jokingly ask me if I love alcohol, which I don’t, but I want my guests to have easy access to these beverages, at a cost of course. I always want them to enjoy themselves and part of that is to provide convenience and comfort. The next thing I want to add is the Blue Mountain coffee.”

Built for comfort and relaxation

There is also a theatre-type sofa which has reclining seats and holders for drinks. The 65-inches TV is in plain view, and there are two massive speakers, with a mic for people who want to try out their karaoke skills.

Beyond this point is the kitchen, which has a pantry that has almost everything in it, from ketchup to oil. Even though this is the case, I always encourage people to carry any specific condiments they desire for cooking, such as: salt, spices, dressings etc.

Also, if you are big on jerk food, you can purchase her son’s Fyah Jerk Sauce and have it delivered to the house. With him being a certified chef, it’s guaranteed to taste good on anything!

The marble-top kitchen counter, bespoke three-door french fridge and polished dining area gives the kitchen an open air, modern feel. This layout invites guests to gather around the kitchen island to share a meal, drink or conversation.

What was surprising was the amount of small appliances that were available, such as: toaster oven, kettle, juicer, coffee brewer and I even found a rice maker in the other kitchen downstairs. There are also multiple sized pots available, along with the regular utensils and kitchenware. Additionally, I was happy when I saw the electrically-lit gas stove, because I totally forgot to bring matches.

Getting the best nights rest

The property is equipped with seven bedrooms that have TV, fan, wardrobes and chest of drawers, as standard. Air conditioning is an option reserved for the master bedroom, but it is not likely to be needed, given that the location is usually very cool.

Most of the rooms are moderately sized and feel cosy and homely. I chose one that did not have direct sunlight, as I wanted to sleep a bit later than usual. When you’re this high above sea level it’s beautiful to hear the sounds of the Tree Frogs stridulating (some tiny creatures which most people think are crickets) along with the customary intermittent rain. I must admit, it was one of the best sleeps I’ve had in a long while, as the area is extremely quiet.

More Than Just an Airbnb: A Glimpse into Authentic Jamaican Life

According to many residents, the National Water Commission has problems pumping water this high, so most people catch rainwater. Luckily the property has a massive reserve water tank that the owner built to keep the supply constant, so the showers don’t have the hard-water feeling that is usually associated with tap water.

If you want more privacy and seclusion I suggest taking the downstairs rooms. There are two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room and a kitchen. Also, it has its own veranda and you can get access to the back of the yard, which has a bountiful breadfruit, banana, and grapefruit tree.

Beyond the Villa: Exploring Manchester’s Hidden Gems

Historical sights:

Kendal Railway Tragedy – The worst railway disaster in Jamaica’s history.

Providence Anglican Church – Artisan built, this is architecture at its finest.

Adventure:

Wigton windfarm – View these gigantic Windmills at Rose Hills, which only exist in this parish.

Guts river – A nice place to go for a dip and explore nature.

French Park – This is one of the best kept cricket pitches and it hosts some exciting matches, just check with the Social Development Commission for scheduled games first.

Prominent Tourist spots you can visit:

Finding Countryside Villa

It’s going to be hard to find the exact location on Google Map, so use this Church, that I pinned, as a landmark. It’s parallel to the home and the route to get there is fairly straightforward.

Church of God of Prophecy Lancaster – click this link for the most accurate pin.