The Blue House in Ocho Rios was nothing short of sublime! The owners (Yap family) were very gracious and hospitable. The food was 5 star, and the accomodations were stunning! I checked numerous web sites in the search for a suitable place to stay; from Mo Bay, Negril, And Ochi, this was the only place I saw where every reviewer gave it positive marks. It deserved them.

We had an excellent time at the Blue House! The rooms are georgeous, the house beautifully decorated, pool is great and much care and attention is obviously paid to the landscaping with abundant flowers and hummingbirds.

This bed and breakfast offers incredible breakfasts and dinners - absolutely exquisite food! Either traditional Jamaican or Chinese. Rum punch is great too!

Elise is wonderful host and you will learn a lot about Jamaica during afternoon and after dinner chats. The personalized, culturally oriented tours she offers also make the stay special. One day we visited a park on the west side of town (forgot the name) and hiked up to headwaters of the river where you can swim in a 12 foot deep pool. Unlike the popular and crowded Dunn's falls, we had the entire paradise to ourselves ... We then went to Scotchies for the best of Jerk.

Reggae beach, just minutes from The Blue House was the most beautiful beach we visited on our entire trip (from Port Antonio to and Ochos area).

We stayed two nights of our honeymoon at the Blue House and loved every peaceful moment.

(Recommended reading while travelling in Jamaica - "The True History of Paradise" by Margaret Cezair-Thompson. This jewel of a novel really gives you an understanding of the history and a taste of the country's unusual cultural legacy.)

One more note - we just booked hotels as we went, moving every 2-3 nights. Another hotel booked our stay at Blue House for us but we later learned this hotel takes a very large percent as finder fee. Alise and her family deserve every cent - book yourself instead of through a third party.

The Blue House is a mile or two out of Ochos Rios in St Mary's parish. It run by the Yapp family - manager and hostess Elise - who is great value and her brother Darryl - who is one talented chef.

Not used to staying in B&B's we were a little wary - in the past the expereince has been a little invasive, we're not usually fond of forced socialisation. But the Blue House is different - Elise is a great intuitive hostess and gives you all the advice and help you can need and knows how to make your stay comfortable. And she makes interaction with the other guests very easy and relaxed.

She is such a generous hostess that you do worry about feeling too indebted to her. Which can make leaving, taking up and turning down the offer of services a bit awkward.

Her brother Darryl put together some of the best meals imaginable and they were only too willing to drive you up to Reggae Beach or to town.

It's great too, to stay with locals - you get to find out a lot about the place.

Darryl's cooking...sigh! He is a genius!

My husband and I decided to go to Jamaica for our 2nd anniversary vacation. We were not interested in the big hotels or all-inclusives, but we wanted somewhere that was 'up to standard'. We were at the brink of choosing another island entirely, when we came across The Blue House here on tripadvisor. Let me just say that all the reviews were true...this place was like home away from home.

We stayed in the cottage, which was behind the main house, and that suited us just fine because we tend to be reclusive. However, having breakfast and dinner with our gracious hostess, Elise, and the other couple staying there at the time, was far from intrusive. Elise made us feel very comfortable....it was as if she was family. And Darryl's cooking was truly Jamaican. It was the best food we had on the island!

We rented a car for our time there, and were able to drive to Montego Bay (the roads were quite wide and easy to navigate). We also drove to the nearby Reggae Beach, Coyoba Gardens, and a little further off to Green Grotto Caves.

Jamaica was great, and we hope to return soon, and we definitely know where we'll be staying! Don't ask any more questions...you have to experience the Blue House for yourself!!!

Joanne and Gary, April 26-30, 2008