I booked at this hotel for a weekend in October 17 to 19.
I called the hotel on October 11 and asked if I could cancel, I was told if no one booked the villa I would be liable for a charge of one night.
I called and spoke with a Ms. Holgate the owner/ manager and she said I would be notified if there no one had booked , I requested that I be contacted in the event that the villa was still available and would make the trip..
I called again and was told that they had a booking for the villa and that I would not be liable for the charge of one night by the reservation clerk Sonita. I noticed that my credit card was charged for the villa and a request was made to the hotel to have this refunded.
I was provided with a cancellation number by the clerk.
This was not done even with the villa being rented to someone else.

Be careful this hotel should not be given your credit card number.

Driving up the hill (1 mile) to Fern Hill feels like coming home. I last stayed here in 2003 and it is exactly as I remembered it then., The same breathtaking view, the same friendly service, the same large comfortable rooms.

We arrived just before sunset, in time to check in and change before drinks and dinner looking out over what must be one of the most beautiful views in Jamaica. This cannot be overstated - the view from the bar, restaurant, suites, regular rooms - any way you look you get eye candy. Mountains to one side, sea to another.

We had an upper level suite which was more than enough space - they have a large bedroom area open to a large living room area and big patio/balcony with (of course) amazing views. There are 3 swimming pools and the upper one has (again) an incredible view.

All meals we had were good and reasonably priced. Frenchmans Cove beach is across the main road and is the most beautiful beach I've been to in Jamaica - the river flowing itno the sea there seals the deal for me. San San and Boston Beaches are also close by, Long Bay not far, Port Antonio not far.

You do want a car here, I think. We used ours to go up and down that hill and around town a lot. Private taxis would work too, but walking that mile to the hotel, especially up, would be pretty hot, I think. But i wouldn't trade that walk for the view and breeze up there for anything.

Rooms are still a bit dated in decor but ours was spotless, no bugs, everything worked, good water pressure, comfy beds. Actually our AC remote had an issue but it was promptly fixed (while we ate dinner), so no complaints. Everyone from the front desk to the wait staff to the groundskeepers to the handyman were friendly and helpful.

For $100ish a night, this is a great deal in Portland. Even if you don't stay here, go up and have drinks or dinner and at least check out the view.

I'll definitely stay here again.

I've stayed at FH several times, the first being a short stay while working in Port Antonio. The view from the restaurant was one o fthe first things I noticed. It's the kind that truly takes your breath away. Lush rolling hillside plants, flowers and trees falling away to the blue Caribbean sea. Just absolutely amazing. The hotel is on top of a hill and has plants and trees everywhere, so it's cool, quiet and very relaxing. Oh, and it's more like a collection of old-style villas than a typical hotel room type set-up, which I really liked.

The rooms has seen better days though. Peeling paint, sticky doors, outdated bathroom fixtures, etc. Hotel still has a tropical charm. The view from the balcony of my room was also great. I never saw any critters in my room (as others have said) although there were lots of lizards and bugs on the grounds.

The kids loved the pool, the pool table and running around the grounds. Nice bar, good food in the restuarant at good prices too.

If you're leaving the grounds you have to either be very fit or drive, so be fore-warned. Frenchman's Cove is probably the best beach in the Caribbean and its right accross from the turnoff to FH! Lots of other attractions within a short drive.

All in all, FH is a great get-away spot at good value.

Lets start with the positive: We stayed in a one bedroom villa on top of the hill which has an incredible view. The view is spectacular and we surely understand the idea of having a resort on that site. Looking at the resort itself, it is obvious that it once was a great place but...where we stayed was really run down. The villa is located 1 mile uphill from the beach; this was unexpected as the information from the resort sort of indicated a 10 minute easy walk to a close by beach.
On the really negative sides: bugs. The bathroom and the kitchen were infested with cockroaches (some huge ones). Rats or big mice (big enough to carry a loaf of bread) in the kitchen. Ants...and mosquitos at night. We had to buy our own mosquito net. No phone. Kitchen cupboard doors broken.
The private pool was great. However the chairs and lounges were insufficient and broken. The vinyl chairs were covered in mould. All in all the place was totally rundown and completely unacceptable. At the price of $149.00 U.S. per night, we felt it was not worth it.
Added to that was the fact that we had received telephone messages that were never delivered. The taxi driver that took us hastily out of this place was not advised that the $130.00 fare had been charged to our hotel bill as we checked out and was totally surprised at the end of the journey.
Our advise: stay away from there.