We are about to make reservations at Taino Cove--it sounds lovely. Has anyone stayed there? Walked by it? Eaten there? How does it compare to Jake's? Help is much appreciated!!!!!

I stayed at Taino in March this year! ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! Ms. Winnie and her staff treat you like family! It is a very quiet location! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Breakfast everyday was great - we just had the continental breakfast and it was plenty - poorage, fresh fruit, toast and coffee or tea (included in our room rate). The beach on that cove is a little rough for swimming but there is a great little swim beach just a 2 minute walk west. The pool is sparkling clean and all accommodations met our needs perfectly! Have a great time

It's a lovely place, however a bit lonely especially at nights when walking in from the main road. I can tell you that Miss Winnie the owner/manager is very nice! I am sure you will have a lovely time!

We have eaten and drank there and walked past many times. The place is really nice. The pool is nice and clean. The veiws are awesome. You will need to walk a ways to get other places but the walks are nice. I haven't stayed at Jakes so I can't compare the two.

hopefully this isn't against policy but here's a cut and paste of my review that i posted on some other site hope it helps...

Taino Cove

I stayed at this hotel in August of 2007 an returned in late January 2008, will review the second time listing a couple differences where relevant...


Arriving …

Flying into MBJ fairly on time on sunquest, I was quickly out of the airport and found my friend and the driver who had come to carry me…

The common route to Treasure Beach takes one across the island thru the hills, and out by the coast just a little past Sav… pretty drive, nothing eventful… stopped to get jerk about midway (I cant remember when, I was having a bit of a senior moment or something, usually I notice things more than I did this drive..)

We stopped at Black River to pick up a SIM card for my phone as I’d misplaced my old one… but no go… my friend suggests Santa Cruz, too far and hot I say, lets just hope for the best with Southfield, it’s smaller, but more enroute and much closer… okay…. I got lucky and had a phone again… was kinda werid to be without…

Reaching Tanio Cove…

We pulled into the hotel knowing that one of my favourite people, Gershawn who had greeted me the first time wasn’t there right now.. on leave and expecting to head to Cayman for a few months, he was still around, and someone would be sure to tell him I said hi… cool…. I checked in with the new all purpose manager Peaches, and am given the pink room on the ground floor…As with the other rooms, It’s spacious, very clean and bright, queen bed, air conditioning, the regular stuff..… Previous stay I was in the same type of room on the upper floor, a little more expensive and a prettier view… I wanted a patio in/out this time so I could come and go from my room as I chose, and it was a little cheaper, so all was good…


The Grounds

Natty keeps the pool pristine clean… the grounds are colourful and as fresh as Treasure Beach can be… (the landscape isn’t nearly as fresh out here as Portland or even Negril… they have cactus grow out in these parts… more shrubbery rather than lush trees… esp the last time where a lot of the vegetation was knock out from Dean).. I find treasure beach isn’t as much about the scenery as it is about the vibe.. … The rooms exit out onto a patio that’s typically used for dining.. .there’s a bar off to the left (East) that seems to always attract a crowd whenever I sit down… as soon as I checked in that’s just where I gravitated to… and sure enough the little crowd came, and to my surprise, Gershawn was right there with them, and picking up just where he left off, serving me a drink (even tho he don’t work there anymore) , just like previous times, it ended up being about three hours of jokes and chatting… this place will make you feel like family…

The Beach…

It’s treasure beach, it’s not Negril… in every way possible… hard to believe you are on the same island.. the beaches in TB are darker sand, rocky/coral and quite rough in many places.. however right around the corner from Taino there is a small cove that has glass still water of the highest clarity I’ve ever seen.. I went out to my shoulders and could see my feet clearly, but only like they were magnified and oddly close to me…. Soooo nice…. There’s another larger cove of the similar nature (not quite as glass still) a little further down…. These two are likely the best beaches in the area… as far as I walked at least…. The great thing about TB beaches is you can walk them at any time of the day and hardly see another soul… if you do see others you usually get a friendly hello… there’s no hassle, no hustle…it’s serene and peaceful and perfect just the way it is…


The Food…

The food at Tanio Cove is quite good… back in January they had recently brought over one of the chefs from Jakes (think his name was Marley, I’m bad for this), and he was a great kid and a great cook.. made a wicked wicked pina colada too previous stay I had eaten most of my meals at Tanio, but this time I was more adventurous and walked into town for more than 1/2 my meals… there’s a few good places to get nice cook food, or jack sprats for some funky pizza if that’s your thing… Usually did breakfast at Taino and it was always really good… the food is reasonable… For a special treat, do walk down the beach a little and take in dinner at MarBlue, some of the best food on the island (more upscale dining experience), price is higher than most places in the area, but reasonable considering the delicious nature! Little Ochi is a bit of a distance away and also awesome, it’s not upscale tho... more a funky beachside seafood joint… (you have the option to go via car or boat, I picked boat)

The Vibe

If you’re considering Treasure Beach, you likely know that most people go back again and again because of the amazing atmosphere… the vibe.. it’s laid back in away that even Negril can’t compare… there’s no hustling , no aggressive anything… people are friendly without an agenda… I’ve had issues tipping in Treasure Beach, left tips under the pillows or by the nightstand for the maid at Taino and came back with them placed neatly on the table… strangers are so interested in getting to know you and the only thing they want from you is to know when you are coming back… it really is a different mentality (I came here from Negril and honestly kept wondering if I was on the same island… worlds different… which suited me fine… it is a very slower pace… make sure that you have something to keep you entertained during the day time as it is very much a solitary type place, especially in the day.. in the evening it’s a great friendly vibe in the bars around Fisherman’s Bay (Southjammin, fishermans’ bar, wild onion and the like), all great places to lime and just enjoy some drinks and great conversation/atmosphere…

The People…

Staff at Taino Cove are not many, but they are mighty…. They do a great job of taking care of everyone… headed up the owner/proprietor, Miss Winnie (very very very interesting and wonderful woman), Tanio is a new place and are stabilizing the staff situation… Peaches was fairly new and taking over for Gershawn who they expected back as the general manager/jack (jill) of all trades type person… she’s a sweet heart and as much as I love Gershawn I do hope Winnie can keep both around somehow! Marley was new in the kitchen and a treat… The maid/assistant I believe’s name is Andrea or something of the like.. she’s been with them for awhile but was off on leave when I reached this time because of a recent surgery (she was recovering quite nicely tho)… Natty is there a few days a week taking care of the pool, another sweetie…

The Area...

Treasure Beach is a great area for some of the more interesting excursions on the island.. Pelican Bar, Little Ochi (a dining experience), YS Falls, Appleton Tour, Bamboo Walk, Lovers Leap, and not too far from Milk River Bath/Gut River… can also visit some small quaint (in different ways) Jamaican cities (Mandeville and Santa Cruz are two that come to mind… very different, love them both… it’s HOT in Santa Cruz and COOL in Mandeville, literally)…. Pelican Bar is probably my favourite excursion place, really a cool and somewhat amazing structure, survived a few storms now virtually unscathed.. Floyd (the proprietor) is scared of rain tho, do be aware of this if you head on a day that threatens rain))… Winnie and her team will help you arrange any of these tours.. .

Agriculture..

I normally don’t’ talk to this in my reviews or elsewhere unless asked in a private forum.. I do think it’s important to know that the crop that the island is infamous for is very much alive and well in Treasure Beach.. it’s almost a dietary staple and for the most part, very much not hidden… I think someone going should be aware that it will not only be smelled, but seen and very rarely hidden.. conversely, unlike Negril where it’s not widely seen, occasionally smelled and offered A LOT, it’s rare to get solicited in TB… guess they figure you see it if you want it you will ask for it.. it is what it is, parents of children considering this area should be aware and comfortable with this… some hotels may have a more low key stance on it, but people tend to be pretty friendly to herb around these parts… this may be a plus to some, and a negative to others… all i got to say to that..

The Other Details..

Well I don’t know how much good things I can say about Taino… there are the things that might be negatives to some (remoteness, not good beach ect), but if this isn’t something you can deal with, Treasure Beach isn’t the place for you… Treasure Beach is a place on the island that IMO has stayed true to the roots that people speak of when they are talking about the Jamaican friendliness and hospitality… in many of the tourist destinations this is available but at a price/expectation.. .here the only agenda is that you come back… and if you fall in love with the place like I have

littlemamalisa:
Read your extensive writings re: Taino Cove and TB AFTER I posted my message--your enthusiasm was totally contagious. We have reservations for the second floor suite from 12/24 to 1/1. Can you or anyone else tell me anything about whether we'll be able to hear any live music in TB?
chelle:
Your comparisons to Negril were extremely helpful since I've been to Negril about a dozen times. Started considering TB while on a day trip to Jake's and the Pelican Bar from Negril. Fell in love but wasn't there long enough to really get the vibe. Now I've felt it through you. Many thanks!

By MilwaukeeI'm not MikeyMikeMike on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 09:16 pm:

Debi,
make sure you do the Pelican trip along with a Pelican Bar/Black River/croc watching/Sista Lou's Crabback Shack/Rudy's Lost Up The River Bar/ tour from a local fisherman. It is an entire day packed with great fun at a very reasonable rate tour. It shouldn't be missed nor should a Shallow Bar tour. If you've got the time, plan on a trip to Blacky's Little Ochi for stupendous seafood.

Oh Debi - My intention EXACTLY! I don't know about during the week but the weekend is rockin' at South Jammin' and The Wild Onion. Just west of Jakes as you walk into town! Enjoy your trip! Wow, I bet Christmas in TB is WONDERFUL! I myself am heading back in about a week to enjoy the steamy heat, can't wait I highly recommend Little Ochie and YS Falls!!! All of the food is amazing but you will be hooked on Olivers Dutch Pot once you eat there - and it is close to Tiano! PLEASE post some pics when you return as I would love to hear about your Holiday Trip!!

I understand that South Jammin is reopening this Friday. Does anyone know if there going to be anything special for it? Pictures would be nice. Thanks.

littlemamalisa--it's I that want to hear about YOUR trip upcoming. I've been in Jamaica during summer and it is, indeed, hot but you'll deal with it because everybody else will be. Please write in detail upon your return and have another incredible time in TB!!!

You Got It Debi! Check back for my update around the second week of August Until then - Sweet Jamaican Dreams!!!!

Hi Littlemamalisa,

So good to read your posts again. Hope you have a fabulous time in my hometown and that this trip will be even more enjoyable than your first. Looking forward to hearing about it and seeing your pictures.

Take care.

Carol Reynolds-Saunders.
USA

Thanks Carol! Good to hear from you too! I will be sure to post about my Summer Heat experience when I return! Thanks for the encouragement - Love and Respect, Lisa