Now enter the 21st Century and recreate the image with a modern kitchen with microwave oven, new bathrooms, air-conditioned bedrooms, satellite television, sound system and tiled swimming pool.

This is today’s Jamaican Villa 8647 ~ a comfortable home on the water’s edge which has preserved a piece of history and added contemporary charm and comfort ~ while retaining a definite rustic quality.

The site is comprised of five buildings. Landscaped walkways connect living spaces, swimming pool, deck and beach. Two stately old cotton trees grace the lawns.

The Main House consists of the casual living room with 32” Panasonic television and high rafter-and-beam ceiling. Adjacent is the large indoor dining area which features antique Chippendale chairs around a gleaming 10’ mahogany table. Dinner service is Wedgwood china and Christofle silver. All rooms share a wonderful collection of contemporary Haitian and Jamaican art.

Floors throughout are dark mahogany, stone and brick. While museum-quality antique sideboards, chests and cupboards are reminders of past centuries, the villa is designed for comfort and fun.

Living room furniture is slipcovered in washable white canvas so guests can feel free to put their feet up and relax.

Adjoining the living and dining rooms are the two front bedrooms and connecting bathroom. Two detached cottages hold two additional bedrooms.

On the sea side of the Main House, wide mahogany doors open to a terrace of old brick and a 60’ over-the-water wooden deck. Sunrise here is a time of day to treasure ... with a cup of rich Jamaican eye-opener coffee and the morning songs of doves. Later, take time for a nap in the hammock under the seagrape tree. At dusk, if clouds dot the sky, the sunset is beautiful.

This part of the Bay is an environmentally protected Marine Water Park. The view over turquoise water is lovely. By day, children love to feed the fish from the deck. Evenings, the deck is a breezy spot for homecooked dinners under the stars. The view becomes a glamorous light show reflecting over the water from the town of Montego Bay and lighted cruise ships.

If you’ve left your pets behind, The Wharf House is home to three friendly dogs and a Daschund-German Shepherd mix (short but handsome). They tend to stay on the west side of the property out of guests’ awareness. If you wish, they can be kept in their kennel by the staff quarters and allowed to run only at night.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Master Cottage with Kingsize 4-poster bed, en-suite bathroom with tub-shower combination. Right next to the beach and the sea. French doors open to raised waterfront terrace ... side door to small terrace 7 steps from the Children’s Play Cottage ... front door to path to Main House. Beautiful sea view all day. Romantic night view of lights of Montego Bay shimmering across the water. The rhythm of waves lapping the shore lulls guests to sleep each night.

Cottage 2 Has two 4-poster twin beds, en-suite bathroom with tiled walk-in shower. Bedroom opens to central garden. Bathroom opens to pool terrace. Sea and garden views.

Main House has a Queen Room with 4-poster queensize bed. Shares connecting bathroom with Child’s Bedroom. Double-basin vanity and tub-shower combination. Ideal for parents or nanny sharing this suite with children. Sea and garden views.

Main House Child’s Bedroom ~ Low toddler-height twin beds. Shared bathroom connects to Queen Room. Also suitable for teens or adults.

Main House Powder Room ~ In passageway by living room ~ 4th full bathroom with tub-shower combination

18th Century waterfront house restored as family home.

4 air-conditioned bedrooms ... 2 in Main House and 2 in detached cottages

Children’s Play Cottage, games cupboard, videos, pool toys

Full staff: cook, housekeeper/laundress, gardener, beach man

Private beach, sea kayaks, 20’ water trampoline

* 15' x 30’ swimming pool

* cable televisions, VCR, sound system with CD player

* electronic security system

* ping pong table in large family room

* Round Hill Beach Club membership