Jamaica; near Falmouth; 20 minutes to sandy beaches
Diamante Estate
sleeps up to: 30
Exterior
Terrace
Sitting high in the lush landscape of Cockpit Country stands an Eighteenth Century House named Diamante Estate. On 2,000 acres 600’ above sea level, Diamante is framed by dramatic blue-gray mountains and renowned for its excellent food, outdoor activities and country trails. Its grounds are fertile with papaya, oranges, ackee, breadfruit, bananas and coconuts as well as fields of flowers and grasses where cows and horses graze.
The country road up from Falmouth weaves by 200-year-old stone fences past fields and orchards, cattle and horses ... gently leading back in time to a quiet era of a more peaceful, healthy and idyllic lifestyle. This magical perch commands sweeping views of the Queen of Spain Valley, endless acres of plantation land and the refreshing Martha Brae River that wanders through thick bamboo forests below. The entire panorama takes in 20,000 acres of softly rolling mountains whose velvet texture changes with the light hour by hour. While extraordinarily private, this remarkable site is only a 45-minute drive east of the Montego Bay airport and 19 minutes from the beach.
Built in 1755 in classic Georgian style, the House was owned by the Tharpe and Tenison families in past centuries. Its current owners have lovingly updated the buildings while retaining many original features, including the first hot water bath in the Caribbean made in late 1700's and 14' tall Palladian windows trimmed with plantation shutters. The floors creak, the tall windows squeak, the feeling is a magical trip back in time. Yet, today's guests enjoy modern comforts and gracious service in this unique home atop a working plantation. Rooms are appointed with antiques. Polished rare wood floors are throughout. Guests may enjoy tennis, hiking through the luxuriant unspoiled grounds, and horseback riding (100 miles of trails, different trail rides possible each day from mountaintop to cool riverbed through untouched bush country). Diamante has hosted countless ambassadorial parties and fashion shoots (Vogue, Guess, Mademoiselle, Travel & Leisure, Elle) ... and has been beloved as a perfect setting for weddings and family reunions.
Sunrises and sunsets from this remarkable vantage point are beautiful beyond description. It would be remiss not to mention the sounds of Diamante. To stand still for several moments invites the sounds of horses neighing across the valley, the braying of a distant donkey, perhaps the bawling of a calving cow, the chirping of birds and merely the wind.
Stopping quietly to listen is part of the magic of this estate. Here is a tranquil, spiritually uplifting retreat.
THE HOUSE: Sitting Room, Music Room, Dining Room, Bar with pool table, Front Gallery, Verandahs
Barley Room Fullsize bed,en-suite bathroom with tub/shower combination
Copper Room Queensize bed,en-suite bathroom with antique 18th Century copper tub and shower
Blue Room Optional twin beds or 1 kingsize bed, en-suite bathroom with tub/shower combination
COUNTING HOUSE
Just across a stone terrace is this romantic queen-bedded room in the building that used to be the Counting House for the farm.
BAMBOO ROOM Kingsize bed, en-suite bathroom
CARRIAGE HOUSE A short walk down a small hill and stone stairway is the Carriage House. Once a Coach House for horses and carriages ... now private quarters with canopied beds, full kitchen including microwave, dining and sitting rooms, large deck with tables and chairs, and an exquisite view.
Partners Room: Queensize bed, en-suite bathroom with tub/shower combination, 2 antique wardrobes.
Tharpe Room: Kingsize or twin beds, en-suite bathroom with tub/shower combination.
Tenison Room: Queensize bed, en-suite bathroom with tub/shower combination.
Williams Room: Twin 4-poster beds, en-suite bathroom with tub/shower combination
Thompson Room: Twin 4-poster beds, en-suite bathroom with tub/shower combination
Sitting Room Upstairs room with 3 additional twin beds for children, shares the upstairs hall bathroom
STUDIO Queensize bed, en-suite bathroom (below family room)
No televisions or telephones are in the bedrooms. A cordless telephone is in the Diamante kitchen. A second phone, fax machine and computer with Internet access are in the house office.
RIVER COTTAGE: 3 air-conditioned bedrooms ... each with bath or shower: 1 full, 1 queen,
1 king or 2 twins
Swimming pool
Living room with TV, VCR, sound system
Shaded verandah trimmed in lacy bamboo
Staffed by cook/housekeeper/laundress and butler/gardener
Next to the river ... 2-minute walk across 300-year-old stone bridge to a delightful
swimming hole with a rope swing and floating platform in a green bamboo garden.
Have cookouts at the river as often as you wish.
All twin beds can be kissed together as kingsize beds. While the estate can accommodate 33 guests, its configuration in individual buildings and cottages makes it perfectly suitable for 2 or 3 couples or a small family.
Jamaica (19) 
800-221-2260