Hotel Mocking Bird Hill - Jamaica

This artistic, peaceful property perched on a lush hilltop in Port Antonio is based on an ecology-minded philosophy. Owner/manager Barbara Walker's sculptures, paintings and mixed media works pleasingly decorate every nook, creating a personal and aesthetically pleasing environment. It is an ideal setting for guests who want to explore the mountains as well as a nearby Frenchman's Cove, an idyllic beach surrounded by meandering, emerald and aqua clear waters enshrouded in hanging vines. From the hotel, it's about a five-minute drive or a 15-minute walk downhill. The proprietors encourage guests to visit Winfred beach, about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, which is frequented mostly by local families, not tourists.

Travelers seeking an enriching, tranquil, culturally authentic experience of Jamaica will find it here. Part of what preserves this atmosphere is the absence of televisions. Instead, guests will find reading material in their rooms, including a selection of Jamaican poems selected by Walker and Aga.

There is a small swimming pool amidst the gardens. Some guest rooms feature terraces with hammocks. An expansive patio looks out over the lush foothills of the Blue Mountains, beautiful in the daytime as well as in the evening, when cocktails, prepared with fresh, local fruit are served. Dinner is also served on the patio of the hotel restaurant, Mille Fleurs, which serves "nouveau tropical" cuisine prepared from fresh, local ingredients and some traditional Jamaican dishes. Gourmet magazine featured the restaurant in 1996.

At the hotel's Gallery Carriacou, guests can view the works of noted Caribbean artists or take Walker's classes in sculpture and paper making. Staff can assist in arranging jeep and hiking tours of the Blue Mountains, which soar above 7,000 feet and often include visits to rum factories and renowned coffee farms.

The area's licensed diving operators offer rental equipment and instruction. The Rio Grande in Port Antonio is the birthplace of bamboo rafting. Staff here can arrange a trip floating down river as your guide propels the craft with a long bamboo pole, all the while singing folk songs and identifying the surrounding flora and fauna. Or they can arrange one of the Valley Hikes, one of which travels along the river with a guide who reveals the ancient medicinal remedies found in the surrounding plants before taking you for a dip in a hidden waterfall.