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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
See why so many travellers make The Resort at Wilks Bay their hotel of choice when visiting Port Antonio. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a romantic setting with an array of amenities designed for travellers like you.
Free wifi is offered to guests, and rooms at The Resort at Wilks Bay offer a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
During your stay, take advantage of some of the amenities offered, including room service. Guests of The Resort at Wilks Bay are also welcome to enjoy a pool, located on site. For travellers arriving by car, free parking is available.
If you like lobster, The Resort at Wilks Bay is conveniently located near Wilkes Cuisine Seafood Restaurant & Bar, Mille Fleurs Restaurant, and Wi Yard Anna Banana, which are known for serving up this local favourite.
We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at The Resort at Wilks Bay as you experience all of the things Port Antonio has to offer.
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Best service I have had in Jamaica. The staff make you feel completely at home and are available and helpful at all times. The food was also some of the best I've had in Jamaica; there is no need to go to an all-inclusive resort given the size and frequency of the meals served at Wilks Bay. Amazing views, pleasant pools, plenty of territory. Major highlights are the private bay, kayaks available for exploring the waters nearby, coconuts cut to order with coconut water whenever you want them, beautiful gazebo, nature walk area, proximity to Frenchman's Cove and the Blue Lagoon, and more! I would highly recommend Wilks Bay to anyone looking to relax and enjoy all that Portland has to offer!
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Had an absolutely wonderful stay at Wilks Bay! It is in a beautiful location, and we enjoyed waking up to the sound of the waves lapping onto the shore and stunning ocean views each morning. Mary and James are so welcoming and create a family atmosphere that make you feel like you belong in an instant. They go above and beyond to make sure you have the best possible stay. James gave us plenty of insider tips about the area, even taking us on a tour of Port Antonio and driving us up to Geejam and Vinyl Sundays for a street party with the locals. Nothing was too much trouble.
Also a shout out to the staff who thoroughly take care of you. Our chef Angela cooked us up a storm, from her amazing Spanish omelet, banana fritters and festival, to her curried chicken and stewed pork! Kenrick is wonderfully catering to any water sports you want to try, bringing you coconuts to quench your thirst around the pool. Rohan is a cheerful driver and Sophie also dropped in from time to time with her happy personality.
Portland itself is a beautiful area of Jamaica. Whilst it rains a lot, there is lush vegetation with jungle vibes. There is so much to do in the area - the blue lagoon, surfing at Boston Beach and Frenchman’s cove can’t be missed! Reach falls was also a wonderful adventure, exploring all the secret spots of the waterfalls!
The locals are also so friendly and happy to help you and it felt like we were exploring more authentic Jamaica than the resorts. This became more evident when we visited Negril afterwards and we appreciated even more how spoilt we had been in Portie! The evenings can be quiet, but there is more going on at weekends so bare that in mind if you’re looking for a buzzing night life. You can get route taxis to Port Antonio, Drapers or Boston Beach where the local bars are, but they tend to stop around midnight.
Overall we would 100% recommend a stay at Wilks Bay and Portland to anyone. As soon as we left we already missed the views and Angela’s cooking! Would definitley stay again if we’re back in Jamaica!
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Not much nightlife or space to store your clothes if you are there for a while
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I were searching for the perfect place to stay while visiting our daughter, who lives in Portland, Jamaica. She visited literally all of the options in the area in advance to assist us in making a decision. Wilks Bay is so very special…. Absolute paradise. Mary and Jim are incredible hosts. We arrived very late in the evening after a long day of traveling, and they had a table set with flowers and china and an incredible meal. What a warm welcome! They invited us to a local festival and Jim made us his famous rum punch. They were gracious enough to allow my daughter and her fiance to visit us during our stay. The grounds are impeccably maintained, and incredibly secure (a security guard is on premise and the gate is closed to this exclusive, small resort). Famous folks and repeat visitors keep Wilks Bay a best-kept secret. When I am back home next week, I will miss the sound of waves crashing while I fall asleep, and the first-class hospitality offered by Mary and Jim. This is their beautiful home, and we are grateful that they welcome visitors to take in the views. Angelina is our housekeeper and chef, and she attends to our every want and need. We requested a mix of dishes we are used to, as well as some traditional Jamaican cuisine. I wish I could pack Angelina in our suitcase and bring her home with us! While my daughter visited, she was kind enough to prepare her a separate Vegan dish. After staying at Wilks, I would never want to stay at a Sandals Resort. I am still here now, there is another family staying here as well, and it still feels like we have the entire place to ourselves. You won’t find the special and thoughtful attention that Mary and Jim provide to their guests anywhere else. It is my goal to come here once a year forever.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were hesitant at first to stay at a resort 4 hours from Montego Bay, but the drive from the airport is well worth it! If you are looking for a relaxing vibe with plenty of excursions and water activities, look no further. Wilks Bay offers a less touristy Jamaican experience in a beautiful part of the country. Frenchman’s Cove, Blue Lagoon, a tour of Port Antonio and Reach Falls (spectacular) are easily accessible. The helpful staff are all waiting on standby to ensure you do exactly what you want to do while you are there. Mary and James take care of everything and go above and beyond as hosts. Sita was our chef for the week - she is an excellent cook and very kind.
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The owners and staff were attentive to all our needs and very helpful and friendly. We were made to feel like it was our home from home. The resort is quaint, and the scenery is beautiful. We enjoyed having the kitchenette, dining area, and living room separate from the bedroom and bath. Everything is clean and well maintained. Barbara kept our tummies full and happy as well as keeping our space clean and fresh.
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was my first time visiting Jamaica and I am in love! Wilks Bay was a beautiful, intimate resort with an outdoor pool and private beach from which we could snorkel out into the fish sanctuary or simply enjoy a day lounging in paradise with a fresh coconut in hand.
Mary and James were extremely lovely and attentive hosts who catered to each and every one of their guests and were clearly passionate about providing us with the best experience possible. By the time we left Wilks Bay (which we did not want to do), we felt like a part of their family.
Wilks Bay is the perfect place to visit with a partner as I did, or I can imagine it would be great with a small group of friends or family too. Our apartment was large, comfortable and thoughtfully furnished/decorated with an AMAZING view from our private patio on which we often chose to eat our meals. There was a housekeeper/cook and staff who were always available to assist with preparing us to take off on a kayaking adventure, or drive us to one of the local tourist attractions; my personal favourite was a 3-hour float down the Rio Grande on a bamboo raft. My partner and I spent 8 days there and never ran out of things to do. There were other gorgeous beaches a short walk from Wilks Bay. The Blue Lagoon was a short kayak trip away, where we saw sea turtles, rays and other tropical fish; we even saw flying fish when we went on a boat tour of the area. Port Antonio felt like something straight out of the movies and some of the beaches in the area actually are!… *cue James Bond theme song.
We danced the night away in the streets of Port Antonio on more than one occasion and joined other guests of the resort one evening for Vinyl Night; a live DJ playing old fashioned Reggae music at a nearby bar with a very inclusive crowd.
Lastly, I have to comment on the food at Wilks Bay. The food was SOO GOOD. Wilks Bay was unique in that we weren’t stuck with a restaurant menu, we actually got to plan out what foods we wanted to try during our visit. I have dietary restrictions and can’t eat dairy or gluten and Mary ensured that all of my allergies were accommodated at every meal without a problem. She even stocked up on gluten free flours so that I would get to try each culinary experience. I can’t emphasize enough how rare that is! I highly recommend Jamaica as a destination for the gluten intolerant in general, but Wilks Bay in particular did an amazing job. We also visited local lounges and restaurants that Mary and James recommended and had nothing but great experiences.
My partner and I are so grateful to everyone at Wilks Bay for the amazing experience. We had a fantastic trip, left tanned and rejuvenated, and are already planning what we will do the next time we visit!
I highly recommend this little piece of paradise.
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Make sure you try the Ox tail main and the Key Lime Pie dessert!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The resort is located on a breathtaking bay, our two bedroom upper level space close enough to the water to hear the crash of the surf. Everything was spotless, maintained and comfortable. Of all the places we’ve stayed in Jamaica, nothing compares with the hospitality of our hosts- Mary and James. They are lovely people and made the experience unforgettable. Thank you guys!
We ate our most memorable meals of our trip here, dining on the open-air balcony. Sharon and Sophia our cooks were amazing and delivered spectacular meals. Curried goat- the best I’ve ever had (my wife’s Jamaican and she told the ladies that they’ve wrecked things for her as their curried goat was soo good). Ackee and salt fish, grilled lobster, pepper pot soup, pumpkin rice, fried breadfruit, steamed fish, mackerel rundown, Jame’s cousin’s jerk pork were all incredible. They are on their game, anticipate your needs and surprise you with kindness at every turn.
Everyone we ran across was sincerely welcoming and upbeat. This is a special place.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:It’s a smaller resort, my guess is 20 or so guest capacity. James taught us QiGong overlooking...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I were looking for a relaxing getaway and decided on Wilks Bay. We couldn't have picked a better spot. The beach at the hotel is beautiful with a convenient location to check out other beaches in the area. The food is absolutely phenomenal and fresh (shoutout Sitta!). James and Mary are very kind and helped us with several mini-excursion/trips. We are very grateful we found this spot and plan to be back in the future. Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: February 2025
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilks Bay is a gem -- so beautiful and peaceful, and made even more special by Mary and James' care for their guests and their attention to detail. The new pavilion built on the hill is ideal for a special dinner with sunset views or a quiet place to read during the day.
We appreciated Barbara's service as housekeeper and cook, which made the stay very relaxing. Her chicken curry, brown beef stew, cornmeal porridge, and custard were delicious! It's always a good idea to request (and try) the local dishes if you can.
One morning the grounds staff transported the kayaks to Blue Lagoon for us, and we enjoyed an hour on the water. Afterwards we came back for fresh coconut water, which was very refreshing.
We would have liked to snorkel more, but the bay was rough. So, we swam in the pool, walked on the beach, and enjoyed the property, which is filled with mature trees of several kinds. (Next time we'll just have to stay longer!)
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Date of stay: April 2022
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Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Located on a small private bay overlooking the azure Caribbean sea it’s location is superb. Very quiet despite being right off main road. It had a nice stretch of white sand beach and a long dock for swimming because its a bit too rocky near shore to swim.
Note that this hotel has no connection to Wilks Restaurant that I also reviewed and is in a different location.
It has a lovely pool overlooking the sea.
The owners are a very lovely couple who are gracious, pleasant and welcoming. They are attentive and are always available as they reside on the property.
The staff that we interacted with are superb. Our two bedroom unit came with Angela who was the cook/housekeeper. A very gentle and matronly lady who made sure that we were taken care of with table set for meals, acquiring the requisite supplies from supermarket as well as getting lobster and fresh fruit etc.
She is a great cook preparing eggs any style, Jamaican meals such as callalloo, ackee and saltfish as well as dinners such as Thai curry shrimp, garlic lobster and dessert such as lemon meringue pie. Having meals this way, prepared in the kitchenette in your unit is a cost saver in terms of not having to eat at restaurants and the food quality is high and variety is extensive. You choose what meal you would like and let them know beforehand and they procure the supplies including beer and liquor. All you have to do is refund them the costs.
The groundsmen were Friendly and helpful in loading and unloading our baggage and providing fresh coconut water.
Only that the kitchen was a little small and dated and could do with a facelift. Having said that, it was quite adequately equipped. Would also be nice to have an in room safe for valuables and travel documents.
They recommend that you leave a ten percent tip for the staff and they will distribute. Certainly the service we received is well worth the tip. However, we normally prefer to distribute directly to the persons who have delivered great service to us, but we followed their recommendation as that seems to be the norm.
We would Highly recommend this place for a quiet and relaxing holiday.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello
Thank you for your questions.
The resort has a security service that operates throughout the night.
The guests have a key to their accommodation and the bedroom door can also be locked. The only person to go into that accommodation, apart from the guests, would be the one cook/housekeeper who has been assigned to those guests for their stay and she would lock the accommodation if she leaves it and the guests are not there. Guests would lock their accommodation if they leave it and the cook is not there.
The owners live on site and could provide safekeeping for any valuables guests might want to leave with them.
At present a transfer for two people from Kingston Airport to Wilks Bay costs US$120 (one way) and from Montego Bay Airport, the cost is US$200 (one way).
If you would like further information please email me.
Best wishes
Mary
Hello Joann
Wilks Bay guests fly into either Kingston or Montego Bay depending on where they can get the best flights to. The transfer time from Kingston is two and a half hours without stops and from Montego Bay, it is three and a half hours without stops. We can arrange for a driver to pick you up at the airport and bring you to Wilks Bay. This would be a personal transfer and the driver would stop along the way for you to sightsee, take pictures or get something to eat.
Best wishes
Mary
Hello Prospective Guest
I realize that your question is directed at guests who have already stayed at Wilks Bay, however TripAdvisor keeps track of whether hotels respond to guests' questions, so I feel like I should put in a reply.
I hope some of our previous guests will respond to your question.
If your booking is in conjunction with someone else and I have not communicated with you directly yet, please do not hesitate to email me with any question you might have.
Best wishes
Mary
Hi Salayna Thank you for your enquiry. All of the bedrooms at Wilks Bay have two twin beds which can be made up separately or made up together as a king-sized bed. Unfortunately we are fully booked for the week of 15th - 22nd January. Please email me if you would like to inquire about different dates. All of our rates can be found on our website. We do not arrange car rentals for our guests but you could check the website for Eastern Car rentals which is the local Port Antonio based company. Best wishes Mary
There are more places to choose from in the Port Antonio area.
LOCATION
CaribbeanJamaicaPortland ParishPort Antonio
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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