What People are saying

GOOD TO SEE THE REAL JAMAICA

djsteelukon 23/05/2017 14:32

2nd Stay here.

Staff- Very willing to do as much for you as possible. It is self contained apartments so the do give you privacy without be intrusive. Steve the owner is welcoming an accomodating for your needs.

Location- only 7-mins drive from downtown MONTEGO BAY, where you can get all you need and mix with the locals. 10mins drive to the local beach with white sand and sparkling clear waters.
Located in MT Salem 3 mins drive from the main hospital. The guest house is 3-4 mins drive from the more affluent areas of Westgate Hills and Fairview. The MT Salem is a busy area with lower class/deprived locals.

Transport- LOTS of taxis (redplate only) readily available passing the gates of the guesthouse at a cost of only $100JMD.

Rooms/Apartment- Had everything you could want to self cater. Very powerful fridge, cooker, electric shower, large beds and Fans, with anti mosquito/flies mesh at the windows. Only problem is all the things are very dated and old.

Conclusion- EXCELLENT Value for money and good if you want to visit and interact with the real Jamaica and the people .Downside, local area is poor and can be seen as unsafe/impoverished by some. The property although freshly painted can do with being updated. This is not a tourist style RESORT HOTEL, however I've seen many tourists from UK, CANADA, GERMANY, and USA, visit and are very comfortable

Friendly accommodation but for adventurous people only!

Bob Ron 28/03/2017 15:02

This is not a Hotel, it's a converted hostel that has individual apartments. Gated entrance is locked at night and rooms are spacious but not well appointed to North American standards. For those who want an adventure cheap, this is your kind of spot. Bedroom and A/C were fine but remainder of apartment had cottage like furniture.
As for location, Mount Salem is a few KM's from downtown (uphill!) and taking a Shared Cab is $1US per person each way. Understanding that everyone travels by Red license plate cabs will help you get into the local culture, whereas a private cab will likely cost $5US per person each way. Local cabs are fun but cars are dirty and banged up.
Also, walking in Mount Salem during daylight is fun but white people do stand out whether your dressed like a tourist or not. Would not recommend walking alone at night, cab directly to and from your locations.
Although everyone speaks English, don't expect to understand the local slang as it is essentially it's own language.
Fun experience for those who are prepared to take a walk on the wild side of living in a local neighbourhood.
PS if your staying on a Sunday, be prepared for 8AM Church service, there is an open air church across the street and the singing is loud and interesting, there is also a night service at 8PM as well. Local culture at it's best!

GENUINE JAMAICAN LIVING-EXCELLENT CHOICE

djsteelukon 15/02/2017 18:19

I spent 2 weeks here. Myself and 17yr old son.
LOCATION- In Mount Salem, a typical Jamaican residential area with the main hospital being 5mins away. Not a 'TOURIST' resort or area. 20MINS transfer from the airport. 10 mins from the main downtown or centre of MONTEGO BAY I.E. KFC or the BUS PARK. 15mins drive from the HIP STRIP 'Gloucester ave' and the public beach.
TRANSFER- They have their own drivers available to take you to most places as a charter (only you in the vehicle) from $500JMD. You can get PLENTY of local taxi drivers RED NUMBER PLATES ONLY who will take you on the taxi route back to the downtown for $100JMD each. However you will collect other passengers on the way, this is true Jamaican living and experience.
GUEST HOUSE- Was safe with plenty of other guests, white, black, Chinese, mixed, from all over the world, Germany, USA, UK ETC. There are grills on the front, with locks to be safe ,again this is typical normal Jamaican living.
ROOM- I had room 6, VERY large and spacious with a host of amenities to make the stay comfortable. Flooring was tiled as is the bathroom. There was a FAN (living room), AIR CONDITIONING(in bedroom) FAST FREE WIFI, MOSQUITO GRILLS (prevent them coming in), HUGE FRIDGE, DINING TABLE ,COOKER and self catering utensils. The bedroom was HUGE with a SUPERKING size bed which although firm, was COMFORTABLE and could probably sleep 3-4 people . There was another single bed in the living area. Plenty of storage space.
SHOWEROOM- HEATED water for warm to hot showers, (due to the weather most Jamaicans use only cold water).
HOSPITALITY- Steve who runs the guesthouse was very pleasant, having lived in the USA for many years he knows what is required. He lives at the top of the guest house so is accessible although there ISN'T A FRONT DESK. The rooms get cleaned on request from the guests and fresh towels and flannels(rags) also available. You are expected to contribute to the up keep of your apartment as it's your living space. There is a bin outside that guests can throw rubbish in.
The staff are friendly and have good banter and smiles.
BAD POINTS- The place is situated 300 metres from a church which can be very loud on a Sunday morning 8am.
Place could do with updating, fresh paint or around the taps in the bathroom/kitchen to be cleaned more. This isn't a HOTEL where you are waited on. YOU have completed INDEPENDENCE to make your stay the way you want it.
GOOD POINTS- EXCELLENT VALUE for MONEY, ANY good points outweigh any negatives. Let's you experience the real Jamaican culture while feeling safe and secure.
TAXI's are available at the entrance of the property REGULARLY (less than 1min). STAFF are all excellent. ROOMS are huge.
I don't think you can find a better place for THE PRICE... if you're a tourist that requires being waited on with an all inclusive swimming pool holiday...this is NOT for you. If you are a tourist that likes independence and value for money...YOU'VE got the right place.

great for budgeted family vacation

donmL5909COon 29/12/2016 20:41

I have stayed at Bethel Court eight times. It's the only place that I've found that has kitchen cooking and refrigeration. When you are feeding four people like I was......being able to cook or pull a beer out of a fridge can save lots of money. Stevie is the owner and manager and always on site. If you need assistance he he almost always available.. It's not in a fancy part of town but the rooms are clean and safe. You will be a few miles from the beach...but it is easy to get a local cab to take you there for a few bucks. If you don't mind being off the beaten path....and need a reasonably priced place to stay and also like to cook your own food...then this is the place for you. I will be going back again next year.
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Guest House or Hostel

funinthesun234on 15/09/2016 07:44

Booked the 3 bedroom guest house with AC for 5 nights. On arrival was placed in a run down hostel no Ac or even comfortable chair to sit on and blocked toilets. Tried to stay there and rough it out but couldn't. On the second evening called manager explained that I booked and paid for guest house with Ac and these lodgings aren't either. Was moved to the guest house with Ac following day. Guest house was clean, spacious and suitable for family. I thought the manager put us in the wrong accommodation on purpose to save money so watch out.