MommyPoppins.com
MAKE YOUR DAY
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact
Anywhere
  • Anywhere
  • New York City
  • Dallas Fort Worth
  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • Miami South Florida
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington DC
  • Orlando
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Connecticut
  • Long Island
  • New Jersey
  • Westchester
Calendar  
  • Activity Search

  • Submit an Activity

Things To Do  
  • Crafts for Kids

  • Recipes

  • Science for Kids

  • Games & Activities

  • Online & Virtual

Parenting  
  • Parenting Guide

  • Baby & Maternity

  • Teen & Tween Guide

  • Top Toys & Gear

Camps & Classes  
  • Camp Guide

  • Virtual Camps

  • Virtual Classes

Parties & Holidays  
  • Gift Guide

  • Party Ideas

  • Halloween

  • Thanksgiving

  • Christmas and Hanukkah

  • All Holidays

Family Travel  
  • Family Vacations

  • Resorts & Hotels

  • Theme & Water Parks

  • New England Travel

  • Cape Cod, Nantucket & The Vineyard

  • Jersey Shore Guide

  • Poconos Vacation Guide

Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact

HOME - Anywhere

Activity Calendar

Providers

Contact

Sign up for our free newsletters.
Moms want alone time, quiet, and the chance to relax. Photo by Mommy Poppins
50 Mother's Day Gifts Moms *Actually* Want
Camp Lindenmere is a jam-packed Pennsylvania summer camp offering sports, circus arts, creative activities, and more. Photo courtesy of the camp
GUIDE
National Summer Camp Guide
Mother's Day Brunch Recipes Kids Can Make to Spoil Mom
Even cats get grumpy. There's a day for that! Starfleet Pet photo by Reba Spike, via Flickr 2.0
Free Comic Book Day, Grump Out, and More Holidays & Activities for May 2025
Would you rather drink hot chocolate or chocolate milk? Photo by the author
100 Best 'Would You Rather' Questions for Clever Kids
Printable word search puzzles are a great way to keep little brains engaged.
Printable Word Puzzles for Kids: Great Sites for Word Searches, Crosswords, & Word Scrambles
Starbucks birthday freebies can include cake pops, drinks, or other treats!  Photo by Heather Cox Rosenberg
Birthday Freebies for Kids: 63 Places To Get Free Stuff on Your Birthday
It's easier than you'd think to turn a simple paper lunch bag into a festive piñata!
How To Make a Piñata at Home: Easy Paper Bag Piñatas
Cheap All-Inclusive Resorts with Packages for Families
Test your family's knowledge with this fun list of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader questions.
100 Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader Questions
Learn some random fun facts that will leave your kids laughing. Photo by Sara Marentette
125 Fun Facts For Kids That Will Blow Their Minds
How many of these trivia questions can your little brainiac answer? Photo by J. Fanchin, courtesy of Canva
100 Trivia Questions for Kids - With Answers!
How about a birthday celebration at a local park for free! Photo by Antonius Ferret vis Pexels
GUIDE
Free Activities, Events, Classes, and Camps for Kids
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program mails one free, high-quality book per month to children ages 0-5! Photo courtesy of the Dollywood Foundation
Free Stuff For Kids in the Mail: Free Books, Magazines, Toys, and More
GUIDE
What Should I Do Today?
Make memories to last a lifetime at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos.
42 Warm and Sunny Family Winter Vacation Ideas in the US and Abroad
Have sweet dreams of all the free baby stuff you'll get. Photo by Garrett Jackson courtesy of Unsplash
How to Get Free Baby Stuff: Free Diapers, Formula, Baby Gear, and More
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Saguaro in Palm Springs, California, beckons families with its pool and more.
GUIDE
Guide to Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels
Teachers have found inspiring ways to be there for our kids. Here are some ways to show our appreciation. Photo by Yan Krukov, Pexels
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2025: Teacher Appreciation Gifts They’ll Love
Mommy Poppins Family Travel Guide
Get a sunscreen they won't mind slathering on! Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen Lotion image courtesy of the company
Reef-Safe Sunscreen for Kids: Protecting Their Skin and the Planet
When kids are bored, bored, bored, it's handy to have a whole list of fun things to do. Photo by Mommy Poppins
"I’m Bored, What Should I Do?" 100 Things To Do When Kids Are Bored
Snuggle up with one of these beloved bedtime stories for kids. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
41 Best Bedtime Stories for Kids, Including Free Bedtime Stories Online
FIND AND BOOK ACTIVITIES
calendar icon
This Week
Anywhere
Live Video Chat With Santa Claus
North Pole - various times
Online AI & Coding Lesson for Kids & Teens
Virtual - various times
Live Video Chat With Santa Claus
North Pole - various times
Online AI & Coding Lesson for Kids & Teens
Virtual - various times
Free Frozen Yogurt for Moms at TCBY
TCBY - Participating Locations - various times
Live Video Chat With Santa Claus
North Pole - various times
Online AI & Coding Lesson for Kids & Teens
Virtual - various times
Live Video Chat With Santa Claus
North Pole - various times
Online AI & Coding Lesson for Kids & Teens
Virtual - various times
Live Video Chat With Santa Claus
North Pole - various times
Online AI & Coding Lesson for Kids & Teens
Virtual - various times
Live Video Chat With Santa Claus
North Pole - various times
Online AI & Coding Lesson for Kids & Teens
Virtual - various times
Live Video Chat With Santa Claus
North Pole - various times
Online AI & Coding Lesson for Kids & Teens
Virtual - various times
SEE ALL ACTIVITIES
SUBMIT AN ACTIVITY +
Sign up for our free newsletters.
FOLLOW US FOR ACTIVITY PICKS, DEALS, AND GIVEAWAYS
FaceBook Instagram Twitter Pinterest YouTube
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pin It WhatsApp

Villas by Linda Smith: Luxury Jamaican Vacation Rentals Perfect for Families

10/28/14 - By Allison Tibaldi

We've reviewed plenty of hotels and resorts in the Caribbean, the go-to choice for most travelers to the region. But for some families, skipping the hotel and renting a private home might be preferable. A house provides many advantages for families, like more room and amenities that can make travel with children much easier. It's one reason we like home swapping so much. 

The one drawback to renting a vacation house can be missing out on some of the services and amenities that you get at a hotel or resort. The family who wants the advantages of a house rental and the luxury service of a resort can find it with a company like Villas by Linda Smith in Jamaica. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Why consider renting a private home?
For multi-generational travelers, large families and family reunions, a vacation rental property can have many advantages.  A private house offers plenty of space for everyone. While spending time with extended family can facilitate memorable moments, a bit of privacy and personal space is usually welcome.  While certainly not cheap, even luxurious villa rentals can be a good value. Do the math and you may find it more cost effective than staying at a resort.  Unlike cookie-cutter chain hotels, the vacation rental experience is very personalized.

A Jamaican Villa
I recently was invited to Jamaica to stay in a 6-bedroom private villa operated by Villas by Linda Smith.  The company owns nearly 600 properties and has been in business since 1985. Jamaica is their sole focus, so they really know the island.  Their properties are island-wide, but most are clustered near Montego Bay. This means that they are only minutes from the Montego Bay airport, so you can start your vacation soon after you land. 

Luxury is Included
I’ve rented vacation homes using sites like VRBO and Craigslist in several countries without a hitch. If you are willing to do the legwork, these types of do-it-yourself rentals can work fine.  But the wraparound attention that you get renting with Linda takes the level of service up several notches.  They customize everything.  Need formula for baby? Oxygen for granny? They’ll take care of it before your plane lands.

Each property is stocked with high-end amenities.  From toiletries to fresh linens to private swimming pools and tennis courts, you will want for nothing. 

Linda or one of her staff inspects each property, even sleeping in them periodically to make sure they are up to the standard of discerning guests.The local Concierge drops by to welcome you early on in your stay.  She was always accessible during our holiday and was a wealth of knowledge regarding local happenings.

A Pampering Staff
The staff of eight at our villa included a live-in house manager, cook, maid and night watchman.  They cook, shop, wash and iron your laundry, watch your kids and generally specialize in pampering you.  They couldn’t have been kinder or more attentive.  From the time we got up in the morning and found a steaming pot of coffee until the last dinner dish was washed, they catered to us.

A Variety of Sizes and Price Tags
The homes vary in size and price, but they are all luxurious. Most have private swimming pools and some have tennis courts. Expect to pay approximately $5,000 per week for a large, multi-bedroom villa in the low season and $8,000 in the high season. Low season is mid- April until mid-December.  Christmas and New Year’s weeks have special holiday prices, even higher than high season rates. If you’re splitting the rental cost between several families, the price per person may be cheaper than staying at a fancy resort. There are less expensive homes in Linda’s portfolio and there are astronomically priced homes suited for Donald Trump. You pay for the food that the staff prepares. Don’t forget to budget for the cost of the suggested staff tip.  Linda recommends calculating 10% of the total cost of your stay in high season and 15% of the total cost in low season.

Club Membership is Included
Most villa rentals include membership to nearby private clubs for your entire group. These posh private clubs offer golf, children’s programs and spectacular beaches.

Book Early in the High Season
These rentals properties book up years in advance during the holidays.  Many families book the same home and return annually, so book early in peak season.

Rent a Car and Driver to Explore Jamaica
Roads in Jamaica are notoriously rough, and few foreigners are comfortable driving here. To make matters worse, cars are left-hand drive, just like in Great Britain. Some families may never want to leave the rental property, but if you are curious to explore the island, hiring a car with driver is recommended. Linda Smith can organize a car or van for your group. They are happy to arrange airport pick-ups.

The Details
The villa vacation gives families lots of options. You can lay low cocooned in the property or use it as a base to explore the island.  It can be formal or casual, just let the staff know what you’re comfortable with.  For extended families, it gives everyone the possibility of personal time and space.  I met families who were habitual renters and others who had saved for years to celebrate milestone events.

For more information on renting a villa in Jamaica visit Villas by Linda Smith.

Editor's Note: Mommy Poppins accepts free or reduced price accommodations in order to review travel destinations. The opinions of the writer are solely her own and destinations do not have any say in the resulting editorial. 

Beaches & Lakes Hotels & Resorts Family Travel Family Travel Caribbean Jamaica

Featured Local Savings

Sign up for our free
newsletters.
New York City
Dallas Fort Worth
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Houston
Miami South Florida
Philadelphia
Washington DC
Orlando
Los Angeles
San Francisco Bay Area
Connecticut
Long Island
New Jersey
Westchester
MommyPoppins.com
Mommy Poppins is a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids.
QUICK LINKS
Activities
Providers
Family Travel
CONTACT
Newsletter Subscribe
Contact
About
SITEMAP
Submit an Activity
List Your Business
Advertise with Us
© 2025 MommyPoppins. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use.
mp-prod4-v4.32.99
X
Click Here to Sign Up!
Register/Login if you don't want to see this popup.