Golden Clouds

Coordinates: 18°24′45″N 76°56′28″W / 18.412503°N 76.9410646°W / 18.412503; -76.9410646
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Golden Clouds
Colin Simpson, Oksana Simpson
ManagementGolden Clouds
Other information
Number of suites12
Parkingyes
Website
goldenclouds.com

Golden Clouds was the name given by

Oracabessa, Jamaica.[2][3] It is situated between Goldeneye, where Ian Fleming wrote many of the James Bond novels, and Noël Coward's Firefly Estate. The ocean front 12-bedroom estate is on 7 acres (2.8 ha) of manicured lawn and gardens with over 500 feet (150 m) of shoreline and its own private beach.[4]

History

Ambassador Owen purchased the property in 1911 from Chris Blackwell's grandfather, Percy Lindo, whose family owned the J. Wray and Nephew Ltd. distillery along with several thousand acres of real estate in the Oracabessa area.[5] Owen oversaw the construction of the luxurious villa and entertained many famous guests there including Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, and Charlie Chaplin.[2][6][7]

During the 1970s the estate was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Keeson, who restored the property. The Keesons began renting the villa to the public, and over the years the clientele has included a number of celebrities such as musicians Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett,[8] and film stars Denzel Washington and Robert De Niro.[9] The villa has also hosted many weddings and is consistently ranked as one of the top Caribbean wedding destinations.[10][11]

In addition to being a popular wedding location, Golden Clouds has also served as a movie location and was featured in the film

The Price Is Right.[13]

In 2009, Golden Clouds was purchased by bestselling author and musician

The Jamaican Observer, the new owners indicated their intention to carry on the century-old tradition of luxurious accommodations and casual elegance that has made the villa world-renowned.[16]

Famous clientele

One of Golden Cloud's most famous early guests was Charlie Chaplin, who was a good friend of original owner, Ruth Bryan Owen.[17]

Architecture

Golden Cloud's neoclassical architectural design was based on Casa Figueras, an 18th-century luxury villa that Owen stayed at during her first trip to Spain,[18] and reflects Oracabessa's heritage as a Spanish settlement.[19] In 1996, Golden Clouds received the Governor General's Award[20] from the Jamaica Institute of Architects for its design, which combines historical elements with modern amenities.

Sanctuary and attractions

Golden Clouds is located in the

Sea turtles and thousands of new coral into the Oracabessa Bay area. An important part of the Fish Sanctuary is the Oracabessa Bay Turtle project. The Turtle project monitors the beaches in Oracabessa Bay, and in 2012 they helped the release of more than 16,000 hatchlings from their nests.[24]

The reef located directly in front of Golden Clouds is one of the largest in Oracabessa Bay.[25]

See also

  • List of hotels in Jamaica

References

  1. ^ "Wikimapia". Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Caribbean Caravel, Ruth Brown Owen, Dodd, Mead & Co. (1949), New York, 222 pages.
  3. ^ Historical reference
  4. ^ "Oracabessa - Where to Stay".
  5. ^ Reference to Blackwell family
  6. ^ Owen's guests at Golden Clouds
  7. ^ Reference to notable guests
  8. ^ Popular Wedding Destinations
  9. ^ Modern Bride Magazine, Caribbean Wedding Dreams, p. 19, March 2008, Conde Nest Publishing
  10. ^ Television Feature
  11. ^ James Phillipo, Jamaica: Its Past and Present State, J. Snow, 1843
  12. ^ Jamaica Observer p. 5, December 7, 2009 "Historic Oracabessa Villa Sold".
  13. ^ Reference to Charlie Chaplin
  14. ^ Caribbean Caravel, Ruth Brown Owen, Dodd, Mead & Co. (1949), New York, P. 114.
  15. ^ Historical Significance
  16. ^ Governor General’s Award
  17. ^ "Oracabessa Foundation | Oracabessa Fish Sanctuary". Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  18. ^ "Seacology grant". Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  19. ^ GEF Grant information
  20. ^ Turtles in Oracabessa Bay
  21. ^ Sport fishing destination