Bolt House played a significant role in Jamaica’s social life, hosting such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, the Queen of England and Noel Coward
(SARASOTA, FL) SunVillas, a Jamaican villa rental firm with corporate headquarters in Sarasota, recently announced that it added the celebrated Bolt House estate to its selection of more than 125 luxury villas. Surrounded by 50 acres of landscaped lawn, fruit trees, and lush, untouched tropical forest, Bolt House is nestled on a hill overlooking Port Maria's harbor in St. Mary, Jamaica. The estate enjoys a rich history, says Reg Irvine, co-founder of SunVillas.
“In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Bolt House played a significant role in the social life of the island, hosting such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin and the Queen of England,” says Irvine. “Its owner at the time, Blanche Blackwell (mother of Chris Backwell, founder of Island Records), was quite a socialite. Not long after moving there, she became very friendly with her famous neighbors, authors Ian Fleming and Noel Coward. In fact, the view overlooking the harbor from Bolt House is the view immortalized by Coward in Room with a View.”
Irvine explains that Bolt House was the stage for a host of celebrity-filled parties during its heyday. Luminaries including Elizabeth Taylor, Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Lauren spent time there.
In 2000, Blackwell sold Bolt House to its current owner who has totally refurbished the house and the land surrounding it. The 5,000-square-foot main villa sits on 50 acres. Luxury amenities include an infinity-edge swimming pool and hot tub, a wet and dry sauna, a yoga deck overlooking the ocean, and access to one of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica at Goldeneye. There, guests have access to a charming one-bedroom cottage directly on the ocean. The villa is also fully staffed, and includes a chef, butlers, housekeeper and gardeners who are committed exclusively to Bolt House and ensure that the expectations, personal attention and privacy of each guest is met.
“We’re delighted to represent this remarkable estate,” says Alan Marlor, co-owner of SunVillas. “Not only is it a lovely setting, but its fascinating history gives it even more of a distinction.”
About SunVillas
SunVillas owners, Alan Marlor and Reg Irvine, formed SunVillas in the mid-1990's after spending years vacationing in Jamaica and experiencing the unique pleasures of a staying in a fully-staffed villa. They began by listing a few villas owned by their friends on the newly developing internet. Within a few years, Marlor and Irvine had a thriving business, allowing them retire from their corporate jobs in Minnesota. Now fulltime residents of Sarasota, they run the administrative end of the business from Florida, taking long quarterly trips to visit each property. They also rely on their staff in Jamaica to handle all local issues. Since each villa is staffed by a team of experienced professionals, SunVillas guests enjoy 24-hour service, including airport pickup and return, door-to-door luggage delivery, grocery shopping, meal preparation and personalized tours. SunVillas now offers more than 120 hand-selected villas, from beachside cottages, to comfortable family homes, to luxury estates. All are spacious and graciously appointed with stylish amenities and furnishings. These havens away from home are nestled on lushly landscaped sites, most directly overlooking the breathtaking drama of sea and surf. All offer private pools, verdant gardens, and a discreet, multi-talented staff.
For more information about Sunvillas, visit www.sunvillas.com or call 941-922-9191.
