Caribbean tip: Jamaica - Dip Into Diplo's World

Grammy-winning DJ Diplo has created a (rentable) home for himself in the Jamaican creative hub of Port Antonio. Other celebrities also enjoy the cool luxury on the north coast of Jamaica.

DJ Diplo's horse is called Megan Thee Stallion. Although named after the Texan rapper, the animal is not a mare, but a stallion of the indomitable kind. And he is now galloping carefree around Diplo's 200,000 m2 "Pompey" estate, past banana trees and coconut palms. Diplo, known for his collaborations with superstars such as Beyoncé and Justin Bieber, has built himself a brutalist dream of "inside-outside living" on a mountain in Port Antonio on the north-east coast of Jamaica. Rough concrete walls are combined with large glass surfaces that let plenty of light into the earth-colored mid-century ambience. All five bedrooms lead to the swimming pool, from which visitors can enjoy endless views of the wild, sprawling landscape and the Caribbean Sea. Right next to it is the open-air kitchen, where freshly picked papayas and pineapples spread a sweet aroma. It wouldn't be Jamaica if there wasn't magic mushroom chocolate for visitors to enjoy - perfectly legal here. Young creatives like to rent space at Pompey, as they also have access to Diplo's music studio, where a Bob Marley guitar is a must.

" WITH STAR APPEAL DJ Diplo's villa is available to rent - celebrity feeling included.


Pompey Estate is located in the Portland region, where people with a certain coolness factor have been vacationing for decades. Visitors to Pompey can also use the facilities of the exclusive Geejam Hotel, which is owned by music producers Jon Baker and Steve Beaver, for a fee. Drake and Alicia Keys have already recorded their albums in the recording studio there. When the music stars are at work here, they rent the Panorama and Cocosan villas with four or six bedrooms for themselves and their entourage, ensuring their privacy.
And where do the creative minds enjoy nature? Either on the picturesque private beach of Geejam or on Winnifred Beach, which is a 10-minute walk from Pompey. Diplo enjoys surfing at nearby Boston Beach or swimming in tranquil Frenchman's Cove. Not far from here is the 50-metre-deep Blue Lagoon, a sparkling turquoise natural idyll where an underground freshwater spring meets the seawater. Right in front of the Geejam Hotel there is also a six square kilometer "No Fish" zone, which is the result of an initiative by the Alligator Head Foundation financed by Francesca von Habsburg. Von Habsburg lives in a property next to Geejam that has been owned by the Thyssen-Bornemisza family for decades. Thanks to the organization's efforts, the reef off Cold Harbor has been brought back to life. When snorkeling, holidaymakers discover that many hawksbill turtles, lobsters and eagle rays are once again romping about in the water.

" VANESSA FOREMAN The Pompey chef has already cooked for many celebrities. "



' In the Blue Lagoon, the sea meets an underground freshwater spring '

Take a helicopter to the island hotspots

The best way to get from Port Antonio to Ocho Rios is by helicopter. On the flight over the dense canopy of the Blue Mountains, the pilot swoops very low over the riverbed of the Rio Grande, on whose banks there is not a house for miles. The water fun continues at Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios' main attraction. This 55 m high and 180 m long waterfall runs in terraces and is one of the few on earth that flows directly into the sea. Nature lovers like to come here early in the morning by boat from the classic Jamaica Inn hotel before too many visitors want to explore the natural spectacle.
In the mountains above Ocho Rios, sisters Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau have created the foodie hotspot "Two Sisters Jamaica" in a 200-year-old country house. The two are known from film and TV and have also cooked for King Charles. Here, gourmets can sample upscale Jamaican country cuisine in curated food experiences. Only local ingredients are used in all dishes. Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau serve fried bread tree fruit, rice and peas with coconut milk and spicy jerk meat, which is grilled outdoors over pimento wood and served in style on antique crockery. We continue by helicopter to the exclusive Round Hill Resort in Montego Bay, which extends over an area of 450,000 m2. Ralph Lauren designed the 36 rooms of Pineapple House here and felt so at home in the relaxed country club atmosphere that he purchased several villas on the estate. Together with Diplo and Francesca von Habsburg, he can testify that Jamaica invites luxury travelers to linger.

" TWO SISTERS JAMAICA the pleasure kingdom of Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau "





PORT ANTONIO

POMPEY VILLA
DJ Diplo's "inside-outside" villa. 5 bedrooms, swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, yoga pavilion, riding horses.
pompeyjamaica.com

GEEJAM HOTEL Boutique hotel with recording studio. 12 rooms, 4 log cabins,
4 separate villa ensembles.
www.geejamhotel.com

" GEEJAM boutique hotel with high celebrity density "

SUN VILLAS
Overwater Villas, Jamaican style.
www.sunvillas.com




OCHO RIOS


JAMAICA INN
The country's classic hotel, where Marilyn Monroe relaxed on her honeymoon with Arthur Miller.
www.jamaicainn.com



MONTEGO BAY


FLOWER HILL VILLA
Private villa with pool overlooking Montego Bay. 8 bedrooms. Guests have access to Half Moon Bay Resort.
www.flowerhilljamaica.com www.halfmoon.com




ROUND HILL HOTEL AND VILLAS Timeless elegance in the Ralph Lauren look.
www.roundhill.com