For Jake’s Hotel, the phrase “a photo is worth a thousand words” really holds true. The colorful photos on the hotel website captures the hotel’s one-of-a-kind vibe. To understand how it came to be, it’s helpful to get a little bit of family history, which has been well documented. But in short: Sally Henzell—the mastermind behind Jakes Hotel—used to be a costume designer, and her talent shows in her design. The family-owned hotel began with a cottage Sally built to live in, expanded to a restaurant, and then took on a life of it’s own.

As you drive into Treasure Beach Jamaica – two hours from the closest international airport in Montego Bay – you’ll immediately notice the community focus. “Treasure Beach: Home of Community Tourism” – the sign written on an old fish boat greets you from the roadside.

The community connection pervades all aspects of the hotel. Local produce is used to cook the meals. Jake’s recommends community restaurants down the road, shows Jamaican movies on a big screen on Thursday, connects with members of the community to offer excursions and more. You will leave feeling a sense of true connection to the place you visited.

The center of the property hosts Jakes Restaurant, Dougies Bar, and a saltwater pool that gets a little cloudy on rough sea days. Comfortable loungers overlook a pier and rocky shoreline. Jakes Restaurant supports the local community by sourcing from fishermen, farmers, and chefs from Treasure Beach, with a menu that changes daily. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Take a stroll in one direction, on a path that winds behind seaside cottages, and you’ll reach Jack Sprat, the second restaurant. Here’s where the locals come to hang out and Jakes, where you’ll find another round of fresh Jamaican fare, but also pizzas and ice cream. Right next to Jack Sprat is a shallow, calm beach—perfect for little ones to swim and also to practice snorkeling.

Head the other direction from the main lobby area, and you’ll end up at the charming Driftwood Spa. Make a point to visit this spa during your stay. The open-air treatment rooms have three walls, with the fourth wall opening up straight to the ocean. Spa products are all made in-house. Twice a week, yoga classes are held on the roof-deck.

Most of the rooms and cottages on Jake’s main property are too small to fit families. There are two cottages right near the main hotel area, however—Mussels and Sweet Lip—that have multiple rooms, and would be our top pick for a family stay. The other cottages and villas, which range from two to five bedrooms, are all located in the community—some as close as a 5-minute walk away, others as far as a 5-10 minute drive. But no matter where you stay, Jakes will make it easy for you to settle in.