A night in paradise - Rafjam is a secret too good to keep

Tucked into the lush hills of St Andrew, and guarded by rough, dissuading terrain, Rafjam Bed and Breakfast is Irish Town's best-kept secret.

After several weeks of being led astray by a multitude of GPS applications, it came as no surprise to us that our online maps would have sent us off the deep end. Naive as ever, we followed the electronic tour guide, who told us to drive through Red Light district and continue along the Irish Town main road. This was incorrect!

"Weh yah go, dung a Susan?" an elderly man asked, after we had stopped to check for directions. "No man, you haffi go back dung a Red Light and turn off. You wi see di sign."

The sign, which we didn't notice until we were leaving the boutique hotel, was obscured by overgrown bushes. Based on my knowledge of some of the roadways in the hilly regions of rural St Andrew, I expected the ride would have been bumpy. I was right on the money. However, once we arrived at the chestnut cottage, our worries began to melt away.

An offshoot of the Hopewell River runs through the property, creating a calming lull that almost made you forget the journey there. A stone's throw from the property sits the cascading waterfall that empties into an pool of relaxation, inviting you in with each misty drop.

Rafjam is situated in Hopewell, a small community situated about a mile from Red Light. The one-acre property is adorned with 12 bedrooms spread among the main house, a cottage and two private villas.

"Rafjam is supposed to be a BnB (bed and breakfast), but we offer a lot more than that, and I think that's what our customers like. We have a spa, we have bar, restaurant, gorgeous rooms," Susan De Campos Palermo, the warm and friendly leader, said.

"We have a river and waterfall; as a matter of fact, we have more than one river pool, which is our best asset."

A trained dancer, De Campos Palermo said she decided to follow her husband's advice to start the bed and breakfast facility more than a decade ago.

"I love people, and my husband said, why don't you do a BnB? And then I just jumped, because I like people, I like hosting people. I like people."

Several years and hundreds of guests later, De Campos Palermo is knee-deep in developing her property. She told THE STAR that one of her main motivations is her love for her community.

"People is important to me, my community is important to me. I was born here, and I think having a business in the community and giving back is very important. The community people are very involved in assisting customers and supporting the business. We have community persons who will come and stay, come and eat and support Rafjam."

She explained that in addition to supporting her business monetarily, her neighbours often help guests to find their way to her hidden oasis, and give them tips on how to navigate the rocky road.

After spending a day of learning all Rafjam had to offer, we settled in to a delicious dinner by Chef Camille, topped off with a cozy movie night. De Campos Palermo was in the midst. She said she often spends time with her guests and forms long-lasting relationships with them.

"Most of my guest, we play games together, like ABC Fast or Slow, it's my favourite game because we can get to do that with everybody. I'm not so much into the domino thing, they do that other times, but I like to spend time with my guests. Once you come through the door, you're a part of my family and if people don't want that, it's the wrong place for you. You're at home, we have a self-serve bar. You can help yourself, do your own tab, and just be at home away from home," she said.

By the end of the time, I was ready to retire to bed in Rafjam's bestselling room, The Cave. The river, located not too far away, was singing me a lullaby. A restful night in the king-sized bed was guaranteed.

Save for some overeager mosquitoes, the magnificent golden rays of the morning sun that give a magical glow as they bounce off the tortoise-blue Hopewell River, coupled with good food, top-class customer service and cozy accommodation make Rafjam feel like paradise.