Subscription Options:
Round one of the bends on the road that meanders into Port Antonio, a compact seaside town on Jamaica’s northeastern coast, and come face to face with Trident Castle, an imposing white structure that makes you feel as if the turn you just took had deposited you in some European country, not a Caribbean island.
Trident Castle sits at the mouth of Turtle Crawle Harbor on a promontory known as Pegg Point. The secluded bay was used to “corral” turtles in pens after their capture. It also provided protection to buccaneer (pirate) ships that used to ply the region’s waters during the 16th and 18th centuries.
Now owned by Jamaican billionaire, Michael Lee Chin, Trident Castle was designed and built as a private residence for German Baroness Elizabeth Siglindy Stephan von Thyssen by hotelier and architect, Earl Levy. It boasts 8 bedrooms with full baths, a ballroom, banquet hall, two living rooms, terraces, courtyard, Romanesque pool, private chapel and helicopter pad and sits on 7 acres. A chapel, which is located in the middle of a park, can seat up to 25 people. Construction began in 1979 and lasted about ten years.
Trident Castle operates as a rental property for the well heeled and can accommodate up to 16 guests whether for weddings or other special occasions. It offers an array of amenities and activities including a private beach, two tennis courts, croquet, snorkeling, water sports and deep-sea fishing.
Celebrities such as the late John F. Kennedy, Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, Glenn Close, Kevin Kline, Kate Moss and Tom Cruise have been guests of Trident Castle.
Rental rates start at about $7,500 per night during winter season, and $4,500 per night during summer season. During the winter season, a minimum of 7-night stay required, 5 during summer. Rates include food, bar, gratuities, full use of the Trident Hotel nearby and, for guests staying 7 days, ground transfers.
This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday series. Be sure to check out other photo and story entries on their website!
Share this:
32 Comments on "Travel Photo Thursday: Trident Castle"
Comments are closed.
This is a very valuable post, I found it looking through Google. I believe most readers will agree with your views.
Saltwater Fishing Charter
Thanks again for visiting and commenting. Next time I’m in LI, I’ll have to book an excursion.
What a treat and such a beautiful place… Thnak you for sharing this one… 🙂
You’re welcome, Elizabeth. It is a beautiful place.
I love castles– this was a surprise! Looks really beautiful
It definitely is and it’s a beautiful one.
What a gorgeous looking castle. Great picture! Wow on those rental rates.
It sure is but at those prices, most of us can only look from afar.
How I wish I could afford 7,500 per night to stay in this place! I’d like to visit Port Antonio sometime. Many years ago while I was staying in Montego Bay, we planned on driving there for a side trip, but never found our way! Next time in Jamaica, maybe……
Hey Cathy, if you ever make it here, please let me know — I’ll definitely give you a tour.
It’s a straight drive to Portland now with the new road that’s been built.
Well, I thought this place was lovely until I saw the price tag!! A girl can dream!
Oh yes she can!
Wow, crazy expensive. It looks like a cool place to stay, though!
Definitely not for the ordinary travel.
That’s beautiful. Looks cozy and very welcoming.
It sure is. Would love to see the inside and the grounds.
Interesting discovery that. Quite an unexpected building for Jamaica.
Definitely is, Sophie.
Wow!
But only eight bedrooms,
Why is it cheaper in the summer?
Yes, only 8 — it was a private home. Some private home, eh?
Summer rates are cheaper because we get fewer visitors from North America as the weather’s the same – warm. So airlines and properties lower their rates in the ‘off season’ to attract and encourage people to visit.
How cool! I didn’t know they had castles in Jamaica.
Yes, this is one of two. The other one is now in ruins.
Wow, it does make you feel as if you were in Europe! It looks amazing.
Sure does, Nanette. Thanks for visiting.
7 thousand dollars for rent…. =O
Jamaica has a lot of beautiful buildings though, even the Rose Hall XD (though I am too scared to go in)
Definitely out of our league!
Annie, you should definitely visit Rose Hall — it’s not that scary.
Well I’m ready to stay at Trident Castle! Just gotta find the $$. Great pictures of something I didn’t know existed.
Me too, Debbie. Maybe if 14 more people want to go, we could afford one night (in the summer)?? Hahahaha!!!
Very interesting background, and a beautitul image of the castle.
Thanks, Andrew. The castle is quite beautiful, just way out of most our leagues.
You’d think they might be able to pack in a few more than 16 people in the place but I guess you get a lot of privacy for that price.
Is it ever open to the public??
I think they still want to preserve the private home feel plus they only have 8 rooms.
I doubt it is but I couldn’t get any information on that.