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Reviews of Zimbali Culinary Retreat

3 out of 5
Zimbali Culinary Retreat
Canaan Mountain, Westmoreland, Little London

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 42 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

April

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
We booked Zimbali because we love nature, and wanted to do the retreat experience they offer. The property is beautiful, and filled with nature. We had researched the property for quite some time so knew alot about it, but not from the owners personally. We did the farm to table 5 course meal, and the rasta tour. Both were amazing. Natalie (a staff member there) was wonderful as well as the other staff members. The issue we had was with the owners. Mark for the most part was welcoming and assisted us with getting a cab into town. His wife/co owner Alesia was rude. She never acknowledged us when we got there. Anytime we asked her a question she was dismissive, had a rude tone and made it seem like we were intruding on her space by talking. The first night, she shut all the lights off around us while we were sitting there (it was 8pm). The second night, she told us we were being too loud and would wake her kids with the gate (that is at the retreat) and by playing music/talking. We were not loud AT ALL, but you can hear the neighbors sneeze at this place it’s so quiet. Lastly, we asked for the 420 package from her and she said “no, stores closed.” although the items were in her room and there’s no store hours. After that, we chose not to engage with her. Had to shorten due to Expedia's character limits. Blessings.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Response from Mark on 14 Apr 2024
Thanks for coming...Going to leave this one right here.Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Katrine

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely welcoming property, the healthy breakfasts are the best! I highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Mark on 1 Mar 2024
Thank you Katrine, We serve our food with LOVE :)Hoping to see you again :)Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Peggy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Tranquil Culinary Paradise in the Mountains Great food. Beautiful happy people that seem more like long-term friends. It’s a comfortable peaceful environment encouraging relaxation. We were impressed with the attention to details. The hammock on our room’s porch was my favorite spot. No TVs (WiFi is available) ZIMBALI'S CULINARY RETREAT offers the opportunity to disconnect as much or as little as needed. One of the unexpected benefits was the quality of sleep we experienced—undoubtedly the best in months, as verified by my sleep app. My advice: Don’t miss The Culinary Cooking show. The farm fresh food is authentic. It is delicious. The five course meal is uniquely prepared and presented in a way that pleases all senses. We also gained some valuable knowledge of plant based farm to fork eating and the African drummers added a wonderful rhythm to the whole experience. We are already looking forward to future visits. This one checked all the boxes for us.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Mark on 1 Mar 2024
Thank you Peggy for the lovely review, I particularly like that you caught on to the great sleep that the country provides- I love the sleep here :)So thankful to share some time with you and hoping to see you again :)Blessings- mark

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Zimbali is an oasis for peace and calm. We opted to take our infant on his first trip here instead of the original idea of an all-inclusive resort. We made the right decision since we were able to relax and soak in the nature around us. The family who runs the property are warm and welcoming and they engaged with us family-to-family. I would recommend this place to anyone for the food and local beauty.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Response from Mark on 8 Jan 2024
Hi Benjamin, Thank you so much for bringing your lovely family to visit.We do love children here as we have a few of our own and they love other kids as well. All the best for the future of your lovely family and hope you come back and join us again :)Blessings- Mark & Alecia (and kids :)

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really nice stay. We vacationed here for 2 nights to try something different from the constant all inclusives. And it was definitely worth it. Located up it the hills of little London, definitely not an easy drive, but a very rewarding experience. There is wifi available, no TV, a pool and private site/villas for each room. We stayed in the mountain cottage and there was enough space for more than 2 people. Ample closet space and, kitchenette located in room. Patio was large and you are able to pick starfruit from the deck. The true high light of this stay is the 5-course dinner cooking show. Chef Alessia really outdid herself. Breakfast in the morning and lunch in the evening was also great. The food is farm grown and it tastes amazing. They use no added salts or flavors, just natural tastes and it was delicious. She makes it all from scratch. Overall, a really enjoyable stay if you want something more authentic! Would definitely visit again.
Response from Mark on 23 Dec 2023
Hi Samantha, Thank you for coming to share some time and a meal or 2 with us- we appreciate all who come and you had such lovely energy :) Hope to see you again :)Blessings- Mark & Alecia

10/10 Excellent

Shannon

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a long overdue review. This was our second time at Zimbali. The first time we went for the cooking show, this time we stayed for three nights. Its hard to put into words the beauty of this place. As someone who is normally go go go, this is just what I needed. Marks daily meals were amazing and the long days just relaxing at the pool were just what we needed to unwind and rejuvenate. I have never slept so good in my life. The sounds of the mountains were a welcome change for the sounds of the city than I am use to. We can't wait to come back in April and introduce this amazing experience to two more friends that will be visiting Jamaica for the first time. See you in April.
Response from Mark on 20 Nov 2023
Hi Shannon, Thank you so much for the review :)I see you have booked again for April and cant wait to see you again and meet your friends :)Until then...Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Kamala, PEMBROKE PINES

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
If you need to get away and be with nature. Even if you dont stay. You have to book the Zimbali Culinary Show.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Mark on 10 Oct 2023
Thank you Kamala for sharing a few days with us. Was great to meet you and hope to see you again :)Blessings- mark

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was an amazing retreat! Not for everyone but is needed by all! Peaceful and Restful! Great healthy fresh food! Loved every moment
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Mark on 15 July 2023
Thanks Michael :)Agreed 100% and hope to see you again ;)Blessings- mark

6/10 Okay

Cherose

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Mark on 29 July 2023
A review like this doesn't really serve us or the future guests well. You don't tell me why its 3 out of 5 stars. You are an introverted person by nature and kept very much to yourself. As a retreat- we tend to leave people alone when they are quiet. If anywhere along the line you would have expressed how we could help you more, we of course would.Anyway- thanks for coming.Blessings- mark

2/10 Terrible

Budget

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from Mark on 19 May 2023
Thanks for Visiting and sharing your Jamaica Experience with us Joelle- hope to see you again :)Blessings- Mark & Alecia

10/10 Excellent

Aneta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from Mark on 16 Apr 2023
Thanks Aneta for coming and sharing with us- hope ot see you again soon :)Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Anna Eliza, Pireus

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
If you want to feel the Jamaican hospitality, relaxation and the best food you have ever had.You have to go!If you love ,respect nature and animals,You have to go!Mark has the answers for your escapes,his wife that is the Chef with her kitchen team cooks the most delicious food with products straight from there farm.The housekeeping ladies so kind and caring.The kitchen boys also.And my special friends Bruna, Peppers,whity and there gang.I stayed 11 days with my husband and maybe i forget someone.Guys thanks a lot for everything!!!!!! Bless and Love Liza & Bill from Greece
Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2023
Response from Mark on 29 Jan 2023
Hi Liza & Bill- what a pleasure to have you for 11 days. Your gentle spirits and easy going nature made it great to share space and the love of food :)You cam e so far to visit and I hope your return is safe and we see each other again one day :)Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

BRITTANY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
There are not enough stars to give Zimbali. More than just hotel or retreat...Zimbali is an OASIS. Family run by a group of beautiful individuals who live on the gorgeous property with their children. The retreat is on expansive land that is full of marvelous fruit trees, plants and various crops. The head chef boss lady in charge Alicia and her husband Mark are the best hosts ever. Alicia and her chefs make you 3 meals a day with ingredients from their expansive garden. You must book the cooking show, the most affordable 5 course meal I've ever seen...and incredibly delicious. I stayed for a few nights and found myself nearly teary eyed when I had to go. I'm still in Jamaica and will be returning to Zimbali next week to bring a friend for dinner and a farm tour. Anything you need...transportation, snacks, a drink, herbal refreshments, nature lessons and suggestions...Zimbali has you covered. Their beautiful location is in the middle of the jungle and waking up every morning there felt like such a gift. The hammock on the balcony is perfect...you'll spend many hours there. The pool is also a perfect likkle vibe. The entire staff at Zimbali are so incredibly funny and kind, and it's so beautiful to see them all working together...more than just "employees" they are family. And after staying there for a few days...they made me feel like family too. I will be making Zimbali a mandatory stop on all my Jamaican vacations!
Response from Mark on 9 Jan 2023
Thank you So much for coming Brittany and the kind words and for bringing your Peaceful Vibez to ZImbali.It was truly a pleasure to have you hoping to see you again soon :)Blessings- Mark & Alecia

10/10 Excellent

Kerry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Charming Jamaican retreat
Charming place to stay for a night or two off the beaten track. Part of the fun was driving there. Mark and Lisa were excellent hosts along with all their team. Food was fantastic!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Response from Mark on 31 Dec 2022
Thanks so Much for coming Kerry- truly a pleasure if only for a night...hoping to see you for longer in the future ;)Blessings- Mark

8/10 Good

Tina

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022
Response from Mark on 21 Oct 2022
Thanks Tina for coming to Zimbali.Our location I believe is our beauty. Located in the hills with rivers, springs, food and quietness...I wouldn't change it :)Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Gary Ashley Hodson

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a place in which a person goes to relax and recharge, while being surrounded by nature. The owners live on the property, which is a farm to table, eco-friendly resort. The grounds are amazingly beautiful, it is safe, and the staff are incredible. The food is clean and makes your body feel good. The fresh fruit juices are especially delicious.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Mark on 12 June 2022
Hi Guy, You both were a joy to have at Zimbali :) Great smile, easy going nature made great conversation made the time go by too quickly. Until next time ;) Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Deseria, brentwood

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
All my boxes, both big and small, were checked by Zimbala. The hospitality was way beyond expected from the moment we stepped out of the car. The food was to die for - the flavors made all my tastebuds dance. Amazing and entertaining chefs for Food Show. Room was rustic, clean and comfortable. The small stuff that is extremely important to me good A/C, excellent hot water and water pressure in shower, excellent reluable wifi cover on property, good coffee in room. The 1.5 mile to property after getting off the main was take a little maneuvering, but will be apart of the adventure. A day trip to Negril's 7 miles is about 30 minutes. My experience was awesome. This is a must do.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Response from Mark on 12 June 2022
Hi Desseria, Thank you so much for coming to Zimbali and bringing your great vibes with you :) Your enthusiasm and friendliness brought a lovely feeling to Zimbali and we thank you and hope for a quick return. Blessings & Love- mark & Alecia

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from Mark on 31 May 2022
Hi Anna, Thank you so much for coming to Zimbali w/ an open and seeking heart. It was a pleasure to have you here and we truly hope to see you soon :) Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Crystal

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great Starting poing
Great start to our wonderful trip in Jamaica, a great place to truly unwind.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Response from Mark on 11 May 2022
Hi Crystal, It was a Blessing to have you to Zimbali and share some time with you. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip and that you come back to Jamaica again and again :) Blessings- Mark

8/10 Good

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was wonderful friendly and thoughtful , unique setting a bit off beaten path. Don’t be in a hurry to get there the road is rough. The food was great the experience is worth the trip. if your looking to get out of Negril it is a good option .
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
Response from Mark on 5 Apr 2022
Thank You for coming William. Road is a little rough, but it keeps our community quiet :) Giving Thanks and hope to see you again :) Blessings- Mark

8/10 Good

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
2022 Jamaica
New experience for us. Enjoyed the mountain hike & rasta lunch. Also the culinary dinner was a fun experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
Response from Mark on 6 Mar 2022
Thank you Terry :) Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Andre

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing food and amazing people.
It was exactly what the doctor ordered for the holidays. Loved it, the food, the place, the people. A great way to spend Christmas at a home away from home. I will definitely return, with company.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
Response from mark on 2 Jan 2022
Thank you so much for visiting- it was true pleasure to have you to Zimbali. You are family now so hoping to see you again :) Blessings- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Janina

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nickeisha

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was courteous and helpful, the property offered serenity and relaxation. Would definitely recommend it.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021
Response from mark on 14 June 2021
Thank you so much for coming to Zimbali and hoping to see you again soon :) Blessings- mark

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
New pool rocks! Facilities have been upgraded during Covid, food better than ever.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great food at Zimbali
We spend one night at Zimbali and highly recommend it! It’s nice to get out in the forest and get close to the food they will serve you. The evening meal was fantastic and a nice social experience. Great breakfast the next day. Very friendly staff, highly recommend Zimbali.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019
Response from Mark on 26 Dec 2019
Thank you for sharing your time with us- hope you enjoyed your Jamaica Travels :) Blessings- Mark, Alecia and whole Family

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from Mark on 4 July 2019
Blessings & Thanks :)

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
At Zimbali you will see an example of how real Jamaican life is lived in a rural location and you will eat the best food on the island.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Response from Mark on 10 Mar 2019
Thank you for Sharing Jamaica with us and it was a real pleasure to have you...hope to see you gain soon :) Blessings- mark

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Family feel cozy farm retreat
Our stay at Zimbali was excellent. We stayed one night in the cozy cottage right off the main entrance. Rooms are rustic and charming. My favorite part of the room were the two hammocks on the balcony. The meals were delicious, fresh and wholesome. The farm to table cooking show was amazing and the food was amazing. Definite, must try. Staff were very friendly and provided a welcoming environment.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018
Response from Empress on 8 Mar 2018
Thank you for coming to Zimbali and Sharing your Love of all things Foodie/Cultural with us...hope to see you again soon :) Blessings- Alecia

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing Mountain Retreat
Food is amazing. The whole place is kept super clean and tidy. Staff are wonderful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018
Response from Empress Alecia on 30 Jan 2018
Blessings for the lovely energy you brought to Zimbali. It is always a Sharing of Love of Food & Culture and people...Thank you for sharing :) Bless- Alecia

6/10 Okay

kungfukitty, Switzerland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Promises more than is
The location was fabulous! The ride an adventure on its own. We didn't rent a 4wd but managed to get there on the very bumpy 30min dirt road. We received a very warm welcome and were shown our room and the restaurant/bar facilities with a welcome drink. There were several dogs on site and some children playing around. It was a day before Christmas and was lovely to have a feeling of being amongst family and cheerful kids. The room was very homey and nicely decorated with cultural flair. The balcony was nice and small with 2 hammocks and view into the forest and another home down the bottom of the property. The internet connection was super! The large antenna was directly in the corner of our room for the whole premises. Electrosmog was not so eco friendly. There was some loud construction work going on near our room which was very disturbing and we could not relax at all. This went on for several hours. The reason we came to the Retreat was to have peace. Some other lady staying nearby complained and they stopped for a while. Other guests were staying in the room next to us and we could hear everything they were saying so I assume the walls are thin. Therefor there was little privacy. At lunch, we were seated with other guests on the same table. We expected more creativity and something different being a cooking school. Maybe fresh fruit would have been lovely. The dogs kept barking into the night so sleeping was difficult. We paid for 3 nights but only stayed one.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017
Response from Mark on 17 Jan 2018
Thank you for coming to Zimbali- sorry if you felt your expereince was less than you desired. You did arrive on a day when we were finishing up a construction job and we explained this in the hopes you would understand- it was just about 3 hours...others did, but you did not. I would say that you never really gave it a chance. You came very tense and left the next moring the same way. You never experienced the Rasta Tour, our Cooking Tour, nor our meals...hope you had a great time in Jamaica :) Blessings- mark

8/10 Good

Paula

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A day deep in nature
Was seeking somewhere different off the beaten path to stay just for a night stumbled upon this gem great host, great private screen location great food and staff!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017
Thank you Paula :) Blessings- mark & Alecia

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic Farm Owned by Great People
We've been traveling to Jamaica for years and the farm at Zimbali Retreats has been our favorite experience by far! This little slice of heaven if nestled up in the mountains and is perfect for those wanting to experience less ocean/touristy stuff and more farm/authentic Jamaican life. Mark and Alecia have created a great little hide-away and we will be regulars. All the food is from the farm or local area and is organic. If you hike up the mountain a little further you can share a vegan lunch with a Rastafarian named Fire. You can tour the farm and head in to dinner and watch Sharika and Rambo prepare a delicious meal before your eyes. You can walk to the nearby village and visit with the locals. There are 4 dogs, 4 cats, a donkey and plenty of goats to keep you entertained. The property is full of fruit trees, vegetable plants, and bamboo. There is a meditation hut with a fantastic view. There is no air conditioning, but we were fortunate to have a wonderful breeze each night. I loved spending time on our deck in the hammock. The water is brought in from a spring and tastes delicious! Rain water is collected for showers. The cabin we stayed in was of perfect size. There was a tv in the room (for my husband) and free wifi. Anything we encountered that cost extra (and that wasn't much) was very affordable. I highly recommend this "resort" for anyone wanting a spiritual (not to be confused with religious) get away. I came back a much better person for having stayed there.

10/10 Excellent

maxine , w

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A piece of heaven away from the hustle and bustle
This is an amazing place . We were looking to get away from everything , this place is literally in the middle of a beautiful mountain valley , the owners and staff are like family we had maximum privacy and the best food .

10/10 Excellent

Sonia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
J'ai tout apprécié. La beauté des lieux, le calme et la paix que l'on y ressent, la super vibe à l'heure de l'apéro, tous les repas, les marches sur la ferme accompagnés par le chien Pepper, les chiens qui venaient nous donner de l'amour, le Rasta Tour with lunch, etc. On y dort évidemment très bien. J'y retourne dès que possible. Merci à Mark et à toute la merveilleuse équipe pour cette belle énergie et cette capacité que vous avez à nous faire sentir chez nous. Love & Blessings - Sonia
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Mark on 25 Feb 2023
Hello Sonia, Was a true pleasure to have you here and your clam manner and friendly smile were a pleasure every day. Truly hope to see you again and sending Blessings to you both :)One Love- Mark

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing retreat up in the mountains
We had a great stay at Zimbali, it's a fantastic place! Can strongly recommend it to anyone who is traveling to Negril. Everyone who works there were so kind and nice. We went on the rasta tour and the cooking show and they were bith amazing experiences. Only thing that could be better is keeping track of the services that you buy while staying there, it's easy to loose track and not remember everything when you are checking out.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022
Response from Mark on 18 Dec 2022
Just sending some Love and Thanks for coming to share the Culture and Food with us- It is all about sharing and we truly Appreci-love you for coming :)Hope to see you again-Blessings- Mark

8/10 Good

Dariusz

Travelled with group
Disliked: Staff & service
Dobre miejsce na odcięcie się od cywilizacji.
Super miejsce na odcięcie się od cywilizacji . Przyroda jest super . Bardzo słaby dojazd drogą kamienistą z dziurami. Personel mało aktywny , ustawiony raczej na wyciągniecie kasy od klienta . Oferowane posiłki były małe ilościowo i drogie . W pobliżu nie ma żadnej alternatywy zakupu ani innej restauracji. Ładny basen .
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Mark on 11 Aug 2022
2 men who never said a word to anyone until the last morning. We are a retreat and our staff responds to the guests needs and they allow your privacy if that's what you like. If $25 for a 3 course dinner is too expensive...we offer top quality and freshest you can get as most is from our farm. Thanks for coming :) Blessings- mark

8/10 Good

sophie, Nantes france

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Un excellent accueil par le propriétaire et par ses équipes le concept permet de découvrir des recettes du pays un agréable moment de détente tres bon rapport qualité prix pas de supplément
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
Response from Mark on 7 Dec 2018
Merci beaucoup d'être venu, c'était un plaisir de vous recevoir :) Blessings- mark