Ratings based on 44 Verified Reviews
4.7 Room cleanliness
4.6 Service & staff
4.6 Room comfort
4.6 Hotel condition
Expedia Verified Reviews
by A verified traveler
Posted 4 Aug 2024
An amazing experience! Serene escape to fully relax and enjoy the peacefulness in a safe and extremely beautiful location! I will definitely return and you’re really missing out if you’ve never gone for a culinary experience or brief stay!
Comment from Hotel Management
4 Aug 2024 by Mark, Hotel Management
Hi Debbie, Thanks so much for coming to share some lovely time with us. We truly appreciate your kind words and you are family now, so hope to see you again soon :)Blessings- Mark & Alecia
by A verified traveler from St thomas
Posted 9 Jun 2024
Comment from Hotel Management
10 Jun 2024 by Mark, Hotel Management
When a person leaves a wordless review from 4 months ago there is just nothing I can say. I urge readers to please read other reviews as this is essentially meaningless....We are a small family business who live on property and do our very best everyday. We are here to show you real culture and amazing food, but we ask that you come with an open mind and warm heart.Blessings- mark
by A verified traveler
An amazing experience
Posted 22 Apr 2024 on HotelsI had an amazing stay. I did not know what to expected considering that the road to the hotel was a little bumpy but at the end of that road was a delightful oasis nestled in lush green forested landscape with various fruit trees. The staff were welcoming and tended to our every need and food preference.
Comment from Hotel Management
25 Apr 2024 by Mark, Hotel Management
Such a pleasure to meet you Errol and hoping to see you back again soon w/ your lovely wife :)Blessings & Respect- Alecia
by A verified traveler
Posted 19 Apr 2024 on Hotels
Comment from Hotel Management
20 Apr 2024 by Mark, Hotel Management
Great Seeing you Shannon :)Thank you so much0Blessings- Mark
by A verified traveler
Posted 9 Apr 2024
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.
Comment from Hotel Management
14 Apr 2024 by Mark, Hotel Management
Thanks for coming...Going to leave this one right here.Blessings- Mark
by A verified traveler
Posted 19 Feb 2024
Lovely welcoming property, the healthy breakfasts are the best! I highly recommend!
Comment from Hotel Management
1 Mar 2024 by Mark, Hotel Management
Thank you Katrine, We serve our food with LOVE :)Hoping to see you again :)Blessings- Mark
by A verified traveler
Posted 10 Feb 2024
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.
Comment from Hotel Management
1 Mar 2024 by Mark, Hotel Management
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
by A verified traveler
Posted 8 Jan 2024
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.
Comment from Hotel Management
8 Jan 2024 by Mark, Hotel Management
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 :)
by A verified traveler
Posted 23 Dec 2023
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.
Comment from Hotel Management
23 Dec 2023 by Mark, Hotel Management
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
by A verified traveler
Posted 20 Nov 2023
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.
Comment from Hotel Management
20 Nov 2023 by Mark, Hotel Management
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
