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GIRLS' WEEKEND TURNS INTO HOME AWAY FROM HOME - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 15
Donna Boles made a lot of new friends during her recent visit to her ‘home away from home’ at The Palmyra Resort & Spa. Greeted by smiling faces and addressed by name on her stroll around the beautiful property, Donna emphasizes that the genuine friendliness of the resort’s staff has made her feel more than welcome to her new Palmyra residence.
Donna’s love for Jamaica started way back, when she visited Jamaica with her tightly knit group of girlfriends. They loved it so much that they ended up visiting the island annually for 4 consecutive years. As the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for global medical technology giant Becton, Dickinson & Company, which has representation in over 50 countries, Donna frequently travels the world for both business and pleasure. After comparing many destinations, Jamaica won her heart. Donna describes her affection for the Caribbean island, which has become her second home in a few simple yet powerful words, “I love Jamaica.”
Donna first learned about The Palmyra from another residence owner, who told her about the fantastic new development in Rose Hall. “When I came to Jamaica in 2007 and met Judith Ferger, Sales Executive at The Palmyra, I liked the plans,” explains Donna. Although the only visuals available at the time were artist renderings, Donna immediately knew that the development was the right choice for her and wanted to own a piece of it. States Donna, “There are many attractive things about this project.”
The fantastic spa and state of the art fitness center, which are also available on property, were main factors in Donna’s decision to purchase a residence. “I love the spa,” says Donna about the 30,000 sq ft sanctuary designed by award-winning spa designer Susan Harmsworth, founder and CEO of ESPA, who according to Condé Nast Traveler counts 5 of the world’s top 10 best spas among her designs. Open-air porticos surrounding a reflecting lily-pond provide a tranquil space that takes full advantage of the wonderful views, creating a perfect atmosphere for the two-storey luxury Palmyra ESPA, which will rival the world’s best in body and soul services.
The successful businesswoman, who holds a bachelors degree in human resources management and psychology as well as an MBA from Pace in White Plains, NY, names golf as another attraction that was important to her, “I am an avid golfer and the access to beautiful golf courses is so easy.” To prove how near the Cinnamon Hill course is, Donna mentions that a couple of days ago she played 18 holes there as late as 6:00 pm. “I had a fantastic caddy that day, I just love the genuine friendliness of the Jamaican people,” she adds. So what could be better than a vacation home in the midst of Rose Hall’s 54 holes of golf holes and privileged membership at the White Witch, Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon championship courses? After all, Rose Hall, Jamaica is the Best Golf Resort in the Caribbean according to Travel + Leisure.
Without hesitation, Donna picks the oceanfront view of her 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo as her favorite feature. But apart from enjoying the fully furnished luxury vacation home with her family, she has other plans in mind. “I believe that when you receive, you need to give back,” says Donna. “I told my friends already that they are free to come to Jamaica and enjoy what I am enjoying here,” she continues.
You can’t help but wonder about the age of the joyous, smiling Donna, especially when she reveals that she first visited the island 30 years ago and has an almost 20 year old son named Blake. “He studies music, his first love, drums and piano, but I told him that he also needs something more solid so he added zoology,” states the proud mother. “He came here when he was two and we stayed at Boscobel Beach Hotel, which was an absolute dream,” remembers Donna. The friendliness of the Jamaican people has really made an impact on her, as she remembers how impressed she was with the nanny service at the time. “Blake is a big traveler, I need to bring him here before the year ends,” she adds with determination.
Donna thoroughly enjoyed her second stay in her Palmyra residence and made use of all available facilities to the fullest, including the spectacular white sand beach in which the developer has invested more than US$3.5 million. An environmentally friendly, natural ecosystem was created and the existing marine life on The Palmyra coastline was preserved. “Violet and Andrew, the lifeguards helped me to tackle my swimming, I needed to focus on my breathing,” she explains and adds, “I am making great progress and am far more confident now.”
Sales Executive Judith Ferger, who refers to Donna as a friend rather than a client, remembers a statement Donna made when sitting with a group of Palmyra owners, “It is almost like you are chosen to own at The Palmyra, it is like being part of a family.”
The Jamaica Tourist team spoke to Donna on the day of her departure and it was touching to see that every minute, a member of The Palmyra, a Solis Resort & Spa’s staff stopped by to give Donna a good-bye hug. It seems Donna’s theory of receiving and giving back works perfectly, her sunny nature has truly made her a part of The Palmyra family.
Donna’s love for Jamaica started way back, when she visited Jamaica with her tightly knit group of girlfriends. They loved it so much that they ended up visiting the island annually for 4 consecutive years. As the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for global medical technology giant Becton, Dickinson & Company, which has representation in over 50 countries, Donna frequently travels the world for both business and pleasure. After comparing many destinations, Jamaica won her heart. Donna describes her affection for the Caribbean island, which has become her second home in a few simple yet powerful words, “I love Jamaica.”
Donna first learned about The Palmyra from another residence owner, who told her about the fantastic new development in Rose Hall. “When I came to Jamaica in 2007 and met Judith Ferger, Sales Executive at The Palmyra, I liked the plans,” explains Donna. Although the only visuals available at the time were artist renderings, Donna immediately knew that the development was the right choice for her and wanted to own a piece of it. States Donna, “There are many attractive things about this project.”
The fantastic spa and state of the art fitness center, which are also available on property, were main factors in Donna’s decision to purchase a residence. “I love the spa,” says Donna about the 30,000 sq ft sanctuary designed by award-winning spa designer Susan Harmsworth, founder and CEO of ESPA, who according to Condé Nast Traveler counts 5 of the world’s top 10 best spas among her designs. Open-air porticos surrounding a reflecting lily-pond provide a tranquil space that takes full advantage of the wonderful views, creating a perfect atmosphere for the two-storey luxury Palmyra ESPA, which will rival the world’s best in body and soul services.
The successful businesswoman, who holds a bachelors degree in human resources management and psychology as well as an MBA from Pace in White Plains, NY, names golf as another attraction that was important to her, “I am an avid golfer and the access to beautiful golf courses is so easy.” To prove how near the Cinnamon Hill course is, Donna mentions that a couple of days ago she played 18 holes there as late as 6:00 pm. “I had a fantastic caddy that day, I just love the genuine friendliness of the Jamaican people,” she adds. So what could be better than a vacation home in the midst of Rose Hall’s 54 holes of golf holes and privileged membership at the White Witch, Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon championship courses? After all, Rose Hall, Jamaica is the Best Golf Resort in the Caribbean according to Travel + Leisure.
Without hesitation, Donna picks the oceanfront view of her 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo as her favorite feature. But apart from enjoying the fully furnished luxury vacation home with her family, she has other plans in mind. “I believe that when you receive, you need to give back,” says Donna. “I told my friends already that they are free to come to Jamaica and enjoy what I am enjoying here,” she continues.
You can’t help but wonder about the age of the joyous, smiling Donna, especially when she reveals that she first visited the island 30 years ago and has an almost 20 year old son named Blake. “He studies music, his first love, drums and piano, but I told him that he also needs something more solid so he added zoology,” states the proud mother. “He came here when he was two and we stayed at Boscobel Beach Hotel, which was an absolute dream,” remembers Donna. The friendliness of the Jamaican people has really made an impact on her, as she remembers how impressed she was with the nanny service at the time. “Blake is a big traveler, I need to bring him here before the year ends,” she adds with determination.
Donna thoroughly enjoyed her second stay in her Palmyra residence and made use of all available facilities to the fullest, including the spectacular white sand beach in which the developer has invested more than US$3.5 million. An environmentally friendly, natural ecosystem was created and the existing marine life on The Palmyra coastline was preserved. “Violet and Andrew, the lifeguards helped me to tackle my swimming, I needed to focus on my breathing,” she explains and adds, “I am making great progress and am far more confident now.”
Sales Executive Judith Ferger, who refers to Donna as a friend rather than a client, remembers a statement Donna made when sitting with a group of Palmyra owners, “It is almost like you are chosen to own at The Palmyra, it is like being part of a family.”
The Jamaica Tourist team spoke to Donna on the day of her departure and it was touching to see that every minute, a member of The Palmyra, a Solis Resort & Spa’s staff stopped by to give Donna a good-bye hug. It seems Donna’s theory of receiving and giving back works perfectly, her sunny nature has truly made her a part of The Palmyra family.
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