64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Jamaica
: (876) 920-4926-30 | : info@mot.gov.jm

You are here

Milk River Hotel and Spa

 

Overview

Milk River Hotel & Spa is owned by the Government of Jamaica and is operated by the Ministry of Tourism. The property is comprised of the hotel and nine baths, which are utilized by tourists as well as many local visitors. The Milk River is world renowned for its healing properties.

According to legend, the Milk River  spa was discovered in the eighteenth century by a slave who fled his master after a merciless beating. He was hiding in the hills near to the estate on which he had worked and stumbled across a brackish spring in which he bathed his wounds. Soon after, he returned  to the slave village and, to the amazement of all, seemed fully recovered.
Jonathan Ludford, owner of the estate promised never to punish the slave again if he would show him the miraculous spring. Ludford later fenced the spot and assigned the slave the job of watchman. On his death, Ludford willed the property to the government and in 1794 public baths were built and opened to the public. The property’s main attraction is, of course, the healing waters that one may enjoy in one of the tiled baths, which are supplied by a continuous flow of lukewarm mineral water.

Analysis of the mineral spring has established that it is more radioactive than leading European spas (fifty-four times as active as Baden in Switzerland and three times as active as Karlsbad, Austria). The waters are reputed to cure numerous ailments including rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, sciatica, lumbago, nerve conditions and liver disorders. No more than three baths per day of 20 minutes each is recommended. There are two springs, the water of the second is potable.

The baths are open 24 hours a day to hotel guests and 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. to the public. There is also a public mineral water swimming pool open at weekends.

Recent reviews of Milk River Hotel & Spa:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147309-d1811823-Reviews-Milk_Ri...
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091020/news/news3.html
http://discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/tour_ja/tour7.htm

Vision

To see a facility of world-class standards, an entity that caters for and is able to meet the needs of everyone who chooses to make Milk River Hotel & Spa their destination.

Mission

To provide a relaxing, therapeutic and healthy atmosphere to our mature, health conscious and physically challenged clients, by providing beautiful surroundings and easy access to top class facilities that will out-rival competitors.

Corporate Data

Board of Directors:

Hon. William Shagoury, CD – Chairman
Mr. K. Courtney Murray
Mr. Ray Francis
Dr. Horace Charoo
Mr. Max Leiba
Ms. Wendy Thompson
Ms. Gis'elle Jones

          General Manager: Ms. Diane Sommerville