In the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, Judy (43), David Hanley (45), from Shenstone, near Lichfi eld, Staffordshire, found their new Jamaican home devastated. But out
of the calamity grew an ever stronger relationship with the island and its people, as Judy recalls. “In May 2004, we paid £100,000 for a wonderfully-located beachfront
villa called Doubloon on Calabash Bay, right at the heart of Treasure Beach. Our plan was to renovate the house and then rent it out to fund the purchase. Then, Hurricane Ivan struck.
“The roof was blown off the villa, the sea wall buckled under the immense power of the waves and, after the storm we found our yard 12 feet deep in seaweed. Every bush, every
fl ower, every tree – save for two – had been uprooted and blown away such was the strength of Ivan. We were left with almost nothing but a shell of a building and some dirt.”
At a time when many people would have thrown in the towel, the Hanley’s rallied with the support of the hardworking and dedicated people of Treasure Beach and its surrounds.
Within six months, Doubloon was fully renovated with a new roof, new kitchen, remodelled bedrooms, garden landscaping and the addition of a pool and caretaker cottage.
The couple’s original dream to have a Caribbean home that paid its way is now being realised. Judy says, “Over the past few years, to the present day,
Doubloon Villa’s success as a rental business has grown – a demonstration to all those who doubted our investment in Jamaica that we did make the right choice.”
INFORMATION: Doubloon Villa can be rented for US$2,400 per week for one to four people in the high season, and from  US$2,000 in low season. Visit and book
at www.doubloonvilla.com