ST ANN, Jamaica – When Miguel Russell visited Jamaica for the first time as a wide-eyed, impressionable nine-year-old boy, he was immediately drawn to the island’s beauty and culture.

Even at a young age he felt at home, and the bond he developed with his family gave him something to look forward to every time he would visit thereafter.

He absolutely loved being on the island.

“The experience of drinking bag juice and playing games like ‘stucky’ made me not want to leave,” Russell said.

However, it was when he got older, during his travels, that Russell noticed what he said was a lack of vacation rentals with a simple, light or airy appeal. He had always found lodging at various hotels and vacation rentals, but he said the theme was always the same – no actual modern living spaces.

Then, while visiting Jamaica in 2013 and browsing for his next adventure, a friend suggested the Airbnb site. However, he said, after hours of looking, nothing caught his eyes.

“Everything reminded me of “Auntie Rubie’s House,” he stated.

“As a property investor in the UK, I decided it would be a good idea to bring my own concepts to Jamaica,” Russell said.

After conducting serious due diligence, he decided to introduce a solution of his own, which he branded Eshae Living.

In 2016, he completed his first property in the lush tourist town of Ocho Rios, St Ann, located at Turtle Beach Towers and has received great reviews since its opening.

The property is our first feature on STAYCAY JA, a new OBSERVER ONLINE series showcasing vacation rentals on the Rock to the world.

Russell has since opened eight other properties to the public in Ocho Rios and by summer of 2022, he aims to have a total of 11.

“Our next properties will be a pillar of our brand with an onsite pool and breakfast,” Russell said.