You will never find a more welcoming and upbeat host than Jacki. I'd like to think it was our irresistible magnetism, but the truth is, it's probably Jacki just being her normal, friendly, generous self when she greets you with warm, home-baked sour cream coffeecake or whole-wheat cranberry/cherry muffins straight from the oven.

Gary and I spent 7 days in her top-floor 1-bedroom garden apartment with the veranda overlooking the road. The apartment was charming: lively tropical colors, cool tiled floors, colorful mosaic tiles and paintings, lots of lush tropical flowers and greenery. The kitchen comes stocked with everything we needed: coffeemaker and coffee, blender to make smoothies, fridge and stove. (Air-con too, but we didn't need it. Cable flat-screen TV with tons of channels.) The table, chairs and hammock on the veranda are inviting places to spend the evenings enjoying the sounds of the gecko calls and frog peeps and people-watching. Jacki has bicycles for her guests, and we loved the convenience of riding our bikes to town (about a 5-minute ride) to try the many delicious restaurants and eateries; we much appreciated getting some exercise before and after all the lobster and gelato. The bike ride also cools you off on the warmer days.

Jacki gives great advice on things to see and do: ask her before you decide-- she'll steer you to the right people. She also has two little dogs that are willing to dispense furry love as needed.

I can honestly say that after bicycling down every walkway and road in Placencia, Jacki has the most attractive-looking place. Inside and out, her place was comfortable, clean, bright and cheery. You can't go wrong here! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!