Latest news with #Rockhouse
NZ Herald
24-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Pike River survivor Daniel Rockhouse convicted after assaulting uncle at grandmother's funeral
When the West Coast mine exploded in November 2010, Rockhouse was about 1km underground. He was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious. When he woke, he battled his way through toxic carbon monoxide fumes to reach safety. He came across workmate Russell Smith along the way and pulled him clear of the deadline mine. The pair were the only two to survive the blast. Twenty-nine other men - including Rockhouse's brother Ben - were killed. In 2015, Rockhouse was awarded a New Zealand Bravery Medal in the New Year honours for his heroic actions. Colville spoke to the Herald about the assault. He explained that before his mother died, she had requested a private funeral with only family and a couple of close friends in attendance. On the day, a number of others turned up, and Colville and another sibling approached them to advise that the service was private. Colville said Rockhouse seemed to take exception to that and 'started making a scene'. Things became 'a bit heated', and he called the police. He said that while he was on the phone, Rockhouse punched him. 'He hit me on the steps of the church, and I went down. He hit me hard, he's a big boy. I went down the steps to check my nose because I thought he might have broken it… and next thing, he hooks me one. 'I stumbled back, I was a little bit confused…. then I think he hit me another four times.' Police arrived soon after and arrested Rockhouse. Colville sustained two black eyes and a serious injury to his nose, which he says he needs to see a specialist about. Rockhouse appeared at Christchurch District Court the next day, charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship. At his second court appearance on February 21, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of common assault. Judge David Ruth convicted Rockhouse and ordered him to pay $200 to Colville for emotional harm. Colville was not in court for the sentencing. He said he had been told he 'did not need to go' by the police. 'I got a phone call from a lady from the courts saying Daniel's been in court, he's been convicted, and he's got to pay you $200,' he said. 'It made me wild. I have never been so wild in my life.' Colville wanted to attend sentencing so he could speak about the effect Rockhouse's actions had on him. 'I actually wrote a victim impact statement, thinking that's what police wanted. They weren't interested,' he said. 'They didn't want to know… I just got flogged off.' Colville slammed police and Judge Ruth, saying his nephew was given 'special treatment' and 'got away with' serious offending while he was ignored and 'shut out' of the justice process. 'Basically, they let him off. It's unbelievable. I just think it's unacceptable,' said Colville. 'It was a pretty serious incident… I didn't have a hope in hell of defending myself. And for him to get a $200 fine… is a bit of a joke. ' On April 15, the Herald made an application for Judge Ruth's sentencing notes. A response has not been received. Advertise with NZME. Colville was sent a copy of the document, spanning just two paragraphs. On the day, Judge Ruth told Rockhouse he'd read material submitted to the court from defence lawyer Kerry Cook ahead of the hearing. He did not elaborate further. 'I am generally aware, as are most people, of the problems that have faced you and your family have faced over a number of years,' the judge said. 'I have amended the charge down to (common) assault, having regard to all of the features in this case and Mr Cook's submissions. 'You are now convicted and ordered to pay $200 by way of reparation for emotional harm to the victim. That can be paid within the next 24 hours. For the various reasons I have touched upon - that is the only sentence imposed in this case.' Colville said before the assault, there had been 'no beef' between himself and Rockhouse. There had been conflict between Colville and his siblings over some family issues, but he never considered that there was any tension with his nephew. Rockhouse also noted 'longstanding family politics' in the lead-up to the assault that 'provide context to what happened'. 'These are private issues. These family issues date back years,' he told the Herald. 'The victim did not deserve to be punched… I am sorry, and I regret what happened. 'I pleaded guilty and the issue was resolved in court in February. I accepted the judge's decision and my punishment, and wish to have no further interaction with the family member involved. 'I wish to move forward with my life and put this in the past, where it belongs.' Colville said he was 'very disappointed' and felt let down by the justice system. 'He basically just got away with it. He did not need to do that sort of thing. I don't see why he should get away with what he did just because he's a Pike River survivor,' he said. 'It just shows me that when people get held up high, they can go around doing what they want. I don't think that's right. That's why I have spoken up - I want people to know this happened and that Daniel needed to pay for what he did, but he got away with it. 'The police let me down a lot... He didn't just beat me once, he hit me several times and he gets away with it. He just gets to back to Aussie and carry on.' Canterbury Metro Area Commander Inspector Lane Todd said police applied to amend Rockhouse's charge down to common assault. 'This was based on a number of factors, centred around the Solicitor General's Prosecution Guidelines. These include the likely expected sentence if convicted, the level of violence shown, and the practicalities of a trial balanced against its likely outcome,' he said. 'We are comfortable that this matter was properly assessed, and that relevant legal considerations and guidelines were followed. 'The matter was then taken through the complete court process right up to an appropriate legal resolution.' Todd was not able to substantiate Colville's claim police told him he did not need to attend court. 'However, in general, it would be unusual for a victim to attend such a hearing, and if they did, there is no ability for them to participate in it,' he said. 'It is possible that a victim in this instance may be told by the officer in charge that there was no requirement for them to attend. The decision-making process was conveyed to the victim in this case.' Todd said there were avenues available to those who want further support following the court process. 'As well as those who may wish to make a complaint,' he said. Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Forbes
How One Boutique Hotel In Jamaica Is Changing Lives—Against All Odds
Rockhouse in Negril, Jamaica, which is celebrating 50 years. courtesy of the Rockhouse If you asked me to pick one place that has shaped some of the most important chapters of my life, the answer is easy: Rockhouse, a hotel high on the cliffs in Negril, Jamaica. It's where I got married 15 years ago, where I celebrated my 40th birthday, where I spent my last vacation before getting pregnant—and where I took my daughter on her first international trip at just three months old. And Rockhouse has always been more than just a hotel. It's a retreat, a reset—the kind of place that becomes part of your story. As the property celebrates its 50th anniversary with the release of a stunning new coffee table book, Rockhouse: The Book, owner Paul Salmon is reflecting, too—not just on the hotel's evolution, but on the life and business lessons he and his business partners have learned along the way. Back in the 1960s, the cult classic novel Don't Stop the Carnival satirized the chaos that can come from running a Caribbean hotel. Similarly, Salmon's journey has been no less eventful—but far more rewarding. It started on a whim when he and two other Australian friends spotted a crumbling property from a glass-bottom boat in the early '90s and decided to buy it. Rockhouse owner Paul Salmon. courtes of Rockhouse 'When we found the hotel, it was this Robinson Caruso experience—very natural,' Salmon told me in an interview. 'It had this great organic vibe to it and a really great connection between the land and the natural landscape.' Since then, the Rockhouse has grown into something much bigger: a model for sustainable tourism, a catalyst for community change and a beloved retreat for travelers seeking the kind of authentic Caribbean vibes that have been long at so many other corporate-run hotels. 'When Rockhouse first opened 50 years ago, it wasn't really a hotel,' says Salmon. 'Each room had its own little kitchenette, and it was more of a fend for yourself on the cliffs kind of vibe.' But the setting was spectacular—and the bones were strong. The octagonal cottages were designed by two Frank Lloyd Wright protégés using local timber and volcanic stone. The cottages had thatched roofs, open-air layouts and no electricity, just butane lamps. And guests like musician Bob Marley loved it. A guest cottage. courtesy of Rockhouse Over the years, the property expanded slowly and intentionally. Today, Rockhouse has 40 rooms, including sprawling ocean-view suites with wraparound decks that make the most of Negril's famous sunsets. There's also an organic farm, a woodworking shop where all the furniture is handcrafted and a deep commitment to sustainability and local culture. These days, you spend your mornings dining on ackee and saltfish, drift over to the seafront pool for some serious lounging, then jump off the cliffs for snorkeling in Pristine Cove. Treatments at the hotel's holistic spa are legendary, with everything from deep-tissue massage to chakra balancing, intuitive healing and even psilocybin sound baths. (I still credit one masseuse for helping jump-start my path to motherhood—when I told her I was trying, she offered to do abdominal work she said might help.) There are two standout restaurants: the elegant Rockhouse Restaurant for dining under the stars and the more casual Pushcart, with DJ sets and modern twists on Jamaican street food. Guests can also hop a free shuttle to the hotel's sister property, Skylark Negril Beach Resort, smack on Seven Mile Beach. A jerk platter at Pushcart. courtesy of Rockhouse (c)2015 360cities@ Rockhouse continues to evolve. Alongside the launch of the 50th-anniversary book, the hotel recently released Rockhouse Rum—a limited-edition, single-barrel Jamaican rum created in partnership with Worthy Park Estate. And there are new immersive experiences, like candle-making workshops and a 4,500-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse where guests can learn about organic growing, composting and the future of regenerative hospitality. It's the kind of place that draws people back year after year. Luxury travel and lifestyle expert Ellen Asmodeo-Giglio, CEO of ExELLENce Group, first introduced me to Rockhouse—and this is her home away from home when she's not traveling the world. 'There's a feeling that I have when I'm there. It's like 'How Ellen gets her groove back,'' Asmodeo-Giglio told me in an interview. 'It brings me back to who I am. The people, the energy, the vibe, the food, the location, the caring. When you're there for half an hour, it's like you've been there for a week. It immerses you immediately and creates deeper relationships with the people you travel with.' Rockhouse Foundation has helped build schools and fund education for the local community. courtesy of Rockhouse And for those who want their travels to mean something more, Rockhouse offers another kind of richness: purpose. The Rockhouse Foundation has invested more than $10 million into local schools and community programs since its founding in 2004. 'The Rockhouse team is serving the community, and I'd love to see them continue to serve, because one child in that school might be the next kid to find the cure for cancer or change the world,' the musician Shaggy wrote in Rockhouse: The Book. 'Jamaica needs more Rockhouses.' 'Their sustainability efforts have been going on for such a long time—before it was chic or necessary,' says Asmodeo-Giglio. 'And then you have the fact that they just built a special needs school. These things just open your heart.' Here, Salmon shares a few of the lessons he learned from 30 years of running this small clifftop hotel in Jamaica—lessons that resonate far beyond Negril's shores. A view of Rockhouse. courtesy of Rockhouse You Don't Need To Know It All Before You Start: When Salmon first arrived in Jamaica, he was working in finance—and had no background in hospitality. But he and his cofounders were drawn to the idea of creating something rooted in service, design and place. And that beginner's mindset turned out to be a hidden strength. 'Sometimes if you overthink things, you don't act,' says Salmon. 'We were naive when we started. But we didn't really know any better than to do it the way we've sort of done it. And I think that by staying committed to our values that's what made the difference.' Be Clear About Who You Are—And Who You're Not: 'We're not trying to be the place for everyone,' says Salmon. 'We want people who appreciate what we are. That means staying true to our identity.' He recalls how some guests arrive with a Type-A mindset, anxious that their room isn't the 'best in category' and asking to switch. 'They're bringing their city self with them,' he says. 'But a few days later, they'll come back to the front desk—sometimes even apologizing for how they were when they checked in. They've transformed.' And that is part of Rockhouse's quiet magic, says Salmon. 'Whether it's the spa treatments, our great team, the lack of TVs, or just the cliffs and salt air, it unwinds you. It pulls you out of your normal existence. It helps you chill out.' Dining at Rockhouse. mausfilms inc., courtesy of Rockhouse Lean Into the Imperfections: Rockhouse has never been about marble and glitz. Its charm lies in its hand-laid stone floors, locally built furniture and gardens that grow a little wild. 'It's this whole idea of rough luxury,' says Salmon. 'There are so many hotels that are so slick and everything is so hyper produced. And that to me is one of the things I love about the hotel—it's an overused word, but it's real and authentic.' Play The Long Game: It took Salmon and his partners two decades to open a second hotel after Rockhouse. 'We did open Skylark on the beach about seven years ago,' he says. 'I think after 20 years of owning the hotels, we thought, 'Well, we've learned enough to do another one now.'' That patience defines Rockhouse's slow approach to growth. New ventures—whether it's a hydroponic greenhouse or a limited-edition rum—aren't rushed or trend-driven. Gardening at Rockhouse. courtesy of Rockhouse Sustainability Isn't A Trend—It's A Mindset: Long before 'eco-travel' was a buzzword, Rockhouse was operating on principles of place-based design and community connection. As the hotel expanded, the team continued to build using local timber and volcanic stone, and furniture was handcrafted by Jamaican artisans in the on-site woodshop. Plus, the goal has always been to immerse guests in the real Jamaica—not wall them off. 'We've always been an open-door kind of place,' says Salmon. 'We want people to experience Jamaica—not just the hotel.' Empower Others Along the Way: As Rockhouse has grown, so has its commitment to lifting up others. 'We partnered with a guy who had a great hydroponic farm in Green Island, but he didn't have capacity to grow for us,' says Salmon. 'So we said, what if we build a farm at Rockhouse and you run it? Now he's also managing the organic farm out back.' It's a model that Salmon and his team have repeated often—partnering with local entrepreneurs and giving them the infrastructure to scale. 'It's about empowering people through entrepreneurship,' he says. Melvin's juice bar. courtesy of Rockhouse A Hotel Can Change Lives: Over the years, Salmon has seen the ripple effect of Rockhouse's presence in Negril. 'The average person at Rockhouse has worked there ten years,' he told me. 'The average tenure of our senior management is like 17 years.' In that time, he's watched team members buy cars and houses and have families and grow. 'I think it's in that cumulative effect that you realize that you have an ability to have a positive impact at a much larger scale than you ever aspired to when you started out.' Through the Rockhouse Foundation, the impact has extended even further. 'We started out sponsoring one breakfast program at a local school,' he says. 'Now we've spent over $10 million on local education.' You're Never Done Learning: Even after more than three decades, Salmon doesn't pretend to have all the answers. 'I still feel like we're figuring it out,' he says. 'We didn't go to hotel school. But the truth is, nobody really knows. We're all just trying to work out how to do things the best way we can.' That humility—and willingness to keep learning—has helped Rockhouse stay relevant while remaining true to its roots. A view of the pool. courtesy of Rockhouse In Tough Times, Keep Moving: Over the years, Rockhouse has faced plenty of challenges—from hurricanes to health crises. 'You have your ups and downs,' says Salmon. 'Lots of challenges in the Caribbean as the hurricanes kind of blow through. You've got challenges with all sorts of varying kind of airborne diseases. You kind of work out how to muscle through it all.' His guiding principle: Keep going. 'The worst thing you can do is not act,' he says. 'You've got to keep taking steps—even if they're in the wrong direction, you'll learn more and be able to set a different course.'
Associated Press
25-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Rockhouse Hotel Transforming Children's Lives and Environment for the Better in Jamaica
Over its twenty year history, the Rockhouse Foundation has invested over $10 million USD in its educational projects and programs. 'At Rockhouse, we strive to give more than we take, in service of our team, guests, community and the environment.'— Paul Salmon, Chairman of Rockhouse Hotel SANTA MONICA, CA, UNITED STATES, April 25, 2025 / / -- Green Globe recently recertified the Rockhouse Hotel in Jamaica. The property currently holds Gold status marking over five consecutive years of certification. Established fifty years ago in 1974, the award-winning boutique hotel lies perched over Pristine Cove on Negril's west end. A long-cherished destination for discerning travelers, Rockhouse has an impeccable thirty year commitment to regenerative travel. Paul Salmon, Chairman of Rockhouse Hotel, said 'As a Caribbean nation, Jamaica acutely feels the environmental challenges of a warming planet. At Rockhouse, we strive to give more than we take, in service of our team, guests, community and the environment. Now, more than ever, we're doubling down on our efforts with plans for new technologies that reduce our carbon footprint and ones that bring us closer to net positive, including technologies that harness the power of the sun and aid in regenerating the oceans. It is our hope that our conservation initiatives will be used as tools to teach guests and the community about the threats facing our land and seas and our collective role in recovery. It's also imperative that we continue to be responsible to our team members and the surrounding community by creating opportunities for growth and leadership, and by supporting the education system because our people are also our greatest resource.' The Rockhouse Foundation and Sav Inclusive Academy The charitable arm of Rockhouse Hotel -The Rockhouse Foundation - is dedicated to transforming places where Jamaica's children learn and supporting the wonderful people who teach there. Over its twenty year history, the Foundation has invested over $10 million USD in its projects and programs. The Rockhouse Foundation has upgraded and modernized six schools on the island, in addition to the complete renovation and expansion of the Negril Community Library. Promoting harmony and equity, Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Academy (Sav Inclusive) was the first school the Foundation conceived and built entirely from the ground up, following a conversation with a hotel employee about the lack of services for her autistic son in western Jamaica. This inspired the Foundation to create a school that welcomes children with and without disabilities in a fully inclusive, mixed ability environment. Sav Inclusive opened in 2017 with thirty Grade 1 three-year-olds. In 2025, the school now has over 250 students enrolled ranging from Grade 1 through to Grade 5. Future plans include expansion with one additional grade to be added per year. Essentially, the final goal is for all school years to be covered from the start of primary school until the final year of high school. Rockhouse's Hydroponic Greenhouse Farm The hydroponic greenhouse was first opened in 2022, adjacent to the hotel's garden. The greenhouse has over 5,000 square feet of horizontal and vertical gardens. Created in partnership with Gro N Green Organic Farms, the hope is that this hydroponic approach to farming might help revolutionize the future of Jamaican agriculture and provide a solution to problems like drought, erosion and heavy rain typical of life on a tropical island. The hydroponic farm yields up to 300 pounds of lettuce weekly alongside tomatoes and other aromatics. Like most things at Rockhouse, the hotel seeks to bring its practices to the broader community. With the aim to inspire a future generation of farmers, Rockhouse and Gro N Green host school children at the hydroponic farm to give them a first-hand look at the cutting edge of farming technology. The majority of Rockhouse's garden waste will be composted or reused as ground cover in garden beds. The Rockhouse team also uses over 30,000 gallons of harvested rainwater that is channeled, collected and stored in tanks around the property to water the gardens, plants and herbs as well as launder linens. Supporting Sustainable Development and Local Businesses Rockhouse prides itself on forging local partnerships and incorporating a holistic approach to reduce the environmental impact of the hotel. Rockhouse has its own onsite woodworking shop where a talented team of local craftsmen manufacture all of the timber furniture at Rockhouse and its sister hotel, Skylark Negril Beach Resort. Every bed, bedside table, desk and restaurant table is built at the property which also supports job creation in the community. Nearby the woodworking shop sits the Caribbean Essential Spa container, where the Spa Team handmake all of the hotel's wholesale and retail spa products. Next door to the spa, is the Negril Candle Company workshop which recycles restaurant candles and produces a line of retail candles made from upcycled glass bottles that adorn hotel rooms. In efforts to remove plastics across the property, Rockhouse Hotel has partnered with local Negril venture Discovery Spring Water, an environmentally focused water company whose product is sourced from the Dolphin Head mountains, thirty minutes outside of Negril. In doing so, Rockhouse supports a local business and has eliminated over 30,000 plastic bottles from going to landfill from the Rockhouse and Skylark properties each year. This initiative has inspired a recycled bottle program that has spread to other hotels in the area. Contact Jasmine Pierce JLP Consulting PR Representative (for) Rockhouse Hotel & Spa W End Rd, Negril Jamaica W.I. E: [email protected] T: +1 240-305-2875 Brad Cox Green Globe + +1 310-337-3000 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
