Arguably Jamaica’s most luxurious hotel, the tiny Geejam (pronounced G'-jom), is an exclusive hideaway with seven private villas and a loyal celebrity following. Thanks to an on-site recording studio, Geejam has welcomed the likes of John Legend and Rihanna, but also regularly hosts couples and families seeking solitude in Port Antonio. Though it doesn’t have a spa or communal pool, Geejam is usually most appreciated for what it lacks: crowds. The hotel’s ultra-private rooms feature minimalist decor with vibrant island accents and eclectic touches, like original Banksy wall murals or private hot tubs. All-day dining is available at Bushbar, or guests can take a free hotel shuttle to one of the nearby beaches, including Geejam’s own beach club across the street. Geejam lacks a communal pool and a full service spa, so travelers in search of these amenities might prefer the much larger, but equally luxurious GoldenEye Hotel & Resort.
Arguably Jamaica’s most luxurious hotel, the tiny Geejam (pronounced G'-jom), is an exclusive hideaway with seven private villas and a loyal celebrity following. Thanks to an on-site recording studio, Geejam has welcomed the likes of John Legend and Rihanna, but also regularly hosts couples and families seeking solitude in Port Antonio. Though it doesn’t have a spa or communal pool, Geejam is usually most appreciated for what it lacks: crowds. The hotel’s ultra-private rooms feature minimalist decor with vibrant island accents and eclectic touches, like original Banksy wall murals or private hot tubs. All-day dining is available at Bushbar, or guests can take a free hotel shuttle to one of the nearby beaches, including Geejam’s own beach club across the street. Geejam lacks a communal pool and a full service spa, so travelers in search of these amenities might prefer the much larger, but equally luxurious GoldenEye Hotel & Resort.
This former coffee plantation nestled among the steep and winding hills of Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain is a little oasis above the very un-resort-like city of Kingston. The resort offers plenty of intimacy and privacy, with just 12 cottages on more than 26 acres. It also has the features of a larger property: an expansive spa, a breezy restaurant and bar, a hilltop pool with panoramic vistas, lush gardens, and ample relaxation space. Rates might be considered a steal given the property's level of luxury -- if it weren’t for the inaccessible location and lack of beachfront.
This former coffee plantation nestled among the steep and winding hills of Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain is a little oasis above the very un-resort-like city of Kingston. The resort offers plenty of intimacy and privacy, with just 12 cottages on more than 26 acres. It also has the features of a larger property: an expansive spa, a breezy restaurant and bar, a hilltop pool with panoramic vistas, lush gardens, and ample relaxation space. Rates might be considered a steal given the property's level of luxury -- if it weren’t for the inaccessible location and lack of beachfront.
The 21-room GoldenEye is hands down Jamaica's hippest and most luxurious resort. It's also one of the island's most historic, as the former home of Ian Fleming, and the hideaway at which the author scribed all 14 of his James Bond novels. Today, the property includes stunning cottages and villas overlooking a private beach and lagoon, as well as two happening restaurants, two pools, a tree house spa, and an extensive roster of on-site activities. The rates might cause some to flinch, but those who can afford it will find little cause for complaint.
The 21-room GoldenEye is hands down Jamaica's hippest and most luxurious resort. It's also one of the island's most historic, as the former home of Ian Fleming, and the hideaway at which the author scribed all 14 of his James Bond novels. Today, the property includes stunning cottages and villas overlooking a private beach and lagoon, as well as two happening restaurants, two pools, a tree house spa, and an extensive roster of on-site activities. The rates might cause some to flinch, but those who can afford it will find little cause for complaint.
A massive, beautifully landscaped 850-room Spanish mega-resort, the Grand Bahia Principe is a beachfront property with a ton of features to keep families busy. The spacious, junior-suite-style rooms are on the old-fashioned side and showing some wear, but they come with jetted tubs, furnished balconies -- some with stellar ocean vistas -- and coffeemakers. A large stretch of beach with a nude section is lovely, plus there's a huge pool, free non-motorized water sports, a water park, kids' club, and daily entertainment. A spa and gym are also on-site. The all-inclusive rate covers a decent buffet, tasty a la carte eateries serving Japanese, Italian, and Jamaican fare (reservations required), and alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, top-shelf liquor and in-room Wi-Fi requires a fee, and maintenance and service complaints are common. It's worth considering the smaller Jewel Runaway Bay.
A massive, beautifully landscaped 850-room Spanish mega-resort, the Grand Bahia Principe is a beachfront property with a ton of features to keep families busy. The spacious, junior-suite-style rooms are on the old-fashioned side and showing some wear, but they come with jetted tubs, furnished balconies -- some with stellar ocean vistas -- and coffeemakers. A large stretch of beach with a nude section is lovely, plus there's a huge pool, free non-motorized water sports, a water park, kids' club, and daily entertainment. A spa and gym are also on-site. The all-inclusive rate covers a decent buffet, tasty a la carte eateries serving Japanese, Italian, and Jamaican fare (reservations required), and alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, top-shelf liquor and in-room Wi-Fi requires a fee, and maintenance and service complaints are common. It's worth considering the smaller Jewel Runaway Bay.
The 525-room Luxury Bahia Principe Runaway Bay is an upscale, adults-only all-inclusive along a narrow beach in northern Jamaica. A lagoon-like area is largely blocked from the ocean by a rock wall, but loungers, umbrellas, and non-motorized water sports area available. The on-site pool is large and often bustling, with hot tubs, a swim-up bar, and daily activities, which may be a bit too loud for some. Guests here also have access to all of the amenities at the next-door Grand Bahia (except the buffet), including a larger pool and beach, spa, and gym. A couple of the several restaurants (most located next door) are adults-only, but many allow kids. Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, premium liquor, and sports facilities are all included in the rate. For a more tranquil vibe, consider the Jewel Paradise Cove Resort.
The 525-room Luxury Bahia Principe Runaway Bay is an upscale, adults-only all-inclusive along a narrow beach in northern Jamaica. A lagoon-like area is largely blocked from the ocean by a rock wall, but loungers, umbrellas, and non-motorized water sports area available. The on-site pool is large and often bustling, with hot tubs, a swim-up bar, and daily activities, which may be a bit too loud for some. Guests here also have access to all of the amenities at the next-door Grand Bahia (except the buffet), including a larger pool and beach, spa, and gym. A couple of the several restaurants (most located next door) are adults-only, but many allow kids. Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, premium liquor, and sports facilities are all included in the rate. For a more tranquil vibe, consider the Jewel Paradise Cove Resort.
For guests seeking a laid-back all-inclusive in a less crowded area of Jamaica, Sandals South Coast is a beautiful, secluded option. The only hotel in Whitehouse, the resort is spread over a two-mile stretch of beach, and features European architecture, a wide variety of activities and entertainment options, and all of the amenities guests familiar with the brand have come to expect. Spacious and inviting, the resort is surrounded by 500 acres of wilderness preserve, making it quiet and very private. Guests who want to explore the local area will have fewer options than those staying at the Sandals properties in Negril and Montego Bay, but there are waterfalls, zip lines, and a variety of local tours, as well as the Appleton Rum factory and the nearby town of Whitehouse. Renovations in 2016 saw the addition of overwater features including a bar and chapel, an ocean-based swim-up bar, and four new restaurants. The resort is in the process of adding overwater bungalows.
For guests seeking a laid-back all-inclusive in a less crowded area of Jamaica, Sandals South Coast is a beautiful, secluded option. The only hotel in Whitehouse, the resort is spread over a two-mile stretch of beach, and features European architecture, a wide variety of activities and entertainment options, and all of the amenities guests familiar with the brand have come to expect. Spacious and inviting, the resort is surrounded by 500 acres of wilderness preserve, making it quiet and very private. Guests who want to explore the local area will have fewer options than those staying at the Sandals properties in Negril and Montego Bay, but there are waterfalls, zip lines, and a variety of local tours, as well as the Appleton Rum factory and the nearby town of Whitehouse. Renovations in 2016 saw the addition of overwater features including a bar and chapel, an ocean-based swim-up bar, and four new restaurants. The resort is in the process of adding overwater bungalows.