What do you think of when you think of Jamaica? Dynamic culture, rich history, intoxicating music, vibrant food — for starters. That is all true. But Jamaica is also home to a very layered, diverse hospitality product, where hotels and resorts aren’t just places to stay; they’re stories in their own right. Whether you’re exploring the landscape of jerk in Port Antonio, diving into the universe of reggae in Kingston or navigating the cliffs of Negril, you’ll find truly special hotels in every destination in Jamaica, from the north coast to the south.
Here are our favorite places to stay in Jamaica for 2024: all-inclusive, boutique, independent or ultra-luxe, all set across this beautiful island.
#1 S Hotel Montego Bay There’s only one all-inclusive resort on this list: the beautiful S Hotel Montego Bay, the “boutique” hotspot on Mobay’s Doctor’s Cave Beach that’s been reinventing the all-inclusive experience, both in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. The 120-room retreat is filled with local touches, from the turntables in the rooms to some seriously good Jamaican fare. The Irie Spa is one of the best on the island.
Eclipse at Half Moon, Montego Bay Jamaica’s most legendary resort upped its game after the pandemic with the breathtaking new Eclipse, a 57-room hotel-within-a-hotel with modern contemporary rooms that effortlessly preserve the feel of this historic Montego Bay property. That’s just the beginning at Half Moon, though, where the resort’s 400 acres mean a remarkable number of options for every different kind of vacation, from a golf course dubbed the “Caribbean Augusta” to some of the best family-programming anywhere in the Caribbean.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Hopewell
The Ralph Lauren-designed guest rooms are bright and stunning, perched right over the pool and beach at this timeless boutique resort on the north coast. But we’re even bigger fans of the 27 luxury villas scattered on the property’s hillsides, all staffed (that means daily housekeeping and delicious breakfast prepared in your kitchen) and featuring jaw-dropping views, pools and the property’s deep, rich history (you can stay in the same villa where JFK once vacationed, for example).
There is really no analog for this classic set on the mystical cliffs of Negril, where a tremendous approach to hospitality marries with seriously cool design and a fun, engaging history (the property has been visited by everyone from The Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan to Bob Marley. It’s a different, decidedly chill approach to luxury, and a place you’ll fall in love with immediately. That’s without mentioning the hotel’s marvelous food, anchored by the oceanfront Pushcart restaurant.
Goldeneye, Oracabessa Chris Blackwell’s jewel of a hotel is the place where Ian Fleming conceived of James Bond and wrote the Bond novels; and Fleming’s spirit is all over the property, from the signature Fleming Villa to the sort of rooms that make you feel like you’ve stepped into Live and Let Die or Dr. No. It’s the sort of inspiring, energy-filled hotel that makes you feel like you could write your own book during your stay.
Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios The Grande Dame of hotels in Ocho Rios has been welcoming guests for seven decades, with a genteel, refined feel that is a throwback to Jamaica’s jet-set retreats of yesteryear. The private beach is magnificent, the service impeccable and the rooms just plain lovely.
Strawberry Hill, Irish Town A portal to the grandeur of the Blue Mountains, this hotel about an hour outside of Kingston is a completely different side of Jamaica. There are just 12 rooms, all breezy and thoughtfully furnished, with fantastic views of mountain majesty, a wonderful spa with locally-inspired treatments and the sort of pool you simply won’t want to leave.
Jakes, Treasure Beach Maybe you’ve been to Jamaica. Maybe you’ve visited the capital, or the north coast. But the south is something different entirely, and the best (some would say only) way to experience its unrivaled vibes is this quirky, creative, fabulous boutique hotel owned by the Henzell family. Just about every room is different here, and that uniqueness extends to every part of the property. In other words, every day here is an adventure, Jamaican style.
Spanish Court Hotel, Kingston Kingston has been emerging in recent years as one of the hottest cultural destinations in the Caribbean, and at the Spanish Court you’ll immediately be immersed in the new energy of the capital. The rooms are sleek and comfortable, and the dining is excellent. The star of the show, though, is the hip rooftop pool and lounge that is one of Kingston’s see-and-be-seen hotspots. (It’s the sister hotel to the S in Montego Bay)
Geejam Port Antonio’s greatest place to stay is this boutique resort that’s one of the island’s capitals of cool. The boutique stunner has 12 rooms, along with one suite and a sparkling villa. But the vibe here is all about music, from the legendary Jolly Boys as a house band to one of the hemisphere’s most celebrated recording studios right on site.