The island of Jamaica has a variety of accommodations, from luxury villas to basic guest houses. No matter where you stay, you can explore the cave labyrinths, hike in the Blue Mountains, ride horses on the beach, or play golf. See exotic flora at Shaw Park Botanical Gardens, go Scuba diving or river tubing, or take a coral reef tour with a semi-sub reef explorer. You can also tour an old plantation or take a Jeep safari tour.
The mountaintop boutique hotel, Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa, an 18th-century coffee plantation, has deluxe themed cottages with four-poster beds and verandas. Rooms also have plush robes and slippers and specially blended bath products. Every morning, you get a delivery of fresh juice, fruit and water; evening turn-down includes a scented candle. The spa has a plunge pool, sauna and yoga deck. There are various dining locations throughout the hotel, serving what they call "New Jamaican Cuisine," as well as a full vegetarian menu.
Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa
Irish Town,
St Andrew, Jamaica
876-944-8400
islandoutpost.com
Half Moon Villas provides a butler, housekeeper and cook for a five to seven bedroom villa. Each has a private pool, bathroom for each bedroom, Wi-Fi and living room. You can use the resort's facilities, which include a golf course, Olympic-size pool, squash and tennis courts, and full-service spa. The family friendly resort has a supervised children's program, two miles of beach with kayak, paddleboat and sail boat rentals, and a fitness center.
Half Moon Villas
Rose Hall
Montego Bay, Jamaica
876-953-2211
The value-oriented Brandon Hill Guest House offers clean, affordable rooms within walking distance to Montego Bay. The property has a small pool, twin-bedded rooms, and a bar and grill. Rooms also have air-conditioning and ceiling fans, along with cable television. The basic rooms all have private bathrooms.
Brandon Hill Guest House
28 Peter Pan Avenue
Montego Bay, Jamaica
876-952-7054
brandonhillguesthouse.com
Sundown Villa is the private villa of Gordon "Butch" Stewart, founder and chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The five-bedroom house has a bathroom for each bedroom; a cottage has two more bedrooms and bathrooms. A cook provides meals and a freshwater pool is next to the ocean. A butler, housekeeper and laundress take care of all your needs. You can golf for free at Sandals Golf and Country Club and use Aquatrikes, kayaks and a Sunfish sailboat anytime.
Sundown Villa
Fortlands Road
Discovery Bay, Jamaica
877-845-5275
uniquevillasofjamaica.com
The luxury Hotel Four Seasons in Kingston has a pool, two bars, a restaurant and a beer garden. You can order your food poolside. There is also a fitness center. The hotel, a converted Edwardian house, has an intimate feel, with only 76 rooms. Rooms have Wi-Fi and premium cable. Breakfast is included. The lushly planted grounds include many fruit trees, so you can enjoy fresh fruit throughout the day, and the hotel is a five-minute walk from the major centers of New Kingston and Half Way Tree.
Hotel Four Seasons
18 Ruthven Road
Kingston 10, Jamaica
876-926-8805
hotelfourseasonsjm.com
