Travelers to Jamaica have a wide range of accommodation options on the Caribbean island. For most, this includes some of Jamaica’s excellent all-inclusive resorts (which we’ll cover in a later article). But the island has a wide selection of independent, authentic hotels that offer an intimate, personalized travel experience. The best hotels in Jamaica, according to Caribbean Journal hotel experts, are:
How we select the hotels
CJ’s hotel roundups are compiled by our editorial team, which includes the Caribbean’s leading travel and tourism experts, as well as a broad group of contributors who are on the ground exploring hotels and destinations year-round. Our staff and writers have a combined experience of more than a century of reporting on the region’s tourism industry and hotel offerings. We consider factors such as value, price, service level, personality, quality of food and beverage, and more. Most importantly, we look for hotels that value a truly Jamaican Experience.
Where is the best place to stay in Jamaica?
You may be familiar with Montego Bay, Jamaica’s tourism capital. But the island offers a variety of unique, fascinating destinations, from Ocho Rios and Negril to up-and-coming hotspots like Treasure Beach and Port Antonio. In recent years, Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, has also become increasingly popular, attracting travelers with a unique cultural and artistic offering and some new places to stay. Our overview includes hotels in all of these destinations.
CrescentMontego Bay $$$$
The signature hotel in Jamaica: Half Moon has been open for seven decades, hosting everyone from Queen Elizabeth to John F. Kennedy and cementing its place in the pantheon of Caribbean hospitality. In 2021, the hotel opened its new Eclipse at Half Moon, a 57-room hotel within the hotel that features a stunning beachfront infinity pool, outstanding food and service, and an upscale room aesthetic. The hotel’s Founder’s Cove rooms are also beautiful, many of which have their own private plunge pools and are just steps from the beach. It is the most complete hotel in Jamaica, with 400 acres that include everything from a golf course called “Caribbean Augusta” to a great spa. Book Now
Round Hill Hotel and VillasHopewell $$$$
Another historic hotel in Jamaica, the most notable thing about this property is one of its co-owners: Ralph Lauren, who owns several villas on the property and, crucially, designed the guest rooms. As soon as you open the door to your room, you know you’re somewhere special, with views straight out of Architectural Digest and charming box windows directly above the pool and ocean. The vibe here is the golden age of jet-set travel: think black and white tiles, old-fashioned alcoves for room keys, and really good concierge work. This is a magical place to stay, whether you stay in the rooms or one of the many full-service villas—with daily breakfast prepared right in your villa (make sure you get it served by your private pool). Book Now
RockhouseNegril $$$
The Rock House is famous for hosting stars such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Marley in the 1970s. The 40-room retreat on Negril’s ethereal cliffs definitely has a discreet personality: it’s cool, understated and unforgettable. There’s a speaker in every room that simply asks you to play roots reggae as you gaze out at the blue beyond the cliffs. The food is typically Jamaican (including the pushcart, which was a favorite when we stayed here) and the spa is small but superb. If you want to experience the funky, creative spirit of Negril, this is the epicenter. Book now
GoldeneyeOracabessa $$$$
Yes, it’s the name of the first (and best) James Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan. But the name comes from Bond creator Ian Fleming’s luxury villa just outside Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where he conceived Bond and wrote all the Bond novels, and from where American Airlines now flies direct to an airport that also bears the legendary writer’s name. And the best part? It’s now a hotel run by music legend Chris Blackwell, who helped turn the hotel into one of the region’s best luxury accommodations. You can stay in a wide range of rooms, from beach huts to lagoon cottages. But if you want to splurge, you can actually stay in the Fleming Villa – where the author worked and where his desk still stands. Just order the right martini. Book now.
Strawberry HillSt. Andrew $$
Blackwell’s Island Outpost has three properties in Jamaica (including the all-inclusive Caves in Negril), and we’re pretty smitten with this Blue Mountains retreat. There are just over a dozen rooms, all decorated in a classic, comfortable style (yes, that includes four-poster beds), and the on-site restaurant is delightful: like all Blackwell’s properties, this is a place that stays true to Jamaica, where the food embodies the island’s best and most delicious local flavors. The bar is a must, too. (A Blackwell Rum Punch, made with Chris’s family rum, is essential.) Book Now
Jake’sTreasure Beach $$
Treasure Beach in Jamaica is a colorful, unique destination on Jamaica’s south coast. It’s also a place that was recently hit by Hurricane Beryl. But the area is recovering from its plight, and that includes one of our favorite island retreats: Jakes, the family-run, quirky, cool, awesome collection of bungalows, hotel rooms and villas right on the coast. Jakes has already reopened some of its properties, and that means you can come and experience the unrivaled, inimitable spirit of Treasure Beach. Book Now
GeejamHarbor Antonio $$$
Music is part of the Jamaican soul. Music is also at the heart of this hotel in lush, little-known Port Antonio, where the world-famous Jolly Boys became the house band and the on-site recording studio has welcomed a who’s who of top artists from around the world. Rooms burst with colour and eclectic interior details, from red chairs on the balcony to unusual light fixtures. But it’s all part of the charm of a resort that has long been the best place to stay in Port Antonio, where the rainforest meets the beach. (You can also choose from a handful of spectacular villas also on offer if you’re looking for more space or are travelling with a group.) Book Now
S HotelKingston $$
While Kingston has become increasingly popular as a city break destination in recent years, the S Hotel was hip long before that, attracting artists, celebrities and creative minds with its fabulous rooftop pool and lounge in the heart of the city. And it’s still a great option whether you’re coming for a weekend to listen to records, explore reggae history and admire the lush street art, or are just in town for a few days on business. Its sister property, the S Hotel in Montego Bay, is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica (but like I said, more on that in the next part).
The Cliff HotelNegril $$$
This is a different kind of hotel for Negril: It’s sleek and upscale; a luxurious, modern property with gorgeous suites (and villas) and beautifully manicured grounds. But the two things we like best about the Cliff are the food and the wellness program. Culinary-wise, you’ll be pampered by the world-class team of Cindy Hutson and Delius Shirley, who, if you’re familiar with the Miami food scene, were the folks behind the wonderful Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables. Their food is reason enough to come here, as it features Hutson and Shirley’s famous “kitchen of the sun.” For spa lovers, there’s a little bit of everything: the Kiyara spa, yoga, a sparkling fitness center, and beauty treatments too. Book Now
AC HotelKingston $$
This is the product of a partnership between two major hotel brands: Sandals Resorts International and Marriott. The result is a hip, wonderfully appointed hotel that offers another great option in the up-and-coming capital. It fits the AC formula: small but crisply designed rooms, a host of amenities including a fitness center and gorgeous pool, Wi-Fi and a hip bar. It’s a sign of how far Kingston has come and where it’s going. Book Now
