The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Jamaica

Comprising 11 oceanfront villas that combine modern interior design with an inspired take on 50s and 60s era artwork and décor, the Trident is the ideal perch to explore Port Antonio, known as the Jamaican Riviera. Once you’ve settled in, explore the area’s shoreline, a stretch that has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, waterfalls, caves and rainforests.

The clue is in the name. This 150-suite luxury Jamaica hotel has a rooftop pool and bar with 360-degree, unobstructed views of the mountains and Montego Bay that will, well, leave you breathless. And it’s not all nature and no mod cons here. The suites are tech-savvy and amenity-packed and you can ratchet up the pampering even more by booking into the Xhale club suite that comes with its own butler.

A boutique resort in the upscale Rose Hall neighborhood, Zoetry Montego Bay is steps away from the Caribbean Sea. The 49 suites here are located in three main buildings – Wood & Water, Bamboo and Blue Mountain – that act as a nod to Jamaica’s natural beauty. You can connect with the real thing on a serene, private beach, tuck into meals made from local ingredients at the restaurant or rejuvenate at the spa.

The devotion to comfort and joy at The Moon is impressive and in this virtually self-contained coastal resort, many guests never leave to sniff “real life” in Ocho Rios town. An almost bewildering array of rooms and suites fill two main blocks with modern, tasteful décor, though polished marble floors are a touch austere. Four pools (with cabanas and swim-up bar), a FlowRider wave simulator and a children’s waterpark underline the family credentials. Food offerings resemble the UN and the huge Awe Spa has chandeliers above a swimming pool.

The Grand is the plushest of a trio of linked resorts overlooking a sandy beach near Montego Bay. A cathedral-like lobby with classical pillars and a rotunda ceiling suggests that the adult-only clientele are here to worship at the altar of pleasure. Rooms have garden aspects or ocean-front views while swim-out suites seemingly have it all. Four restaurants (reservations essential) embrace Japanese and European haute cuisine. Grand guests can access the facilities of the adjoining sister resorts whose often livelier pool and beach scenes keep pure the holiday faith.

Beautifully sited on a private hook-like peninsula at Falmouth, this luxury resort faces the ocean on one side and a pretty bay on the other. Tranquil exclusivity is its lifeblood and the lack of children lends a sophisticated grown-up atmosphere. Suites and villas are supremely tasteful, most with in-room hot tubs and pillow menus, some with plunge pools or private pools, and the elite tier with personalised butlers. At the heart of it all is a two-level pool and restaurant complex just yards from the limpid Caribbean.

With a relatively secluded peninsula beach, the Wild Orchid has an enviable location by Montego Bay. The unlimited luxury buzzword here means unfettered access to 10 restaurants and nine bars (with gourmet dining and top-shelf beverages), themed parties and entertainment, and a raft of activities – pretty much everything apart from the spa.

Near Ocho Rios, this unique haven offers quirky bohemian-tinged luxury courtesy of an arty couple who nurtured their 5ha (12-acre) seaside plot in the early 2000s. Divided into the village and boutique lodging areas, accommodation ranges from pretty Caribbean-style cottages and bungalows to a swanky modern villa plus a treehouse. Tasteful décor with Gaudi-esque touches includes locally produced wooden sculptures and artworks. A trio of cascading swimming pools, luxuriant gardens and a highly regarded Jamaican-focused restaurant help gild this one-of-a-kind property.

Opened in 1954 on an already generous plot, this grand dame of the Caribbean now occupies an extraordinary 160ha (400 acres) with 2mi (3.2km) of private beach. Elegant accommodation comprises three distinct zones, from the original cottages to newer five- and seven-bedroom fully staffed villas. Unifying them in varying degrees is a handsome whitewashed colonial style with pillars, arched verandas and balustrades. Past guests encompass royals, politicians and celebrities, while a lavish 2018 renovation has further secured its polish and anchored its pedigree.

Overlooking the sparkling limpid sea of Cocoa Walk Bay on the northeastern coast, Geejam marries ultra-cool celebrity vibes and spectacular views with a section of rainforest in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. The original recording studio opened by industry veterans has segued into boutique accommodation ranging from sleek modern rooms to rustic-looking cabins and a trio of boutique villas. There’s a private cove beach and the alfresco bar features an infinity pool plus a state-of-the-art sound system. The musical DNA and studio of Geejam still draws some of the biggest names in pop.