22 Best Hotels in Jamaica

A sign reads "Spa Zone—Keep the Vibes Calm," which is not a tall order at this beautiful boutique hotel that attracts discerning travelers, honeymooners, and celebrities who appreciate the cottages and villas placed along a cliff and the rustic but stylish accommodations. The cottages are built from rough-hewn timber, thatch, and stone, and each has a four-poster, queen-size bed. Where else can one stay in a thatched-roof hut that offers all the comforts including air-conditioning? Lush, tropical gardens ensure privacy at every turn. There are steps down to the sea, with bridges over gaps in the cliffs, where the water has carved out spectacular caves. A highlight is the spa, which is open to the public. You can indulge in one of the treatment rooms or a cliffside cabana. There is also a yoga deck and a saltwater pool for guests only.

Located 10 minutes east of Port Antonio, this stylish, tech-savvy rockers' getaway (Gwen Stefani recorded an album here, and it's a favorite of Grace Jones) was once a music producer's hideaway. It still features a state-of-the-art recording studio that's available to guests (assuming you're cutting your next album while on vacation). Cell phones are provided upon arrival, and visitors have their pick of more than 50 international newspapers to peruse in their rooms, which are notable for a modern mix of high-tech and island simplicity. The 12 studio rooms added most recently are especially nice, each with a balcony, ocean views, white and wooden decor, and well-curated art.

Whether you're a fan of James Bond or luxury getaways in general, this exclusive address 20 minutes east of Ocho Rios holds special appeal as the property was purchased in 1946 by James Bond creator Ian Fleming, who built a villa that is now owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. The main property features more than 40 accommodations categorized as villas, beach huts, and lagoon cottages, but the exclusive Fleming Villa is located on a separate parcel of land with its own private beach, pool, and dedicated staff. Dining is available at the gazebo restaurant, and the bar has a soundtrack selected by Blackwell. Paddle across the lagoon to the FieldSpa for natural open-air treatments.

Seaside charm combines with interesting artwork to create a chic place that oozes personality, with each room or cottage designed with unique colors and funky furnishings with signature touches—think mosaic tiles and headboards and concrete walls embedded with colored-glass bottles. Accommodations have outdoor showers or bathtubs with solar-heated water, and there's a yoga deck above the Driftwood Spa. Jakes's private cottages and luxury villas are also nearby. The staff encourages guests to get involved in the local scene, whether fishing with the locals or hitting a rum shop. The owners have also developed the nearby Lionel Densham Aerodrome, so you can arrive by private aircraft, and there is a helipad on the resort.

A favorite of celebrities and other wealthy people thanks to its private, elegant villas, this peaceful resort west of MoBay also has stylish hotel rooms in the Pineapple House; the rooms are decorated in a refined Ralph Lauren style done by the designer himself, who has property on the resort's 98 acres. Each villa includes a personal maid and a cook to make your breakfast, and most have private pools. It's a fairly quiet place, with a small beach and limited but good dining options. Many guests return again and again because of the personal service and excellent management.

A 45-minute drive from Kingston—but worlds apart in terms of atmosphere—this exclusive resort was developed by Chris Blackwell, former head of Island Records (the label of Bob Marley, among many others), and features an infinity pool, spa, and pure relaxation in Georgian-style cottages. This place is not for beach buffs but for those in search of great food, and on a clear day, the on-site restaurant offers unbeatable views over the capital city, too. Cottages survey the mountains from expansive porches, most with an oversize hammock. Every bed has an electric mattress pad for chilly evenings, and mosquito nets—because there's no air-conditioning, guests usually prefer to keep windows open.

This graceful former colonial mansion not far from Devon House and several restaurants has refurbished rooms and elegant touches as well as its own eatery offering white-glove-service and sophisticated cuisine. The Regency Bar & Lounge is also a posh hangout for locals. This is an excellent choice for luxury and relaxation.

One of Jamaica's most stylish resorts features villas decorated with commissioned artwork and elegant furnishings designed and made especially for the hotel, plus three excellent dining options, including a dinner club with live jazz by the house band or mento music by the famed Jolly Boys. A farm and nursery down the road provides plants for the beautifully landscaped property. All villas are fully appointed and provide ocean views and privacy. A full-service spa, private cinema, fitness center, and a private beach round out the amenities.

The Jamaica Inn exemplifies the elegance, luxury, and exquisite service of Jamaica's tourism heyday with attention to details such as fresh flower bouquets in the rooms and lovely beach views. Marilyn Monroe honeymooned here with playwright Arthur Miller, and Winston Churchill also visited; his name is on a plaque on the door of the white suite, one of four deluxe luxury suites. Although a connection to the past is apparent and exemplified by the long tenure of many on staff—including a bartender, Teddy, who has been pouring drinks for guests including prime ministers and royalty—this refined hotel is not one to rest on its laurels.

Surely one of the prettiest properties on the West End cliffs, this place proclaims "to rekindle the romance," perhaps because the grounds are decorated with pink bougainvillea and other tropical plants, and you can sunbathe or read privately with your loved one in secluded spots throughout the property. The small boutique hotel has nine stylish, thatched wooden cottages, seven equally attractive suites, all with private patios, and one budget room—honeymooners love Sagittarius Cottage, which is at the edge of the cliff and has a designer outdoor shower room for two overlooking the sea. Ivan's Restaurant is private dining during the day but opens to the public at 5 pm with a lively bar scene and great views overlooking the sea.

This quiet, family-run hotel, on one of the nicest parts of Negril Beach, is built hacienda-style around a central courtyard, where there's a round swimming pool and a lush garden. Rooms have lovely big beds and a patio or balcony. All furniture is locally made and all food used is grown on the hotel's private farm. Many guests are repeat visitors, but newcomers are soon drawn in by the friendly atmosphere. The hotel has live music on Thursday nights and pure jazz and blues music on Saturdays.

Aimed at businesspeople, this hotel is in the city's financial district, in the heart of New Kingston and less than a half-hour from Norman Manley International Airport. Most travelers, not just suits, will find its rooms more than comfortable, with flat-screen TVs with premium movie and sports channels. There's a gym, gift shop, and pool on the property, and activities include special Courtleigh themed nights and Wednesday Jerk Night by the pool.

With its many room categories, 28 massive villas (five to seven bedrooms), shopping village, a private beach, water sports, three pools, the luxurious Fern Tree spa, a children's village, golf course, and an equestrian center, this resort feels almost as though it's an entire town. What started in 1954 as a group of private beach cottages offered for rent during off-season months has blossomed into one of the most popular getaways on Jamaica's north coast. Renovations in recent years have added more than 50 rooms and a wealth of bars and restaurants, including a vegan café. The original beach cottages, just steps from the sand as well as public areas, remain a great choice. 

From the locally sourced bath soaps and stationary to the solar panels and naturally cooled rooms, this ecofriendly boutique hotel is a delight for those who are environmentally conscious and socially aware, while also offering luxury bound to please anyone. The vision of Shireen Aga and Barbara Walker, Mockingbird Hill has received recognition for its sustainable model of responsible tourism. "Guiltless indulgence" is how the hotel describes itself, and it provides an authentic Jamaican experience. Your housekeeper prepares breakfast, and there are a handful of restaurants nearby. There's also a Garden of Wellness, for massages and other services.

This Port Antonio hotel might be distinctive for its Jamaica-shape swimming pool and surrounding black-and-white pool terrace, but that's just the beginning of its unusual aspects as the all-white building is designed to resemble a 17th-century Italian palace. Deemed "the art gallery hotel," the facility displays 2,000 pieces of art from paintings to sculptures, some by the hotel's owner. Guest rooms are surprisingly stark, most having beds with curving footboards, flowery spreads, and little other decoration. There are a handful of dining options at the hotel and guests can choose between a "bed-and-breakfast" or an all-inclusive package.

In the heart of the financial district, this 17-story high-rise is popular with corporate travelers due to its central location and ample business amenities. All rooms have balconies or large windows that overlook the city or Caribbean sea. There's an excellent business center, duty-free shops, and 24-hour room service, and a café that's open around the clock. Two outdoor tennis courts, a spa, pool, and fitness center complete the facilities. Also popular with locals, the hotel's restaurant offers plenty of Jamaican favorites.

This modest business-district hotel combines business services with a garden-style atmosphere. Rooms are basic, most with white-tile floors and small bathrooms, but are enlivened with colorful walls or fabrics. The pool area and adjacent bar and restaurant are small but popular with the guests. Some rooms have balconies or patios; flat-screen TVs offer free premium-movie channels. At the hotel's Melting Pot Restaurant you'll enjoy fine dining with a nice view.

Three massive 200-year-old Sandbox trees guard the front of this family-owned hotel that has a friendly aura, tropical gardens wrapping around the main building, and flowers spilling onto the terrace restaurant, where breakfast and lunch are served. Basic rooms are simple and breeze-cooled; all superior rooms have air-conditioning, as do suites, which also have full kitchens. The hotel is right in the center of town close to the market; there's a British-style pub, the Manchester Arms.

Adjacent to Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort, this SuperClubs-owned hotel is as basic as its name, with optional and reasonably priced meal plans. Rooms have ocean views decorated in tropical tones. It's favored by business travelers and vacationers—an economical choice for independent-minded travelers who would rather sample the town's many restaurants than be tied to an all-inclusive plan. The family-friendly hotel offers Wi-Fi service by the pool deck.

This small boutique hotel, opened in 2012, is a good value, particularly since it's on a lovely stretch of Negril's famed Seven Mile Beach. The oceanfront rooms are especially nice, not just because of the view but because of their huge claw-foot bathtubs. The hotel's contemporary design includes wooden floors, photographs of Jamaican scenes, and other stylish touches. Wi-Fi is available on the balconies and throughout the public areas. There's also a gym and full-service spa that offers a range of services. There are also two restaurants and a bar.

This boutique resort on the cliffs features spacious cottages that are handcrafted from stone and thatch, with cedar and mahogany furniture and fittings that were made on-site. The property was designed by architect Shane Cohen, who owns and runs the resort with his wife, Christine. Relax by the saltwater pool or indulge in natural spa treatments in the open-air cabanas on the cliff or on the large covered yoga deck, which is surrounded by a lily pond. Various meal plans are available.

A long-time go-to hotel in Kingston, providing service to business travelers, wedding parties, and tourists, this calm oasis in New Kingston features the well-liked and upscale Rojo Restaurant and a roof terrace with a pool and bar. Rejuvenating amenities include a full-service spa and a gym with the latest cardio machines, and business facilities consist of expansive conference rooms and an up-to-date business center. The professional staff is knowledgeable and courteous.