18 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.

This stylish boutique B&B is a nice alternative to North Coast all-inclusives; fabulous feasts (often with Jamaican, Chinese, and international flavors) are available for guests who wish to have dinner as well as breakfast here. The owner, Elise, goes out of her way to arrange tours of the "real" Jamaica—taking in places and people off the beaten track—and on-site massages help you wind down afterward. Service is impeccable.

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.

This rustic but elegant resort is hip without being pretentious; it's a top spot for affordable chic and the kind of place that makes you want to check in and just laze in your room, or in a hammock, with a book. The cottages are made of stone and wood with thatch roofs; some are on stilts, and they all have big beds. Continental breakfast is included in the reasonably priced room rates; you can have all your meals at the hotel's restaurant or go out and explore the nearby restaurants on Negril's West End.

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.

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.

This resort has a pristine location and decor that feels like a time capsule, but a far cry from when Queen Elizabeth II stayed in Villa 18. Villas are the best option; tucked into the dense forest, they offer beauty and space. Many are just steps from one of Port Antonio's best beaches, a setting in movies. Standard rooms, many fairly large, are in the main building, known as the greathouse. Butler service is available for Villa 12.

Hummingbirds flit about this reasonably priced property, consisting of one- and two-story villas with the conveniences of a hotel, including tennis courts, a pool, and a restaurant and bar that's centered on a 300-year-old ficus tree and looks like a movie set. The well-designed villas are bright and breezy and take full advantage of the stunning views and natural scenery. It's near San San Beach.

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.

At the far north end of Negril on Bloody Bay, this massive beachfront resort delivers good bang for the buck, with decent food and extensive activities and facilities. Guests can relax and be pampered at the Renova Spa with a variety of beauty treatments, or enjoy the many water sports that the hotel offers. The programs for kids are slightly better here than at the equally large Riu Tropical Bay, which is next door.

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.

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.