After sleeping at 40 hotels (and counting) across the island of Jamaica, we can confidently say that these are the most comfortable, most beautiful, most distinctly relaxing rooms in the country.
GoldenEye’s cottages and villas are hip and stylish without seeming out of place in Jamaica. Jalousie shutters and hardwood floors add an authentic island feel, while luxe details such as clawfoot bathtubs, outdoor showers, and kitchens featuring designer appliances are a cut above what is found at most other Jamaican resorts. All units have views of either the serene lagoon or the ocean, and come with a private porch equipped with lounge chairs, a table and chairs, and even kayaks.
The Geejam's five, extremely private cabins all have astounding terraces sheltered by dense forest. On the queen-size bed, there's a feather duvet, pillow-top mattress, and 500-count linens. Bathrooms either have steam-showers, standing tubs, or a private, four-person outdoor Jacuzzi (and that comes with the cheapest room). Plus, all rooms include techy comforts like 42-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, DVD players (with an extensive, free lending library), and Apple TVs pre-programmed with eclectic island tunes and cult movies.
The pristine-white rooms designed by Ralph Lauren are gorgeous -- there are four-poster beds swathed in snow-white linens, deep soaking tubs and stand-up shower stalls with stones neatly arranged at the drain, and a back wall that opens to a large, wood-planked balcony built into the cliff's edge and overlooking the ocean in all rooms. There are no in-room TVs or radios, so be sure to bring a book.
The Caves' 11 unique, "shabby-chic" cottages -- each with either 1-or 2-bedroom suites -- are far larger and quirkier than your typical hotel rooms, many of which feature original handicrafts and outdoor showers. Stained-glass windows, colorful lanterns, and extremely comfortable pillow-top queen mattresses are standard -- TVs are not. Owned by music impresario Chris Blackwell, the rooms do come with an extensive, island-inspired music collection, and a CD player and iPod dock.
All of the rooms at Strawberry Hill have private balconies, four-poster beds, and lovely details such as hardwood floors and jalousie shutters -- but there is definitely a hierarchy here. The bottom of the totem pole starts with the Timbuk One-Bedroom Suites, which are the 400 square feet and lack air conditioning (though this is less of an issue at this hillside location than elsewhere). Moving up the ladder, however, the rooms get bigger and better furnished, with some units featuring full kitchens, separate living rooms, expansive wrap-around terraces with lounge chairs and dining tables, stocked minibars, and air conditioning.
Most rooms are set in a series of stilted bungalows that rise above the lush property -- this is no ordinary all-inclusive hotel. King-size beds have quilted cotton bedspreads and silk throw pillows. Broad balconies have plush daybeds. Modern bathrooms feature slate showers, each with five different shower heads, and fantastic resort-made toiletries, like coconut and molasses soap, cucumber and aloe after-sun balm, citrus body wash and shampoo, and lager-and-lime conditioner.
All rooms come with an excellent, four-post canopy beds -- down comforters, down/cotton pillows, and thick mattress pads. Special "pillow menus" include upgrades like memory foam, five-foot body pillows, water-filled pillows. In the closet, there are Chadsworth and Haig bathrobes and slippers alongside an electronic safe (a rare find in Jamaica). All rooms have an extensive -- and free -- mini bar that includes full bottles of Appleton rum, Skyy vodka, and champagne.
Guestrooms have three true walls, with a 4th wall made of screen-less, heavy wooden shutters opening onto either a broad, second-floor balcony, or an oversize ground-floor terrace furnished with desks, rocking chairs, plush canvas couches, and tables for in-room dining. Newly renovated bathrooms have marble countertops, dark cherry wood vanities and deep soaking tubs.
Comprised of elegant suites and private cottages, and the massive rooms at the Half Moon features tiled floors, ceiling fans, sitting areas, and comfortable king-size beds framed in mahogany. Spacious marble bathrooms often have slate showers, deep soaking tubs, his-and-hers sinks, and bidets.
Junior Suites -- the standard room -- are huge, with king-size mahogany bed frames and space for a sitting area with 2 chairs, a comfy daybed, and a coffee table. The marble-tiled bathroom has both a Jacuzzi tub and standing marble shower.
Pristine, all-white rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace overlooking the golf course. Top-quality beds with real down comforters, iPod docks, Zenith flat-screen TVs, multiple outlets for both American and British travelers, and exceptional Clear toiletries make these Hilton rooms a cut-above the rest.