14 best hotels in Jamaica that epitomise island paradise
Choosing from the very best hotels in Jamaica requires making some tough decisions. Do you want the secluded, off-the-beaten-track jungle hideaway? The beach bungalows just mere steps away from the white, sugary sand and pristine waters of the Caribbean? Or how about the historic luxury properties, the dazzling and sprawling all-inclusive resorts?
The good news is, we've narrowed it down for those of you looking for a sun-drenched tropical getaway in 2024. There's no ‘bad time’ to visit Jamaica, but it's worth noting the rainy seasons: the first from May to June; and the second from September to November. The two dry seasons are in July through August, and December to April. This means that Jamaica is ideal for a summer holiday and winter sun holiday, with peak season beginning in mid-December and ending in April, and shoulder season occurs between mid-April to May, and November to mid-December when the crowds taper off and the weather is still absolute perfection.
So, whether you're looking for the seemingly endless stretches of sandy beaches and buzzing restaurants and nightlife found in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios; the typically laidback, reggae-soundtracked balmy days on Seven Mile Beach in Negril; or the quiet, misty hills of the Blue Mountains and parish capital Port Antonio, here's everything you need to ensure your Jamaica holiday is one you'll never forget.
Best hotels in Jamaica at a glance 2024
- Best classic Jamaica hotel: GoldenEye
- Best Jamaica hotel for incredible views: Strawberry Hill Hotel
- Best Jamaica hotel for beachfront villas: Jamaica Inn
- Best hotel in Jamaica for honeymoons and couples: The Caves
- Best hotel in Jamaica for young families: The Cliff Hotel
Which area of Jamaica is best to stay in?
On the island's west coast, Negril is often recommended as the best place to stay for first-time visitors. This sleepy village, still thriving with Jamaican authenticity and its laidback charm despite its popularity, has it all: white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, a pristine underwater world to explore, street food vendors and restaurants, and a lively nightlife scene with rhythmic reggae humming from every corner, which draws a young crowd.
If you're looking for all of the above but for families, Ocho Rios is the perfect spot on the island if you're travelling with children, and it's also home to a majority of Jamaica's luxury all inclusive luxury resorts. Here, you can enjoy outdoor activities and excursions, thanks to the area's surrounding rainforests, waterfalls and rivers. In between Negril and Ocho Rios is Montego Bay, which is also recommended for families and is more city-like than Ocho Rios – fewer adventurous excursions; more resort activities such as shopping, golfing and nightlife.
But the beauty of Jamaica is that you don't have to pick just one area to stay in, as the most popular areas are within a few hours' drive of each other. From Negril to Montego Bay is around 1 hour 40 minutes, and from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios is about an hour and a half. Some visitors even do a road trip around Jamaica's entire coastline – including rustic Treasure Beach in the south and the bustling cities of Port Antonio and capital Kingston in the east – which can be easily achieved in a week.
Is it better to stay in Montego Bay or Ocho Rios?
This totally depends on what sort of trip you're after. Both offer immaculate, sun-drenched beaches, clear waters and stunning views. So it depends what you're looking for outside of the beach days.
Ocho Rios is ideal if you're looking to unwind in nature thanks to its aforementioned surroundings. This is where you go for sweeping scenery and outdoor activities: Dunn's River Falls; The Cool Blue Hole; Mystic Mountain Konoko Falls & Park; Green Grotto Caves; Fern Gully and so on. Whereas in Montego Bay, there's more of a lively atmosphere with a buzzing nightlife scene. So, we'd say Ocho Rios is best for couples and families; Montego Bay is best for groups of friends or solo travellers looking to meet new people.
From luxury hotels to independent hideaways, these are the best hotels in Jamaica, according to a discerning travel writer…
Jamaica Inn
Jamaica Inn is synonymous with luxury Ocho Rios accommodation, and has been welcoming guests – many of them repeat visitors – since 1950. With 55 rooms, cottages and beachfront bungalows offering stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica Inn was made for lazy days spent on the property's private beach, reclining on a sun lounger and cooling off in the bright blue sea. The food is sublime too, with dinner on the Terrace Restaurant with live music (make sure to grab lunch at newly-launched Teddy’s Beach Grill), and don't forget to book a treatment in the open-air spa where you can listen to the real sound of the ocean beneath you (rather than through speakers!) Also, if you're staying in a room with a private pool, ask for breakfast to be served on a floating tray. Who cares if you're an Insta-cliche, ‘holiday you’ deserves it.
Best for: An idyllic beach holiday with your family, BFF or SO.
Why we love it:
Address: Main Street, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Price per night: From £400.
Save when you book one of the best hotels in Jamaica with these Booking.com discount codes at checkout.
GoldenEye
Perched on Jamaica's north coast in the sleepy village of Oracabessa Bay, GoldenEye Hotel & Resort overlooks the impossibly blue Caribbean Sea and was once home to James Bond creator Ian Fleming and is now owned by Chris Blackwell, the Jamaican founder of Island Records. Across the property's sprawling 52 acres are dotted beach huts, lagoon cottages, beach and lagoon villas, and the Fleming's original villa which sleeps 10 and still has the original sunken garden which Fleming designed, and steps down to a pretty private beach. Relax on the white stretches of sand at Low Cay Beach, sip a Red Stripe at one of the hotel's restaurants and bars (The Gazebo, Bizot Bar, Shabeen, Bamboo Bar), pull on your fins and explore Snorkeler's Cove, or try water sports including kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing.
Best for: Truly feeling like an island castaway (but in five-star luxury, of course).
Why we love it: There's a reason GoldenEye is often referred to as Jamaica's favourite hotel. There really is no place like it.
Address: Oracabessa Bay, St Mary, Jamaica
Price per night: From £570.
Geejam Hotel
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Geejam is a stylish bolthole just outside of Port Antonio on the island's northeast coast. Here, you are surrounded by lush rainforest with spectacular sea views – and not much else. If you're looking for a luxury hideaway to lose yourself in for a while, this is it. Owned by two music producers, the hotel has its own recording studio, private beach area, on-site restaurant Bushbar serving up Jamaican and Asian fusion cuisine, an infinity pool made for sipping cocktails, and stylish rooms each with something unique. The Ska room comes with a hot tub on the veranda, and Mento has a secret hammock hidden in the trees. The three-bedroom villa, Sanwood, has its own pool and original Banksy artwork.
Best for: Going off-grid for a while.
Why we love it: Who doesn't love a treehouse hideaway?
Address: 122 Skippers Blvd San San, Port Antonio, Jamaica
Price per night: From £310.
Save when you book one of the best hotels in Jamaica with these Booking.com discount codes at checkout.
Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa
This all-inclusive five-star property has recently undergone a £20 million renovation, completely refurbishing existing rooms and adding two new room categories with private pools and ocean views, plus eight new oceanfront suites. To say Grand Palladium has upped its game would be a whopping great understatement. Soak up the sun by one of the hotel's four pools, sip a sunset cocktail at the swim-up bar, feel your stresses melt away at the Zentropia Spa, dance the evening away at the Infinity Bar, and enjoy local Creole-Jamaican flavours at restaurant MoBay. There's also archery fields, volleyball and tennis courts for when you're simply sick of relaxing on the beach or by the pool.
Best for: Having everything you need in one place.
Why we love it: Grand Palladium boasts one of the largest swimming pools in the Caribbean. 'Nuff said.
Address: Point Lucea, Lucea, Jamaica
Price per night: From £350.
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Strawberry Hill Hotel
There's a reason Strawberry Hill is one of Jamaica's most widely-adored hotels. High in the Blue Mountains – over 3,500 ft high, to be precise – the property is reached by a beautiful winding road, about an hour from Kingston airport, and offers spectacular views over the tree canopies and the capital city below. Opened in 1994 (also by Chris Blackwell), Strawberry Hill boasts an impressive infinity pool, luxury spa with local products (organic honey, coffee from the surrounding mountains), and rooms ranging from studio suites to two-bedroom villas, all with balconies and – yep, you guessed it –stunning views. Jamaican fare is served in the hotel's restaurant, and breakfast on the veranda is a wonderful way to start your day. If you can drag yourself away from the swimming pool, explore the local walking routes and coffee estates.
Best for: The hotel is a popular venue for events and weddings, so if you fancy getting hitched abroad…
Why we love it: Did we mention the views?
Address: New Castle Road Irish Town, Jamaica
Price per night: From £320.
Save when you book one of the best hotels in Jamaica with these Booking.com discount codes at checkout.
Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Round Hill has been one of Montego Bay's most stellar properties since it opened in 195 and has been attracting a glam, famous clientele ever since. The beautiful hotel hovers above its own private beach, with beachfront rooms and villas with bay views styled by Ralph Lauren. There's everything you could possibly want from a luxury retreat: delicious Caribbean food served at the Grill at Round Hill high above the sea; a large pool perfectly positioned for ordering a poolside cocktail from the bar; a luxury spa; tennis courts; yoga pavilion – the list goes on. There's plenty to keep families busy, or for couples or solo travellers to truly unwind.
Best for: Total opulence.
Why we love it: A holiday at Round Hill is an unforgettable holiday for literally anyone, whether you're travelling with little ones, loved ones or just solo.
Address: John Pringle Drive, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Price per night: From £520.
The Caves
This all inclusive, adults only resort perched on the Negril cliffs is gloriously exclusive and intimate, with just 12 characterful cabins with ocean views. There's a bar made from two limestone grottos, a cliffside saltwater pool and hot tub, a candlelit grotto where you can book what will probably be the most romantic meal of your life. Plus, the famous Seven Mile Beach is just 15 minutes away.
Best for: A romantic couples' getaway.
Why we love it: The Caves feels like something out of a fairytale; the sort of place that will stay with you long after you've landed home.
Address: Lighthouse Road, West End, Negril, Jamaica
Price per night: From £400.
Save when you book one of the best hotels in Jamaica with these Booking.com discount codes at checkout.
The Trident Hotel
Just a stone's throw from Blue Lagoon, Frenchman Cove's, Trident Castle, San San Beach and Winifred Beach, Trident Hotel is in the often overlooked area of Port Antonio, on the northeast coast of the island. The incredible oceanfront air-conditioned villas have terraces overlooking the sea, and most come with a private plunge pool. There's water sports on the private beach, top-notch Jamaican and international food and views on the Veranda Restaurant, and spa treatments that aren't to be missed.
Best for: Escaping the tourist traps.
Why we love it: The views are second to none.
Address: Anchovy, Port Antonio, Jamaica
Price per night: From £590.
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Half Moon Resort
Half Moon is the pinnacle of high-end all-inclusive luxury in Montego Bay. Set over 200 acres with stretches of white sand, the resort boasts two private beaches, a pool, a stupendous spa, and some of the very best restaurants on the island that have made a real name for themselves (namely the open-air Seagrape Terrace overlooking the beach, where guests gather for the breakfast buffet and exquisite dinners). Don't miss the 18-hole golf course, the beach barbecues on Fridays, and swimming with horses from the hotel's equestrian centre.
Best for: Honeymooners.
Why we love it: For the life-long memories you'll make.
Address: Rose Hall St James Jamaica WI, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Price per night: From £560.
Save when you book one of the best hotels in Jamaica with these Booking.com discount codes at checkout.
The Cliff Hotel
The Cliff is found in the popular West End neighbourhood of Negril, with rooms offering direct ocean views and hammocks for truly relaxing on your island getaway. Enjoy meals on the terrace at Zest, bliss out at the KiYara Spa and take a dip in the enormous pool (there's also a swim-up bar which is obviously not to be missed). Outside the resort, explore Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica Beaches, Hope Botanical Garden and Zoo.
Best for: Families.
Why we love it: There's plenty to keep kids (and big kids) occupied.
Address: West End Road, Negril, Jamaica
Price per night: From £250.
Sandals Royal Plantation
Sandals Royal Plantation just five minutes from Ocho Rios centre sits on a hilltop above a beautiful stretch of shoreline, with sea-facing suites, a butler service and incredibly high-quality dining. Royal Plantation is one of Jamaica's OG hotels, and the design still retains some of its authentic features. Over at the spa, there's a long list of traditional treatments to choose from, and many sport activities are included as part of the package – tennis, scuba diving, kayking, golfing – and guests are also permitted into Sandals Ochi where you can enjoy 16 restaurants and bars.
Best for: Enjoying the all-inclusive beach resort experience yet still close to the city centre.
Why we love it: The authentic Jamaican design.
Address: Main St, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Price per night: From £750.
Save when you book one of the best hotels in Jamaica with these Booking.com discount codes at checkout.
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall
A hugely impressive all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, the dual-resort property is a combination of The Hyatt Ziva and the Hyatt Zilara – the former is the family-friendly part of the resort; the latter is for adults only. Away from the downtown buzz, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall is an hour outside of the city and perfect for guests looking for a hotel-based stay. There's literally everything and anything you could need, including water sports, a sprawling outdoor pool, eight (!!) restaurants, a kids' club, tennis courts, fitness centre, nightly entertainment and more.
Best for: Those looking for an all-inclusive retreat where you simply don't need to leave the hotel.
Why we love it: That palm-tree lined swimming pool.
Address: Rose Hall Road, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Price per night: From £400.
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Rockhouse Hotel & Spa
A small yet high-end boutique hotel carved into the rugged West Cliffs stone, Rockhouse is an impossibly photogenic cliffside retreat. The thatched roof huts are right on the cliff's edge, with open-air windows and doors allowing the sun to pool through and offering views to the bright blue water just outside. Reggae spills from the all-day-and-night bar and guests can relax in the garden spa, the horizon pool or hop into the see from one of the ladders dotted around the cliff's edge.
Best for: A girls' summer holiday.
Why we love it: Rockhouse is possibly Negril's most picturesque hotel. Seriously, look at it!
Address: West End Rd, Negril, Jamaica
Price per night: From £140.
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Sandals Dunn's River
Whether it's sunset or sunrise, the colours and lush greenery at this resort are everything you picture when you think of paradise. Crystal-clear waters, 12 restaurants (with exceptional food and design), 9 bars, and some watersports are even thrown in. It's like a luxury playground. And get this - a personalised Butler Elite service. I mean, who wouldn't want that? Sandals Dunn's River is not just a resort; it's like a one-way ticket to tropical bliss. If you're into beachy vibes with considered details, this is your spot.
Best for: A romantic getaway that isn't boring.
Why we love it: Luxury is applied to everything here, from food to entertainment.
Address: Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Price per night: From £750.
