Jamaica, The Home of Alright

It had been on my bucket list to go to Jamaica for a long time, so I jumped at the opportunity for a quick five-night break to look at some of the island’s most luxurious hotels and to see what the island had to offer. My only regret is I haven’t visited before!

The first thing I noticed, even before leaving the airport, is the genuine warmth and happiness from the Jamaican people. I honestly don’t think I met a grumpy Jamaican the whole time I was there!

My first stay was at the beautiful 110-acre Round Hill Estate, which comprises luxurious private villas and stunning beachfront hotel rooms. There is a spa (I can recommend the hot stone massage), and a lovely kids club with activities for children from the age of three. The food was delicious, and I tasted my first goat curry!

A visit to Mystic Mountain en route to Ocho Rios was terrifying/thrilling in equal measures. This tropical jungle is home to the sky explorer (that was the terrifying bit), a chairlift taking you 700 feet above the rainforest. I’m petrified of heights, but at the top the reward is a nature trail, waterslide and pool, and a hummingbird garden, and the most exhilarating bob sled adventure; an attraction inspired by the Jamaican bob sled Olympic effort. With my already wobbly legs I was strapped into a sled and hurtled down a 1000 metre track built into the side of the mountain – solely powered by gravity. Totally exhilarating! There is also a zip line but luckily for me I didn’t have time to try it!

Jamaica Inn was the next beautiful hotel, a boutique colonial hotel which has belonged to the Morrow family for more than 50 years. Marilyn Monroe honeymooned here, and Winston Churchill visited (there is a suite named after him). It’s situated on a beautiful sandy beach, and the award-winning spa has the most beautiful treatment rooms overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The food was sublime, and a taster menu gave me the chance to sample more of the fantastic Jamaican cuisine.

I was also lucky to spend the afternoon and evening at Goldeneye Resort, a truly fabulous place and where Ian Fleming wrote his James Bond novels. There are villas on a lagoon, cottages and new beach huts. It has such a relaxed cool vibe I didn’t want to leave!

A visit to Scotchies to sample authentic jerk chicken, washed down with a Red Stripe was another highlight. It’s very popular with tourists but the locals eat there too which always speaks for itself. Nando’s just won’t seem the same again!

A night in Half Moon, set on two miles of beautiful beach was my last stop. This has something for everybody, with villas, suites and plenty going on. There is a fantastic gym with classes, kids village and teen centre, spa, golf, and the most wonderful fine dining restaurant, Sugar Mill, where I was lucky enough to have a six course tasting menu cooked by former chef to our Royal Family, John Higgins.

Jamaica really is a special place – it’s very beautiful. The scenery is stunning, the food is amazing – whether eating the most delicious fresh fruit, fine dining, or a chicken wrap at Scotchies. The people are warm, friendly and fun. There is so much to do. I hope to make it to Bob Marley’s house, Dunn’s River Falls, and Rose Hall next time I visit.