GoldenEye

Rooms

GoldenEye is located around Ian Fleming’s original clifftop plot, which he bought in 1946 complete with a sunken garden which is still visible today. The site is the flagship GoldenEye Villa, a private residence with three bedrooms and two more one-bedroom cottages, a private beach, a pool, and dedicated staff.

The other villas are a mix of ‘The Originals’, found tucked beneath lush greenery, while newer versions include Beach Villas and Lagoon Cottages with their stone decks and direct lagoon access. A rustic, entry-level option is the 26 wooden Beach Huts, which have a closer proximity to one another.

All of GoldenEye’s accommodations are bright and spacious and often feature outdoor garden bathtubs or showers. Large beds, local botanical beauty products, en suite bathrooms, Wi-Fi and air conditioning are found throughout all room categories.

Location

GoldenEye is around two hours’ drive from Kingston airport, sitting beside the village of Oracabessa, just outside of Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s northern coast. A true off the beaten track location where privacy is key, the hotel resides in 52 acres of unspoiled, flourishing landscape and is 16 km (10 miles) to Ocho Rios.

Food and drink

GoldenEye has a range of eateries, including a poolside breakfast at Bizot, BBQ at Bamboo Bar or drinks at Shabeen. The highlight, we think, is The Gazebo, a tree-house style restaurant overlooking Low Cay Beach and the Lagoon. This open-air spot serves international dishes to a backdrop of fiery Caribbean sunsets accompanied by an enticing cocktail list. For an additional charge, in-room dining is available, as is the option of private outdoor dining at any spot in the resort you choose.

Families

Children are well looked after here, with child-friendly activities, safe swimming, children’s menus and the option of a nanny service booked direct through the hotel.

Facilities and activities

There’s no shortage of things to do at GoldenEye, from swimming in the multiple pools to a spot of tennis, to paddleboarding and kayaking. At the croissant-shaped Low Cay beach its unique shape gives it a deserted island vibe, while Button Beach is a rustic option and home to a bar shack.

Both beaches are manned by lifeguards and instructors to oversee the water sports. Over at Snorkeler’s Cove guests can explore the coral reefs with the complimentary snorkel and fins or go out on a glass-bottom boat excursion to spot over 700 species of fish. Tucked between the vibrant flora and on the banks of the smooth, reflective Lagoon is the FieldSpa, where massage, meditation, salt scrubs, herbal wraps and facials are among the treatments available.

Accessibility

Some of the Beach Huts have access for wheelchair users.

Environmental and social responsibility

A main ethos of GoldenEye is its sustainability efforts, minimising energy usage and taking advantage of its natural light and wind power. Its restaurant uses organic ingredients while the staff are working to restore and replenish the local fish populations and coral beds. In addition, The Oracabessa Foundation have planted hundreds of trees to help keep the resort lusciously green.

Local excursions

Additional activities can by booked through the hotel, such as sailing, snorkeling, paddleboarding or a trip to the Blue Mountains where Jamaica’s famous coffee comes from, to name a few.