Round Hill: Elegance and Luxury in Jamaica

Round Hill, which is located in the Montego Bay area of Jamaica, is one of my favorite Caribbean boutique hotels. The luxurious hotel rooms, which were recently renovated and designed by Ralph Lauren, are all located in The Pineapple House in a central spot within the resort grounds. All 36 of them are oceanfront and decorated in a quintessential Caribbean style. Additionally, there are 27 privately owned villas dotting the hillside.

I recently visited the property and found the resort to be one of the most elegant spots I'd seen in all of the Caribbean. Past guests include a "who's who" list of celebrities, politicians, entertainers and more. It's not uncommon to dine beside someone famous, so be on the lookout while you're there! Ralph Lauren himself owns two private homes on the grounds, as he spends a large amount of time at Round Hill each year.

Looking for a tranquil and sumptuous spa while on vacation? Round Hill's spa is the the ideal spot to pamper oneself. Guests on route to the spa enjoy a beautiful walk along a secluded path flanked by tropical foliage, only to arrive at a peaceful haven at the top of the hill. The spa treatment menu is extensive and will meet the most discerning spa lover's needs.

Dining is a special experience at Round Hill. Guests enjoy gourmet meals daily on a romantic waterfront terrace. The atmosphere certainly made me want to linger over a glass of wine for as long as possible. Want to bring the children along? Round Hill caters to families of all ages and offers a robust children's program for little ones between the ages of 3-12. The entry enrollment age of three is actually quite unusual and a big bonus for parents of very little ones. Most children's clubs require children to be five years of age before they can participate, so Round Hill provides a nice perk for very young families. Arts, crafts, water sports, etc. are available on a daily basis, and the children I saw on property seemed to be having quite a good time!

For a limited time, Round Hill is offering an excellent deal for Virtuoso clients. I must also add that it's highly unusual for a property with such an accomplished track record to offer any deals in high season. For travel now until February 12th and again between February 25th-March 5th, guests staying 4 nights pay for 3, 7 nights pay for 5, and 14 nights pay for 10. Additionally, I'm able to secure a $100 food and beverage credit per room. Contact me for more details and availability information.

A Hidden Gem: The Jamaica Inn

One of my favorite Caribbean boutique hotels is the five-star Jamaica Inn, which is tucked away on a stunning beachfront spot in Ocho Rios. The hotel has been around since 1950 and maintains an old world, Caribbean charm difficult to find in the region today. Known for outstanding service, ambience and dining, the Jamaica Inn has an incredibly high number of repeat visitors. And the hotel has received many accolades to prove it, including a #1 ranking for all hotels in Jamaica and #7 in the entire Caribbean awarded by Conde Nast readers in 2008.

The Jamaica Inn offers a high level of luxury at a price point much lower than many of its competitors. And as a Virtuoso advisor, I'm able to secure a number of perks for my clients, including a room upgrade at the time of arrival (subject to availability), complimentary continental breakfast daily, and a complimentary bottle of fine Jamaican rum.

The hotel consists of 47 suites, all with water views. Each suite has either a private balcony or large verandah, which are fully furnished with comfortable furniture for relaxing and taking in the views. The suites have a breezy and open feel to them, and they're decorated in a beautiful, Caribbean plantation style. The Jamaica Inn believes its guests deserve an opportunity to truly escape from the real world, so televisions, radios and clocks are blissfully absent from every suite on property.


For spa lovers, the Jamaica Inn offers its full-service KiYara Ocean Spa. Located directly on the water, the spa celebrates Jamaican nature in all of its treatments. Local plants, both those gathered in the wild and those provided by Jamaican farmers, are plentifully used. One tip: it's a good idea to book your spa treatments before arrival to ensure you get what you want at the desired times.

Honeymoon? Anniversary? Or just a romantic getaway? A perfect spot for lovers of all ages...The Jamaica Inn.