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GoldenEye – Jamaica

Peter & I had a wonderful holiday at GoldenEye in Jamaica. The resort is situated on Orcabassa Bay, about 20 minutes from Ocho Rios. GoldenEye is a private resort; many famous stars like staying here because of its privacy and the island vibe it exudes being typically Jamaican.

IMG_2642There is a choice of accommodation from lagoon facing villas, beachfront villas and the newly built beach huts. We stayed in the brightly coloured beach huts, which were not huts at all! The beds were huge and so tall, the beds were positioned so you could look out of the French windows and view the Caribbean Sea. The huts have an indoor bathroom with some huts having an outside shower area so it felt you were having a shower in the wilderness- fab!

The resort also has the Fleming Villa, GoldenEye used to be the home of Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels, hence the name GoldenEye. You can stay in this villa which is at one end of the resort, very private with its own small beach, garden, swimming pool, separate pool house and cottage. Sting stayed here and wrote his famous song, Every Breath You Take. This is also where the Kardashians stayed when they visited Jamaica. GoldenEye has 2 restaurants one a la carte, the Bizot Bar is the hub where you can enjoy a lazy breakfast, casual lunch and pre dinner drinks. The bar overlooks the swimming pools and the beach. There is a treetop spa which uses only natural products which is popular with guests. If you are lucky enough, Chris Blackwell, the owner and founder of Island Records will be at home, he is always interested in his guests and will make himself known & strike up a conversation with you.

 

IMG_2437There is plenty of water sports in resort, all included in the cost. Fishing is an extra cost but that was fun as we met with two locals, caught some fish, which we had cooked for us in resort, even managed to get close up and personal to dolphins. We even went turtle hatching on a nearby beach just before sunset, it was a wonderful experience, if you get the chance, do it – nature at its best.

Whilst in Jamaica we visited the sister property of Strawberry Hill. This is high up in the Blue Mountains overlooking Kingston, about an hour's drive from GoldenEye. This is a perfect place to relax away from the beach, so perhaps a 2 centre with another resort would be appealing. It features a restaurant and swimming pool with spectacular scenery. The rooms are old fashioned, painted white with wooden 4 poster beds and furniture.

 

IMG_2499We visited Firefly – the final home of the famous Sir Noel Coward. Firefly is open to the public and is really worth a visit. His grave is overlooking the Spanish Main and you can visit the house and look round Noel's collection of books, photos and artefacts. The house has not been touched since his death & looks nowadays very old fashioned and basic.

GoldenEye and Strawberry Hill are perfect for :  A Luxury Escape, Couples, Spa Lovers, Chilling Out

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