Accommodations

A top notch B&B (US$140-220 double occupancy) in a serene, green setting minutes from the heart of Ocho Rios. Five comfortable, air conditioned bedrooms can sleep a maximum of 15 persons. The pool is just large enough, and surrounded by lounge chairs and lush vegetation. Run by a Chinese-Jamaican family of innkeepers and renown chefs, siblings Elise and Daryl who are well endowed to share the finer things in Jamaica, from its cultural treasures to its culinary delights.

River Lodge (US$60–80 per room, including breakfast) is located on the site of a refurbished 400-year-old Spanish fort owned by Brigitta Fuchslocher. Rooms inside the fort complement a pair of cottages. From River Lodge there are hectares and hectares of unspoiled wilderness reaching almost all the way along the coast to Port Maria, where waterfalls and black-sand beaches are best reached by boat with the local fishermen.

Jamaica Inn (from US$349/586 d. low/high season) has remained one of the top hotels in the island for decades for good reason. Several features make the 55-unit property unique and charming.

The beach is one of the best in Jamaica, with fine golden sand and crystal clear water that drops off quickly, fringed by low coral bluffs. Thatch umbrellas are planted abundantly across the sand and the bar staff makes regular rounds. Even at full occupancy Jamaica Inn never feels overcrowded.

Moon Palace Jamaica Grande (rom US$466 low season, US$652 high season) is the most prominent hotel on Turtle Beach, oc­cupying the prime piece of real estate on the point of the bay. Completely refurbished in 2014 and taken over by Mexico-based Palace Resorts, the 705-room hotel boasts its own Dolphin Cove, a surf pool, a discotheque, buffet and à la carte dining. Rooms come in partial sea view and sea view categories, are modern and immaculate with quality toiletries, soft linens and minibars. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and throughout the property.