Jamaica Inn

Rooms

There are 4 Wings (West Wing, Main Wing, East Wing and Beach Wing), plus 7 private cottages, with steps to the sea or beach. Décor throughout is calming. In the suites there's more a traditional colonial design, while the cottages are more modern. But whichever you opt for, expect a mixture of white walls with historic prints, blue striped cushions, hand-carved four-posters, hard-wood floors, plantation shutters, and balconies akin to living rooms with oversized sofas and writing desks. Most importantly, each room has a glorious sea view.

The cheapest (still lovely) are the Balcony Suites set on the upper floor, next up are the Deluxe Veranda Suites which have larger living-room style verandas. We loved our Premier Veranda Suite in the West Wing, which had the biggest terrace we saw anywhere in Jamaica, and overlooked the gently lapping sea.

Top choice is Suite 21 - a luxurious, very private suite with its own pool, garden and direct sea access. The Cowdray Suite is lovely too, set upstairs on the East Wing with superb views, plus a dressing room and an extra-large veranda.

Romantics will enjoy the 1-bedroom Cottages set on the beachfront or overlooking the sea, but if you want real privacy, go for one of the 2-bedroom Cottages. Each has a private entrance, a mixture of Jamaican and Indonesian style and great sea views. With the exception of Cottage 6 and Blue Cottage, they all have private infinity or plunge pools. To really treat yourself, opt for the ultra-modern Cottage 7, which has access to its own private cove; we thought this would make an exceptional honeymoon hideaway.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Meals are served in either the Sea Shanty Restaurant (breakfast and lunch), the Terrace Restaurant (formal dinners), or Teddy's Beach Grill (casual dinners) and are generally very good. The atmosphere in all is buzzy and the food delicious. If you'd prefer, you can book a meal-plan - either half or full board.

Breakfast overlooking an aquamarine sea is a treat. We loved the authentic Jamaican breakfast, which changes on a daily basis and includes steamed callaloo, ackee and salt fish, or spicy escoveitch fish. The crusts are cut off your toast, which we felt was a little OTT, but the service was excellent.

Enjoy a complimentary cocktail between 11.30am and 12.30pm, to whet your appetite for a restaurant lunch (we loved the guacamole shrimp cocktail and calamari rings).

Afternoon tea and pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres will keep any hunger pangs at bay, and you get marvellous sunsets from the cocktail terrace.

Dinner can be taken at either Teddy's Beach Grill, where you get wood-fired pizzas and burgers, served on the sandy shore, or The Terrace, the more formal restaurant. Here you get five-course tasting menus, and there's usually a live band playing. If you'd prefer, room service can be ordered and your meal served course-by-course.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Laze on the beach (oft heralded as Jamaica's best), or if you're feeling active, enjoy complimentary snorkelling on the adjacent reef, kayaking and sailing
  
• Read on your veranda, take a tour of the tropical grounds with the gardener, or play croquet on one of the sweeping lawns
  
• The Ocean Spa, located in a thatched enclave at the end of beach, offers a wide variety of natural-ingredient treatments and massages, as well as yoga and pilates classes. We liked the sound of the Couples' Sunset Massage or the Tropical Spice Renewal hot-stone massage
  
• The late Noel Coward’s house, Firefly, in Port Maria is a 40-minute drive away - a little gem, with a big view
  
• Rafting on the Rio Grande, Port Antonio, is an all-day trip, but worth the effort for its stunning scenery
  
• Other activities bookable via the hotel include boat rides, river tubing, cookery classes, visit to Bob Marley's birthplace, horseback riding

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Golf
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Private guided tours
• Rafting
• Sailing
• Snorkelling
• Swimming

Kids

Babies and young children are not allowed, however children aged 10 and over are welcome.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Jamaica Inn is on the northern coast of Jamaica, in the region of St Mary, and close to Ocho Rios.

By Air:
The closest airport is Ian Fleming International (13.5km) in Boscobel, which receives regular flights from the States (non-US travellers can connect in Miami). Norman Manley International Airport (87km) and Sangster International Airport (102km) are both served by many airlines from the US mainland, Europe and the Caribbean.

From the Airport
Jamaica Inn can arrange a transfer. The journey time from Montego Bay is just shy of an hour and a half, although it is further distance-wise than Kingston, the drive is smoother and shorter.

By Car:
It’s unlikely you will need to rent a car as the hotel can arrange all excursions. If you do decide to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations and opt for a 4x4

By Taxi
There are 2 official types of taxis in Jamaica: Charter Taxis (officially licensed and insured, for sole use of passenger) and Route Taxis (a collective taxi, with red license plates). Robots are also collective taxis, but are often not licensed/insured and not recommended.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.