A quick trip to GoldenEye Hotel & Resort
For a look at the pictures that accompanied this review, click here.

Introduction

I've resisted the Caribbean for years. Outside of a few family trips to Aruba, I literally hadn't stepped foot on a Caribbean island for over a decade. Frankly, this feels a bit ironic: I'm lucky enough to live in Florida - where even without a direct flight, I can leave my house after breakfast and be on a world-class beach by lunch.

The main reason I've resisted is quite simple: I gravitate towards cultures, not beaches. [I'm the type of person who'd rather go to Tokyo than Turks, even in the dead of winter.] Sitting in a beach chair for days on end, staring at the same stretch of sand, is not my idea of a good time, especially when there's nothing to do on or off property. While I'm not claiming the Caribbean is a complete cultural vacuum, it does often feel that way. So while I understand beach vacations work for some people - no judgment here! - it's just never been my thing.

That was the case until recently, when I stumbled upon GoldenEye Hotel & Resort in Oracabessa, Jamaica.

Virtuoso

GoldenEye is one of five Virtuoso hotels & resorts on the island of Jamaica.

If you were to book a Virtuoso rate at GoldenEye, you would receive the following value-added amenities:

One $120 USD equivalent resort credit per stay
For Virtuoso guests purchasing optional meal plan: one dinner for 2 in a local restaurant (not including beverages, taxes, or gratuities) once during stay
Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

If you're considering a stay at GoldenEye this year [2015], take note: there are quite a few promotions running for the remainder of this year.

GoldenEye aside, the four other Virtuoso properties on Jamaica include:

Half Moon, a Rock Resort

Jamaica Inn

Round Hill Hotel & Villas

Tryall Club

Location

GoldenEye is located in Oracabessa, a close-knit town of ~4,000 residents in St. Mary Parish, Jamaica. While Oracabessa may not have the 'big name' recognition of places like Negril, Montego Bay, or Ochos Rios, there's nowhere I'd rather be on the island. The distance from the bigger cities means you're all the more likely to have a unique, localized, and authentic Jamaican experience. The allure of a small town like Oracabessa is inescapable, and history - especially music history - runs deep here.

From a more practical standpoint, getting to GoldenEye requires a flight to Montego Bay - just over an hour out of Miami, FL. From there, you'll be picked up at the airport and driven - approximately 2 hours - to the property. If you're visiting Strawberry Hill first [another Island Outpost hotel, and a popular combination with GoldenEye], you're best bet is to fly into Kingston.

Closest international airports: MBJ [1:50]; KIN [2:06].

Closest regional airports: OCJ [0:05] - Ian Fleming International Airport, for private jets only.

Water Access: Lagoon & Beach

One of the most beautiful things I saw while in Jamaica, bar none, was GoldenEye's lagoon. I could spend many hours of many days floating around that thing [and, for the limited amount of time I was in Jamaica, that's exactly what I did!].

As much as the lagoon is a beacon of activity - kayaking, SUP, swimming, snorkeling, etc. - it maintains an aura of calmness at all times. It's truly an oasis. So - for those considering lagoon accommodations: I highly recommend them to those who are looking for a quieter experience.

GoldenEye's main beach is called Low Cay Beach. [There is a second beach, but it's private, and only accessible to those who booked the Ian Fleming Villa.]

I think it's obvious that GoldenEye doesn't lack 'water access' - and being here almost feels like you're on an island in and of itself [well, you kind of are, as the hotel sits on a natural peninsula].

Accommodations

When booking GoldenEye, you basically have two options: beach or lagoon. And from there, you have two more options: one bedroom or two. We settled into a one bedroom beach villa and were more than pleased.

One Bedroom Beach Villa [#19]:

Regardless of location [beach vs. lagoon] or accommodation [villa vs. cottage], you will always be in a building to yourself. In other words: there are no connecting rooms, and there are no instances of having a neighbor atop, below, or connected. This makes for an exceptionally private experience, which is quite hard to find in resort-ridden Jamaica.

Because the villa felt so private - just like a home - we left the door open all day, spent hours on the porch, and made full use of our stretch of beach.

The bedroom was "island chic." Polished concrete floors, lots of white-washed wood, slatted blinds, and subtle beach motifs throughout. Very simply but lovely.

Extremely pleased with the villa, I can't imagine requesting another one on my next trip. In fact, if it's available, I'd say #19 is the best located villa on property.

The Fleming Villa [5 bedrooms]

The Fleming Villa has to be one of the most unique accommodations I've ever seen, mainly due to the history involved with a stay here. Not only were all 14 Bond novels written here, but the villa hosted epic parties to some of the world's most famous actors, writers, and musicians.

A stay here includes more than the main villa, but you'll also have satellite cottages, an entertainment & pool house, a full staff, and your own private beach.

It's big, it's beautiful, and we'd all kill to spend a week here. But the villa is about so much more than it's size, or it's beauty. The history alone could make your head spin. Being able to sit at Fleming's writing desk - the desk - is something you simply won't find at another luxury property. Furthermore, it's impossible to miss the aura felt by sitting in these rooms, realizing that this was the epicenter of an epic list of 'who's who' for the latter part of the 20th century.

"Worth noting..."

When making a decision on what room to book, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Lagoon cottages are quieter [and more private] than beach front villas. The reasons are multi-faceted. For starters, children are not allowed in a lagoon cottage, for obvious safety reasons. Secondly, you won't have foot traffic in front of your porch [people going to/from Bizot Bar, breakfast, and general beach activity]. And lastly, the lagoon is a more serene experience. Cottages are spaced farther apart, and the overall atmosphere at this part of the resort is, well, calmer.

Villas are larger than cottages. Seems obvious, but it's hard to tell once you're actually inside one. Your typical villa will come in at 1,100 square feet, while the cottage is closer to 720 square feet.

GoldenEye is popular, and at only 21 rooms - book soon. [The room count will change with the upcoming expansion, but I'd imagine the popularity will stay the same.]

Bookings require 3 nights deposit.

Spa

Depressing as it is, I didn't get a spa treatment while on property [despite having one booked!]. Hell, I didn't even get to see the inside of the place. I guess that is a testament to the on-site activities: I was having such a good time doing other things that I gave away my massage to a friend. Despite the lack of a treatment, it's hard to miss the exterior of the spa. Every time you take a swim in the lagoon, there it is.

Pools

Lagoon, beach, and now pools. You certainly won't lack an opportunity to take a dip.

I will say this: these aren't the most modern pools - and you certainly won't find a world-class infinity either. That said, the point is entirely moot, as there is truly no reason to both with a pool here. [On another note, I found the saltwater pool to be absolutely epic.]

So while I didn't use the pools much, I thought the "Golden Eye"/saltwater pool was clutch.

Dining

Dining options aren't GoldenEye's strong suit, being that they only have two restaurants on property: [1] the Gazebo, and [2] Bizot Bar. You have to excuse them a bit: at 21 rooms, I can't imagine it's a good idea to spread yourself that thin. That said, GoldenEye is expanding the property, and in that expansion they're adding more restaurant options.

While options are slim, the quality of the food is exceptionally high. Everything tasted very fresh, and it's no surprise: the hotel has a strong commitment to fresh & local food, organic produce, and fresh seafood. [Example: they refuse to call fish a "fresh catch" unless it was caught that day. No exceptions.]

The Gazebo:

The Gazebo is the resort's 'formal' option, and it's where you'll spend most of your on-site dinners. The food is heavily Caribbean, with an international wine list to boot.

Bizot Bar:

Bizot Bar is where you'll take breakfast & lunch. It's also your go-to spot for all things drinking, whether that be a night at the bar, mid-day cocktails, or bottles of water while sitting poolside.

Service

The soft-product here is simply incredible, and the service is no exception. I couldn't tell if it was Jamaicans as a whole, or GoldenEye employees in particular - but these people were some of the most generous, kind, and outgoing people I've ever encountered. "Accommodating" doesn't even adequately describe how good the staff is. Each employee was a personality, in and of themselves, and I'll never forget many of them. The one who stands out the most? Hands down: Nigel, the Food & Beverages Service Manager [what a smile!].

Conclusion

I think it's quite obvious by now that GoldenEye was a complete success. The resort has it all: beach front access, an epic lagoon for all things active, a solid ethnic food scene, all contained within quite the rarity: a historic, chic Caribbean hotel. [Don't let the word historic throw you off, as this isn't your run of the mill "historic/charming" hotel, where those words are actually a euphemism for musty/smelly/old.] Jamaica - and much of the Caribbean - is overrun with generic, big-name resorts, so it's very refreshing to stumble upon a place like GoldenEye. Not only would I recommend this to clients, but I myself am already planning my next trip back. I only hope #19 is available.

[*It's worth noting that GoldenEye is going under a substantial expansion. More cottages/villas will be added, as well as more dining options. Long story short: the resort is growing, but from what I can tell - it's not growing at the expense of losing it's overall character. Wait and see, right?]

- Just to add: I did take a hardhat site tour of the expansion. It does NOT look like this will ruin the character of the resort. It's almost 'off to the side', and because they're adding dining options too, it won't overcrowd current/existing setup.

-Again, pictures make the world of difference: click here.