Enjoy laid-back luxury on the Caribbean's most elegant island
When you think of the perfect luxury holiday, you might dream of sinking your toes into pleasingly soft sands while enjoying an exquisite al fresco lunch under a golden afternoon sun, with the promise of the evening not far behind.
Or perhaps you dream of wading through sapphire-blue shallows before diving into a deeper kind of blue, then wading back to shore to sip a frosted craft cocktail made with local rum, before retiring to an opulent room with a sea view.
But an indulgent, unforgettable escape isn't only about finding an idyllic beach with a bar attached and palatial accommodation. It's also about having authentic experiences that get you up close to the local culture and people – so that you can understand and experience a little of the island life while creating lasting memories.
In Jamaica – which arguably has the most distinct culture of all the Caribbean islands – you can achieve all of the above, and more.
The lively Caribbean island is known for its swathe of seriously luxurious hotels. Standouts include Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay – the luxury travel brand's first ever Sandals resort that, thanks to its over-the-water villas, beautiful cove beaches and private offshore island, remains a flagship resort today.
Close by, the historic Half Moon oozes colonial charm, and counts Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Rainier of Monaco and John F Kennedy among its high-profile past guests.
Or, in the pretty little banana port of Oracabessa, check in to the secluded GoldenEye. This laid-back yet luxurious resort with its own beach, coves, and lagoon is centred around the Fleming Villa, where Ian Fleming famously wrote all 14 James Bond novels.
While at GoldenEye, why not pay a visit to Firefly? Once the home of English actor, playwright, and composer Noël Coward – and so called because of the glowing creatures he shared the property with at night – it's a mere 15-minute drive away.
Don't miss the statue of the theatrical titan sitting in his chair, looking out to one of the best coastal views in Jamaica.
From your sumptuous base, you can explore an island rich in history and culture. You might find yourself caught up in a carnival – Jamaica knows how to celebrate and it does so with verve during Rebel Salute (which takes place every January) and July's Reggae Sumfest. Picture colourful costumes and exuberant dancing to top-tier reggae – you won't be able to resist joining in.
If you're not visiting during January or July, then worry not, because all over the island, on any given afternoon (just hire a surprisingly affordable private car and driver to whisk you wherever you want to go) you'll find the streets filled with friendly locals grooving to infectious, life-affirming reggae beats that blast out from boom boxes stacked high.
Yet while Jamaica may be the birthplace of reggae – Bob Marley, the genre's biggest star, is the island's most famous son – it's also the home of rum.
On a private tour of Appleton Estate, the oldest rum producer in the country, you'll discover how the distillery's location – amid a landscape of limestone peaks, verdant forests and gushing rivers – influences the final product.
There are also guided (and generous) tastings of Appleton's 17 honey-hued signature rums – including the lethal overproof – so keep an eye on the measures if you wish to accomplish anything else on this day trip.
Rum is also king at Floyd's Pelican Bar, off Jamaica's south coast. Made from driftwood and palms, the bar was built by fisherman Floyd Forbes in 2001 after he envisaged it in a dream. Pay a local fisherman to row you to the wonderfully rickety drinking den – dubbed the 'coolest in the Caribbean' – at sunset for a sweet rum punch with Floyd and friends, keeping your eyes peeled for pelicans and dolphins en route.
Liquid gold aside, Jamaica is famed for its Blue Mountain coffee: smooth, dark and handsome, it's rated among the best and rarest in the world. Just ask James Bond: in Live and Let Die, Ian Fleming's special agent proclaims Blue Mountain Coffee 'the most delicious in the world'.
For a dramatic mini-adventure, you could take a helicopter flight over those rugged mountains enveloped in misty blue air, or more active types could hike or bike through their cool, fragrant woodlands before rewarding themselves with a deliciously reviving cup of Blue Mountain coffee.
More of Jamaica's authentic, natural side can be enjoyed by floating along the Rio Grande River (or if you're staying in Negril or Montego Bay, the Martha Brae River), on your own bamboo raft.
You'll be piloted by an experienced and knowledgeable captain who will point out former banana plantations, trees groaning with mouth-watering mangoes, and tiny, delicate hummingbirds flitting through the lush greenery. There are stops along the way to swim, too.
But this is the island life, and you may prefer to do absolutely nothing, and that's fine too. Be pampered in a tranquil, ocean-front spa like the one at Jamaica Inn – where treatments utilise local ingredients like Blue Mountain coffee and organic coconuts – while listening to waves lap the shore.
Or simply relax in a hammock by your infinity pool, or on a beach such as Frenchman's Cove – a small strip of postcard-perfect white sand ringed by miniature forested headlands and flanked by a perfectly turquoise lagoon.
Whatever you choose to focus on – wellness, watersports, wildlife, or a little of everything – it's worth knowing that arrivals and departures come with a typically tropical Jamaican twist, with VIP airport lounges Club Mobay and Club Kingston at Sangster in Montego Bay and Norman Manley in Kingston turning what is usually an endurance test into an indulgence – ensuring that your Jamaican sojourn remains irresistible and effortless from end to end.
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Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Enjoy laid-back luxury on the Caribbean's most elegant island
When you think of the perfect luxury holiday, you might dream of sinking your toes into pleasingly soft sands while enjoying an exquisite al fresco lunch under a golden afternoon sun, with the promise of the evening not far behind. Or perhaps you dream of wading through sapphire-blue shallows before diving into a deeper kind of blue, then wading back to shore to sip a frosted craft cocktail made with local rum, before retiring to an opulent room with a sea view. But an indulgent, unforgettable escape isn't only about finding an idyllic beach with a bar attached and palatial accommodation. It's also about having authentic experiences that get you up close to the local culture and people – so that you can understand and experience a little of the island life while creating lasting memories. In Jamaica – which arguably has the most distinct culture of all the Caribbean islands – you can achieve all of the above, and more. The lively Caribbean island is known for its swathe of seriously luxurious hotels. Standouts include Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay – the luxury travel brand's first ever Sandals resort that, thanks to its over-the-water villas, beautiful cove beaches and private offshore island, remains a flagship resort today. Close by, the historic Half Moon oozes colonial charm, and counts Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Rainier of Monaco and John F Kennedy among its high-profile past guests. Or, in the pretty little banana port of Oracabessa, check in to the secluded GoldenEye. This laid-back yet luxurious resort with its own beach, coves, and lagoon is centred around the Fleming Villa, where Ian Fleming famously wrote all 14 James Bond novels. While at GoldenEye, why not pay a visit to Firefly? Once the home of English actor, playwright, and composer Noël Coward – and so called because of the glowing creatures he shared the property with at night – it's a mere 15-minute drive away. Don't miss the statue of the theatrical titan sitting in his chair, looking out to one of the best coastal views in Jamaica. From your sumptuous base, you can explore an island rich in history and culture. You might find yourself caught up in a carnival – Jamaica knows how to celebrate and it does so with verve during Rebel Salute (which takes place every January) and July's Reggae Sumfest. Picture colourful costumes and exuberant dancing to top-tier reggae – you won't be able to resist joining in. If you're not visiting during January or July, then worry not, because all over the island, on any given afternoon (just hire a surprisingly affordable private car and driver to whisk you wherever you want to go) you'll find the streets filled with friendly locals grooving to infectious, life-affirming reggae beats that blast out from boom boxes stacked high. Yet while Jamaica may be the birthplace of reggae – Bob Marley, the genre's biggest star, is the island's most famous son – it's also the home of rum. On a private tour of Appleton Estate, the oldest rum producer in the country, you'll discover how the distillery's location – amid a landscape of limestone peaks, verdant forests and gushing rivers – influences the final product. There are also guided (and generous) tastings of Appleton's 17 honey-hued signature rums – including the lethal overproof – so keep an eye on the measures if you wish to accomplish anything else on this day trip. Rum is also king at Floyd's Pelican Bar, off Jamaica's south coast. Made from driftwood and palms, the bar was built by fisherman Floyd Forbes in 2001 after he envisaged it in a dream. Pay a local fisherman to row you to the wonderfully rickety drinking den – dubbed the 'coolest in the Caribbean' – at sunset for a sweet rum punch with Floyd and friends, keeping your eyes peeled for pelicans and dolphins en route. Liquid gold aside, Jamaica is famed for its Blue Mountain coffee: smooth, dark and handsome, it's rated among the best and rarest in the world. Just ask James Bond: in Live and Let Die, Ian Fleming's special agent proclaims Blue Mountain Coffee 'the most delicious in the world'. For a dramatic mini-adventure, you could take a helicopter flight over those rugged mountains enveloped in misty blue air, or more active types could hike or bike through their cool, fragrant woodlands before rewarding themselves with a deliciously reviving cup of Blue Mountain coffee. More of Jamaica's authentic, natural side can be enjoyed by floating along the Rio Grande River (or if you're staying in Negril or Montego Bay, the Martha Brae River), on your own bamboo raft. You'll be piloted by an experienced and knowledgeable captain who will point out former banana plantations, trees groaning with mouth-watering mangoes, and tiny, delicate hummingbirds flitting through the lush greenery. There are stops along the way to swim, too. But this is the island life, and you may prefer to do absolutely nothing, and that's fine too. Be pampered in a tranquil, ocean-front spa like the one at Jamaica Inn – where treatments utilise local ingredients like Blue Mountain coffee and organic coconuts – while listening to waves lap the shore. Or simply relax in a hammock by your infinity pool, or on a beach such as Frenchman's Cove – a small strip of postcard-perfect white sand ringed by miniature forested headlands and flanked by a perfectly turquoise lagoon. Whatever you choose to focus on – wellness, watersports, wildlife, or a little of everything – it's worth knowing that arrivals and departures come with a typically tropical Jamaican twist, with VIP airport lounges Club Mobay and Club Kingston at Sangster in Montego Bay and Norman Manley in Kingston turning what is usually an endurance test into an indulgence – ensuring that your Jamaican sojourn remains irresistible and effortless from end to end.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Why a family holiday in this Caribbean paradise is everyone's dream
Family holiday memories last a lifetime, so when choosing your next destination, it's important to pick a place that will appeal to your whole brood. Do you want to laze on sand as soft as silk while your little ones splash about in azure waters? Are you after an activity-packed experience? Or would you prefer immersion in local life?Whatever you want from a family holiday, the sun-kissed island of Jamaica delivers. From climbing Dunn's River Falls to taking a boat trip around the spookily bioluminescent waters of Luminous Lagoon or watching the divers at Rick's Cafe, the island nation offers an array of family-friendly experiences. Throw in age-appropriate restaurants and hotels with plenty of family appeal and it becomes clear that Jamaica is an adventure for children of all ages. And if you can travel outside of peak season – which runs from December to April, when the northern hemisphere is under the dark blanket of winter – you'll find fewer crowds and much lower price tags too. It goes without saying that you should take lots of photos – Jamaica is a holiday destination you won't want to forget in a hurry. Beach bliss Every Caribbean island has sandy beaches, but none can rival those of Jamaica, which has a stretch of sand for every occasion and character. At Negril's Seven Mile Beach – actually only four miles long – you can enjoy a gentle stroll on sand the colour of icing sugar, stopping only to take a dip in shallow waters that feel positively bath-like, before joining the crowds at the ever-popular Rick's Cafe. Here you can watch plucky locals dive off 10m rocks into the impossibly turquoise sea as the sun sets – a spectacular display of reds, oranges and pinks spreading across the sky – with an ice-cold drink in hand. In Montego Bay, you'll find Doctor's Cave Bathing Club – so called for the water's apparent healing properties. The small admission fee covers the presence of lifeguards while simultaneously ensuring privacy. East of Montego Bay lies Puerto Seco Beach Club, whose calm, clear waters are ideal for family activities such as snorkelling and paddle-boarding. Beyond the beach Jamaica is often written off as a pure beach destination, albeit a brilliant one, but the island offers so much more for visitors. There are rivers and waterfalls, including Dunn's River Falls near Ocho Rios, where your family can spend an enjoyable day clambering to the top, passing an attractive series of rock pools and cascades en route. Ocho Rios is also home to Blue Hole, another (less-crowded option) with a similarly picturesque setting, while in St Elizabeth parish on the south coast there's YS Falls – a spectacular series of cascades set against acres of lush vegetation, dotted with shimmering butterflies and limestone cliffs. There are other magnificent natural wonders too, including the Luminous Lagoon, east of Falmouth, where the water glows as a result of bioluminescence (microscopic organisms that emit light when disturbed). Every night, tour boats will take you on a ride around the lagoon, pausing to allow you to jump in and swim through the mystical waters. Jamaica is also the perfect place to quench your family's thirst for adventure. At Mystic Mountain, an amusement park in the hills above Ocho Rios, thrill seekers can fly through the treetops on the Rainforest Zip-Line or embark on a bobsleigh ride – giving you the chance to recreate Cool Runnings, the 1993 film inspired by the team that competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics. A feast for the senses As you explore Jamaica, you'll find restaurants and roadside stalls (all vendors have to be certified, so you can rest assured about the quality of the street food) keen to serve you local delicacies such as ackee and saltfish, spicy patties, sweet plantain and jerk chicken. And, of course, adults will have the chance to sample some of the local rum – the national drink. For a true taste of the island, make your way to Miss T's Kitchen, an Ocho Rios institution run by Anna-Kay Tomlinson, where dishes like oxtail stew and escovitch – fish cooked with vinegar and allspice – are served on rainbow-coloured tables to a soundtrack of (what else?) reggae. Chances are you'll feel as if you've come home, even if it's your first visit. Or seek out Scotchies Jerk Centre, a much-loved, no-frills, al fresco restaurant with branches in Montego Bay, Kingston and Ocho Rios that specialises in jerk (of every variety) cooked over pimento wood, plus rum ribs and grilled catch of the day. If fine dining is more your family's speed, Jamaica has some seriously smart restaurants, including the Houseboat Grill, which, as the name suggests, is a literal houseboat located in the Montego Bay Marine Park Fish Sanctuary. To reach the restaurant you'll need to take a short ferry ride, but it's worth it for the chance to try chef Rich Nurse's Caribbean fusion menu: think tiger shrimp carbonara with a Scotch bonnet–spiked tomato concassé. All told, with a family holiday to Jamaica, you're sure to build priceless memories that will last a lifetime.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Couple's dream cruise holiday ruined after pipe explodes and they're covered in 'horrible slush'
An idyllic Caribbean cruise took a disgusting turn for a British couple after filthy kitchen waste gushed into their cabin. Pam and Ken Jackson, from Merseyside, were on board the Marella Explorer 2 when the foul incident occurred – leaving 'horrible slush' over them. The pair, both in their seventies, were only three days into a three-week cruise across the Caribbean Sea. 'I just heard this whooshing noise, then this horrible slush came through the ceiling and covered me head to toe, and Pam was covered in it as well. The bed and all our belongings,' Ken told the Liverpool Echo. 'We were covered head to toe and it smelled like vomit. 'It was macerated kitchen waste going down to the bilges to be offloaded on the next port, so it was really foul-smelling, and it was pouring out. 'We stank something awful, and goodness knows what was in it apart from food waste.' Pam added: 'It flowed all over the bed, covering our personal possessions and medication and out through the door. 'We were covered from head to toe.' Footage from the cabin shows brown liquid dripping through the ceiling and down the walls, onto a stained bed. Pam can be heard shouting: 'The lights are going on and off and everything. 'Oh it stinks, it's everywhere. It's on my slippers. It's running down the walls there.' Following the pipe exploding over the couple's bed, Ken and Pam were moved to a different cabin. However, the pair claim their problems continued. 'They took our clothes away and washed what they could, but in the process shrunk a lot of our clothes, particularly my trousers and a couple of dresses of Pam's,' said Ken. The Marella Explorer 2 is a 1,814-capacity ship in the Marella Cruises fleet. Marella Cruises is operated by TUI, Europe's biggest tour operator. The firm has apologised to the couple. A TUI UK & Ireland spokesperson said: 'We would like to apologise to Mr and Mrs Jackson for experiencing a broken pipe in their cabin during their Marella Cruises holiday. 'We always do our best to ensure customers have the best possible holiday experience. 'We ensured that we promptly moved the customers to a new cabin, and also offered compensation, which has been accepted.'
