GoldenEye, Oracabessa Bay, Jamaica
A magical slice of literary history where Ian Fleming invented his greatest creation, and an eclectic development that throws more than a little quirkiness into the luxury holiday mix.
Rooms named after James Bond’s conquests, fridges
thoughtfully packed with delicious local snacks and cold beer, fabulous
home-cooked dinners served with a backdrop of blazing sunsets, and a private
beach location lovingly-cocooned by lush forest and azure sea. It could only be
GoldenEye.
This is the antithesis to the island’s larger all-inclusive resorts, so
you’ll feel like you’re staying with friends and uncover the spirit of 007 everywhere you turn. All five original villas are still intact, as is
the flagship Fleming Villa, where Bond fantasies are realised by its secret coves and
undulating private pool (perfect for midnight dips). From the veranda of the Lagoon Cottages, you can kayak or dive straight into the water, while the
playful, casually-chic one- and two-bedroom Beach Huts fringe the sands, all with pinch-yourself views (the latter a great
base for two couples or families with older children).
The four-acre lagoon is GoldenEye’s centrepiece, home to fun, fitness-focused experiences (lagoon-rafting, stand-up paddle-boarding, or Bond-style jet-skiing. A swim or kayak across the lagoon also makes for a unique
arrival at the FieldSpa for treatments infused with healing flowers and aromatic herbs from GoldenEye’s family farm. And while it may be hip, it’s decidedly family-friendly too.