Strawberry Hill Jamaica

Fortunately for our guests, time can stand still at Strawberry Hill Jamaica Luxury Resort. Our magical mountain village is set sublimely high in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. To ensure privacy, each unique and exquisite cottage nestles within the mountain’s contours.

The verandas are angled to capture their own ravishing view. In the evening, relax and lively up yourself with a rum punch in our snug, wood-paneled Bar. Savor the succulent, modern Caribbean flavors served in our veranda restaurant, aglow with candles and starlight.

By day, drink in the vista of Kingston far below and the blue Caribbean gleaming beyond, from our dramatic infinity swimming pool. And wonder—is infinity long enough for your stay at Strawberry Hill Jamaica?

THE HISTORY
The romance of Strawberry Hill Jamaica Luxury Resort starts with its sweet name, given by the reputed original owner, the 18th century British man of letters, Horace Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford, the son of Prime Minister Robert Walpole and cousin of Admiral Lord Nelson.

In 1780, the Royal Family granted Horace the Blue Mountain property in the Crown Colony of Jamaica. Horace rejoiced to discover that the property’s elevation was ideal for growing strawberries. Having called his neo-Gothic castle in London, Strawberry Hill, how delicious it was to clone the name in this lush, gaudy mountain landscape!

Admiral Lord Nelson himself visited Strawberry Hill. One can picture him relishing a cup of that novel stimulant, Blue Mountain coffee, on the Great Lawn, just as our guests do today. In the late 18th century, the property became a Foreign Officers’ Naval Hospital. Successive owners included such prominent families as the Cargills and the DaCostas.

The latter began serving British-style Sunday High Teas, offering homemade scones and estate-grown strawberries with cream. The residence’s following owners, Fred and Emmeline Moffatt, carried on the custom.

Many Kingstonians made the winding drive up the mountain to Strawberry Hill, including a young Chris Blackwell, whose dashing mother, Blanche, would take him to tea. As founder of the Island Records label, Blackwell went on to become an innovative music industry icon. In 1974, he fulfilled a childhood dream when he purchased Strawberry Hill from Mr. Moffatt.

Strawberry Hill soon became a haven for musicians. Island Records’ legendary Jamaican artist, Bob Marley, enjoyed many a romantic rendezvous here. It was also at Strawberry Hill where, in the mid-1970s, Marley found shelter and peace after threats to his life. Today, many artists and visionaries, thinkers and doers, continue to return to Strawberry Hill, time and time again, for revitalization and renewal.

The first Strawberry Hill Restaurant opened in 1986, and shortly thereafter, won the National Heritage in Architecture Award. Unfortunately, the structure was short-lived, as Hurricane Gilbert struck two years later and “mashed-up the place.”

Blackwell was determined to recapture the Great House’s Georgian grace (in a contemporary Caribbean vernacular), by engaging the young Jamaican architect, Ann Hodges, a specialist in traditional Jamaican building techniques.

In 1994, Blackwell’s Island Outpost hotel chain opened their first Caribbean hotel, Strawberry Hill, and was soon lauded with the Governor General’s Award for the Use of Wood in Architecture.

Three years later, the exquisite environment of the resort garnered the Award of Merit as the best Resort/Villa/Hotel, followed by the Governor General’s Most Beautiful Design Award. Strawberry Hill, where Lord Nelson strode and Bob Marley loved, continues to reinvent itself for each new generation.

Its majestic natural setting, combined with the hotel’s superb architecture, artistic embellishments, lush gardens and attention to service, will never fail to soothe and stimulate our treasured guests.

LOCATION & GETTING HERE
Some particularly privileged Guests experience blissful views as they soar in a helicopter from Norman Washington Manley Airport to the 3,100 feet altitude of Strawberry Hill Jamaica. But even for the earthbound, the mystique of Strawberry Hill starts as you leave the waterfront airport behind, and begin the fascinating 50-minute journey up the Blue Mountains.

As the drive takes you through Kingston, you pass busy commercial centres and illustrious cultural landmarks, until you reach the northernmost tip of Kingston proper and the village of Papine, known for its bustling market.

Heading up the mountainside, you will swing round the famous 365 bends of the winding Irish Town Road to Strawberry Hill. As you weave through tiny hamlets and alongside the rushing Hope River, each curve of the road presents dramatic views.

The air becomes fresh and cool the higher you go until you reach Strawberry Hill’s gorgeous 26 acres of high heaven. With its cluster of gracious Post-Plantation cottages, vivid tropical gardens and Infinity swimming pool, our Guests know they have really arrived. It is no wonder that Strawberry Hill was selected by The New York Times as one of the “1,000 Places To See Before You Die.”

ROOMS & SUITES
As reggae artist Burning Spear sings, “It is good to live in the hills.” A stay in our cottages will make you feel more alive than ever. Each cottage exudes its own charm and personality—textured by the vivid historic and local details of our signature aesthetic—a luxurious simplicity that is special to the pure mountain air of Strawberry Hill Jamaica Luxury Hotel.

Jamaican architect, Ann Hodges, created our Post-Plantation interpretation of classic Colonial style. She has conjured up inviting spaces patterned with imagination on traditional techniques. Be it ample and expansive, or compact and bijou, each individual cottage and villa is enchanting.

Our charming mountaintop village, rooted in the communities of nearby villages such as Industry and Redlight, is made up of white, wood-framed cottages and villas of varying sizes. Winding footpaths curve around the mountainside, uniting the cottages while maintaining privacy within the hills’ flanks.

Each cottage surrounds you with nature’s spectacular views and lush gardens. Inside, impressive four-poster beds (as comfortable as they are inviting) and finely carved fretwork fanlights created by legacy local artisans in our own Strawberry Hill Workshops, will delight.

Our own Blue Mountains Aromatics toiletries scented with locally sourced mint and rosemary, are featured. Exquisite white bed linens accented with vivid African fabrics (all by Mary Vinson’s Royal Hut), add flavor to our décor and are sure to keep you cozy on those chilly mountain nights. Select the Strawberry Hill cottage that will give you what you need. Each has its own footprint, its own embrace.

TWO BEDROOM VILLA
As grand–yet divinely simple–as we get here at Strawberry Hill: your own private 3,000 square foot, two-story dwelling. Each level has its own wraparound veranda, complete with beckoning hammock, affording a 360-degree perspective on paradise. Feel the release of experiencing your own personal piece of the Jamrock.

The vaulted ceiling makes the living room extra-airy. The dining room is so appetizing, you may be inspired to prepare a meal in the full kitchen (that is, unless you would rather order from our In-Room Menu). Local women weave the circular rugs covering the floor’s broad mahogany planks.

TWO BEDROOM COTTAGE
Wake up and enjoy this quaint, two-story cottage, set high on the property at 3,100 feet above sea level. Share the two enticing rooms, one with a queen size bed, the other neatly set with two singles.

Perfect for an enriching time with family and friends. This Cottage has all the comforts of home, but in paradise. Two verandahs are positioned to catch the famous rise and setting of the sun over the Blue Mountains.

STUDIO COTTAGE
Our Studio Cottages are perched close to heaven, high in the foliage, with epic mountain and Kingston views. Compact, yet with space to pace, think, write, play, isolate and communicate. Draw the billowing drapes round your four-poster bed and admire the light through the jalousies and fretwork. Everything is all right.

STUDIO SUITE
Satisfy your soul in this perfectly proportioned, intimate mountaintop retreat, with all you desire close at hand. Individual hand-carved fretwork fanlights over the doors let the breeze flow through your 400 square foot studio.

Here you can be close to nature, to Kingston and to someone special. Cuddle up on the queen size bed in the plush terry bathrobe or lounge on your personal balcony and marvel at the lights of Kingston far below. All you need is here.

THE RESTAURANT
Taste all the richness of our island’s multi-cultural heritage in Strawberry Hill Restaurant’s succulent New Jamaican cuisine. Traditional dishes, such as lamb curry and fish stew, get a subtle contemporary and local twist; a classic omelette aux fines herbes tastes newly delectable with just-picked thyme and a fragrant side of callaloo, Jamaica’s sturdy spinach.

Sip a sublime tropical fruit cocktail on our welcoming wraparound veranda, a taste as uplifting as the stunning mountain views. Or let the gracious “Old Plantation” ambiance of our Dining Room enhance your repast as you dally over a slice of warm bread pudding with a dash of Blackwell’s Rum, accompanied by a cup of Blue Mountain coffee, grown not a mile away.

Sunday Brunch at Strawberry Hill has become a treat and ritual for local families, courting couples, visiting tourists and of course, our own dear Guests. You’ll discover that a champagne mimosa always sparkles harder when it’s made with oranges as fresh as ours.

THE BAR
Welcome to real conviviality. This charming Bar is the social centre of Strawberry Hill and the perfect setting to appreciate our famous tropical mixed drinks and Blackwell’s own super-smooth rum.

You’ll know you’re in good company as you peruse the bar’s wood-paneled walls adorned with photos of the stars from the Island Records family of artists and friends. The musical tradition here continues round our vintage upright piano. On fresh mountain nights, enjoy the warmth of our stone fireplace (a rarity in Jamaica).

IN ROOM DINING
Why leave the comfort and picturesque views of your mountainside room? Enjoy ackee & saltfish, Jamaica’s National Dish, and Blue Mountain coffee on your veranda while enjoying the comfort of our plush terry bathrobes.

Strawberry Hill is pleased to offer in-room dining featuring an extensive selection of authentic Jamaican dishes, fresh squeezed juices and delicious cocktails. Our hotel’s culinary team has thoughtfully crafted a delightful room service menu, available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

WEDDINGS, MEETINGS & EVENTS
Strawberry Hill is made for romance. Exceptional weddings for three to 150 guests happen here. With a choice of uniquely beautiful settings, it is no wonder that lovers have always found their way to Strawberry Hill. Discover our exclusive wedding packages and plan your special occasion on our Wedding Calendar. You may also create your very own Honeymoon Registry.

Parties, conferences and company retreats are all drawn to the charm of our mountaintop, Post-Plantation village and the breathtaking backdrop of the Blue Mountains. Our simply elegant Villas and Private Dining Rooms, each have their own special atmosphere.

The dramatic Infinity Pool, with its mesmerizing view of Kingston and the Caribbean Sea situated more than 3,000 feet below. The quaint, cobbled Jadevine Courtyard, ringed by cascades of iridescent tropical blooms. The majestic lawns, where even the most experienced visitor can sense a “natural mystic” blowing through the air.

THE POOL
The breathtaking, glorious sight of Strawberry Hill’s Infinity Pool has become iconic. Up to a hundred guests can socialize around this extraordinary lagoon, suspended high above Kingston. Its dramatic drop seems to flow right into the wide blue heavens and bluer Caribbean.

Ringed by palms and exotic blossoms, the serene atmosphere of the Pool is enhanced by the benevolent regard of a tranquil statue by sculptor Gene Pearson, set on the rockstone poolside, standing guard at the edge of the sky. Boldly lit at night, the Infinity Pool seems like a dream—but it can be your gathering’s reality.

JADEVINE COURTYARD
A jadevine trellis surrounds this 2,150 square foot terrace area and provides a romantic border for an intimate wedding. The 180-degree views of the mountains rolling towards Kingston below are the main attraction to this space, which can accommodate a wedding reception of up to 150 people.

THE SPA
Stress drops away and healing begins as you wander down winding, flower-scented paths to our soothing spa. The pure air and stunning vistas of mountains soaring all around you make the everyday worries slip away. The Spa is tucked in a secluded nook of the mountainside, ensuring s private escape.

Ease into one of the airy, indoor/outdoor five treatment rooms and let our experienced Spa Therapists work their relaxing magic. You will be treated to our locally gathered botanicals featuring native lavender and coconut.

The potency and purity of our preparations are second to none. Our signature treatment, the Blue Mountain Elixir Body Scrub, utilizes local coffee beans, followed by a rejuvenating 60-minute deep tissue body massage and hydrotherapy session.

SPA TREATMENTS
Hidden in one of the most extraordinary settings in the world, Strawberry Hill Spa creates wellness. We focus on a variety of restorative processes. Our questionnaire will help to identify your specific needs for our customized Elemental Nature Facial.

Using Ayurveda treatments, aromatherapy and massage, we care for sensitive skin conditions and seek to counteract the ravages of daily life. Our exclusive Caribbean Therapy focuses on tired hands and feet, using local massage techniques and plants. In-room treatments are available upon request.

YOGA
There’s nothing like holding a Mountain Pose among the actual mountains surrounding our Yoga Pavilion, or by poolside, overlooking the vast open vista to the ocean beyond. The release of simply being in the serenity of Strawberry Hill facilitates your practice.

Private daily yoga sessions at sunset and sunrise offer an unforgettable journey into mindfulness. Arrangements for our menu of wellness offerings must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

GARDENS
Meet another face of Jamaica on Strawberry Hill’s 26-acre property. Since the days of the native Taino or Arawak Indians (Taino arrowheads have been discovered on the property), humans have enjoyed the sublime natural location of Strawberry Hill. Today’s visitors have even more to appreciate.

Since its cultivation as a coffee farm in 1890, a gentle development strategy has allowed the mountaintop gardens to bloom shamelessly and the lawns to display a sublime beauty ringed by the mist-wreathed peaks. Wander our winding stone paths and marvel at our bounty: native avocado, mango, coffee, star apple, orange, lime, soursop, banana, and June plum and guava trees. Years of loving cultivation have expanded Strawberry Hill’s variety of flora. Today, our grounds reflect our historical timeline.

The main canopy lining the driveway is juniper (juniperus barbadea,) with specimens of cedar (cedrela odoratissima), eucalyptus and mango (mangifera indica.) Thus far, 350 endemic and exotic plant species have been catalogued at Strawberry Hill, making it a naturalist’s delight.

EXPLORE
One of Strawberry Hill’s great glories is its remote, quiet, pristine mountaintop location, in all its natural splendors. Another is its surprising accessibility to all that Jamaica’s capital city, Kingston, has to offer in the way of art, music and culture.

Explore our stunning surroundings, but do take the opportunity to cruise down the mountain’s famous 356 winding bends to see some inspiring Caribbean art or visit the tenement yard where the young Bob Marley once lived. Eat fried fish and festival (a local treat) on an uninhabited Caribbean cay. Go on – explore!

JAMAICA BEACHES
Even lovers of our divine mountaintops might fancy a dip in the pure, azure Caribbean waters and some time in the sun on our beautiful, pale-sand beaches. Our side of the island offers the best of Jamaica’s famous beaches and more.

FORT CLARENCE BEACH AT HELLSHIRE
Just a 50-minute drive from Strawberry Hill, enter the private 16 hectares of Fort Clarence Park and Beach at Hellshire, a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Pick from two restaurants, both offering the freshest fish, steamed or fried.

Try a scrumptious “festival,” a local doughnut-like treat. Changing rooms, showers, toilets and lifeguards are available. A no-harassment, no-vendor law is in effect. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LIME CAY BEACH
Experience your fantasy of a secluded island by visiting Lime Cay Beach, a 50-minute drive to Port Royal from Strawberry Hill, followed by a 15-minute boat ride. This tiny, uninhabitable island remains unspoiled as it is so low-lying, that it regularly submerges under the sea.

Kingstonians who moor their boats at nearby Morgan’s Harbour Marina love to sail over and picnic on the pristine white sands. Visitors can rent a boat, simply grab a shuttle or for a small fee, a local fisherman will sail you over and return you to the mainland at your convenience.

Lyme Cay is a must for snorkelers, as the waters are so spectacularly clear. Do remember to bring your own provisions and refreshments, as there are no facilities and nothing to buy on Lyme Cay.

GUIDED HIKES
Our guide will lead you to hidden waterfalls, tiny villages that seem lost to time, and rugged climbs among wild fruit trees that only the fittest should try. Our more intrepid Guests will enjoy this opportunity to refresh themselves with exercise at an elevation of more than three thousand feet.

The mystery of the famous Jamaican Blue Mountains’ color is actually an effect of the mist hovering above and through the island’s highest mountain range. Hikers find themselves walking with their heads in the clouds – literally.

In this rare eco-system, tropical daytime heat contrasts with a blessed cool at night. Above Strawberry Hill, the temperature becomes fresher, and as the trek takes you higher, you will be fascinated as you observe the changes in the flora and fauna.

BLUE MOUNTAIN PEAK TREK
To catch the splendor of sunrise over the Blue Mountain tops, it is best to overnight at Whitfield Inn and set off at 2 a.m. to arrive on top of the peak at 5:30 a.m. For this exquisite experience, look forward to an 18-mile round-trip hike.

The flora and fauna change as you hike from 3,500 to 7,000 feet. Be aware, the altitude can cause dizziness, but if you pace yourself, take torches, food, water and a have a good pair of boots, you will complete the hike of your dreams. Strawberry Hill provides this tour to our in-house guests only.

SETTLEMENT HIKING TRAIL
We call the medium-difficulty Guided Settlement Hiking Trail, our Fitness Trail. On this uphill 4-hour trek, you will pass through the side of Jamaica most visitors never see—deep country.

Cross tiny footbridges over the bubbling rush of the Hope River, see small individual coffee farms, and tiny, isolated village communities, always surrounded by staggeringly splendid scenery. And at the top of the trail, you will enjoy your well-deserved repast at a local family restaurant, such as Bubbles Bar and Cook Shop.

THE GORDON TOWN TRAIL
Swimmers and water lovers will delight in this low difficulty, three-hour trail. Follow the Hope River downhill, crossing tiny bridges. Splash in fresh, clear swimming-holes and duck under waterfalls amid craggy rocks and vivid foliage, just as you’ve always dreamed.

Much of the hike follows the old parochial trail, an ancient, well-trodden path still used by the villagers of Gordon Town today. The shaded trail is cool and always within earshot of rushing water and the distinctive, individual trills of our colorful local birds.

HIKING TRAILS
Strawberry Hill offers an amazing range of nearby hiking opportunities. Swim under waterfalls or see the mists part before you as you walk through the clouds. It is a mysterious and moving experience to suddenly view the dramatic mountain vistas as the clouds drift by.

ST. MARK’S CHAPEL & REDLIGHT VILLAGE HIKE
Put on your walking shoes and take the easy 20-minute hike to St. Mark’s Chapel in the tiny hamlet of Redlight. The British built the quaint church in the early 1800’s, as the gravestones testify. Our concierge will provide you with a map and directions.

CRAIGHTON HOUSE COFFEE ESTATE HIKE AND TOUR
Blue Mountain coffee is coveted the world over, and the area around Strawberry Hill is the source of it all. It is a short, easy stroll to the elegance of neighboring Craighton House and it’s coffee plantation. Don’t miss this opportunity for a close-up look at coffee growing and a comprehensive lecture on the bean that helps to keep you moving.

JAMAICA VIBES
I am born and raised in Jamaica deeply rooted to this land and my people. Our country is raw, beautiful, untamable, and we Jamaicans are its heart and soul. As a small but vibrantly powerful island, Jamaica has so much it brings to the world.

Our culture, music and food. Our musicians, athletes, designers, artists, writers and poets. Our land: rich, bountiful and diverse. So many of you who visit connect with our unique spirit that harmonious combination of mysticism, hospitality and well-being that washes through you and takes hold for life. It’s just pure Jamaican good vibes.

We are immensely proud of commissioning and working alongside Assouline on this snapshot of Jamaica; the people, the places and the personality that makes us unique. This national pride is reflected in the music, dance, cuisine and literature that originated in Jamaica but has since influenced people across the globe.

The legacy of Bob Marley is intricately linked with the image of Jamaica, leaving an indelible mark on the country and the world. For novelist Ian Fleming, Jamaica was his creative incubator. At his home, GoldenEye, Fleming crafted one of the most well-known characters in the world, James Bond.

Whether you’re born and raised on the island, or just on a vacation, Jamaica’s influence is undeniable. Chris Blackwell, our founder and founder of Island Records, has also contributed a foreword to Jamaica Vibes, presenting an intimate, insider portrait of our vibrant island nation and its mesmerizing power.

This national pride is reflected in the music, dance, cuisine and literature that originated in Jamaica but has since influenced people across the globe. The legacy of Bob Marley is intricately linked with the image of Jamaica, leaving an indelible mark on the country and the world.

For novelist Ian Fleming, Jamaica was his creative incubator. At his home, GoldenEye, Fleming crafted one of the most well-known characters in the world, James Bond.

Whether you’re born and raised on the island, or just on a vacation, Jamaica’s influence is undeniable. Chris Blackwell, our founder and founder of Island Records, has also contributed a foreword to Jamaica Vibes, presenting an intimate, insider portrait of our vibrant island nation and its mesmerizing power.

CASTLETON GARDENS
Castleton Gardens, founded in 1862, are a one-hour’s drive from Strawberry Hill. The first plantings of many imported varietals identified with Jamaica took place here.

Picnic beside the Wag Water River, or even take a dip. Stroll amongst some of the world’s most rare exotic plants, such as the velvet apple and West Indian mahogany. View the comprehensive collection of palms and cycads.

HOPE GARDENS AND ZOO
Popularly known as Hope Gardens, the Royal Botanical Gardens and Zoo is laid out on 200 acres of land, and is 20 minutes from Strawberry Hill in the Liguanea Plains of St. Andrew, Kingston’s highest point.

Founded in 1873 on land from one of the first British colonists, Major Richard Hope, the Gardens offer some of Jamaica’s loveliest varietals, including the cactus garden and the bougainvillea walk.

Hope Gardens is the largest open green space within Kingston’s urban boundaries and is a popular excursion for families and sweethearts. Charming features include a lily pond and sunken gardens.

ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
The art galleries, museums and gardens of Jamaica offer a glimpse into the history, culture and vibe of Jamaican culture. The Arawaks, Spaniards, British, Chinese, Indians and Africans have all influenced our culture, tradition, customs and beliefs. A good place to begin the journey of understanding this vibrant and diverse country is with the art galleries, museums and gardens.

TRENCH TOWN CULTURAL CENTER
Bob Marley lovers will want to visit the Culture Yard in the legendary downtown area of Trenchtown. It is Marley’s teenage home, the actual tenement yard he sang about in “No Woman, No Cry;” and “Georgie cooked cornmeal porridge/Of which I share with you…” Built as modern government housing in the early 20th century, Trenchtown fell on hard times and by the 1970s, it was known as a ghetto.

However, despite its deprivations, the community became famous worldwide as a centre of Jamaican musical creativity, helped by songs such as Marley’s “Trenchtown Rock.” The Trench Town Cultural Center has been lovingly restored by the community, with help from the JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT and the German Embassy.

The battered, psychedelically painted VW bus in which the Wailers toured the island in the 1960s, is parked in the central courtyard. Handmade Rasta crafts by local women are available for sale.

BOB MARLEY MUSEUM
“Feel dem spirit….” as the Wailers sang. Bob Marley lovers seldom miss this essential visit, one of the island’s most popular destinations. The Bob Marley Museum is located in the little-changed, 18th century mini-Great House at the legendary address, 56, Hope Road.

Bob bought Hope Road, as it is known, in 1975, after his international fortunes changed with the “Rastaman Vibrations” album. Little has changed from the way it was when the Trenchtown youth set out to “bring the ghetto uptown,” to this posh neighbourhood.

You can still see youths playing soccer in the front yard, as Marley used to do. Many artifacts of Marley’s storied career are gathered here. See www.bobmarleymuseum.com for a schedule of screenings and activities.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY
Set in downtown Kingston’s dynamic, rapidly reviving waterfront area, the National Gallery’s exciting collection of multi-media Caribbean art is worth the 45-minute drive down the mountain. Founded in 1975, the Collection extends from pre-Colonial to contemporary art, with a special emphasis on Jamaica’s own Intuitive School.

THE OLYMPIA GALLERY
Kingston’s largest private exhibition space, an octagonal two-level gallery beneath a clear domed roof, specializes in Caribbean artists working in several media.

An art lovers’ quiet haven, The Olympia Gallery is a Kingston art scene tradition, having opened around the time of Independence in the early 1960s. It is centrally located in Uptown Kingston, just 20 minutes from Strawberry Hill.

Website: www.strawberryhillhotel.com

Rooms: 12

Price: from 350 EUR per night