Jamaica’s strong cultural legacy and stunning scenery captivate tourists, from the misty blue mountains to the lush jungles close to the vibrant city of Kingston to the powder-white beaches of Montego Bay; you really are spoiled for choice.
S Hotel in Montego Bay blends a carefree resort lifestyle with urban sophistication. Ranked No 1 Hotel in the Caribbean and Central America by Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice awards in 2023, it is exclusively for adults only and the ideal starting point for discovering the colourful island.
This 120-room boutique hotel is a sophisticated haven of style where culture meets hospitality. It is situated directly on the well-known Doctors Cave Beach and a short distance from the fashionable and trendy hip strip with its boutique shops and bars, so guests have plenty of options for entertainment and leisure pursuits.
Replica Vintage vehicles from the Hollywood starlet period greet you as you get closer to the S Hotel. The polished Jatoba hardwood floor in the hotel’s stunning lobby will make guests feel as though they are strolling down a dazzling catwalk. Staying here you can really combine the spirit and culture of the nation to create a harmonious fusion of a relaxed holiday lifestyle with metropolitan elegance.
This 120-room hotel is a sophisticated haven of style. With a view of the well-known Dr. Cave Beach and a short distance from the fashionable and trendy strip with its boutique shops and casinos, guests have plenty of options for entertainment and leisure pursuits. The polished Jatoba hardwood floor in the hotel’s stunning lobby will make guests feel as though they are strolling down a dazzling runway.
Authentically Jamaican
A proudly Jamaican-owned and operated business, with local roots, the hotel provides visitors with a true taste of Jamaican culture. You can get up close and personal with Jamaican legends on a unique Heroes Tour to see the hotel’s life-size sculptures of renowned Jamaican icons made from recycled materials. You’ll find Jamaican heroes like Bob Marley, Louisa Bennett (also known as Miss Lou), and Jimmy Cliff in life-sized form. Visitors can also find a plaque with information about each statue. The S Hotel also has a replica bobsleigh on display to commemorate the Jamaican bobsled team who qualified for the Olympics for the first time in Calgary forever immortalized in the popular movie “Cool Runnings” starring John Candy. These are just some of the ways that the characters of Jamaica are reflected in the distinctive artwork displayed around the premises.
Rooms
S Hotel was designed by Alison Antrobus and offers mini king rooms which are smaller and don’t have the ocean view but offer a fabulous lead in option up to the Deluxe Double Room Ocean View, Junior Suite King with Cabana Ocean View, Junior Suite Double Ocean View, Junior Suite King Ocean View, Sky Suite Ocean View and the highly sought-after Presidential Sky Suite. A massive two-story apartment includes a large living area with a dining table, a fully functional kitchen, and a 55-inch television. Unwind in one of the award-winning bathrooms with enormous wicker tubs, inspired by the regional art of basket weaving, and breathtaking views of Montego Bay. A large double shower has a mural painted by Fiona Godfrey, a local artist. Sky suites feature a shower with double rainfall showerheads that measure nine feet long by five feet. Cans of Red Stripe, dominoes, display record players and a replica vinyl copy of Bob Marley’s Legend are all present in the rooms giving that continued Jamaican vibe.
Dining
There are five restaurants at this all-inclusive hotel which all highlight the island’s flavours and use locally sourced ingredients. Roots Rock is a music-inspired restaurant where you can enjoy curried chicken, coconut bean stew, jerk chicken and pork, jerk chicken spring rolls, jerk barbecue sliders, and cornmeal pudding for dessert. With its menu that includes grilled New York sirloin, ribeye, salmon, prawns, pork chops and the S burger, Jamrock Restaurant is a must-visit for meat lovers. Additionally, there is an all-day café, a poolside grill, and two bars serving creative Jamaican and international drinks.
The main pool has a range of sun beds and cabanas to relax on with a DJ playing the latest tunes with a reggae vibe. A paint-and-sip experience is available for guests at an additional charge but provides a fabulous opportunity to take a personal saviour home. The Sky Club suite serves light bites and cocktails while offering a view of the Instagram-worthy Sky Deck pool.
Irie Spa
Visitors can truly unwind at the Irie Baths and Spa, which resembles a subterranean cave with temperature-controlled plunge pools. Indulge in a massage or a facial or kinetic energy therapy. Translated “Irie” means everything is all good and this is an excellent maxim to apply to both the hotel and the Irie Spa. Later, guests can splash around in the glistening blue pool shaded by the rays from an elegant red umbrella.
It’s near the Martha Brae River, where visitors can take a bamboo raft and ride the current past verdant forests and unique wildlife for day trips. One of the most striking plantation homes in the nation, Rose Hall is a Georgian mansion in Montego Bay that highlights the estate’s history of slavery and the fabled White Witch.
Concurrently voted Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best, S Hotel has maintained its position as the winner of the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. Furthermore, S Hotel is the recipient of The International Property Awards (2022) Five-Star Award for Best Hotel Bathroom Interior (IPAX). Additionally, S Hotel has been acknowledged as the 2023 winner of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award.
Spanish Court
Crissa Hotels also operates the Spanish Court so if you want to experience a twin visit to Jamaica, travellers can experience the country’s rich cultural tapestry in the vibrant capital city of Kingston. Situated in the prime location of New Kingston which serves as an art, music, and culture hub in Jamaica’s capital city, Spanish Court is also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Taste the lively atmosphere at The Café, the laid-back atmosphere by the Cabana Pool, and the exciting nightlife at The Sky Terrace, which features floating fire pits and live bands.
Visitors can eat at the Rojo Restaurant, which offers Jamaican and international food. At the delicate on-site café, they can also savour salads, sandwiches, coffee from Jamaica and desserts. For those who would prefer not to leave their lodging, there is free WiFi, a spa, a gym, and room service available around the clock.
Rooms
The 125 hotel rooms are divided into seven distinct categories, each with a sleek, contemporary design. There are king-sized beds, an iPod dock, a 48″ LED TV, and an iPod clock radio inside for entertainment. Additionally, there are blackout blinds, reading lamps, and custom inset lighting. The bathrooms are tiled from floor to ceiling and feature oval-shaped Roman tubs. You can also keep up with your fitness regime as the room has yoga mats so you can start the day right.
Things to do
The world’s best coffee is produced in the mist-covered Blue Mountains, whose peak is 2,256 metres high. Take a visit there and you should have dinner at Strawberry Hill, an opulent mountainside hideout. More social history can be learned by taking a tour of Devon House, the former home of George Stiebel, the first black millionaire in Jamaica, and the Bob Marley Museum Tour, which takes place at the late reggae legend’s house.
Why you must visit
Staying at S Hotel and its sister property Spanish Court offers a base to explore the local way of life. Both hotels have wonderful amenities, but they also enable you to engage with the local community. Crissa Hotels combines the essence of the nation with its culture to create an oasis of sophisticated urban living and a carefree resort lifestyle in the most popular resort areas on the island. As one of the best luxury hotels in Jamaica, is ideally situated close to well-known attractions and top-notch activities. Let the authentic Jamaica envelop you and the Irie vibes will leave you feeling relaxed long after the holiday is over.
Getting there
BA flies from London Gatwick to Kingston and Virgin Atlantic flies to Montego Bay. Visit: https://www.shoteljamaica.com and https://www.crissahotels.com/spanish-court-hotel/
Centrally located in the heart of New Kingston, Jamaica. Experience the home of Reggae music, tasty cuisine and a true Jamaican vibe. Travel selective dates in May, June, Sept, Oct 2024 from £1,410 per person. Package price includes return flights on British Airways, 7 nights bed and breakfast and return airport transfer
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7-night all-inclusive stay at the boutique S Hotel. Book a MINI KING NON-OCEAN VIEW room. For travel selective dates in April May, Sept, Oct 2024 from £1,395 per person. All-inclusive based on 2 adults sharing. The price includes return flights, transfers, and a 7-night stay.
Call Sackville Travel on 020 7274 2242 or visit sackvilletravel.com.
By Donna Richardson.
