There’s a magnetic quality here that has, for decades, attracted creatives of all stripes. Fleming, who suffered from writer’s block, created the James Bond character while at GoldenEye—and wrote another Bond adventure during every winter. Sting wrote the hit, ‘Every Breath You Take’ and Bono wrote the theme song to the GoldenEye film while here. The artists, writers and musicians from around the world who first visited while Fleming was in residence kept coming when Island Record’s founder, Chris Blackwell, acquired the property during the 1970s. Soon, the original GoldenEye Villa, didn’t have enough rooms. So, he began to build. What followed: The Originals, Beach and Lagoon Villas, Lagoon Cottages and Beach Huts.
When Chris first began building, he started with a hut for himself, then added one for his mum, then he built a one-, two- and three-bedroom villa. Each had its own style and vibe, and all were designed to be very private, enclosed in a lush jungle of tropical plants and trees. Chris furnished each with sexy outdoor showers and deep clawfoot tubs set between oversized palm leaves. All had airy verandas and kitchens. These timeless luxuries, paired with the thoughtful way we arrange your room (Blackwell Rum, hand-dyed batik robes, our selection of bath and beauty products made with local botanical ingredients), make your stay at GoldenEye extraordinary.
Strangways is the name of this three-bedroom villa, recently refurbished and located on a bluff on the top of a cliff with sweeping oceanfront views of the Caribbean Sea and personal butler service. Stone steps, descending from the lush, tropical garden lead to a private swimming patio with direct access into the lagoon. The villa itself consists of a small compound. One structure is a master bedroom with living room. Two additional structures have one bedroom each. Yet another houses the kitchen. You might think this design – so unique and so private – would explain this villa’s name. In fact, Strangways references the mystical influences always at play on this magical island.
MASTER BEDROOM
SECOND BEDROOM
THIRD BEDROOM
Spanish Elm is a very special GoldenEye property; it was one of the first huts built on the Old Goldeneye side of the property; known as part of the Originals. The Hut is cozy, charming, and nestled in its own tropical garden, a few steps away from its free-standing second bedroom (formally the lounge) with its king bed. It has a stand-alone kitchenette and terrace overlooking the lagoon for dining. It also has direct access to the lagoon which makes this unit very special.
Spanish Elm is the perfect accommodation for families with older children or couples who want detached living but in close proximity; guests visiting GoldenEye love its magical vibe!
There’s a spacious feeling to this one bedroom villa where rooms flow together informally. The bedroom is nestled under a giant Banyan tree and is furnished with a queen size bed, claw foot tub and outdoor rain shower. There is a second, bamboo-enclosed bathroom that connects to the villa’s living and kitchen area. These rooms open onto a private cut-stone patio with views of the ocean and a picnic table for al fresco dining.
Each of our stand-alone villas is its own private world, set in a verdant garden of native greenery and sitting directly on the beach or lagoon. Ann Hodges, the noted Jamaican architect, designed every villa with the best of relaxed, barefoot living in mind—hardwood floors, high ceilings, cool linens and oversized furniture. A sexy outdoor shower in each villa’s lush secluded garden enhances the sights, smells and sounds of nature. The full kitchen and outdoor dining table make al fresco eating a part of the villa experience.
Each of the five One Bedroom Beach Villas open directly onto Low Cay Beach. All are furnished with a full kitchen, large private porch with outdoor dining table, king-size bed, en-suite bathroom with claw foot tub and adjoining outdoor garden shower.
There are four Two Bedroom Beach Villas. Each opens directly onto Low Cay Beach. These two-story villas feature two spacious bedrooms (up and downstairs), both with king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms. The downstairs bedroom has an adjoining private garden with outdoor shower. Upstairs, the bedroom porch looks out to the sea. As with all Beach Villas, each is furnished with a full kitchen and private porch with outdoor dining table.
UPSTAIRS BEDROOM
DOWNSTAIRS BEDROOM
Our unique Three Bedroom Beach Villa has all the amenities and conveniences of all our villas — king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms with claw foot tubs, two outdoor garden showers, large private verandas and full kitchen.
Opening directly onto Low Cay Beach, in addition to direct lagoon access via its own stone deck, this two-story villa features two spacious bedrooms (up and downstairs), both with king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms, with an additional detached and extremely private 3rd bedroom with en-suite bath and private outdoor shower – ideal for multiple couples traveling together who want to share a common space or for families with older children who prefer extra privacy. It’s perfect for multi-generational travelers as well.
UPSTAIRS BEDROOM
DOWNSTAIRS BEDROOM
DOWNSTAIRS BEDROOM (DETACHED)
This unit is sold on an request basis through [email protected]
Like all our other villas, our One Bedroom Lagoon Villa is furnished with a king size bed, en-suite bathroom with claw foot tub, an outdoor garden shower, full kitchen and large private porch. This villa also has a stone deck with direct lagoon access.
Our Two Bedroom Lagoon Villa has all the amenities and conveniences of all our villas — king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms with claw foot tubs, outdoor garden shower, large private porch and full kitchen. This particular villa sits directly on GoldenEye’s four-acre lagoon and has its own stone deck and an additional wooden deck with direct lagoon access.
UPSTAIRS BEDROOM
DOWNSTAIRS BEDROOM
Vesper is our brand new spacious 5 bedroom villa that sits directly on the tranquil lagoon. This private, open-air villa features spacious king-size bedrooms, a fully fitted open plan kitchen, large private verandas, and a beautiful garden overlooking the lagoon.
It’s the only villa of its size on the lagoon, making it unique and ideal for groups or families. A large veranda leads down to the lagoon and two freestanding Lagoon Cottages – the perfect location for couples. It’s a great spot for watching the sunset or enjoying a quiet morning on the water.
2 MASTER BEDROOMS
3RD BEDROOM
2 LAGOON COTTAGES
This unit is sold on a request basis through [email protected]
A perfect perch for paddleboarding at sunrise or a midnight dip, it doesn’t get better than a cottage directly on the lagoon. Guests who love to start, and end, each day with a swim treasure the cottages for their direct access to the water from their own private dock. Every cottage includes a kayak making easy a serene and invigorating voyage. Turn the music on low and, listen to the soft splash of the water as it laps against the side of the dock. Take in the heady scents of the lush plants and flowers that surround you. Indulge in modern luxuries (Blackwell Rum, hand-dyed batik robes, bath and beauty products made with local botanical ingredients) while appreciating all the tranquil turquoise waters have to offer.
All Lagoon Cottages have king size beds positioned to face the lagoon and Santa Maria Island, the small, uninhabited piece of land at the lagoon’s center. Additionally, every cottage features en-suite bathrooms with deep, oversized claw foot tubs and outdoor garden showers. Steps away from Low Cay Beach.
Chris built the huts in the style of his own GoldenEye hut and to mirror the way he likes to live. “To me, hut life is about casualness and simplicity. What makes it special are the louvered windows. During the day, you control the light and the breeze. At night, when you open the louvers, you feel like you’re sleeping under the stars. The feeling is very basic. Even primal,” Chris says. At GoldenEye, our village of huts is built at various heights and scattered around a garden that stretches between Snorkeler’s Cove (where life teams below the waves) and Shabeen (our rooftop lounge and whimsically-designed freshwater pool) on one side and Button Beach, with its gentle, almost wave-less waters, on the other. Check into any of our huts and you’ll find hand-dyed batik robes and our bath and beauty products made with local botanical ingredients waiting for you. Bring your toothbrush. Flip flops. Bathing suit. Not much else. That’s life in a hut. Essentially…as good as it gets.
These freestanding Huts feature a king-size bed, private veranda and either an interior wet room (an immersive open-concept shower room with double rain shower heads) or an outdoor shower. Each hut offers its own unique view of the lush tropical gardens or the hills. All huts are adjacent to our private beach, Button Beach, a quick stroll away.
These freestanding Huts sit directly on the beautiful cove with spectacular views of Snorkeller’s Cove and the sea. Ideal for couples looking for privacy and serenity, each hut is furnished with a king-sized bed and offers an immersive open air interior wet room (with double rain shower heads) or an outdoor shower. All huts are adjacent to our private beach, Button Beach, a quick stroll away.
These beach huts are all raised ten feet. The bedroom is located on the upper level; the sandy-floor, open-air Dune Room is below. These open-air rooms are great for escaping the midday sun or relaxing after a day at the beach on the oversized sofa bed. All Dune Rooms have an outdoor rain shower and claw foot bath tub within the gardens, a dining area furnished with a wet bar and full fridge. Each is furnished with a king-size bed as well as built with interior wet room (with double rain shower heads) and private veranda.
Our Two Bedroom, Two-Story Beach Huts sleep four adults. Each floor has the same layout—with king bed and its own bathroom—yet separate entrances on each floor convey the feeling of privacy. Thanks to a clever architectural feature (an indoor ladder connecting the two floors, like a loft), these huts have the feel of a tree house in Jamaica. They’re a great choice for families traveling with older kids.
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.
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