Round Hill, Jamaica
Just a 25-minute drive from Montego Bay, undeniably Caribbean in style, Round Hill is the grandfather of all boutique
resorts in Jamaica. Once the haven of the likes of Sir Noel Coward, Oscar Hammerstein, Paul Newman, Grace Kelly and Adele Astaire, the roll call is as long as the history of this charming yet elegant getaway. The resort comprises 27 two to six-bedroom villas (most with their own pools) and The Pineapple House, home to 36 stylish oceanfront rooms with sunset views, where the name-dropping continues as they were redesigned by Ralph Lauren. Set on the edge of the beach, we loved how fresh these rooms were: crisp white with contrasting bright accents in magenta and royal blue. Cool stone floors and a four-poster, softened with romantic muslin drapes, provided a modern-chic twist on the traditional, yet remained true to the essence of Jamaica. If you’re on the ground f loor, you can sit out on your terrace and take in the dreamy panoramic views over the Caribbean Sea. Relaxing by the main infinity pool, we had our first experience of the congenial hospitality that became par for the course. Refreshing rum punches and banana smoothies were delivered to our sunbeds with smiles as warm as the drinks were cold. The staff greeted us by name each time we saw them, making the whole atmosphere homely and welcoming. Dining held a choice between The Restaurant, the new Grill or the seaside terrace overlooking Round Hill Bay. We opted for the terrace every time, as, apart from the mouth-watering smell of the food and the balmy sea breezes, the occasional wafts of jasmine and frangipani from the gardens were irresistible. We feasted on fresh seafood and the juiciest fruits imaginable, followed by an indulgent coconut and banana cream pie. A visit to the spa was a treat on many fronts. The wonderful Elemis products and unique location, in a beautifully restored 18th century plantation house, evoked images of the rich and famous in years gone by, strolling past to their villas for an afternoon nap…
