Where to Stay

The lion's share of the city's hotels are situated around the small uptown district of New Kingston. Here, you are close to major places of interest as well as bars, restaurants, theaters and clubs. Bear in mind that most of these establishments cater to the business rather than the tourist sector; nonetheless, they range from comfortable and convenient to lavish.

If you seek peace and solitude but need to be close by, there are a handful of excellent options in the foothills of the Blue Mountains just north of Kingston. They are generally peaceful places, offering superb vistas of the city, ideal if you want to combine business with tropical tranquility or a day's hiking in the country.

Depending upon priorities and pocketbooks, you may want to explore the Guesthouses, which are scattered throughout the city and suburban areas. These more intimate accommodations allow you to get a feel for Jamaica's essence and culture, and at substantial savings. Check out Alhambra Inn , Sutton Place and more.

Knutsford Boulevard runs through the center of New Kingston and is home to the city's two high rise hotels, Hilton Kingston Jamaica and Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus. The 17-story Jamaica Pegasus is big and impressively contemporary. The Hilton, our other skyscraper hotel, offers upscale accommodations and amenities to match, geared predominantly towards the business traveler. There is a fabulous swimming pool, small gym, casino and nightclub. Both hotels are 20 minutes from Kingston's International Airport and are well-positioned for sightseeing, dining and shopping.

Courtleigh Hotel & Suites is one of those impressive little jewels: once you've been a guest, nothing else will do. It's a pocket of the good life in the heart of the financial district. If you're after a more relaxed meal, don't miss Mingles Pub, a place to see and be seen.

To sooth your soul, the Terra Nova Hotel provides peaceful olde-world ambiance in a splendid colonial mansion, famed for its personal service and fine cuisine. Rooms are luxuriously and imaginatively appointed; public rooms are elegant and comfortable.

Two moderately priced hotels worthy of mention are Altamont Court Hotel and Christar Villas, both in the center of New Kingston and close to sightseeing, restaurants, businesses and shops. Altamont Court Hotel is attractive, well furnished and comfortable. A popular alternative for those who prefer the self-catering option, Christar Villas offers a host of features in one and two bedroom apartments—just a stone's throw from the Bob Marley Museum.

And then, we come to the crème de la crème. Strawberry Hill is a superb mountaintop resort located 3100 ft above sea level in the picturesque Blue Mountains. The property is owned by Island Records guru, Chris Blackwell, and is where Bob Marley convalesced after being shot in 1976. Consequently, it is a magnet for the international glitterati set. Though set outside Kingston's city limits, and one mile north of Irish Town, you can see the lights of the city twinkling in the distance, and its fabulous facilities are well worth the detour. Strawberry Hill also hosts a calendar of year round special events, from concerts to parties to art exhibitions. Many Jamaicans make the drive out to Strawberry Hill restaurant just to sample the modern Jamaican cuisine—reservations are advisable.

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