The “land of wood and water”—the meaning of “Xaymaca,” the Arawak (Taino) word from which the word Jamaica is derived—is the most popular island in the Caribbean. Many mistakenly arrive on the golden shores for a blast of sunshine, a poolside cocktail, and little more with a multitude of generic all-inclusive flop-and-drop resorts to choose from. But having spent my childhood on the island and returning regularly, I’ve seen Jamaica’s hotel scene adapt and evolve beyond the usual cookie-cutter resorts.
Some of the best addresses offer a fresh perspective that’s unique to Jamaica, from a local, family-owned property on the under-the-radar south coast, to a mountain hideaway in the lush east coast greenness that is Portland. While Jamaica obviously has plenty to choose from, here’s my pick of the best hotels to know about on my island home.
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