Geejam

Rooms

Each of the rooms are bright white and super-slick: white walls, white cabinets and white leather bed heads, dark hardwood Jamaican floors. Grey tiled bathrooms have a shower only, and some double as steam rooms (Mento and Rock Steady) and all look out onto lush green foliage and the sea. Blackout blinds ensure you won’t be woken by the dawn. At Geejam luxury is techno heavy: flat screen TV, Apple music, 10,000 songs. There is no room phone, but you are given a mobile on arrival which connects you to the Bar, Chef, and other rooms if required. No in-room coffee and tea making facilities but these are available on request. Whichever room you choose, all have lovely dark timber decks, with cane furniture and plenty of cushions to help you break your stride.

Families are encouraged to stay in Sanwood, the main 2-storey villa, which is the original building on the property - designed by British architect, Anthony Wade, in the 1960s. The villa has 3 bedrooms all with ensuite shower bathrooms, 2 terraces, a snazzy media lounge and home theatre, private pool, and, original Banksy artwork plus Juergen Teller photographs - both are former guests. Do note that the Geejam kitchen is located adjacent on the ground floor, so you will see the chef coming and going.

The 3 timber cottages are tucked away in the grounds. Our room, Rock Steady, is the smallest - definitely no room for extra beds here - but it does have a double steam room. Mento has high ceilings and the benefit of an additional hammock on its wraparound veranda as well as its own Jacuzzi. While Ska's double glass doors open onto not one but 2 decks, 1 of which also has a Jacuzzi with a view of the sea.

The signature 1 bedroom suite Drum & Bass is below the recording studio, and has extensive views from its capacious deck.

Since our last visit, 12 Rumba Rooms have been added in a new building. These contemporary double rooms lack the concealed, tropical feel of the older cabins, but they have more 'cool-factor'. Each one has a kingsize bed and a pampering ensuite with a freestanding tub, plus the usual high-spec features and hypnotic sea views from the private balcony.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Food is served in the extensive open-air Bushbar, with its welcoming supersized sofas, ambient sound system, views towards the ocean, and more tables than are really required. The menu is Asian/Jamaican/Caribbean fusion. A set choice covers breakfast and lunch, but the dinner menu is changed weekly. The kitchen wasn’t firing on all cylinders on our visit as they had a tiny turnaround window between mega-stars, but what the chef rustled up for us in Sanwood was delicious. As were the mojitos and rum punches...

Breakfast is either Continental with fresh baked pastries, or Jamaican breakfast of the day - steamed dumplings, ackee and salt fish, plantains or banana pancakes. Lunch is a choice of three salads to start, and seven mains including Geejam spicy lobster, red stripe beer batter fish and chips, followed by three puddings that included cheesecake, and ice cream. Dinner offers four starters and five mains; enjoy the chef salad, followed by escovietch fish, curry shrimp, and the Geejam brownie and ice cream to finish.

Sanwood has its own dining options - you can order from an a la carte menu - the fully equipped kitchen adjacent prepares food for all guests, which is taken over to the restaurant for final cooking and assembly. Bespoke menus and room service are available on request. Guests staying in Sanwood would not cook there as all meals are prepared by staff. Welcome baskets are not a standard service but can be requested at an extra cost. Guests renting Sanwood with specific food requirements can be accommodated.

As an alternative you should head over to Boston Bay - the birthplace of jerk seasoning - at some stage for the original jerk pork or chicken, and a catch-of-the-day dinner can also be arranged at one of nearby Port Antonio restaurants. Geejam also recommends contemporary Jamaican Norma’s at the marina.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Stroll down (for 3 minutes) to the recently created private beach area at Macks Bay, to swim, snorkel (the hotel has gear you can borrow), or take out a special glass bottomed kayak
  
• Check out the beautiful local beaches: bright white Frenchman’s Cove (10 min walk), incredible, San San Beach, Boston Bay, Long Bay (stunning beach but strong swimmers only)
  
• Head over to the Blue Lagoon, a few mins drive or 20 min walk, and experience where warm ocean water meets cold spring water
  
• Raft on Rio Grande - a very popular trip, and have a home cooked lunch on the riverside
  
• Fulfill that music fantasy with the Recording Studio Experience, details on request
  
• Check out Port Antonio - the nearby historic coastal town, to see the Errol Flynn Marina and heritage buildings; at night check out its reggae sound systems and ska bars
  
• While there arrange to have some scuba diving tuition
  
• Chill on the Day Dream Canopy Deck and gaze at the waterfall
  
• Have a Spa treatment on the veranda above the recording studio or in your room - choose from a wide choice of massages (Swedish, lymphatic drainage, pre-natal, deep tissue, and Geejam's own tropical touch), or have a facial, mani and pedi

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora
• Pool table
• Rafting
• Scuba diving
• Scuba diving courses
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Well being

Kids

Children are welcome and accommodation is free for children under 12 who share a room with an adult. Babysitting / nanny service can be arranged on request.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms can accommodate baby in a cot. The 3 cottages are too small for extra beds, and families are encouraged to stay in 3-bedroom villa Sanwood, where you get the bonus of the pool. Drum & Bass can take a rollaway bed.

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Geejam is in the Portland area of the North East coast of Jamaica, close to Port Antonio (about a 10-minute drive).

By Air:
Fly to either Norman Manley International Airport, at Kingston in the south of the island, or Sangster International Airport at Montego Bay on the west coast; both are served by many airlines from the US mainland, Europe and the Caribbean. Montego Bay is a 4 1/2 hour drive along the north coast road.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfer by private car (2 hours from Kingston) or 20-minute private flight over the Blue Mountains to Ken Jones airstrip (a 30-minute drive). Car transfers are complimentary for guests who fly into Kingston and are staying 5+ nights (except those on discounted and special meal plan bookings).

By Car:
There are no road signs, so you can’t just rock-up for a snoop (no pun intended). If renting a car then be aware the minimum age of driver is 23, and the company often requires a USD1500 deposit (which may max out your card). Some roads are still closed due to damage caused by the last hurricane several years ago, and the eastern coast road from Kingston is badly eroded by landslides, so a 4x4 is advisable if you are going to explore. See our car rental recommendations.

Jamaican Taxis
There are 2 official types of taxis in Jamaica: Charter Taxis (officially licensed and insured, for the sole use of passenger) and Route Taxis (a collective taxi, with red license plates). Robots are also collective taxis, but are often not licensed / insured and not recommended.

Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.