Perched 3100ft above Kingston, serene Strawberry Hill offers spectacular views from its infinity pool, over the Blue Mountains and down to the sea. It’s cooler up here, and since the 1940’s this has been the place to go for a traditional Sunday tea. Chris Blackwell (founder of Island Records) bought the 26-acre property as a family home in 1972, but it didn’t become the first Island Outpost hotel until 1994.
The 19th-century Georgian style cottages dotted about the exotic hillside garden have maintained much of their old fashioned rustic-chic charm. Many famous musicians have enjoyed the peaceful setting, simple luxuries, and spectacular views. As with all the Island Outpost properties there is a refreshing lack of corporate uniformity, and the blend of friendly staff, first class spa, musical history and relaxed surroundings works well. Strawberry Hill really doesn’t feel like a hotel - more like the family home it once was. Perfectly located for checking out Kingston and the Blue Mountains, this is also a fabulous place to unplug and unwind in spectacular, safe surroundings.
Highs
- Mesmerising views of lush mountains and huge skies; even at night, the sparkling lights of Kingston twinkle beautifully in the distance
- An abundance of handmade details: nothing here is rolled out en-masse
- High “Princess-and-the pea” mahogany beds with immaculate sheets are bound to give you a great night's rest
- There are some exceptional excursions to be had; we loved our trek with Rasta Dave - a gentle walk to a breath-taking waterfall
- The peace and quiet with a background reggae beat makes it very easy to lose track of time
Lows
- It can be cool and damp up here in winter (one local called it “Arctic”) but bring a jumper and use the electric blanket
- Timber walls with plantation shutters mean the peace can be disturbed by your neighbours or, occasionally, music from local parties
Best time to go
The hotel is usually shut in September, and undergoes a gentle upgrade on a room-by-room basis. It may also be forced to close at 24-hours notice during Hurricane season (officially June-November, though August and September are peak months).
The hotel hosts different events: album launches, model shoots, music videos, and Backgammon tournament weekend in April/May (serious players only). Guests will be advised if their visit is likely to clash with a major function. The hotel will be full when the cricket is in town!
The hotel hosts different events: album launches, model shoots, music videos, and Backgammon tournament weekend in April/May (serious players only). Guests will be advised if their visit is likely to clash with a major function. The hotel will be full when the cricket is in town!
Our top tips
Jamaica is a wonderfully diverse island, and this is a perfect way to get under its skin, far from the coastal resorts.
Bring a jumper or coat - and leave the jacket and tie behind (our in-room reading stated: "In keeping with the casual atmosphere of Jamaica, jackets, ties, and formal clothes are never required"). Walking boots and binoculars are also useful. A trip to the waterfalls usually means you will be IN the water as opposed to looking at it, so dress accordingly.
Bring a jumper or coat - and leave the jacket and tie behind (our in-room reading stated: "In keeping with the casual atmosphere of Jamaica, jackets, ties, and formal clothes are never required"). Walking boots and binoculars are also useful. A trip to the waterfalls usually means you will be IN the water as opposed to looking at it, so dress accordingly.
- Boutique hotel
- 13 rooms
- Restaurant + bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily paper
- Board games
Rooms
Dotted about the immaculate grounds, the 13 suites, villas and cottages gaze over the surrounding mountains or the distant city of Kingston.
All Studio Suites have lovely private terraces and simple kitchenettes. One Bedroom Villa Birdshill is popular with honeymooners thanks to its roll-top bath and private gazebo - lovely daybed and views of the mountains. Our rooms was the 2-storey Two Bedroom Villa Highgate. It's ideal if travelling with older kids as it has a separate bedroom. We love that both bedrooms have terraces, one of which offers stunning views over Kingston.
Bathrooms are stocked with Strawberry Hill products and have a handmade feel, with simple tubs and clay tiles. There’s lots of white paint, but the polished hardwood floors, mahogany and cane furniture, local artwork and bright cotton printed lampshades add some colour.
Furnishings may look a little tired, but it’s part of the comfortable charm, and the sense of simplicity is very restful: you get white painted timber walls and shutters, exposed beams, linen sofas, and four-poster beds with immaculate sheets (so flat they look like they are sprayed on) and plump pillows.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Food is a modern twist on local Jamaican cuisine and you won't want to rush. There are several choices of dining room, but our favourite is the open air Jade Vine Terrace with its mesmerizing views beyond the pool to Kingston far below. The smaller Library Verandah and Bamboo Room are recommended for residents and smaller parties.
Enjoy a lazy breakfast on the spacious terrace and let the gentle sound of Jimmy Cliff ease you into the day. There's a choice of continental (included) or cooked (extra charge).
For lunch you could try the bizarrely named Fat burger, Rasta Pasta, or Strawberry Hill Farm Salad. For dinner we enjoyed crab cakes and fruit salsa, followed by baked snapper with lemon butter sauce. After dinner you can retire to the cosy bar with wood-burning fireplace and sample the signature Blackwell Rum.
The menu is rotated every few days, and vegetarian and children’s menu are available. Birdshill, Highgate, Mountain View 2 and Bamboo all have full kitchens while the Studio Cottages have kitchenettes.
If you want to eat out, Eits Cafe comes highly recommended thanks to its warm service, delicious Jamaican cuisine and stunning views; it's also very popular with locals.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- At the hotel check out the extensive collection of platinum and gold discs - it’s a who’s who of the music industry - or browse the interesting music collection, from American Roots music to the legend of Leigh Bowery
- Marley fans can take the Natural Mystic tour of the yard area, No.56 Hope Road
- Try the many popular guided tours and walks from 20 minutes to 2 hours: private gardens, coffee estates, waterfalls, bird watching, nature trails. We loved our Gordontown Trail trek with Rasta Dave
- Enjoy the immaculate garden, full of mango and banana trees, hibiscus, birds of paradise, and a coffee crop, as well as star apples, avocados and guava trees
- Book a spa treatment in the FieldSpa, designed to provide a transformative experience. Yoga can be arranged by appointment
- It’s a great place to bird watch: 120 species breed on the island, 255 in total, with most endemics found in the Blue Mountains: rare Jamaican blackbird, Todies, Hummingbirds, Sad and Rufoustailed Flycatchers, Pewees
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Swimming
- Well being
- Yoga
Kids
Kids of any age are welcome, that said, it’s very quiet so they may get bored.
Family friendly accommodation:
The Two Bedroom Villas and Two Bedroom Cottage are the best option for families as they have a second double or twin bedroom plus a full kitchen; the Studio Suites are the only ones which can take a rollaway bed. All rooms can accommodate a baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available on request.
Families Should Know:
The pool is unfenced, there are terraces with low walls, and some windows open out onto precarious hillside drops - so not really suitable for inquisitive toddlers.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa is found 3100ft up in the Blue Mountains, about half-an-hour's drive from Kingston.
By Air:
Norman Manley International Airport (37km) and Sangster International Airport (188km) are served by many airlines from the US mainland, Europe and the Caribbean; click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.
From the Airport
We'd recommend you booked an airport transfer, either by hotel shuttle bus, private car or even helicopter (about a 10-minute flight), see Rates.
By Car:
We wouldn't recommend driving, but if you do decide to hire a car be aware the minimum age of the driver is 23 and rental often requires a $1500 deposit. If you did want to drive, see our car rental recommendations and opt for a 4x4.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape
Airports:
- Kingston (Norman Manley) 37.0 km KIN
Other:
- Beach 56.0 km
- Shops 20.0 km
- Restaurant 1.5 km