The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Arresting the senses with its vibrant culture is a rich island nation that produced Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, and an Olympic bobsled team. Renowned for its laid-back pace of life this Caribbean location was once the home of Ian Fleming the creator of James Bond. This is Jamaica, where you’ll find the S Hotel.
Jamaica is a lush island destination that has it all; from vibrant cities, sugary beaches, mountains and lazy rivers surrounded by jungle. In the Blue Mountains, one can taste the richest coffee in the world, while Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage can be discovered in Kingston, the country’s lively capital. However, in Montego Bay, with its gorgeous beaches and duty-free shopping, the jet-set crowd come out to play.
The S Hotel is a member of the Luxury Hotels of the World and has won countless awards, style and class ooze from every inch of this 120-room hotel, which could be one of the most stunning properties in Montego Bay. It is extremely Instagramworthy with its sleek interior and polished edges. Set on an idyllic beachfront spot overlooking the famous Dr. Cave Beach, S hotel is proud to be authentically Jamaican. It was designed by Alison Antrobus while its sister hotel Spanish Court is more classic in style. Both properties are locally-owned and managed, founded by Crissa Hotels.
Chris Issa, founder of both S Hotel and Spanish Court said: “I tell people when defining the brand that at one end you have the Ritz, and then the W, and then you have the S. We are trying to be more W than the Ritz. We are a small boutique hotel that is understated and elegant just like Jamaica herself. Millennials and Gen Z welcome luxury boutique brands like S Hotels over large hotel chains. They want the receptionist to greet them by name. At the S you get personalised service right down to getting the WhatsApp numbers of the managers and you have a go-to person as a friend, rather than a butler. You can walk out of the hotel onto the strip and engage with locals.”
On the approach to the property, visitors are wooed by the vintage cars from the starlet era. There’s one that was once driven by Audrey Hepburn’s sister, and a Land Rover identical to one belonging to Bob Marley. They make a grand entrance through the impressive lobby, clicking their Louboutins on the polished Jatoba hardwood floor and imagine themselves gliding down a catwalk. And they will be able to admire unique art all around the property as they check in to the hotel and can enjoy a Heroes Tour with life-size statues of prominent figures from the past made from recycled materials.
There’s plenty of choices to rest your head in; from mini king rooms, ocean view deluxe doubles and junior suites to sky club spa suites. But the creme de la creme is the duplex presidential sky suite features two bedrooms, an expansive living area with dining table, a fully equipped kitchen for those late-night snacks, and a 55” television. There’s also separate showers, and indulgent spa amenities.There’s record players and a vinyl copy of Bob Marley’s Legend as well as cans of Red Stripe and a set of dominoes. These rooms command sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea, Doctor’s Cave Beach, and Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.
The rooms boast award-winning bathrooms, with giant oval wicker tubs that play centre stage in the rooms. Antrobus uses using textures and materials inspired by the local basket weaving craft for the bespoke bathtub design.
S Hotel commissioned the work of local artist Fiona Godfrey to create a mural on the back wall of the grand double shower niche, depicting Jamaica in a bold and modern combination of black and white and guests can enjoy views of the ocean and hills. There’s also a nine-foot long and five-foot wide shower including an alcove with rain head and double showerheads.
The hotel’s four restaurants champion fresh ingredients. There’s also a poolside grill, an all-day café, and two bars featuring artisan Jamaican and international cuisine. As an all-inclusive hotel, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages are included for all guests.
Roots Rock celebrates Jamaica’s music heritage. There’s a large mural of Reggae artists and the food is enriched with Jamaican flavours from coconut-crusted shrimp, jerk chicken spring rolls, and jerk barbecue sliders and cornmeal pudding for dessert. The Jamrock Restaurant is heaven to meat lovers, offering grilled New York sirloin, ribeye, salmon and pork chops as well as the S burger. Rocksteady is open for lunch and dinner, serving regional and international seafood. Guests can unwind in a relaxed environment surrounded by prints of famed Jamaican artist Michael Thompson. Marketplace serves Caribbean and international buffet and a la carte options.
Indoor and al fresco seating overlooks the main pool and there’s a bar where you can enjoy the all-day menu of snacks and sandwiches. The lobby is an intimate central meeting spot, serving a selection of wines, beers and champagne. The Sky Club suite light bites and libations overlooking the Instagram-worthy Sky Deck pool. Guests can also reserve a section on Doctor’s Cave Beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas and have the S Hotel concierge bring beverages to guests on the beach, while meals are served at the hotel’s restaurants and this hotel is adults only.
Guests can unwind at the Irie Baths and Spa, which is designed to look like a subterranean cave. Irie is a Jamaican word that describes all things good and this is how guests are made to feel. They can enjoy a range of sensory massages and skin treatments from facials, massages, and body scrubs using fresh local ingredients. They can also immerse themselves in three underground plunge pools which are temperature controlled and provide kinetic energy therapy.
Lounge by the pool or there’s yoga on the beach and fitness classes in the pool for residents to keep up their fitness routine while at S Hotel.
For day trips, it is close to the Martha Brae River, where guests can take a bamboo raft and let the current sweep them past lush, green forests and exotic wildlife. The Rose Hall is a Georgian mansion in Montego Bay thought to be one of the country’s most impressive plantation houses showcasing the slave history of the estate and a legendary White Witch.
From Spanish Court you can access the Blue Mountains where guests can enjoy a coffee tour or hike. The peak rises to 2256 m and after all the exercise you’ll want to stop for a meal at Strawberry Hill, a luxury mountaintop retreat. There’s also a Bob Marley Museum Tour at the home of the late reggae legend and more social history on a tour of Devon House, the former residence of George Stiebel, Jamaica’s first black millionaire.
S Hotel has won numerous awards along with her sister property Spanish Court in Kingston. Jamaica’s laid-back pace of life is elevated at S Hotel. This adults-only resort offers a chance to get under the skin of the real Jamaica and is also a great base to stay if you want to explore the wider Caribbean and neighbouring islands like St Lucia. It is possible to explore outside the resorts and discover local life as well as enjoy the amenities of the S Hotel and its sister property Spanish Court. After visiting S Hotel, the Jamaican vibe and the feeling of everything being ‘Irie’ will remain long after the suitcases have been unpacked.
