We’d had our eyes on Goldeneye for a while as it got good marks from a few friends. We were taken aback at first, as we were expecting pampering and luxury per the five-star moniker, but it did grow on us. If you’re looking to embrace a casual, no frills type of situation with a tropical island feel and light water sports, this is the place. If you’re hoping for a luxe experience, this isn’t it. Firstly, the drive from Montego Bay airport is brutal. It’s easily 2:15, more with traffic. 2.5 hours each way for us. The car that picked us up seemed on its last leg (many service lights blinking) and had no waters, never mind a little nosh. I suggest confirming with the resort that you’ll have a more updated van with water. Springing for the $3k helicopter seemed exorbitant, but be warned that the alternative is long and not luxe. In any case, it was indicative of the experience. The food is okay, not great, and probably couldn’t be tolerated for more than 3 nights. There are some good spots nearby to switch it up. The art of espresso making has not yet reached Goldeneye, but the brewed coffee was quite good. The service was largely fine, not great, though there were a few stellar individuals by the pool (Donette is awesome!). Our consumed beverages, water, and snacks weren’t replenished during visits from housekeeping. Many requests to guest services went unanswered, though they were kind and helpful once prompted. The accommodations are dated and reminiscent of their mid century roots. They have all the essentials and nothing more. It feels like a cross between a lakeside “camp” (similar to those in Maine and Wisconsin) and an eco lodge in a place like Tulum. Rugged, dated, yet charming and not lacking anything in particular. The beds and linens were quite comfy. The towels were a bit threadbare. While at first we were taken aback by the outdoor shower (no indoor option besides a tub in our ocean front cottage), we embraced the experience. We don’t exactly feel clean, but toting toiletries outside to bathe does leave one with a certain feeling of accomplishment. We were joined by many creepy crawlers in the room, but most were so microscopic (ants, spiders, other tiny bugs) that they were tolerable. I liked that you can choose to lay by the pool or the beach, with different experiences or views. The snorkeling is nothing to write home about, but we did glimpse a majestic sea turtle which was the highlight of the trip. It’s nice to have the option to snorkel, kayak, paddle board or swim in the gentle waters of the lagoon. I was also pleased with our room choice: beach front cottage. While you can’t hop right into the water given a rocky ledge, the views are great and you can walk about 20 feet to enter the ocean. You have your own lounge chairs and a nice balcony to enjoy the view. Sleeping to the sound of the ocean is fabulous. The Lagoon option is also special with swimming etc. right off the back ledge. Our room had an air conditioning unit and we were grateful for it at night. Other great things worth mentioning: - Yolanda at the spa served up the best massage I’ve had in a long time. I highly recommend. I had a prenatal 90-minute. - the homemade ice cream - Fabulous homemade banana bread at breakfast - Great brewed coffee delivered to the room in the mornings (if asked). - The grilled shrimp by the pool at Bizot In closing, some suggestions, if I may: - A better greeting situation upon arrival to shake off the long drive. - more fresh options on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Bizot. Perhaps a daily wellness smoothie, more robust fruit and seed bowl, a coconut yogurt. Etc. - more fresh food in general, much of the fruit and veggies weren’t rip - Varying the menu at bizot between lunch and dinner services - A printed itinerary upon arrival - A more “concierge” style of guest services. The text option via WhatsApp works fine but is a bit slow, sometimes goes unanswered, and we had no working phone in the room to dial a guest services number or call around for spa, room service, housekeeping, etc. - A few more complimentary snacks would have been nice, especially since getting a bit of nourishment if needed between meals took a while. - Some upleveled amenities in the rooms and near the pool and more consistent service would go a long way in making this charming properly feel more luxe. - It’s time to think about renovations and updating the cottages and public areas to have more modern conveniences. Central AC, motorized blinds, more high-end bathrooms, etc. The summary: I can certainly see why many find Goldeneye special and charming. I don’t think it compares to a truly luxury Caribbean experience.…
Goldeneye is absolutely wonderful! The staff is incredible, the grounds are gorgeous, and the amenities are plentiful. There are multiple beaches and pools, and because this is a smaller resort, we actually had a pool or a beach to ourselves a couple of times. Highlights: - Lagoon Villa: We loved being on the lagoon and having a kayak tied to our dock for convenient use. We also liked jumping off the deck and snorkeling around the lagoon. The bed was very comfortable and the outdoor shower very cool! It had a kitchenette, but we didn't use it other than putting some things in the fridge. Bottled water is free and the fridge is stocked with it. They also include bug spray in your room. Because there are a lot of trees on this resort, there are mosquitos, but when we were there, they weren't bad at all! I'm not sure if that is different other times of the year. - Kayaking from our lagoon villa to Button Beach for lunch/lounging/cocktails. The lagoon villas/cottages have kayaks attached to their docks, so you can easily take them out for a spin. Button Beach also has paddle boards, more kayaks, and sail boats for guests to use. We spent most of our time at Button Beach. - Snorkeling at Snorkelers Cove. We took our own snorkeling gear, but they also have it there for guests to use. - Sitting in the Goldeneye Pool at sunset. - Breakfast (included with price of accommodation). It was a very hearty breakfast with multiple choices of entrees. We assumed it would be a typical continental breakfast, but that wasn't the case. It came with coffee/tea, fresh squeeze juice/coconut water, choice of muffin/danish, and choice of entree. Breakfast was our favorite meal at Goldeneye. - Transportation: Pops, a Goldeneye driver is the best! He picked us up at the airport and made our 2 hour drive from Montego Bay to Goldeneye so much fun! We then requested him to drive us to the Blue Hole and to take us back to the airport. He is very knowledgable and will tell you local spots to check out. Request Pops if you like to learn from a local and have great conversation. - Walking to Chris's Cafe: It's a 20 minute walk to this cafe from Goldeneye. Do not be scared by the looks of if this place, the food is really good. Take cash, as they don't take card. - Blue Hole: This was a fun experience and our guide Travis was great! Pops called Travis on our way to the Blue Hole so that we could get him as our guide. He took great pictures and videos of us jumping into the water. - Miss T's Kitchen: We stopped here after the Blue Hole for delicious food. Again a recommendation from Pops. Goldeneye is a very special place and it might not be for everyone if the large hotel chains or all-inclusives are more your style. It's a quiet resort where at times you almost feel like you have the place to yourself. This was our first trip to Jamaica and we can't wait to get back to this wonderful country and to Goldeneye - and we'll definitely request Pops for all of our transportation needs! …
We first stayed at Goldeneye in early July 2005. This was all before the relatively recent expansion, and, at the time, you could only book the one, two or three bedroom compounds, or the Fleming Villa. I guess there was also that one down by the water that Naomi Campbell used to stay in as well. We had previously been to the Caves a few times, and were really in love with the whole vibe that Island Outpost was putting down in Jamaica. We ended up booking the one bedroom, just a hop through the hedges to the Fleming Villa, whose pool we dipped in from time to time. The whole stay was absolutely perfect...that is, until it was extended unexpectedly by Hurricane Dennis. As it turned out, staying in a 5 Star luxury resort during a hurricane can actually be a pretty good time (other than you can't hear the tv over the wind, so those classic movies you checked out at the office in anticipation of some extended down time were of little company). Having first class multicourse meals and beverages brought to your bungalow at all hours of the day by foul-weather clad--yet always smiling--Goldeneye staff was always a highlight, although you tend to lose track of what meal you're having as the dark hurricane days drag on and on and on. Anyway, despite the inclement weather on the end of our stay, we decided to make a return with our two young boys (ages 7 and 13), and we were able to book the Fleming Villa at a great rate for a return stay the following summer. It was simply one of the most memorable experiences of their young lives, and the whole staff was exemplary. The boys carved coconuts and went fishing with Ramsey, where we were skunked in overfished waters, although the youngest did get seasick. They romped on the private beach at all hours of the day, snorkeling, swimming and just hanging out. Evenings were spent watching James Bond movies in the pool house home theater area (and falling asleep on the couch). They still talk about that experience, these many years later. It was indeed a memorable trip. My youngest even smuggled out a hermit crab inside a small matchbox from the villa.…
We stayed at Goldeneye for 4 nights in the lead up to Christmas and absolutely loved it. Chris Blackwell really has created true paradise there. We stayed in a two bed beach hut which had the comfiest beds we’ve ever slept in and spent our days chilling on button beach or paddle boarding on the lagoon making friends with the resident turtles. The highlight for us was a trip to The Blue Hole with Pops, who we had met on arrival into Jamaica, he’s one of Goldeneye’s drivers. He is the best! You must ask for Pops if you need a driver! He had all the tips and info on places to go and we had the best meal with him at Chris’s Cafe! Thank you Pops, we miss you already and can’t wait to return. A very special place. Can’t be beaten.
We stayed at Goldeneye for 7 nights in July 2022 for our honeymoon. I truly don't think we could have enjoyed our honeymoon any more. From start to finish, the staff, surroundings, food and facilities were superb. We booked a transfer through Goldeneye from Montego Bay airport to the resort and we were greeted at the airport by our wonderful driver, Pops. Pops looked after us so well! He gave us lots of information about Jamaica and Goldeneye, made us laugh, stopped to get us some delicious Jamaican patties and Red Stripe and advised us on where to go and what to do during our stay. It was a perfect welcome and we made sure to book Pops to take us back to the airport at the end of our stay. Entering Goldeneye is like entering paradise. As you proceed through the gates, through the trees and finally down the path to reception and the most stunning view of the bay, it feels like another private, beautiful world. We had another fantastic welcome at reception, and the lovely receptionist gave us a tour of the resort on the way to our room (including a stop at the bar for an amazing welcome cocktail). We had a beach hut with a balcony. It was simply beautiful and so comfortable! We thoroughly enjoyed the food, drinks (especially the pina colada), music and events throughout the week. All of the staff at the beach bar and Bizot were so pleasant and helpful. We especially enjoyed the cocktail party with live drummers and the themed dinner nights. Our top highlights of the experience were our incredible couples' massage at the beautiful spa, trying the water sports on offer and, above all, our private dinner on the peninsula, which was just an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Off the resort, we visited Oracabessa for lunch and we also took part in a turtle release on a local beach, which was unforgettable. FYI for future visitors: there is mosquito repellent everywhere, which is great as you really need it! Thanks to Ramon, Adrian, Jamila, Avid, Bishem, Andrew, Romando and Marlon for giving us the best holiday we could imagine.…
We booked the golden eye after reading many fabulous reviews. The resort is excellent. The staff is friendly and attentive. The rooms are nicely appointed. There were 2 open restaurants on the property. The food was very good, though some of the Jamaican specialties were only available if you went to a buffet. Breakfasts were excellent. There are no restaurant choices close by. Cons: It's a 2 hour ride from the airport. There's no gym. Activities are limited. One peculiar thing - there was a tall woman who greeted many of the guests at meals. We were told she was a manager. She never came over to meet us. Very odd. That said, we will return.
Goldeneye is AMAZING! We have stayed in the nicest hotels all over the world and goldeneye is super special! Perfect with or without kids, our last stay we brought both girls and stayed in the villa on the beach, your literally steps to the sand and the food is INCREDIBLE! Chef Alex is amazing! Laurel is the most amazing loving employee, she is filled with ideas of exploring Jamaica and the rich proud history of the country and goldeneye property. Every single person who works there from the cleaning staff, to the life guards to the restaurant staff are such special helpful caring people. It’s a true gem filled with love, one love Goldeneye
Wow. This place is a paradise. There are so many spaces to swim and relax. I loved swimming in the lagoon most of all, and the fact that there are so many different types of accommodation - beach huts, villas, near the bays or on the lagoon. I will definitely return as soon as I can! The staff are wonderful and the food is amazing - we (my family and I) had some of the nicest croissants and bakery items we've ever tried, as well as traditional Jamaican dishes such as ackee and dumplings, pumpkin rice and callaloo. A beautiful place to feed your soul. There is a spa too where they offer wonderful massages, and the history of the resort re Ian Fleming and James Bond is very interesting.
Since I first read about GoldenEye some 15 years ago, I've always earmarked it to be a place that I had to experience on an occasion of importance. I've been a life-long Bond fan, so the property already had its own mystique to me that was only compounded by reading reviews over the years. Finally, on the eve of my 40th birthday, our car entered the unmarked gates of the resort. As we wound down the main driveway, we were met at its conclusion with a very pleasant welcome party. Our bags were promptly sent off to our room, and we walked past several trees planted by donors to the Oracabessa Foundation. After a brief chat at reception, were taken across the bridge that spans where the lagoon meets the ocean. From that moment on, nearly every expectation was exceeded. Our room was a lagoon cottage, and can easily say was one of the most impressive places I've ever stayed. Every morning we woke up and had coffee as a sea turtle played and ate 40 feet away. The bed was large and comfortable. The outdoor shower was private and refreshing. And the ability to jump on a kayak at any time was a real treat. As it appeared much of the property was going through a maintenance cycle, we felt as if we were quite isolated and in a private area all to ourselves. Perfect for a romantic getaway. We preferred the Bamboo Bar off of Button Beach to the main Bizot bar, but more on that later. The Jerk at the Bamboo bar was phenomenal, and the staff was willing to make arrangements to send an additional meal to us for dinner at the end of the business hours. We both enjoyed it on our porch overlooking the water. The only qualm I really had was dinner the first night. Whether due to the storms churned up from Hurricane Ian or some other natural pattern, we were hit by what the waiters called "water bugs". It was nearly impossible to eat our $150 meal, as they were constantly landing in our food during Caribbean night. At first we were moved from the Bizot bar, down to the darker tables near the GoldenEye pool, but it barely helped. We left our table promptly after paying, somewhat puzzled that nothing else was really done about it. In short, it really is as magical of a place as the reviews tell you. You are paying a premium, and you get a premium experience for that. I'm glad I spent my 40th birthday here.…
Yulanda and Kerine did amazing massages for myself and my husband. They were funny and inviting but the actual service was incredibly well done. Perfect pressure and I actually feel taller after those stretches. The facility is clean, calm and smelled of citrus. We will be back.
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