Destination GoldenEye

I’m sitting by my window on this dreary January afternoon watching ice chunks firing down onto innocent pedestrians who are combating the slushy streets and spitting rain, (Confession: I haven’t left the apartment all day in fear of being impaled by aforementioned ice chunks) and there seems to be only one thought cycling (no, not as in Soul Cycle with Stacey, though, what I’m about to reveal makes me think I should sign up for a class, or two) through my mind: “IT’S VACA TIME!” Destination? Easy. GoldenEye Hotel & Resort.

Nestled in the village of Orcabessa Bay on Jamaica’s North Coast, the newly opened Island Outpost property is best known as the home of author Ian Flemming where he cooked up the iconic James Bond character and penned all fourteen novels. For decades the Outpost has played host to an impressive crowd—from writers and musicians to heads of state—and the latest renovations made by GoldenEye owner and Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell, will be sure to continue this trend. If this background isn’t enticing you enough, here are a few more reasons why you (and I) need to go:

Accommodations: The 52-acre estate encompasses 22 units, a combination of private villas (including the original Flemming Villa), cottages, and suites, all appointed with locally crafted luxuries. You can choose from several locations, but the chief decision is whether you want to be on the beach or floating on the serene lagoon water. Tough one, right?

Cuisine: GoldenEye offers two new restaurants: Bizot Bar (named after Jean-Francois Bizot, famed journalist, musical tastemaker, and longtime friend of Chris Blackwell), a casual beach/poolside hangout, and The Gazebo, an all day lounge and evening only restaurant situated low on the Cay, the best place for taking in a fiery sunset. Both menus are centered on I-tal cuisine, a traditional Jamaican cooking style meaning fresh from the sea or tree, and all organic ingredients are harvested from the resort’s eco-friendly farm.

Spa: Located on the lagoon, the FieldSpa at GoldenEye is easily accessible, so much in fact that you can kayak there right from your villa, and offers a wide range of relaxing and uplifting beauty and body therapies, all using locally farmed and wild grown herbs and flowers.

Fitness: For those already fit, take a class with Jamaican Olympic tri-athlete Iona Wynter (these look intense: Jet ski leg & abs workouts, Stretch & Snorkel classes, and triathlon training). For those looking for something a little more laid back (more my speed) you can dabble in some moon yoga, Jamaican dance, or coral restoration activities.

Transportation: This is the best part! The official opening of the Ian Flemming International Airport commenced just last week. Located only 10 minutes away from GoldenEye, this newly expanded airport was designed to accommodate private jets and other small commercial aircraft, making your arrival to the resort as effortlessly glam as your stay.

Check it out at www.GoldenEye.com.

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