There isn’t much more that can be written about Round Hill Hotel and Villas. It has a storied past as the resort of choice for dignitaries including John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy. Sixty-six years later, it is still oft-selected by notable guests including Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and others.
Since opening in 1953, Round Hill has remained a leading luxury resort and won numerous awards, including the 2019 Caribbean’s Leading Villa Resort and Jamaica’s Leading Hotel. Among the six awards received in 2018, it was selected as the World’s Leading Villa Resort by World Travel Awards–the fifteenth year it has won this award.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas is situated on a 110-acre peninsula with 36 oceanfront guest rooms designed under Ralph Lauren’s direction and 90 luxury villa rooms or suites ensconced in a sloping hill of dense foliage with a beautiful beach at the base of the hill.
Panoramic view of the property
This hotel was selected by our team because we wanted to unwind on a beautiful resort that, as nature lovers, was aesthetically enhanced by lush surroundings. We wanted a peaceful environment that would facilitate the serious thought time and introspection so desperately needed. A great fitness center and spa were also priorities.
Lush greenery throughout the property
Round Hill greatly surpassed all expectations. The top tier service, fine dining options, and classic but unfussy design elements all seemed to conspire to gently guide us to a sense of ultimate comfort.
Getting there from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay was a breeze. After a 15 minute ride, the driver turned into a gated entrance to the property and to the right was a stunning, expansive and unhindered view of the Caribbean Sea. This welcoming view seemed to augur well for what we were about to experience.
A room with many views
Villa #3 is a deluxe villa suite with two sitting areas–a veranda and a combined indoor sitting and dining area. Absent was clichéd island decor. Instead, the villa’s interior featured high ceilings enhanced by intricately designed wooden beams and louvered mahogany fold away doors that, if fully opened, could triple the size of the outdoor living area. The mahogany and other furniture featured elegant designs and this was all complemented by crisp white upholstery and bedding.
Sitting and dining room – A room with many views
Dreamy bedroom
Top-notch service, fine, locally-sourced dining and more
The villa also featured a full adjoined kitchen where two kind Jamaican women prepared a sumptuous, cooked-to-order breakfast each morning. Some days it was Jamaica’s national dish ackee and saltfish. On other days, callaloo or an omelette. Each breakfast was served with a refreshing selection of fresh fruit.
One’s palette will want for nothing while staying at Round Hill. The property offers rooftop and two terrace level restaurants that feature a culinary approach that its James Beard award-winning executive chef Martin Maginley describes as “Light Clean Caribbean Cuisine.” In it efforts to commit to a locally-sourced, farm-to-table philosophy, many of the fresh vegetables and herbs are sourced from an onsite organic garden or local farmers.
For those with dietary restrictions such as gluten-free or vegetarian, the dining staff’s ability to recommend and provide tasty alternatives was a welcome surprise.
For the fitness devotees, the fitness center is designed with large windows throughout that seem to spur even more motivation to optimize the workout.
Round Hill Reception Area
Return to Round Hill
Upon return (and we will), The Spa at Round Hill, a swim in the infinity pool, and an exhilarating run on the property’s jogging trail will be on the agenda.
If you are looking for relaxation and restoration in verdant surroundings that wrap you in a blanket of serenity, unpretentious luxury, exquisite service, inspiring views, and sounds of uninterrupted nature, Round Hill Hotel and Villas is one to try. Visit Booking.com to book your stay and read what other travelers love about this hotel.
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