Golden Eye Hotel In Jamaica

Goldeneye Hotel and Resort is located next door to Golden Clouds estate in the town of Oracabessa, Jamaica. It is owned by Chris Blackwell, a philanthropist and entertainment entrepreneur who founded Island Records, Palm Pictures and Island Outpost, a company that owns and operates his boutique hotels.
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Property History
Goldeneye was originally built by Ian Fleming, who created theJames Bond character and who wrote all of his Bond novels while living there.
Fleming purchased 15 acres (61,000 m2) of land on a former donkey racetrack in 1946 after hearing about the property from a friend. The home was built based on a sketch by the author and incorporated features such as glassless windows, a position almost overhanging the sea and great simplicity.
In 1976, 12 years after IanFleming's death, Goldeneye was sold to reggae star Bob Marley, however shortly before his own death, Marley sold the estate to Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. [15] For years Goldeneye was primarily used by Blackwell as a place to entertain his friends, and the property was used primarily for entertainment. Blackwell added to the original acreage in small parcels to reach a current totalof 40 acres (160,000 m2). In the late 1980s, Blackwell formed the Island Outpost Company and opened the property as a small hotel.
In 2007, Goldeneye was closed for major additions and renovations, and was recently reopened in December, 2010.
Property Layout
The property is less like a hotel than it is a compound of tropical buildings, gardens and private beaches. As Blackwell expanded theproperty, he also expanded various cottages and huts around an inner lagoon that is sandwiched between two beaches, Bond Beach and Low Cay Beach. While luxurious, it is also a private world of casual privacy with outdoor showers and the odd bathtub in a garden with a sea view.
Fleming Villa
The original house was updated but still much the same three bedroom home that Fleming designed. Included inthe decor is his writing desk and other historical pieces of furniture. The house has a private swimming pool, a private beach as well as private gardens.
Villas 1,2,3 and Royal Palm Villa
Small villas ranging from one to three bedrooms each. All are separate houses and private from one another. Each has a private garden and access to private beaches.
Beach Cottages
A small series of recentlybuilt cottages located on Low Cay Beach.
Renovations
Extensive additions and new building is included in the current renovation. Two restaurants, a supermarket, a water sports center, a health spa, lagoon cottages and a number of private beach cottages are being built while preserving the intimate feeling of the resort.
Celebrity
Fleming's Goldeneye became the social epicenter of Jamaica's northcoast along with nearby Firefly owned by Noël Coward, and Bolt House, owned by Chris Blackwell's mother, Blanche, who was a long time friend of Fleming. The property was popular with Hollywood and British film stars, artists and literary greats. The property also attracted British aristocrats and heads of state. Errol Flynn, Lucian Freud, Truman Capote, Patrick Leigh Fermor, The Duchess ofDevonshire, Princess Margaret, and Prime Minister Anthony Eden were all visitors. Eden made the property the temporary Headquarters for the British government during the Suez Crisis of 1956. Before Eden left, he planted a tree in the garden thus starting a Goldeneye custom that continues.
The Goldeneye of the Blackwell era has also attracted celebrities. Until opened as a hotel, Blackwell used it toentertain friends. Many musicians, writers, entertainers and other talent stayed at Goldeneye to vacation as well as work. The private and casual atmosphere still attracts creativity.
Among the famous people who have visited Goldeneye:
* Sir Anthony Eden
* Sting
* Bono
* Naomi Campbell
* Truman Capote
* Katharine Hepburn
* Sir Cecil Beaton
* Natasha Wilson
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