Geejam Hotel

I keep returning to GeeJam, one of the most special hotels I’ve stayed at in all my travels. This past visit, I even had my wedding there, and WOW, Rueyella was an incredible planner. Everyone had a great time. She made everything stress-free and made sure all my sometimes-crazy wishes were met. The food is exceptional, the vibes are immaculate. There’s nowhere quite like it.

We were lucky enough to get a studio tour with the owner Steve, which was a real highlight. This hidden gem sits off the beaten track in beautiful Portland, Jamaica. Once the gates open, you can tell you’ve arrived somewhere special. The rooms are wonderful, the views breathtaking, the food great, and the staff friendly. There’s mellow reggae playing, and it’s such a quiet retreat that you won’t want to leave. Getting down to the lovely beach area means tackling lots of steps, so it may not suit anyone with limited mobility. The staff are great and happy to help with anything. Ricardo at the Bush Bar deserves a special mention. He’s a real asset to the hotel and would fit right in at a 5-star place in London or New York. One love to the whole team, we’ll be back ❤️

The room was spacious, nicely designed, and great. The rest of the hotel facilities didn’t match its quality, though, and the food was disappointing and expensive for what this hotel is. The menu never changes, and the quality doesn’t come close to hotels in a similar price range, like Rockhouse Hotel. Staff are very nice, but service can be slow and inefficient. There isn’t much to do nearby beyond 3-4 days, in my opinion, yet the hotel often requires a full week’s minimum stay. The weather varies a lot, and the hotel’s position means you only get limited hours of direct sun. For beach time, nearby beaches cost $40-50/day per person, while the hotel’s own beach is small and poorly equipped. In my opinion, the current Google rating reflects the lack of alternatives in the area. Looking back, I wouldn’t stay here again.

The cove at the villa was one of the highlights for us, but getting there means going down 270 steps, so it isn’t suitable for guests with limited mobility. We spent three nights at Sansan Villa, which was clean, spacious, and very quiet. The sea at sunrise was breathtaking, with birdsong in the morning, and we enjoyed relaxing in the well-maintained private pool in the afternoons and evenings. The staff were welcoming and attentive, and our room service order came quickly. The food was delicious, especially the complimentary Jamaican breakfast. The menu has limited choices for vegetarians. Geejam Hotel is a lovely choice if you’re after peace, privacy, and beautiful views in Portland. I’d definitely return.