Five Resorts In Jamaica To Make Music And Find Your Creative Fire
Tourists come to the Caribbean and Jamaica often to get away from their mundane mainland realities and experience sun, sea and rum. For musicians and other creatives, they need experiences beyond the casual straw hat wearers. Artists especially look for inspiration to create magic and find greater truth in the world. To find new ideas creatives go on vacations, retreats, or in the case of Kanye West setting up shop in Wyoming or the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Here in Jamaica, however, there are several creative hot spots that are known to help artists, filmmakers, and writers find the inspiration they need with a balance of nature and modern luxuries. Here is a list of the top 5 preferred resorts in Jamaica for musicians, film makers, and other creatives.
5. Treasure Beach
Located on the southwestern end of the island, Treasure beach is best known for its seclusion and for hosting the annual Calabash Literary Festival. You will find in this countryside hideaway that there are several Villas with a cosmopolitan aesthetic. Whether you want to experience a modern city-style loft by the seaside or you desire to have a private chef serving lobster and cocktails overlooking the mountains while you focus on creating, Treasure Beach is ideal for you. There are several options for creative, energetic people who just need to get away from the noise pollution and indulge as a traveler, not just as a tourist. For the sports enthusiast, they can find a Tennis Court built by Venus and Serena Williams nearby.
4. Strawberry Hill
Strawberry Hill was where Bob Marley went to relax immediately after he was shot at his home on Hope Road prior to his now historic Smile Jamaica Concert.
A photo fresh location owned by Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell, Strawberry Hill overlooks the city of Kingston with an eagle’s eye view. Legend has it that Strawberry Hill got its name from the 4th Earl of Orford, Horace Walpole who was an English writer, art historian and a man of letters. Also the first owner. He concluded that amidst the hot and sunny Jamaica the surroundings and temperature in Irish Town, St Andrew were ideal for growing strawberries. The cool perspective allows you to see the hot moving city from a calm space. Imagine if there was a hill in New York overlooking Manhattan where you are able to have breakfast, lunch and dinner looking at the empire state building and the Statue Of Liberty in one picture. Kingston is not exactly New York City but the psychological and spiritual effect is somewhat the same. The lights will inspire you on one side and the mountains will bring out the calmness you desire to create and make music with truth.
3. Golden Eye
Goldeneye once owned by Bob Marley, is the original name of writer Ian Flemming’s estate on Oracabessa Bay on the northern coastline of Jamaica. Fleming’s visitors at the original Goldeneye included actors, musicians, and filmmakers. He wrote all the Bond films there including the first Bond Novel, the original Casino Royale. Dr. No and Live and Let Die, were also filmed near the estate at the place now known as Goldeneye Hotel and Resort. Being on a property with such creative energy immediately feels refreshing and you may run into other top flight creators who have permanent residence there. The lake by your cottage room will be a plus.
2. Rio Chico
Dubbed “Holy Mountain” By DJ Khaled who has used the location to make music, shoot music videos and enjoy quality time with his family. Rio Chico is one of the most exquisite locations in Jamaica for creatives who want to experience privacy and luxury. Owned by the Sandals Group, the 14 acre estate is a work of art. There is an infinity pool, a hidden sanctuary pool, a sundeck pool and a nature river pool. A now famous meme by DJ Khaled shows him having lobster as the river water runs on his feet. This Villa however is for creatives who won’t mind spending between USD$77,000 – US$150,000 per week to find inspiration for their next hit song, novel or film.
1. Geejam
Located in one of the best places on Earth, Portland Jamaica, Geejam itself is one of the best places within one of the best places on Earth. As soon as you pass the sign that says “Welcome To Portland” you will find a difference in the atmosphere from wherever you are coming from. Whether you choose to enter via helicopter or by the highway, entering Geejam is like entering the gates of heaven for creativity. The place where Rihanna and Drake have made some of their hits, Geejam has its own top-quality music studio. Owned by former record label executives and music producer Jon Baker and Steve Beaver, Geejam has several top-quality villas with service and food fit for creatives. With their own farmlands and nearby Caribbean sea, all the food is grown in-house and the daily catch is presented fresh on your table. They have the newly built, more affordable but luxurious Rhumba rooms or if you care to indulge in a more private escape the Cocosan Villa is ideal. Other than the Geejam private beach and Poolside Bush Bar ,the surrounding community has Blue Lagoon which has the deepest waters this side of the world, and the famous Frenchman’s Cove where several blockbuster movies and music videos were filmed. The creative energy of Portland and Geejam will certainly help you to turn out the hits using the same Piano Alicia Keys used.