In a momentous announcement from the Michelin Guide, several of Jamaica’s most celebrated hotels have been awarded the prestigious 2025 Michelin Keys, the travel world’s equivalent of the coveted Michelin Star for restaurants. This marks the FIRST time the awards have been given to properties outside of North America and Europe, a historic milestone for the island nation and the wider Caribbean region.
The award recognizes the most exceptional hotels in the world, selected by anonymous inspectors based on five criteria: excellence in architecture and design, quality and consistency of service, personality and character, value for price, and contribution to their local setting.
Among the honored properties are:
The Caves Hotel
The Caves (Negril)
A restaurant and a bar set within a cave, creating a unique dining experience.
Michelin Keys: Two Keys, indicating an “exceptional stay”.
Location and atmosphere: An adults-only, all-inclusive resort perched on the dramatic limestone cliffs of Negril’s West End. Its intimate, private, and romantic setting is built around naturally formed volcanic caves and lush vegetation.
Key features:
Unique, handcrafted wood and stone thatched-roof cottages.
Pathways leading to sundecks and grottos with stunning views and pools.
Ladder access for swimming and snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea.
Rockhouse Hotel
Rockhouse Hotel (Negril)
An award-winning spa offering therapeutic treatments.
Michelin Keys: One Key, signifying a “very special stay… a true gem with its own character and personality”.
Location and atmosphere: Set on the cliffs of Negril since 1974, the hotel is known for its organic design and rustic charm, which blends seamlessly with the natural landscape.
Key features:
40 rooms and villas set on an eight-acre property overlooking Pristine Cove.
Outdoor showers and a unique, cliff-side stone pool.
A focus on old-school reggae music and a calming, tropical design aesthetic.
GoldenEye
Goldeneye (Oracabessa)
A variety of dining options, from gourmet fare to beachside barbecues.
Michelin Keys: One Key, designated as a “very special stay”.
Location and atmosphere: The former estate of James Bond author Ian Fleming, the resort retains a casual, low-key vibe with an “undercurrent of colonial-era gentility”. It overlooks a private beach and lagoon.
Key features:
The original villas where Fleming wrote his Bond novels are still on the property.
49 rooms, villas, and beach huts designed with a contemporary, classic, and secluded feel.
Freshwater and saltwater pools and a lagoon-side spa.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Round Hill Hotel & Villas (Montego Bay)
A wide range of recreational activities, including water sports and tennis.
Michelin Keys: Awarded a Key, recognizing it as one of the world’s most exceptional places to stay.
Location and atmosphere: An exclusive and discreet private club set on a 110-acre peninsula, offering timeless elegance and a history of hosting celebrities.
Key features:
Ralph Lauren-designed oceanfront rooms and villas, many with private pools.
An 18th-century plantation house converted into an award-winning spa.
Fine dining that uses ingredients from the resort’s own organic garden.
Geejam Hotel
Geejam Hotel (Port Antonio)
A private beach, an infinity swimming pool, and spa services.
Michelin Keys: Awarded a Key for its truly exceptional stay.
Location and atmosphere: Situated in San San, near Port Antonio, this hotel is described as an “insider escape”. It perfectly balances ultra-modern technology with the grace of the natural landscape.
Key features:
A world-class, state-of-the-art recording studio on-site.
Hip open-air restaurants, including the Bushbar, that serve Jamaican and Asian fusion cuisine.
Accommodations are a mix of villas, cabins, and suites.
A Historic Moment for Jamaica
The inclusion of these Jamaican resorts in the inaugural global Key selection is being celebrated as a major win for the country’s tourism sector. The expansion of the Michelin Guide’s reach to include destinations like Jamaica highlights the country’s growing reputation as a luxury travel destination and a hub for authentic, world-class hospitality.
“This one really came out of nowhere—never in a million years did I imagine we’d be recognised by the same organisation that gives out Michelin Stars,” wrote Jon Baker of Geejam Hotel on social media. He added that the moment was “a historic moment for Jamaica and a reflection of how far this country has come”.
Representatives from the hotels expressed their pride in receiving the accolade. The Caves shared on Instagram that the award was a “symbol of exceptional hospitality, design, and character” and noted their honor in seeing Jamaica “shining brightly” on the global stage. Rockhouse Hotel noted that the One Key rating perfectly captured the property’s character as “a true gem with its own character and personality”.
Global Significance of the 2025 Keys
The Michelin Keys, first introduced in 2024 for select regions, were expanded in 2025 to include hotels across all countries covered by the Michelin Guide. This inaugural global list spanned 2,457 hotels across 26 countries, demonstrating the guide’s commitment to creating a comprehensive travel resource that includes hotels of all styles and budgets.
The new keys signify the guide’s ongoing mission to help travelers discover unique and exceptional experiences. As one recipient noted, the award affirms a dedication to excellence and genuine hospitality. For Jamaica, this recognition puts its distinctive style of luxury and vibrant culture firmly on the world map for discerning travelers.
