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Island Outpost Bahamas

ISLAND OUTPOST, Jamaica, The Bahamas

Island Outpost is a collection of five distinct small hotels, all located either in Jamaica or The Bahamas. Created by Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and Palm Pictures, Island Outpost creates unforgettable environments reminiscent of staying at a good friend’s home. For more information visit for all other countries. A breakdown of the properties follows:

Pink Sands, Harbour Island, The Bahamas

Expect understated chic at the Pink Sands on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, where the beach is a swathe of rosy powder. The 25 pastel cottages may have a hot designer - and an even hotter celebrity guest list - but this resort is all about the privacy. Celebs are said to flock here, but the management remains mum and this retreat maintains its relaxed air, far from the paparazzi and maddening crowds. Lush tropical vegetation twines across this 20-acre haven: coconut palms, hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine and ground orchids flourish here. The area is even designated as an official bird sanctuary. Smaller rooms boast Art-Deco flourishes, while larger ones turn to Indonesia for inspiration. Local artwork and batik fabrics enhance these cheerful, colorful cottages. This beachfront estate stands beside its namesake, the glamorous and legendary three-mile strip of pink sands. Pink Sands isn't the place to stargaze. Rather it's a chance to enter the constellation and shine.

Strawberry Hill, Blue Mountains, Jamaica

Set on a former coffee estate, Strawberry Hill offers sweeping views of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, all bathed in lush mountain mists. Twelve airy cottages cluster beside the Caribbean’s only Aveda Concept Spa, located at the resort. Wood-shingled and gracious, the architecture reflects the original nineteenth-century buildings that once stood here with cooling louvers, ceiling fans, fretwork and gables. A 60-foot negative-edge swimming pool, nature trails, bird-watching expeditions and mountain bikes help guests connect with the intense natural beauty of this fertile region, famous the world over for its strong, smooth coffee blends. All rooms and cottages are set on the lower slope of the mountain, thus ensuring complete privacy. The Aveda Concept Spa occupies a private corner with a scenic outlook, a sauna and a plunge pool—small wonder it has been hailed as one of the top 40 spas worldwide. And according to Fodor’s it offers, “Refined luxury with absolute peace.” This luminous 25-acre mountaintop retreat is ideal for the traveler seeking tranquility and peace in a sophisticated setting.

Goldeneye, Oracabessa, Jamaica

Be shaken – not stirred – by the splendor of James Bond’s birthplace. Dashing 007 originated at this 15-acre seaside hideaway, which blossomed around the home of Ian Fleming, who wrote 13 spy novels here. The author delighted in the landscape’s richness and praised “the blazing sunshine, natural beauty and the most healthy life I could live.” Today, Fleming’s retreat is a boutique resort laced with beaches, tropical forest, caves and secluded nooks. Intimate and informal, this idyll attracts celebrities and other lovers of luxury. Four villas stand on a bluff over the Caribbean Sea, while Fleming’s former home overlooks a secluded cove. Stars and every traveler alike appreciate Goldeneye for its warm, welcoming atmosphere—it feels like staying in the home of a good friend. The unobtrusive staff provides five-star service while maintaining the mellow island vibe. Best of all, the villas’ privacy allows holidays to unfold graciously, far from the spotlight ... which was the very reason Fleming fell for this estate, full of “peace and silence and cut-offness from the madding world.”

Jake’s, Treasure Beach, South Coast, Jamaica

At Jake's, guests and locals mingle cheerfully at this bohemian resort, which celebrates the beachcomber lifestyle. Twenty-three units (with 29 rooms) commune with the garden, sea and sky, near a secluded fishing village. Moroccan domes and arches bloom. Decks skim the waves. Shells, beads and colored glass glitter brightly from walls. Eclectic and exotic. Elemental and eccentric. Sensual and secluded. Adjectives fly fast and thick about Jake's, a mid-range resort that won't install telephones and TVs, but boasts a worldbeat music library, yoga meditation room and, for guests who can't entirely unplug, complimentary Internet service.

The resort's restaurant continues to be a rallying point for islanders and guests alike. Local excursions include trips to YS Falls, mountain biking, herbal steam baths, river tours and manatee watching. A trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to the 'Pelican Bar', dubbed the coolest bar in the Caribbean by those in the know.

The Caves, Negril, Jamaica

At the Caves, the volcanic cliff is honeycombed with grottoes: one strewn with flowers and candlelit for intimate dining, another harboring a bubbling hot tub, some are just portals into the crystal-clear sea below, populated by dolphins, parrot fish and sea turtles. Ten handcrafted cottages nestle into this verdant landscape, crowned by a petite Aveda spa. Serenity does, indeed, hold sway here, where the coral reefs, cliff crags and lush Jamaican vegetation merge. Each cottage is unique, harmoniously blending local wood, stone and thatch. The furnishings reflect the same simple aesthetic: high ceilings soar above custom-made wood and bamboo, brightened by bold island colors. Small wonder The Caves was named the best hotel in the Caribbean by Trip Advisor, a leading travel search site. The exclusive magazine Robb Report also celebrated this resort among the "World’s 10 Great Escapes" in March 2004: "Outside, turquoise water laps languidly against rocky cliffs, recalling the Caribbean before high-tech hotels vanquished the landscape and personal watercraft disturbed the calm."