{"id":4177,"date":"2022-06-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websites4demo.com\/magazine-new\/articles\/montego-bay-magnificence-at-round-hill-hotel-villas-jamaica\/"},"modified":"2024-11-09T10:56:47","modified_gmt":"2024-11-09T10:56:47","slug":"montego-bay-magnificence-at-round-hill-hotel-villas-jamaica","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/websites4demo.com\/magazine-new\/montego-bay-magnificence-at-round-hill-hotel-villas-jamaica\/","title":{"rendered":"Montego Bay Magnificence at Round Hill Hotel & Villas Jamaica"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Caribbean Island Resort Has Hosted Royalty, the Kennedy’s and Hollywood’s A-List Elite
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\u201cOut of Many One People.\u201d This is Jamaica\u2019s multiracial roots-driven national motto that\u00a0is represented\u00a0on the country\u2019s\u00a0Coat of Arms<\/a>.\u00a0It is this spirit of togetherness\u2014of united \u201coneness\u201d irrespective of race, class, religion age or gender\u2014that has helped Jamaica endure as a revered tourism destination decade after decade.\u00a0Indeed, this hugely hospitable 4,411 square mile Caribbean Island attracts throngs of visitors to its cities, coasts, rivers and mountain ranges each year.<\/p>\n

One of my personal favorite regions attracting tropics-oriented travelers the world over is Montego Bay. As Jamaica\u2019s second largest city, this revered destination has evolved into a tourism beacon reportedly boasting the country\u2019s largest number of hotel rooms. This, in addition to a spectacularly wide range of sports activities, attractions, restaurants, shopping and entertainment options. This city, the capital of Saint James Parish on Jamaica\u2019s north coast, also serves as a major cruise ship port and boasts numerous beach resorts and private villas.<\/p>\n

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While prolific with hotel, resort and villa accommodations, one luxury area property stands in a class of its own:\u00a0Round Hill Hotel and Villas<\/a>. Situated on a lush 110-acre peninsula just west of Montego Bay, this storied boutique resort boasts a historical, celebrity-laden pedigree upheld only by the\u00a0best-in-class. Having recently experienced my own private villa getaway at the destination, I learned first-hand why Hollywood, sports and political A-listers from around the globe flock to this private oasis\u2014one offering guests a secluded, service-focused experience in luxurious island accommodations mere steps away from some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n

In addition to the 36 Ralph Lauren-designed oceanfront guest rooms in the \u201cPineapple House\u201d section of the property, Round Hill also notably boasts a selection of 26 private two-to-six-bedroom Villas\u2014most with private pools. Each comes equipped with its own dedicated staff that will prepare daily breakfast and caters to other guests needs.<\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

I had the decidedly good fortune of staying in\u00a0Villa 16<\/a>\u2014a spectacularly appointed, sprawling private accommodation with a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea and mountains beyond. This premium luxury villa is one of the largest on property, featuring six of Round Hill\u2019s largest and most expansive suites that, all combined, accommodate up to 14 people quite comfortably.<\/p>\n

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This private island paradise, replete with landscaped tropical gardens, is the epitome of indoor\/outdoor living whether wining and dining, lounging or slumbering.\u00a0 Its expansive pool and surrounding deck is outfitted in classic blue and white lounge chairs, umbrellas and a gazebo. Other favorite features among the various rooms are two lower level bedrooms with see-through windows that peek into the pool; an open-air game room with a pool table, ping pong table and wet bar; my own upper floor private master suite with a central balcony proffering magnificent sunset views; and a detached guesthouse with its own private infinity plunge pool. Lavish appointments like four poster beds, marble bathrooms and thoughtfully curated art further the multi-sensory experience.<\/p>\n

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So utterly spellbound by the Round Hill surroundings and staff, I endeavored to connect with Josef Forstmayr\u2014the property\u2019s Managing Director, who, in this role, has been welcoming guests to the property since 1989. Forstmayr was kind enough to share a bit of his own perspective on what makes this property unique and enduringly beloved by so many.<\/p>\n

\"one<\/p>\n

MK: First, let me ask\u00a0who\u00a0Round Hill caters to. Who do you feel is your target or ideal clientele?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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JF:<\/strong>\u00a0Round Hill has a legacy of creating lifelong guests and we continually strive to serve as a haven for our guests to return to time and\u00a0time again.\u00a0Given the intimacy of our facilities and the privacy that our villas and other accommodations provide, our ideal clientele consists of guests and families that are looking for the solitude and creature comforts of a home away from home. We appeal to couples, groups of friends and multigenerational families who seek luxury seclusion, while our staff provides a welcoming charm that makes guests feel as if they are part of the Round Hill family. Rather than \u201cone and done\u201d experiences, we want our guests to create a tradition of frequenting Round Hill and passing that down for generations to come.<\/p>\n

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MK: What are a few aspects of the property that set it apart from other comparable private villa and luxury resort options in the area?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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JF:<\/strong>\u00a0For one, the legacy and heritage of our villas through the decades sets them apart from other seemingly similar options on the island. Round Hill and its villas stand alone for having hosted countless icons, such as John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, Ian Fleming, Sir Noel Coward, Errol Flynn and Ian Fleming to name a few\u2014and even royalty. Each villa has so many rich stories to tell, which guests are able to connect with during their stay and become a part of that rich and storied history. Second, our staff goes out of their way to not only provide premium levels of service, but also forge meaningful interpersonal connections with guests.\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0been told time and again that the staff\u2019s gracious hospitality and warm spirits are a major reason that guests continually return to Round Hill.\u00a0Also, our resort\u2019s familial spirit and culture of \u201ctogetherness\u201d truly sets Round Hill apart, which is the culmination of many unique factors: The history that founders John and Liz Pringle forged since the 1950s; the countless icons that have frequented the resort; our conscientious staff; our majestic surroundings; and more. When guests stay at Round Hill, they are not just staying at a luxury resort but one that allows them to embrace and immerse themselves in a deep and meaningful cultural experience.<\/p>\n

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MK: The pandemic obviously presented its fair share of challenges for everyone in the travel and tourism sector. How will Round Hill continue to navigate associated difficulties?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Beach<\/p>\n

JF:<\/strong>\u00a0Round Hill\u00a0was built\u00a0with privacy and seclusion in mind, so\u00a0our pristine villas and discrete facilities naturally lend themselves to notions of social and physical distancing that were spurred by the pandemic.\u00a0So, we\u2019re already perfectly designed and positioned for guests who are desiring the ability to limit interactions with others and practice physical distancing \u2026 not just in-room, but across our expansive property. Additionally,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0continued to adhere to the health and safety protocols our team introduced at the height of the pandemic to ensure both our guests\u2019 and staff health and safety, while also adapting to changing government guidelines and regulations to ensure utmost compliance.<\/p>\n

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To help assure guest health and safety up ahead, and confidence related thereto, we will continue to put an emphasis on privacy and seclusion, which have always been part of our property\u2019s value proposition, as well as following our own rigorous health and safety programming and protocols. Additionally, relative to points of service, Round Hill continues to offer guests the convenience and privacy of on-site COVID-19 testing led by an area physician to help them align with any ongoing global travel requirements, and we have isolation protocols at-the-ready on-property for any guests who may test positive.<\/p>\n

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Especially in a post pandemic world, we want to emphasize secluded luxury; the privacy our property affords to guests in combination with our staff\u2019s exceptional dedication and attention to detail that, all combined,\u00a0provides\u00a0a seamless and exclusive guest experience.<\/p>\n

\"breakfast<\/strong><\/p>\n

MK: An increasing amount of attention\u00a0is being paid\u00a0to \u201csocially responsible travel\u201d and I know Round Hill is mindful of this. Can you share a bit about Round Hill\u2019s own practices?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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JF:<\/strong>\u00a0The property\u2019s dedication to social and environmental responsibility is something that the resort has always been committed to, but it is not always something guests see when they stay with us. Round Hill has many eco-friendly initiatives in-place to reduce the property\u2019s carbon footprint and preserve the surrounding nature and wildlife.\u00a0Key priorities include waste reduction energy efficiency, farm-to-table consumption and localized purchasing.\u00a0For example.\u00a0our\u00a0culinary team uses many herbs, vegetables and fruits that are grown in the property\u2019s very own organic garden without using harsh pesticides. Other vegetables, like kale and arugula,\u00a0are purchased\u00a0directly from local schools, which grow them with the help of the local One Love Foundation\u2019s School Yard Garden Project. The property also works closely with Seascape Caribbean, which helps preserve the local coral reefs. The organization helps train local\u00a0fisherman\u00a0to become coral gardeners, helping to rebuild those ecosystems, which are so vital to the island.<\/p>\n

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Other examples of our \u201cgreen\u201d practices include the use of photocells and CFL\u2019s where appropriate; use of natural ventilation and ceiling fans rather than relying upon energy-intensive air conditioning; timers on all pool pumps to reduce utilization of electricity; reduced use of paper napkins, straws and coasters to eliminate unnecessary waste; a linen re-use program at the discretion of our guests; and utilization of our own wastewater treatment plant to collect all waste on our property.<\/p>\n

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MK: Any interesting or unexpected facts about the property?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"looking<\/p>\n

JF:<\/strong>\u00a0Well, there are many, but one fun fact that people might not know is that the famed movie \u201cHow Stella Got Her Groove Back<\/em>\u201d starring Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Whoopi Goldberg and Regina King, among other A-listers, was filmed at Round Hill. Our spectacular\u00a0Villa 11<\/a>\u00a0served as the backdrop for part of the film. Famed American fashion designer, philanthropist and billionaire\u00a0businessman\u00a0Ralph Lauren, who owns multiple of our villas, not only designed the Cocktail Bar but also the d\u00e9cor of our collection of hotel rooms.<\/p>\n

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Relative to the property\u2019s origin, it was originally a part of Lord Monson\u2019s Round Hill Estate, which was a sugarcane plantation. The plantation grew coconuts and pimento before Jamaica-born entrepreneur John Pringle turned the property into his dream boutique resort. This it has become for throngs of others since.\u00a0And, while Round Hill will always maintain its historical iconic pillar, we are in the process of updating and refreshing our collateral materials and website with an exciting new photo shoot. Our brand new website to\u00a0be launched\u00a0this year.<\/p>\n

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MK: Having served as Round Hill\u2019s Managing Director since 1989, what is your own personal favorite aspect of the property?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

JF:<\/strong>\u00a0The people. It may be clich\u00e9 to say, but the people truly\u00a0make Round Hill what it is. The staff consistently upholds the resort\u2019s standard of luxury, while having fun and creating an unmatched atmosphere of excitement and happiness. Round Hill\u2019s guests come with an open-minded attitude looking to experience everything the resort has to offer;\u00a0especially different cultural offerings, and to feel wholly taken care of. Without our\u00a0world-class\u00a0staff and distinctive brand of island hospitality, Round Hill would not be the iconic destination it is.<\/p>\n

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This caliber of award-winning service is not by accident. Rather, our property team\u2014even those who have been with the resort for many years\u2014not only receives ongoing training from our own property leaders, but also from a number of other companies we bring in to reinforce training on how to exceed guest expectations. Round Hill has always been known as a resort with warm and friendly staff who go\u00a0above and beyond\u00a0for our guests, which is why our repeat guest factor is so high.<\/p>\n

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As well, we are always finding ways to incorporate the latest technology into the guest experience in an organic way to add and elevate convenience. We recently launched a new mobile app, for instance, that allows for a\u00a0more seamless\u00a0arrival and on-property experience, where guests can complete a mobile check-in, make pre-arrival requests and learn more about on-property programming both before and during their stay.<\/p>\n

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We are also continually evolving our amenities to cater to changing guest demands. For example, given the rise in requests for pickleball, we recently decided to convert two of our tennis courts into pickleball courts to provide an extra activity that our guests can enjoy on-property.<\/p>\n

\"a<\/p>\n

We also look for new ways to enhance the arrival and departure experience for travelers. As one case in point, guests staying in one of our \u201cSignature\u201d or \u201cEstate\u201d Villas also enjoy access to the Club Mobay VIP airport service, whereby a representative will expedite them through the airport upon arrival and departure for a stress-free experience. Club Mobay also provides guests with access to a VIP lounge equipped with snacks and refreshments.<\/p>\n

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In my own personal experience on-site, I can say that Round Hill\u2019s accommodations, d\u00e9cor and amenities blend timeless comfort with state-of-the-art convenience. This, combined with an unrivaled service standard, allows guests to settle into a resort that genuinely feels like their own home-away-from-home\u2014whether vacationing for pleasure or visiting for remote working needs. One stay of your own and\u00a0it\u2019ll\u00a0surely become crystal clear why this dreamy destination has endured for decades as the cr\u00e8me-de-la-cr\u00e8me of a luxury Caribbean Island vacation.<\/p>\n


\nBy Merilee Kern, MBA<\/strong><\/p>\n

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