Every Bond book comes from somewhere, and Fleming’s came from here. GoldenEye, at Oracabessa in St Mary parish, Jamaica, was his home, and it is where he wrote fourteen of his Bond books. The GoldenEye resort is now a place you can stay, run by Island Outpost, and it keeps the feeling of a writer’s retreat more than a hotel.
In the books
Fleming wrote twelve Bond novels and two short story collections at GoldenEye. It is where the character was created, which is why it belongs with the novels rather than the films. In April 2019 the property was also the venue for the live reveal and cast photocall for Bond 25, a rare moment of the franchise returning to its source.
The details of GoldenEye
Not a conventional hotel. Island Outpost describes GoldenEye as a collection of private villas, cottages and beach huts set in tropical gardens, with private beaches and secluded coves, on a 52-acre site. Wikipedia calls it a compound of tropical buildings rather than a traditional hotel.
Where you sleep. Beach and lagoon villas stand as private houses on the beach or the lagoon, designed by the Jamaican architect Ann Hodges with hardwood floors, high ceilings and an outdoor shower in each garden. Lagoon Cottages have private docks and a kayak for the lagoon. Beach huts are freestanding and open to the air. The Gazebo restaurant and the Bizot Bar are on the estate.
The beach. Low Cay is the main beach at GoldenEye, with about 500 feet of white sand, and the property also has a seawater lagoon, tropical forest and secret coves.
Staying there now
We would choose a lagoon cottage if you swim early, and a beach villa for a longer stay. Groups of ten rooms or more are eligible for special rates. Rates and promotions change by season, so we have linked a Booking.com search for the property; the resort also takes reservations directly at goldeneye.com. If you want the house where Fleming wrote, see the Ian Fleming Villa listing in Travel & Hotels.
Specifications
| Location | Oracabessa, St Mary, Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Operator | Island Outpost |
| Site | 52 acres, private beaches, coves and a seawater lagoon |
| Accommodation | Beach villas, lagoon villas, lagoon cottages, beach huts |
| Fleming link | Home where he wrote fourteen Bond books |
| Direct booking | goldeneye.com |
Rooms and rates are on GoldenEye’s own site.
Questions
Is GoldenEye where Ian Fleming wrote James Bond?
Yes. Fleming wrote twelve Bond novels and two short story collections at his Jamaican home, GoldenEye, at Oracabessa.
Can you stay at GoldenEye?
Yes. It operates as a resort run by Island Outpost, with villas, lagoon cottages and beach huts.
Where is GoldenEye?
At Oracabessa, in St Mary parish, Jamaica.
Was the Bond 25 announcement made at GoldenEye?
Yes. The live reveal and cast photocall for Bond 25 took place there on 25 April 2019.
Next, see the films that followed the books.
