When it comes to romantic getaways, there’s one place that my husband and I always dream of and keep coming back to: Strawberry Hill in Jamaica. Tucked away in the Blue Mountains, this little piece of heaven feels worlds away from everyday life. From the Cayman Islands, it’s just a quick direct flight on Cayman Airways, making it the perfect escape when we need a dose of tranquility and romance.
Our stay at Bird Hill
We’ve stayed at Strawberry Hill twice now, once as a romantic getaway and once as our babymoon, and both times we stayed in the Bird’s Hill cottage. Bird’s Hill is a cozy, one-bedroom cottage and it is absolute mountain perfection. It has a large covered porch and its own private gazebo, both are excellent places to sip your coffee while soaking in the breathtaking views over the mountains and into Kingston.
Inside Bird’s Hill, there is a small kitchenette, a nice touch when you want to stay in and relax. It’s stocked with delicious Blue Mountain coffee, so mornings start with that rich, bold flavour while you take in the misty mountain views. There’s also no TV in the room, which, in my opinion, is the best part. It’s the perfect excuse to unplug and unwind. We always bring a book, and a few games with us, Scrabble and dominoes are our go-tos and spend our evenings playing and chatting without distraction. Now that we have our daughter we realise what a luxury doing anything without distraction is!
Dining at Strawberry Hill
One of the best parts about staying at Strawberry Hill is the on-site restaurant. The food is absolutely incredible, and it’s a good thing because your dining options are limited once you’re up there. The menu features a mix of traditional Jamaican and international-fusion dishes, and the flavours are just as vibrant as the views. You can’t go wrong with their Jamaican breakfast, brunch or provisions for the land and sea for dinner.
Explore the area
If you want to explore the area, Strawberry Hill can help arrange guided hikes or you can head off on your own to nearby sights. St. Mark’s Chapel, is a short 20-minute hike to the tiny hamlet of Redlight, where the British built a church in the early 1800’s, as the gravestones testify. Craving an in-depth caffeine fix? Tour one of the coffee estates dotting the blue mountains. The concierge at Strawberry Hill can provide you more information and maps to help you get where you are going.
Why Strawberry Hill is so special
There’s something truly magical about disconnecting from the world and immersing yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of Strawberry Hill. Whether it’s sipping coffee on the gazebo, enjoying an intimate dinner at the restaurant, swimming in the pool, or exploring the property, it’s the kind of place that lets you reconnect with each other and just breathe.
If you’re craving a romantic escape that’s just a quick flight from Grand Cayman, I can’t recommend Strawberry Hill enough. It’s the perfect mix of relaxation, romance, and a touch of adventure, and it’s one of those places that just leaves you feeling refreshed and reconnected every time.
Mama Tips:
- Hire a driver through the hotel, they handle the logistics and the driver collects you from the airport.
- Ask your driver to stop at Devon House for patties.
- Depending on what time you get in, you may have time to spare before check-in. Both times we’ve visited, we’ve made a point to stop at Devon House in Kingston on the way up the mountain to pick up Jamaican patties. They’re perfect for a quick snack or even a casual dinner in the cottage, and since Bird Hill has a kitchenette, it’s easy to stash a few away for later. Trust me, after a long day of relaxing, you’ll be glad you brought them!
Boarding Pass Mama 