Ravishing Destinations of Jamaica: Historic Mansions
Tropical beaches are the first thing that come to mind when most people think of Jamaica, but there’s so much more to this Caribbean island than its white sands and crystal waters. In fact, if you travel inland, you’ll find there are spectacular historical mansions just waiting to be explored in addition to stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. Here are some of the ravishing destinations you shouldn’t miss in Jamaica as you plan your next vacation.
Bob Marley’s House

A visit to Bob Marley’s house is a must for any fan of reggae music. The house is located in the scenic town of Nine Mile, and is surrounded by lakes and mountains. Bob Marley’s wife, Rita, still lives in the house, and visitors can tour the property and learn about the life of one of the most famous musicians in history. The house is also a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Jamaica.
Whistling Caverns is another scenic area, featuring tall caverns, beautiful lakes and mountains. The region is a great place to get away from it all, as many people report feeling very relaxed in Whistling Caverns. As you stroll along mountain paths and around scenic lakes you can take in all that nature has to offer. Whistling Caverns is also a historic area where many rastafarians reside. Visitors can learn about rastafarianism during tours of some of their interesting churches.
Knutsford Court

In the heart of Kingston, Knutsford Court is a stately mansion that was once the home of Sir Alexander Bustamante, one of Jamaica’s founding fathers. The house is now a museum, and it’s open to the public for tours. The grounds of Knutsford Court are just as beautiful as the mansion itself. The gardens are filled with exotic flowers and there’s even a small pond on the property.
If you’re interested in Jamaican history, Knutsford Court is a must-see. It’s one of the most important historic sites on the island and it offers a rare glimpse into the lives of Jamaica’s wealthy elite. There are also demonstrations on different aspects of life during the colonial era including cooking, dressmaking, traditional games, woodworking and more.
It’s easy to get around Kingston by bus or taxi if you don’t want to worry about finding parking downtown. You can take any bus headed south from Central Park past Hagley Park until you see signs for Knutsford Court You can also head east from downtown past Emancipation Square where Jamaica’s first slave monument sits at King Street in Ocho Rios to Reid Avenue and then turn left onto Camp Road until you reach Reid Hill Road where you’ll find Ravishing Destinations’ gate.
Yorkshire Lane

Just a few miles from downtown Kingston, in the affluent community of Liguanea, is Yorkshire Lane. This private cul-de-sac is home to some of the most historic and beautiful mansions in all of Jamaica. Many of these mansions were built in the early 1900s by wealthy Jamaican families who wanted to escape the heat and bustle of the city. Today, these mansions are still private residences, but some have been opened up to the public for tours. If you’re lucky enough to get a glimpse inside one of these homes, you’ll be amazed by the grandeur and elegance of Jamaican architecture and design.
Another popular landmark in Liguanea is Beaulieu Gardens. Built in 1870 and set atop a limestone hill, this park is one of Kingston’s most iconic sights. A cable car once carried residents up to Beaulieu Gardens from Kingston, but it’s been closed to passengers since 1980. Today, you can still ride to Beaulieu by car or taxi The old cable car station still exists at the bottom of Beaulieu Hill, but today tourists often stop here for a drink or bite to eat at one of its many restaurants before heading up to visit the gardens.
Other landmarks include Highgate Falls and Red Hills, also popular stops for tourists. The area is also home to several luxury hotels, including Verandah Resort & Spa, St. Ann’s Bay Golf Club and Kingston Plantation Resort.
Rose Hall

Rose Hall is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Jamaica. The Great House, also known as the White Witch’s Castle, is a beautiful example of Georgian architecture. Visitors can tour the house and learn about its dark history. The estate also includes a museum, gift shop, and restaurant.
There are nine resorts in Montego Bay, and the Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa is one of them. It is popular among guests who love it for its modern oasis amid the lush palm trees and serene white sand beaches.
The hotel features gorgeous bungalows, each with a patio or terrace that overlooks both forests and beaches. Visitors can enjoy on-site dining at two restaurants, drink rum punch in swim-up bars, take on water sports from their hotel room balconies, play croquet or bocce ball and more.
Located in Kingston, Trelawny, and Montego Bay, each hotel serves fresh seafood dishes like curried conch and jerk chicken or beef ribs. Guests can enjoy water activities like water skiing or windsurfing on 12 miles of beachfront at Hedonism II. There are also rock climbing walls and daily yoga classes.
Red Hills

In addition to the historic mansions, Red Hills is also home to the beautiful Blue Hole Mineral Spring. The spring is located on the grounds of the Worthy Park Great House and is open to visitors for a small fee. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Red Hills, there are several bed and breakfast options available. One popular option is the Strawberry Hill Inn, which is located on the grounds of the Bellefield Great House.
. The Geejam Hotel and Air, a former banana plantation owned by Peter Tosh, is located here as well. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay at Geejam Hotel and Air, it’s worth noting that staying in their cottages at night. But it’s possible to visit without staying overnight. If you only have time for a quick visit, you can grab breakfast at nearby Sugar Hill Cafe or head over to Dolphin Cove Water Park – located within a five-minute drive from Geejam Hotel and Air – where a day pass costs is very nominal.