Strawberry Hill travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

Leap out of bed and pinch yourself: No, you are not dreaming. That scent of an exotic tropical garden is real, carried in on the cool breeze coming off the Blue Mountains behind you. Strawberry Hill is based around an  eighteenth-century colonial plantation house perched high in the mountains. It belongs to Chris Blackwell, the record producer, who discovered Bob Marley and founded Island Records. Photo by: n_twiglet

Now an elegantly-designed hotel, it is still a popular place for famous musicians, models and the international jet set. The Georgian-style ornate wooden cottages are scattered among the gardens with striking views of the city of Kingston 3,000 feet (915 m) below. Photo by: M.Forrest

French doors open onto spacious private verandas where hand-carved fretwork carefully re-creates nineteenth-century carpentry styles. Inside the bedrooms are like showrooms for the fabrics, crisp white linen, and polished mahogany furniture and floors. Of course, all rooms have a high-quality stereo system, with plenty of Island Records CD’s available to enjoy. Photo by: Skye Hernandez

At meanwhile, explore other decks of the restaurant to enjoy its renowned ‘‘New Jamaican Cuisine”, using local species, sauces and herbs. Chef Kingsley McGregor has developed several trademark dishes that are said to exceeded expectations. Photo by: jsommer16

Location: Blue Mountains, Jamaica. Photo by: nicholaslaughlin