During a recent trip to Jamaica with my extended family, my wife and I managed to steal away to spend some private time at GoldenEye resort on the island’s north coast. One of three Jamaican properties owned by legendary record producer Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, it was the home of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, up until his death, in 1964.

GoldenEye is located close to the town of Oracabessa, which lies a two-hour drive east of the international airport at Montego Bay. (Nearby, the tiny Ian Fleming International Airport takes mainly private planes.) We were welcomed in the Fleming Room, which is a visual homage to the famous author; given a tour of the 49-room property; and then escorted to our Beach Villa. Two welcome drinks — Blackwell Rum and pineapple blended with ice — were delivered promptly.

Our Accommodations

Some of the accommodations have two stories, but ours was a sizable stand-alone one-story, one-bedroom villa, set about 20 yards back from the Caribbean. Its front porch came with a table and a built-in L-shaped banquette. Out front were personal chaises longues and an umbrella.