Round Hill Hotel and Villas is a spot famed as much for its celeb guests (including Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex) as it is for the gorgeous rooms designed by Ralph Lauren and views.
Harry and Meghan stayed in a premium luxury villa two years ago for the wedding of Harry’s close friend Tom ‘Skipp’ Inskip.
The 8,024 sq ft two-story building features a detached guesthouse, 6 bedrooms, indoor/outdoor living room, 3 private pools, and more.
Here is FEMAIL’s guide to the idyllic island hideaway, and an inside look at the lavish cottage the royal couple stayed in.
Hot spot: Round Hill Hotel and Villas is a spot famed as much for its celeb guests (including Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex) as it is for the gorgeous rooms and views
Designer touch: Ralph Lauren lent his famous style and design eye to redefine Round Hill
Their secret getaway: Cottage 16 is where Harry and Meghan stayed two years ago for a destination wedding
Cottage 16 is where Harry and Meghan stayed two years ago for a destination wedding.
The 8,024 sq ft two-story building features a detached guesthouse, 6 bedrooms, indoor/outdoor living room, private pool, outdoor patio, open-air game room and more.
It is considered a premium luxury villa, designed to offer spacious comfort and truly maximize indoor/outdoor living, with upscale amenities.
The incredible views and landscaped tropical gardens must have made the royal couple feel like they were on their own private island.
Harry and Meghan’s room: The couple stayed in Cottage 16 for the wedding of Prince Harry’s close friend Tom ‘Skipp’ Inskip
Spacious: The two-story building features a detached guesthouse, 6 bedrooms, indoor/outdoor living room, private pool, outdoor patio, open-air game room and more
Far from home: The incredible views and landscaped tropical gardens must have made the royal couple feel like they were on their own private island
One with nature: Each Premium Luxury Villa has been custom designed to offer spacious comfort and truly maximize indoor/outdoor living
No two are the same: The villas are uniquely designed and exclusively decorated with artifacts from past travels, one-of-a-kind pieces and custom artwork
Plenty of room: There was plenty of space for the couple in the 8,024 sq ft cottage
Party spot: The detached guesthouse comes with it’s own infinity pool
CHIC PARADISE
Managing Director, Josef Forstmayr, spoke to Daily Mail’s US Style Director, Pandora Amoratis, about how he and American designer, Ralph Lauren, worked together to revive the Jamaican property and turn it into a year-round resort.
Josef has been with Round Hill for 30 years, and asked Ralph, who bought his first villa in 1985, if he’d lend his famous style and design eye to redefine the hotel.
Nestled on the shores of Round Hill Bay, the 110-acre oceanfront resort boasts 36 guestrooms — all designed by Ralph Lauren, and 27 luxury villas with private pools.
The passion project began with a bar revamp followed by hotel rooms.
‘Because Round Hill is so unique, and the nature so beautiful, you don’t need to impress people with décor,’ said the acclaimed fashion designer.
‘You just need to keep it simple and let them have views into the gardens and to nature.’
Think crisp white interiors punctuated with pops of cobalt blue, teak wood four-poster beds, wicker, white cabanas and checkerboard tile porches.
Whether you’re in full vacation mode, on a honeymoon or planning the family getaway of a lifetime, Round Hill Hotels and Villas has everything you need for an unforgettable island retreat.
Happy place: Whether you’re in full vacation mode, on a honeymoon or planning the family getaway of a lifetime, Round Hill Hotels and Villas has everything you need for an unforgettable island retreat
Upgrade: Nestled on the shores of Round Hill Bay, the 110-acre oceanfront resort boasts 36 guestrooms — all designed by Ralph Lauren, and 27 luxury villas with private pools
Simplicity: ‘Because Round Hill is so unique, and the nature so beautiful, you don’t need to impress people with décor,’ said Ralph
Ralph bought his first home called High Rock on the highest point of the resort over 30 years ago, but as his family grew he purchased a second cottage, White Orchid.
Before him, it was the vacation home of socialite Babe Paley and her husband Bill.
His love for the resort served as inspiration for his spring 2018 ready to wear collection and New York Fashion Week show.
In full vacation mode, models (some barefoot) walked through a cabana that resembled his Jamaica villa, and down a runway made of a blue plexiglass reminiscent of a lap-sized pool.
The designer’s home: Ralph bought his first home called High Rock on the highest point of the resort over 30 years ago, but as his family grew he purchased a second cottage, White Orchid
Muse: Round Hill was Ralph’s inspiration for his spring 2018 ready to wear collection
INSTA-INFINITY
I could have lingered all day at the resort’s infinity pool. It’s become an insta-icon, with its walkway showing up on the most followed feeds.
The pool, poised atop a ledge overlooking the brilliant turquoise Caribbean is truly like finding eternity.
It was designed facing the ocean to appear as an endless body of water.
Do not leave the hotel without taking an old-school glamour shot on the small dock with a ladder where Grace Kelly used to pose.
Need a little pinup modeling inspiration? Stroll over to the bar area where vintage black and white photos of high-profile guests line the walls.
Influencer approved: The resort’s infinity pool has become an insta-icon, with its walkway showing up on the most followed feeds
Get the shot: Do not leave without taking your pic on the small dock with a ladder where Grace Kelly used to pose
Who’s who: Vintage black and white photos of high-profile guests in the public areas reflect old-school glamour
HISTORIC HOSPITALITY
Concierge, Kingsley Blake, has worked at the hotel since 1974. He wears a teal suit and a smile to welcome guests to the property and caters to each and every one.
John F. Kennedy, Paul Newman and Paul McCartney have all stayed here. The entire resort is steeped in timeless elegance, award-winning hospitality and captivating tropical delights.
Look for the local artisan who’s been handcrafting and selling his one-of-a-kind straw baskets, handbags and trays for over 48 years.
Employee of the year: Concierge, Kingsley Blake, has worked at the hotel since 1974. He wears a teal suit and a smile to welcome guests to the property and caters to each and every one
Souvenir: Look for the local artisan who’s been handcrafting and selling his one-of-a-kind straw baskets, handbags and trays for over 48 years
GARDENS OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Originally a sugarcane plantation and home to pineapple groves, coconuts and allspice, the hillside peninsula is just 20 minutes from the airport but feels a world apart.
There’s an underwater coral garden and glass bottom boat tour, organic fruit and spice gardens that serve the award-winning, on-site restaurants and private cooks.
I recommend the coconut pancakes and fresh fruit to start your day.
Home grown: There’s an underwater coral garden and glass bottom boat tour, organic fruit and spice gardens that serve the award-winning, on-site restaurants and private cooks
Good morning: I recommend the coconut pancakes and fresh fruit to start your day
Relax and unwind: Built in a former seaside plantation house accessible via a walking path along the shoreline, the Spa at Round Hill is one of the most standout in Jamaica
One of a kind: I found out they make their own massage oils, using essential oils of Jamaican lemongrass, sweet orange and lavender
STUNNING SPA TREATMENTS
No stay at a world-class resort would be complete without a spa treatment.
Built in a former seaside plantation house accessible via a walking path along the shoreline, the Spa at Round Hill is one of the most standout in Jamaica.
You can get treatments, take a yoga class, play tennis, lie in a hammock or take a dip in the ocean.
Whatever your pleasure, the laid-back spa is an old-world experience to relax and restore.
I found out they make their own massage oils, using essential oils of Jamaican lemongrass, sweet orange and lavender.
There is also a Pineapple Kids Club to accommodate families.
Ocean view rooms start at $439/night in the summer and $800/night in the winter, while suites are priced at approximately $800/night in the summer and $1,500/night in the winter.
Take a break from the little ones: There is also a Pineapple Kids Club to accommodate families