GoldenEye, the Jamaican home of author Ian Fleming and the birthplace of the James Bond novels, is being remodeled and will open to the public on 10/10/10.
Now owned by Chris Blackwell, the man behind Island Records, GoldenEye is a place with a rich history. Fleming was sent to Jamaica during the war, the operative of Naval Intelligence in an investigation of Caribbean U-boat activity. He fell in love with the place, bought a piece of land in Oracabessa Bay and proceeded to build his dream home. He named it GoldenEye, after a naval operation he had been working on. It was here he dreamed up James Bond, 007 and penned all 14 of the Bond novels. His writing desk, in fact, is on the property to this day.
GoldenEye encompasses Fleming’s original home but it now is a complex of villas. Blackwell, who owns the Island Outpost family of resorts, has built five original villas in addition to the Fleming Villa, which accommodates 10 and has access to Fleming’s own private beach, as well as 11 new Beach Cottages and six new Lagoon Suites. The 52-acre property is built around a lagoon and is landscaped with gorgeous gardens, for a deliciously tropical experience. The Lagoon Suites appear to be floating over the lagoon and feature a private dock and outdoor lounge area. The Beach Cottages are situated directly on the private beach. For larger groups, and Fleming aficionados, the Fleming Villa is definitely the accommodation of choice. It features the original three-bedroom home plus two new cottages, a private pool, sunken garden, and all the romance associated with the home’s history. It’s the perfect place to unwind with a martini, shaken, not stirred.
Reservations are being accepted now, and rates start at $560 (off-season) or $840 (high season).
The view from Fleming Villa onto Fleming’s private beach
Facebook Comments