Family travel writer and former editor of Family Traveller magazine Jane Anderson recalls her joy at taking her two teens to the place where the 007 legacy began, the wonderful Goldeneye in Jamaica. 

“As a travel writer of twenty-something years, every once in a while you come across a hotel that’s built on a creative vision and the coolest of legacies - a place that’s more than the sum of its parts. GoldenEye is one of those!  

 

“The 5-bedroom villa that lies at its heart was the post-war holiday home of Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels. Fleming sketched this dream villa on a desk blotter and named it GoldenEye after a secret WWII mission from his days as a British naval intelligence officer. As a writer, I have the utmost respect for the 2,000 words a day he bashed out on his typewriter, aided no doubt by this idyllic setting, writing 14 novels in total from 14 sojourns. If only all holidays were so productive! 

 

“It’s also been thrilling to see the new Bond movie, A Time to Die, and know that some of it was filmed in Jamaica.  

 

“Under the vision of Island Records owner Chris Blackwell, GoldenEye was reborn as a pioneer of the boutique hotel scene with the beats of Bob Marley and Grace Jones running through its soul. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I got the chance to take my two teenagers there.  

 

“We stayed in Villa 11, a lofty two-bedroom holiday home right on the brackish creek with heavy jalousie shutters, vibrant local fabrics on the beds, pretty tropical garden with outdoor shower and private jetty - the perfect spot for paddleboarding and kayaking. We all adored how time slowed down here as we began the day with Pantrepant callaloo and poached egg at the Bizot Bar before mooching around the beach and lagoon.  

 

“Another memorable day we headed out with Donald from watersports in a glass bottom boat to explore the coral nurseries - all part of the on going reef restoration programme by Blackwell’s Oracabessa Foundation created to serve the local community.  

 

“Goldeneye makes you forget all about your work schedules and school timetables. For a tropical family digital detox with soul, this is the place.” 

• Kayaking around the lagoon at Goldeneye with my teens whooping and playing without a care in the world. 

 

• Spying Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell’s villa across from ours was very exciting. 

 

• Paddleboarding across the lagoon to the FieldSpa for a Redemption Treatment was a definite winner.  

 

• Just strolling round the resort at night was magical, especially the bridge over the lagoon all strung with lights.