Green Castle – one of the best eco hotels in Jamaica

  In May 2021, my husband and I booked a 9-day stay at Green Castle Estate for a little getaway and to use some Southwest Airline credits before they expired. We... read more were looking for a place to relax and that would accommodate both photography and birding, our primary interests. Green Castle Estate is an ideal place for finding most of the endemic birds in Jamaica. It is also close enough to spend a day each in the Blue Mountains and on Ecclesdown Road, 2 classic birding spots in Jamaica, to find the rest of the endemics. We were met at the airport in Montego Bay by Morris, our driver, who whisked us off to the estate. We stopped along the way for lunch and continued on our 3-hour drive along the coast. We were met by Richard, the owner, and Lorie, the manager, and given a brief orientation to familiarize us with our room and the other facilities. We were given a more detailed orientation the next day with a review of our itinerary during our stay. All of the staff were friendly and accommodating. They attended to our every need. Our room was cleaned and tidied every day (you can opt not to have this service). There was always water, tea, and coffee available. Lori checked on us a couple of times a day to make sure we had everything we needed. Our room (the Hummingbird Suite) was clean, spacious,... In May 2021, my husband and I booked a 9-day stay at Green Castle Estate for a little getaway and to use some Southwest Airline credits before they expired. We were looking for a place to relax and that would accommodate both photography and birding, our primary interests. Green Castle Estate is an ideal place for finding most of the endemic birds in Jamaica. It is also close enough to spend a day each in the Blue Mountains and on Ecclesdown Road, 2 classic birding spots in Jamaica, to find the rest of the endemics.

We were met at the airport in Montego Bay by Morris, our driver, who whisked us off to the estate. We stopped along the way for lunch and continued on our 3-hour drive along the coast. We were met by Richard, the owner, and Lorie, the manager, and given a brief orientation to familiarize us with our room and the other facilities. We were given a more detailed orientation the next day with a review of our itinerary during our stay.

All of the staff were friendly and accommodating. They attended to our every need. Our room was cleaned and tidied every day (you can opt not to have this service). There was always water, tea, and coffee available. Lori checked on us a couple of times a day to make sure we had everything we needed.

Our room (the Hummingbird Suite) was clean, spacious, and comfortable. It has a large bathroom and plenty of hot water. There was also a roomy closet and dressing area separate from the main bedroom. We were treated to a spectacular view of Annotto Bay every morning when we awakened. There is no air conditioning, and it was hot, but the fan was enough to keep the room a pleasant temperature. We also had nice breezes to cool us off on some days.

We had arranged for both breakfasts and dinners, and the food was excellent. We had something different just about every day, and Philbert, the chef, was creative and accommodated allergy issues. We especially liked his sauces. We could also get lunch with some notice, and we took advantage of that one day. It was also delicious.

The grounds are great for birding, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The trails around the estate house tend to be wide and easy to walk. Some of the trails farther out are a little more overgrown, but still passable. The staff had arranged for Dwayne, a top-notch birding guide, to take us around the property 1-1/2 days including a night walk. They also arranged 1 day each in the Blue Mountains and Ecclesdown Road with Roger, another top-notch birding guide. The staff packed us all breakfast and lunch, which were both good and filling.

There are a lot of other activities near Green Castle. The two we were most interested in, a visit to Firefly and Goldeneye, were unavailabale due to Covid, so we just enjoyed the peace and quiet. More

  Always a dynamic interesting place with tons to do even during a pandemic. With 1600 acres and over 4 miles of sea and coastline and a beach has not been... read more limiting for my fourth visit since April 2020. Some Government island wide controls were slightly inconvenient but understandable even though the parish of St. Mary is close to the bottom of thirteen parishes as far as COVID cases. The cases are now dropping and vaccination is underway. Green Castle and its staff are fully compliant to ensure guest safety. Listed as Taino Hills in MOH visitor page for Non Resident registration. Renovation of pool is nearing completion and should be ready soon. WiFi was down for a short period to a portion of the guest house compound but staff diligence resolved situation quickly. Staff at Green Castle make you feel at home are fun to talk to and take pride in their service. More

  This was a wonderful experience and place to visit. The room was beautiful and the fresh flowers on the bed and in the bathroom were a lovely touch. Lori was... read more awesome, dinner and breakfast was also very good!! We did a hiking/walking tour and the guide was very informative. We will definitely be back with the family for an extended stay to explore more of the area. We hope some of the hiking trails are cleared by then. This location is not populated and a great escape from city and busy areas.

  “Thank you” to Lori and the Greencastle team for making our family vacation a memorable one. We had a family gathering and wanted somewhere to celebrate my parents... read more Diamond wedding anniversary that was a bit more ‘special’ than just the normal places we’d been before, especially after the lockdowns we’d endured during 2020. We wanted somewhere private, not too busy like the big tourist hotels, and a place where we could be in the great outdoors as some of us are into fitness and nature. Greencastle fitted the bill and we weren’t disappointed. The warm climate, friendly staff, great Jamaican food and the chef catering for some vegetarian dishes was great. Nothing was too much trouble.

Apart from lots of walks which included seeing the wildlife and exploring the history of this old plantation, we stayed around the Estate House and the pool, resting in two lively hammocks and having lunch under the Palappa. The Rum punches and Pina Coladas were strong! The sounds of the birdsong around the gardens was amazing and extremely relaxing with hummingbirds everywhere. Most of the tourist attractions are within what they call a ‘Resilient Corridor’ so have been checked for Covid-friendly protocols – so we felt more than safe the entire time we were out there. We were accommodated in most of the Estate House which was extremely comfortable with good breezes and the wifi was better than home! We highly recommend this place. More

  My and wife and I were in need of a escapade and bird-watching in Jamaica had long been on our sights. The all-inclusive birding package offered by Green Castle looked... read more as a good option and there we went. The property is in a very pleasant setting perfect if you want to keep away from crowds and noise and close to nature, and a plus was to have the lodge all for ourselves. Management gave us an upgrade and the room in the estate house was very nice and comfortable indeed Our hostess Lori did the utmost for us to have a pleasant stay, chef Philbert presented us with delicacies, drivers Babye and Tallman took us safely to where we wanted to go and, last but not least, birding guides Dwayne and Roger showed us ALL the Jamaican endemics plus other bonuses, including hard to find species. The birding package included visits to the Blue Mountains and Ecclesdown Road, which were very productive, while an add-on to the Hellshire area was equally efficient. One big plus is the possibility of walking the extensive trail system on your own and enjoy being away from people. I do recomend Green Castle for those keen on nature-based and bird-watching outings, or just to be in a peaceful place. The downside was a confusion regarding the type of COVID test we were to take before our flight back. Despite assurances all was sorted, we found... My and wife and I were in need of a escapade and bird-watching in Jamaica had long been on our sights. The all-inclusive birding package offered by Green Castle looked as a good option and there we went. The property is in a very pleasant setting perfect if you want to keep away from crowds and noise and close to nature, and a plus was to have the lodge all for ourselves. Management gave us an upgrade and the room in the estate house was very nice and comfortable indeed Our hostess Lori did the utmost for us to have a pleasant stay, chef Philbert presented us with delicacies, drivers Babye and Tallman took us safely to where we wanted to go and, last but not least, birding guides Dwayne and Roger showed us ALL the Jamaican endemics plus other bonuses, including hard to find species. The birding package included visits to the Blue Mountains and Ecclesdown Road, which were very productive, while an add-on to the Hellshire area was equally efficient. One big plus is the possibility of walking the extensive trail system on your own and enjoy being away from people. I do recomend Green Castle for those keen on nature-based and bird-watching outings, or just to be in a peaceful place. The downside was a confusion regarding the type of COVID test we were to take before our flight back. Despite assurances all was sorted, we found management had actually organised for a rapid test, when PCR is what is required. It was a long tense Thursday with Lori at the phone arranging for us to be tested on time for our flight Saturday morning. This ended to be a lot more expensive and stressing than it should, the results arriving Saturday at 3AM. I guess the lesson has been learnt and this glitch will not happen again. More

  This is an 'away from it all' setting, and the property is well kept, peaceful, and all with a great view of the horizon. We spent a night here -... read more booking and communication was easy/helpful, arrival drinks & dinner was delicious, the views were wonderful as we sat on the veranda, and the sounds of nature thru the night was a great way to sleep.

  My wife and I had been looking for somewhere to escape from the world. Covid, the US elections we both thoroughly needed a vacation to relax in. We... read more had been looking at Green Castle Hotel in Jamaica for some time. What we discovered was more than we could have hoped for. It was the perfect place to relax and unwind. There was only a handful of other couples staying at the same time as we did. We arranged an airport transfer in advance, with Green Castle Hotel. As soon as we arrived, we were politely and helpfully taken to our car to begin our relaxing vacation. The scenery outside was wonderful and after a short trip we arrived at the hotel. Wow! We were greeted with a fruit punch on arrival. After our flight and the gorgeous Jamaican sun beating down on us, that was drunk in no time. We quickly checked in. We booked to stay in the Potoo suite, named after one of the Jamaican birds that are seen in estate. A beautiful little room, harking back to a bygone era. We expected to be a little on edge because of Covid, but the hotel had gone to every effort to make our stay as relaxing and comfortable as possible. There is lots of space, so we were always able to keep our distance from the other guests. The food was excellent, I would thoroughly recommend the Jamaican... My wife and I had been looking for somewhere to escape from the world. Covid, the US elections we both thoroughly needed a vacation to relax in. We had been looking at Green Castle Hotel in Jamaica for some time. What we discovered was more than we could have hoped for. It was the perfect place to relax and unwind. There was only a handful of other couples staying at the same time as we did. We arranged an airport transfer in advance, with Green Castle Hotel. As soon as we arrived, we were politely and helpfully taken to our car to begin our relaxing vacation. The scenery outside was wonderful and after a short trip we arrived at the hotel. Wow! We were greeted with a fruit punch on arrival. After our flight and the gorgeous Jamaican sun beating down on us, that was drunk in no time. We quickly checked in. We booked to stay in the Potoo suite, named after one of the Jamaican birds that are seen in estate. A beautiful little room, harking back to a bygone era. We expected to be a little on edge because of Covid, but the hotel had gone to every effort to make our stay as relaxing and comfortable as possible. There is lots of space, so we were always able to keep our distance from the other guests. The food was excellent, I would thoroughly recommend the Jamaican food. It is delicious. We spend an incredible week at Green Castle, it is a walkers paradise. Everyday we spent discovering places on the private estate. The estate is so big! The Eco park is 1600 acres which guests have access to. Most days we only saw the other guests as we got up for breakfast or in the evening. There are many hikes , which take you on tours through the rainforest, or to the beach, along the cliffs. We booked a guide to help us discover a few waterfalls which were magical. Our own private waterfall, it really was magical. Would thoroughly recommend Mingo Falls Treak, and also the hike to Kwame Falls. The views are breathtaking. Along the way our guide pointed out some of the local wildlife including some of the local birds. Hotel Green Castle do get a lot of bird watchers, that visit due to their unique location. We met a couple who were regular visitors to Green Castle. We are hoping to go back with them next year. We took a visit to the Bob Marley Museum, and also out to Goldeneye which is where James Bond was written. Green Castle arranged all the trips and transport for us, we could not be happier. This was just the tonic we needed, we made some friends for life, and we can't wait to come back next year. More

  Greencastle was a wonderful location as a base for a birding trip to Jamaica. Great hospitality with friendly staff, excellent meals, and spectacular grounds for nature exploring. GC also helped... read more arrange a guide for birding around the island.

  I just returned from a much-needed getaway after 10 months of lockdown. Green Castle was the perfect destination. Montego Bay is a direct flight, and Jamaica requires a... read more negative COVID test to board. Green Castle has 1600 acres of trails in a range of habitats, from tended gardens with hummingbirds to die for, to dark forest trails. GC has carefully implemented a raft of COVID measures: hand sanitizer everywhere - masks in all public spaces; choice to avoid daily room-refresh, and dining areas are naturally ventilated (covered semi-outdoor space). Lori and the team carefully walked us through these procedures on arrival and cared for our every need thereafter.

  Green Castle is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I've been to. There are hummingbirds everywhere and you have a spectacular view of the mountains and the sea,... read more with sun and moon rises over the ocean, and the lights of Annatto Bay twinkling in the distance at night. The grounds are very nice and the rooms are charming and comfortable. The staff is very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. There are many trails but I didn't get to explore them all during my short stay. Their COVID protocols were excellent as well and the outside dining room, balconies, seating areas made social distancing easy. More

  My wife and I just had a great week of birding and relaxing at Green Castle, traveling under the Jamaican covid "resilient corridor" protocols. The guest house was very comfortable,... read more and we had the expert local birding guide all to ourselves for the entire week. The covid procedures were followed carefully throughout -- masks in public locations, physical distancing, etc, and while stringent, were not onerous. Meals were overall very good, traditional home-style Jamaican cooking. They are not having buffet meals, so each meal is served plated from the kitchen -- no menu choices, just whatever that they choose to serve for that meal. The were very accommodating about and food preferences/dislikes. Bar service was also limited due to staffing, and housekeeping was only on-demand, but these were very minor limitations, and no bother at all. We had great birding -- saw all the endemics well plus another 70 spp -- and plenty of time to just unwind after 9 months of lockdown and working from home, so just having the opportunity to travel internationally and get away for a break made any minor inconveniences well worth it. It's a great location -- quiet, good walking, well removed from the big resort areas, and well-situated for day excursions to the blue mountains and ecclesdown road. And the staff there were very welcoming and helpful throughout. Highly recommended.

  My family and I enjoyed our weekend at Green Castle, the staff was friendly, the food delicious ,the room was great. We enjoyed the hiking trail and visited the... read more Eco beach. It really was home away from home so much that my 4 year old did not want to leave. We definitely will make another trip.

  We arrived as tourists and left as friends. This was exactly the type of vacation we enjoy - not a large chain resort but privately owned with personalized attention... read more to their guests. The room was clean and comfortable; i was a little unsure about the lack of a/c but the cooling sea breezes and room fan ensured it was never too hot to sleep. We mentioned a lack of water pressure and a broken window screen slat one morning and within a half hour Tallman (maintenance man) and crew had made all necessary repairs! The staff are friendly and accommodating to any dining preferences we had - they even found ackee for me, even though it was out of season, when I said how much I like it. We had some interesting talks with Richard, the owner and he arranged for my husband to go birding with Dwayne, a local man who is an excellent bird guide. If we get a chance, this is somewhere we will definitely visit again:)

  We arrived as tourists and left as friends. This was exactly the type of vacation we enjoy - not a large chain resort but privately owned with personalized attention... read more to their guests. The room was clean and comfortable; i was a little unsure about the lack of a/c but the cooling sea breezes and room fan ensured it was never too hot to sleep. We mentioned a lack of water pressure and a broken window screen slat one morning and within a half hour Tallman (maintenance man) and crew had made all necessary repairs! The staff are friendly and accommodating to any dining preferences we had - they even found ackee for me, even though it was out of season, when I said how much I like it. We had some interesting talks with Richard, the owner and he arranged for my husband to go birding with Dwayne, a local man who is an excellent bird guide. If we get a chance, this is somewhere we will definitely visit again:) More

  My wife and I had a great week at Green Castle. Thanks to our guide, Dwayne, qualified, dynamic and friendly, we had the chance to observe several species of bird... read more endemic to Jamaica and endemic to the West Indies on the Green Castle site. The other endemic species were observed during outings on Ecclesdown Road and in the Blue Mountains, this time thanks to Roger who did not hesitate to tell us all kinds of anecdotes on birds, but also on the habits and beliefs of his compatriots.

In addition, the food, always excellent, was served by very welcoming and friendly staff. Each room has its characteristics, but they are all clean and warm. At least, for the ones we visited.

What to say about Richard? He was always there to let us know about the day's schedule and to make sure everyone was okay.

It was one of our best birdwatching trips. We recommend it to everyone. In addition, the group’s chemistry was excellent and the humor was there.

Thank you Richard, and all your team, it was unforgettable.

  I did the one week special package of the birding tour that Green Castle operates. I also upgraded my room to be in the main building in a... read more bigger room. I had a fantastic time all round. The location is beautiful and there are a lot of wide easy walking trails to explore. I was greeted on arrival with a cold flannel and a welcome drink.

My room was lovely, nice and large, and faced the swimming pool and down to the sea in the distance, a beautiful outlook.

It was good to be in the main house to make it super easy to go back and forth to my room.

In particular the attention to detail and the organization of the week was superb.

We had two full days out and for each day before we left we had fruit and coffee at the estate and the bus carried goody bags for each person along with thermos's of Jamaican porridge which while somewhat sweet was really good after being up for an early morning outing.

Food during the week was plentiful for each meal, and there were a lot of different Jamaican dishes to try. Actually I would say that I was in danger of eating too much as the food was lovely. On the last night they organized a barbeque round the swimming pool and it was done really nicely.

The local bird guides Dwayne for around Robins Bay and Roger for the mountains were both excellent. The guides went out of their way to ensure that everyone saw every bird and indeed we saw all of the 28 endemics on the island which is quite some feat.

There was also time to relax and enjoy the estate or wander round by oneself. It was a good mixture of organized activities yet with some free time.

The value of the special one-week birding package was extraordinary and i particularly enjoyed the opportunity to have some time to explore by oneself.

A note about wi-fi. The wi-fi was unusually fast for a hotel and that was much appreciated.

The staff and owners were all friendly and helpful. They each would go out of their way to give us a good experience.