Location Profiles, Profiles
From Jamaica with Love
December 21, 2009 by OceanHome · Leave a Comment
Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell introduces 007 to his resort profile.
Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, has a passion outside of producing world- famous musicians. The man who helped launch the careers of Bob Marley, U2, and many others has always dabbled in the hotel business. After selling Island Records in 1989, Blackwell created Island Outpost, a high-end development company with properties in Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Miami.
Like all of the artists Blackwell has produced, each resort has its own identity. Unlike other resorts that promote private beaches and seclusion, Blackwell incorporated the environment and surroundings into each location, especially Jamaica.
“I want the guests to be involved with their surroundings,” he says. “I want them to venture out, talk to locals, and learn new things.”
Part of that new lifestyle is Blackwell’s latest addition, Golden Eye, an estate formerly owned by Ian Fleming, the novelist who introduced the world to James Bond. Blackwell bought the estate as a beach home for his mother, but after researching the area decided to purchase additional land and turn it into a resort. Golden Eye is set back from the water and is surrounded by lush vegetation and a natural lagoon, which Blackwell considers to be one of the property’s best assets.
“Most people want to have just a beautiful beach when they visit a place,” he says, “but there’s so much more than that here. It is rich in culture.”
Blackwell also says the percentage of returning guests continues to rise. “That has always been the most rewarding thing: to see familiar faces and to have people come back for more.” 800-407-4776, islandoutpost.com. —Lauren Carelli
