Liguanea Club

Off a busy main road through a guarded security entrance, the Liguanea Club's grounds is a sea of tennis courts and a stately colonial building divided by a leafy car park. The main building resembles an old court house with its tall row of majestic square columns. This very entrance was featured in James Bond flick "Dr. No," when Sean Connery played a guest at the iconic club. Built in 1910, the building is one of the oldest Georgian structures in Jamaica, serving as a hub of social activity for resident expatriates before Jamaica’s independence in 1962, after which  membership was opened to all citizens of Jamaica. The legacy remains both in the aesthetic and the crowd this place attracts -- a good mix of local sporty types and expat residents who use the facilities. With so much sporting activity going on, the vibe is casual and laid-back, but the “members only” rule retains its exclusivity.The lobby is sparsely decorated with period lounge settings, a vibrant floral centerpiece, and dark wooden furniture -- such as the sporting trophies showcase that decorates one wall. The space opens up to the Terrace restaurant at the back, where blond bamboo chairs are grouped around tables covered in white tablecloths. Some tables sit beneath a huge mango tree decorated with white paper lantern, and mealtime crowds suggest the restaurant is a local favorite. The Iguana Bar feels like an old English pub, with its captain’s chairs, dimly lit interior, and excellent Planter’s Punch. Common areas throughout channel a bygone era, so the sense of history and the past is all around -- yet the vibe remains ever so relaxed.

Located in the heart of New Kingston, the Liguanea Club is about a five-minute walk to Sunshine Amusement Park, Emancipation Park, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. The Bob Marley Museum, Jamaica National Stadium, and Sabina Park (the home of Jamaican cricket) are all less than a 10-minute drive away, and it’s a 15-minute drive to the National Gallery of Jamaica. Free on-site parking is available and taxis can be arranged at the front desk. Norman Manley International Airport is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

Liguanea Club's 38 rooms, located in two areas of the hotel, are simple but spacious, with high plantation-style ceilings. Categories include Superior with double, king, or twin beds; and King, Junior, and Deluxe Suites. Rooms in the Tennis Court Block have white walls, linens, and floor tiles -- accented with bursts of blue and green in the curtains, cushions, and sofas. Those in the main building are more cottage-like, with original hardwood floors and quaint, homey touches. Furniture alternates between white and dark-finished wood. Some rooms have floral curtain valances and bedspreads, while others are less “frilly,”  with matching wood furniture, headboards, and empire lamps. They all include mini-fridges, work desks, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, irons and ironing boards, and kettles -- but guests need to supply their own tea and coffee. Some suites have kitchenettes, and bathrooms have showers, and are outfitted with hairdryers and toiletries. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi. 

Sporting features dominate the Liguanea Club -- there are eight tennis courts, six squash courts, an outdoor pool (that’s a great lap length), and a fitness center -- which focuses more on weight-lifting versus cardio equipment, but none of it’s new. The Terrace Restaurant serves a good mix of local and international dishes at reasonable prices. Meals can also be taken in the moodier Iguana Bar. Meeting and event rooms are also available, and club membership is open to both local residents and overseas visitors who wish to use the facilities. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout; there’s plenty of free parking; and taxis can be arranged at the front desk.