After months of speculation, it was confirmed that the 25th installment of the James Bond spy series would be shot in Jamaica. This marks only the third time the island was used for the hit series, with the first being in 1973 for the filming Live and Let Die. So, in honor of the big announcement, the island and luxury hotels are offering themed experiences.
For a few weeks in the 70s, Jamaica transformed into the fictional island of San Monique. At Half Moon, an American Express Fine Hotel & Resort property, Cottage 10 set the scene for 007 to confront snakes, a villainous waiter and a beautiful double agent. Visitors can still check into Cottage 10 to retrace Roger Moore’s steps in his first outing as the MI6 agent, though serpents and traitorous staff are reassuringly not a part of the experience.
Guests can, however, order a bottle of Bollinger Champagne, or puff away on a cigar at any of the resort’s designated smoking areas. Visitors can swing by Cedar Bar where Caswell, Donnine, or any of the property’s other bartenders are more than willing to serve up a cocktail of their choosing, shaken, not stirred.
Not enough Bond for you? About 90 minutes away, you can visit the very spot where Sean Connery landed his helicopter in the first James Bond movie, Dr. No: Moon Palace Jamaica. Of course, there’s also the GoldenEye resort. It’s there, tucked behind a private gate with no sign, sits the five-bedroom Fleming Villa—the site where all 14 James Bond novels were penned.
Other themed locales include The Reynolds Pier in Ocho Rios, which was used as Crab Cay in Dr. No (the port that is seen across from Moon Palace Jamaica). And The Green Grotto Caves, a tourist attraction outside of Ocho Rios, is the location of many of the subterranean scenes in James Bond, Live and Let Die.
The cast of the latest installment was announced last month at Goldeneye in Jamaica, and it was revealed that it would be Daniel Craig’s last film. Other cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, and Jeffrey Wright.
