The Lay Out: Grace Gordon's Nearly Private Jamaican Beach

We love a property with multiple swimming options.

While I’ve always prioritized amenities and feeling good whether I’m home or traveling, just serving what I like would be a disservice when there are so many well-traveled, high taste friends of SS.

Perhaps I’m biased, but astrologically speaking, it only makes sense that I’d like the taste of a birthday twin, especially one with the same date and year, who’s also the caretaker of an exceptional chihuahua and grew up highly influenced by their librarian mom. I’m in great company sharing a DOB with the woman behind the Substack Great Point, Grace Gordon.

Working as a Brand and Creative Consultant with the biggest brands (Nike, Netflix, CashApp, The Fader and Apple, hello) and being eternally curious affords Great Point’s subscribers her sharp perspective and penchant for details without losing sight of the bit picture. No punches pulled. (And, since she’s a Taurus too, IMO you should assume she’s right!)

She’s taking us to Oracabessa, Jamaica’s Goldeneye and her favorite spot to swim there. Formerly owned by Ian Fleming, the novelist behind James Bond, the north Jamaica coastal property is now known for it’s secret coves and private beaches. We love waterside lounging options. When GG travels, her biggest priorities are perfect (read: HOT) weather, on-property non-alcoholic beverage options. and privacy. And, Goldeneye delivers.

She says:

“I first visited Goldeneye with a few friends in 2018. It was the tail end of a girls trip and the property took me totally by surprise, it’s so beautiful but somehow so private — probably because, as with most of the best spots in Jamaica, it involves a lengthy drive from whatever given airport you’d arrive at. Still, it made such an incredible impression on me that I knew it would have to be a repeat visit, ideally for a solo trip where I could fully unplug. I went back in August this year, and it was even better than I remembered.”

Button Beach on GG’s first trip in 2018.

The actual Lay Out zone…

“Goldeneye has a gorgeous assortment of swimming options. A bigger beach over which some of the more luxe villas have a gorgeous view; two pools, one infinity; and lastly, Button Beach, which is a small inlet that connects it to a lagoon on the property that you can kayak down.

The infinity pool at Goldeneye.

When I arrived to Goldeneye on my most recent trip, I dropped my suitcase in my room and immediately went to Button Beach. There’s a bar on the beach (I opted for a smoothie made with fresh fruits; a berry and spice mix), and chairs where you can post up and imbibe in whatever you need — vitamin D, booze, a good book, whatever. I’ve never seen more than a few people on this beach, so it feels private, but never weird. 

On Button Beach mere moments after checking in at Goldeneye.

There’s usually Reggae or afro beats booming, the staff on my last trip were particularly prone to a lil Barrington Levy, which I was appreciative of. 

If you’re feeling restless, you can also opt to partake in some ‘wata sports’ and do a lil trip around the lagoon. I took this pic on my Meta Raybans by the way - thoroughly recommend for solo travel.”

Kayaking by way of Button Beach.

How do you recommend enjoying it most?

“I would recommend going to Goldeneye for a Friday lunch arrival. Dropping off your things in your room, and then heading to Button Beach. Get nicely toasted (interpret as you will) on the beach for the latter hours of sunlight, have a beverage, and wait for the kitchen to open for dinner.

Curried goat from the outdoor kitchen at Button Beach.

Button Beach has an outdoor kitchen attached where you can get freshly grilled fish, jerk chicken, or curry. Most specifically, Friday nights are ‘curry night’ where you can get unlimited, fresh Jamaican curry (please try the curried goat), roti, and all the fixings. Even though I’m usually pretty on-the-fence about hotel food in Jamaica — just because the stuff you get off-property is so good — this is the best curry I personally have had on the island. The staff told me the chef is an Indian woman who moved to Jamaica a while back, and the curry definitely feels like an absolute triumph hybrid of both cultures/cuisines. Eating this curry listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore with reggae in the background is an actual slice of heaven I won’t forget.”

Subscribe to Great Point here, and you can find GG on IG and Twitter here.