The Knutsford Court Hotel

Set on gated grounds next to a narrow, high-traffic street, the Knutsford is a popular choice for tourists and business travelers alike. Its facade is colored in soft sunset orange with Georgian accents, and green vines blanket one corner. A wide sheltered walkway lined with climbing vines leads from the front parking lot into the large, open-air courtyard around which the hotel is set. It’s a calm, peaceful contrast to the busyness outside. Buildings continue the European theme with squarish architecture and columns, sometimes adorned with wrought-iron balustrades mimicking Juliet balconies and Georgian aluminum windows. Lawn gardens and mature palms add natural contrast, and a pergola protrudes over garden benches, enhancing the vibe. The lobby is large and sparsely decorated, with lounge chairs between recessed backlit ceilings and shiny tiled floors. Two pergola areas decked out with dining tables and chairs bring the alfresco ambience indoors. But the expanse of white tile floors here can feel a bit institutional. Across the courtyard, the Melting Pot restaurant and bar unfolds over two levels overlooking the pool. Burnt-orange and sand-yellow walls with palm tree motifs add warm color and a tropical Jamaican flavor. The pool isn’t anything special, but it’s big enough for laps and has lounge chairs. 

The Knutsford Hotel is located in the heart of New Kingston’s commercial and shopping district. Shops, restaurants, and nightclubs are in abundance on Knutsford Boulevard, two minutes away on foot. Embassies, big banks, and major shopping malls are all within 10 minutes of the hotel. It’s an 11-minute walk to Sunshine Amusement Park as well as to Emancipation Park, with jogging trails and miniature golf. Several major attractions are within a short drive, including the Bob Marley Museum (seven minutes), Jamaica National Stadium (10 minutes), Sabina Park (10 minutes), and the National Gallery of Jamaica (16 minutes). It's 30 minutes to Norman Manley International Airport (with no traffic).

Guest rooms at Knutsford Court are spacious, clean, comfortable, with decor that’s more homey than luxurious -- think: dark wood furniture, wall-mounted bedside lamps, patterned curtains, and bed runners on plain white bedding. Wall colors vary from room to room and flooring moves between white square tiles and navy carpet. Some feature generic furniture that shows some wear and tear, while others feel more British colonial in style, with matching timber pieces in newer condition, such as four-poster beds. All rooms have flat-screen TVs with cable, work desks, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, and safes. Room types vary from studio-style Standard Rooms to Two Bedroom Townhouses; higher categories offer sofa beds and mini-fridges or kitchenettes. The odd maintenance issue does come up, and depending on where rooms are located, stairs can become an issue as there are no elevators; if mobility is a concern, guests should request a room on a lower level. Note that there have been noise complaints for pool- and street-facing rooms. 

Though theres nothing especially captivating about it, the rectangular outdoor pool is probably the hotel's top feature; it's outfitted with plenty of teal lounge chairs and a few umbrellas. The Melting Pot restaurant serves a free daily buffet breakfast, and the evening menu features global flavors with a Jamaican twist. Just downstairs, the lounge bar area serves a full bar and cocktails. The fitness center is open 24 hours and has cardio and weight-lifting equipment along with a few wall-mounted TVs. Other amenities include 24-hour laundry facilities in addition to laundry and dry cleaning services, a business center, and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi. A choice of six meeting and function rooms can accommodate events ranging from 12 up to 300 guests. A range of wedding, banquet and conference packages are on offer, plenty of free on-site parking is provided, and room service is available.