Kingston hotels are a different species to those in the Jamaican resort towns of Montego Bay or Ocho Rios. Instead of self-contained Kingston resorts, you will find urban hotels suited for business travelers. That is not to say there are not fine Kingston Jamaica hotels. The high rise luxury hotels in the capital are as nice as any in the island, with elegant rooftop restaurants and clubs and superbly appointed rooms.

Most of the best Kingston lodging is found in the uptown area known as New Kingston. The finest of Kingston Jamaica hotels is probably the Jamaica Pegasus near Emancipation Park. Rooms in this efficient 17-story complex offer amazing views onto the Blue Mountains. Prices range from $200 to $600 a night.

The Kingston Hilton is a longstanding favorite among Kingston Jamaica hotels for business travelers. Spacious rooms feature a small work area, internet access, and attractive furnishings. There is also an American Airlines reservation desk, a fitness center, and a lively nightclub. Prices range from about $150 to $300 a night. The Cortleigh Hotel, another good choice for Kingston lodging, is located right next door.

Other top-class Kingston hotels include the Knutsford Court Hotel, the Kingston Four Seasons, the intimate Terra Nova hotel near the Devon House, and the pleasant apartments of Christar Villas near the Bob Marley Museum.

There are also some less expensive but reliable options for Kingston lodging. Indies Hotel in New Kingston comes well recommended. There are only 15 rooms, but they are all well furnished and clean and overlook a pleasant central court. Visitors enjoy the friendly atmosphere and excellent Jamaican-British restaurant. Rates start at about $40 to $80 a night. Holborn Manor, next door to the Indies, is another good choice in this price range.

Jamaican businessmen are said to prefer the Mayfair Hotel, another New Kingston lodging option. The eight individual houses have four rooms each, offering great views of the Blue Mountains and a delicious Jamaican buffet on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Budget travelers have a couple choices for Kingston lodging. Mikuzi Guest House near the Bob Marley Museum has rooms starting at about $30 a night. The New Chelsea Hotel in the center of New Kingston is one of the best affordable Kingston hotels.

Choices for Kingston resorts are limited. Travelers looking for an all-inclusive hotel should consider Ocho Rios, Negril, or Montego Bay instead. The best of the few Kingston resorts is probably Strawberry Hill, a Blue Mountains retreat 45 minutes from the city. Chris Blackwell, the former head of Island Records (Bob Marley's record label) is the owner of this elegant hotel, a favorite among musicians and authors.

Kingston hotels are ideally suited to business travelers, but other visitors to Jamaica should consider getting Kingston lodging for at least a few nights and exploring this vibrant and unique Caribbean capital.