Pleasure Zones
James Bond Villa 'Golden Eye'
By

Avery Gray RT Writer

Dec 6, 2004, 3:57pm

Goldeneye Villa

“The name is Bond, James Bond.”

If anyone had told me that the James Bond movies I grew up watching was written in Jamaica, I would have said, “you’re lying.” In fact 14 of the novel inspired movies were written in Jamaica at a villa called Goldeneye by Ian Fleming.

Goldeneye villa

Fleming wrote 14 of the James Bond novels at this cliff top villa that overlooks the Caribbean Sea in the parish of St. Mary. Fleming had steps carved out of the cliff, which lead down to a private beach. He once wrote, 'would these books have ever been written if I had not been living in the gorgeous vacuum of a Jamaica holiday? I doubt it'.

 

Goldeneye Interior

Goldeneye is a magical place; a 17-acre retreat nestled among tropical forests and lush gardens on a high bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It is renowned as the former home of "James Bond" novelist, Ian Fleming, who each year would spend the months of January and February at Goldeneye, where he wrote that year’s James Bond novel.

 

Ian's gardener left and cook Ms. Voilet Cummings

Fleming also hosted many celebrities at his island retreat, including Elizabeth Taylor, Errol Flynn, Evelyn Waugh, Cecil Beaton, Donald Sutherland, and many others.

Today the villa is operated as a resort. Past guests have been invited to plant a tree during their stay to contribute to the growth of the grounds: among those who have participated are Jim Carey, Martha Stewart, Quincy Jones, Harry Bellefonte and Naomi Campbell. These trees can still be found on the property and are marked by special small plaques.

Novels written at Goldeneye

Casino Royale     

Ian Fleming

Live and Let Die
Moonraker
Diamonds are Forever
From Russia With Love
Dr No
Goldfinger
For Your Eyes Only
Thunderball
The Spy Who Loved Me
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
You Only Live Twice
The Man With The Golden Gun
Octopussy and The Living Daylight