Best Hotel in Kingston: Ontario vs Jamaica Top Picks

Searching for the best hotel in Kingston can lead to confusion because the name refers to two distinct destinations—Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and Kingston, Jamaica. This comparison guide draws on verified data from official property listings, tourism boards, and independent awards to help you choose the right stay, whether you need a downtown business hotel or a city-based base for exploring Jamaican culture. We’ll examine top-rated contenders in both locations, breaking down their strengths, pricing, and what kind of traveller each serves best.

Last checked: 2026-07-26

Destination Count: Two major Kingstons: Kingston, Ontario (Canada) and Kingston, Jamaica · Top-Rated Property (Ontario): The Smith Hotel – 9.8 guest rating on Luxury Escapes · Price Floor (Ontario): From $82/night (Tripadvisor 2026) · Price Floor (Jamaica): From $41/night (Tripadvisor 2026) · Downtown Options: Marriott Residence Inn, Delta, Holiday Inn downtown Kingston Ontario

Are there any luxury hotels in Kingston?

Yes, both Kingstons offer luxury lodging options, but they cater to different travel styles. In Kingston, Ontario, the boutique scene leads. The Smith Hotel, rated 9.8 out of 10 on Luxury Escapes, is one example of a high-end property focused on personalized stays. Meanwhile, in Kingston, Jamaica, the luxury market is centered on city hotels that combine business amenities with lifestyle design. Expedia’s Kingston hotel guide recommends S Hotel Kingston and The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites as two of the best-received properties in the capital (Expedia).

Luxury options in Kingston, Ontario

Kingston, Ontario’s luxury inventory leans toward boutique inns and historic properties rather than large resort chains. The Smith Hotel, with its near-perfect guest score, is frequently cited for its refined rooms and central location near the waterfront. Other high-end stays include properties on the city’s historic downtown streets, often within walking distance of Lake Ontario. The price floor for hotels in this area is around $82 per night, according to Tripadvisor’s 2026 listings, though boutique luxury rooms command a premium.

Luxury options in Kingston, Jamaica

In Kingston, Jamaica, the luxury landscape is dominated by properties that serve the business and cultural tourism sectors. S Hotel Kingston, which opened in 2009, received the World Travel Awards 2025 title of Jamaica’s Leading Business Hotel (Jamaica Gleaner). It also ranked #7 in the Caribbean and Central America category in the Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, with the Jamaica Gleaner noting it as a property “where art, design, and culture meet hospitality at the highest level” (PRWeb). The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, located in New Kingston, offers luxury suites, award-winning dining, and an outdoor pool, as described by the Jamaica Tourist Board.

“The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston offers distinguished business and leisure accommodations with stunning mountain and Caribbean Sea views.”

The bottom line: “The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston offers distinguished business and leisure accommodations with stunning mountain and Caribbean Sea views.”

Visit Jamaica official tourism board

Which is the best hotel to stay in Kingston, Jamaica?

Based on award signals, guest reviews, and tourism board materials, one property consistently emerges at the top of the Kingston, Jamaica hotel scene: S Hotel Kingston. It was named Jamaica’s Leading Business Hotel at the 2025 World Travel Awards, an event where the country’s tourism sector collected 45 awards total (Jamaica Gleaner). S Hotel Kingston also ranked #7 in the Caribbean and Central America region in the Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. A year earlier, in 2024, it had placed #9 in the same category (Jamaica Gleaner).

For travelers needing a reliable business hotel, the Jamaica Pegasus positions itself as the “Best Business Hotel in Kingston” on its official website (The Jamaica Pegasus). The property offers mountain and Caribbean Sea views, an Olympic pool, tennis courts, and event facilities, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board. The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, also in New Kingston, is frequently paired with S Hotel Kingston in recommendation lists, including Expedia’s 2026 guide (Expedia).

Comparing price and value in Kingston, Jamaica

Budget-conscious travelers have options in Kingston, Jamaica starting from $41 per night on Tripadvisor for 2026. The wider inventory includes 537 properties listed on Booking.com, ranging from guesthouses to international brand hotels. The Expedia guide specifically cites S Hotel Kingston and The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites as receiving “consistently high recommendations from travellers.” The AC Hotel Kingston, Jamaica, a Marriott property at 38-42 Lady Musgrave Road, positions itself as a design-conscious lifestyle hotel (Marriott).

The bottom line: S Hotel Kingston carries the strongest recent award profile for a business and lifestyle stay in the capital.

What are the best hotels with a restaurant in Kingston?

On-site dining is a significant consideration for Kingston travelers, whether in Ontario or Jamaica. Tripadvisor’s list of the 10 best Kingston hotels with on-site restaurants covers properties in both locations, but the dining scenes differ notably. In Kingston, Ontario, hotels with restaurants tend to feature Canadian cuisine and lakeside dining. In Kingston, Jamaica, the culinary scene is more competitive, with several hotels winning local hospitality awards for their food and bar programs.

Hotels in Kingston, Ontario with dining

Several downtown Kingston, Ontario hotels offer on-site restaurants. The Delta Hotels Kingston, Marriott Residence Inn, and Holiday Inn Kingston are among those listed by Tripadvisor with dining facilities. Many boutique properties in the city center also operate small restaurants or partner with nearby eateries. The price range for Kingston, Ontario hotels with restaurants starts at $82 per night for 2026.

Hotels in Kingston, Jamaica with on-site restaurants

In Kingston, Jamaica, the Jamaica Observer reported in 2025 that the AC Hotel won Best Bar Experience in Kingston at the TEF Awards, while the Jamaica Pegasus won Best Sunday Spot (Kingston) (Jamaica Observer). The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites promotes award-winning dining on its premises, and ROK Hotel Kingston, a downtown Hilton Tapestry Collection property at 2-4 King Street, emphasizes its proximity to the National Gallery and Jamaica Conference Center alongside dining options (Hilton).

What hotels are in Kingston?

Both Kingstons offer a wide range of accommodations. In Ontario, the downtown core features Marriott Residence Inn, Delta Hotels by Marriott, and Holiday Inn Kingston, all within walking distance of historic sites and the waterfront. The Best Western Fireside Inn is frequently recommended on Reddit discussion threads for its value and comfort. Kingston, Ontario’s hotel inventory covers budget motels, mid-range chains, and boutique luxury properties like The Smith Hotel.

In Kingston, Jamaica, the hotel scene is concentrated in New Kingston and downtown. Key properties include S Hotel Kingston, Jamaica Pegasus, The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, AC Hotel Kingston (Marriott), and ROK Hotel Kingston (Hilton Tapestry Collection). The Jamaica Tourist Board’s deals page highlights these properties with specific descriptions, noting ROK Hotel Kingston as a downtown hotel with “views of Kingston Waterfront and Harbor” and AC Hotel as “centrally located, design-conscious lifestyle” (Visit Jamaica).

Our Pick: Best Hotel in Kingston for First-Time Visitors and Business Travelers