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Hotel guide · Hotel · Waterloo Road, Kingston

Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel: what to know before you book

Researched by Michael RainfordFacts checked Sources
On this page
  1. My local take
  2. At a glance
  3. Pros and cons
  4. Rooms
  5. Food & drink
  6. Pool & beach
  7. Location
  8. FAQ
  9. Sources

My local take

Terra Nova is old Kingston. The house on Waterloo Road was built in 1924 as a private mansion, became a hotel in the 1950s, and one of its suites is named for Blanche Blackwell, a former owner. Every room is a suite, breakfast is included, and The Terrace restaurant sits in the gardens. Since mid-2025 it has been part of Best Western’s BW Premier Collection, which brings the loyalty points but keeps the local ownership.

My take: it suits couples and business travelers who want space and some character, and it’s well placed for Devon House and the Bob Marley Museum. Families should note that every suite type is listed for two adults, so ask the hotel before you book with children.

If it’s not quite right, S Hotel Kingston is the modern boutique option with a pool open into the evening, and the Courtleigh Hotel & Suites has two-bedroom suites for families. For old-Jamaica style in the hills, look at Strawberry Hill in the Blue Mountains, or see where to stay in Kingston.

At a glance

Name
Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, part of Best Western's BW Premier Collection since mid-2025
Area
17 Waterloo Road, near the New Kingston business district
History
Built in 1924 as a private mansion; a hotel since the 1950s
Hotel type
All-suite city hotel; complimentary breakfast for hotel guests
Status
Open, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board
Suite types
King or double Junior Suites (450 sq ft), Blue Mountain Suite (700 sq ft), Hemingway Suite (750 sq ft), Blanche Blackwell Suite (900+ sq ft), Derby Suite (1,100 sq ft)
Occupancy
Every suite type is listed for two adults
In every suite
Air conditioning, smart TV, free Wi-Fi, in-room safe, minibar and tea and coffee, 24-hour room service, daily housekeeping
Restaurants and bars
The Terrace (garden dining and Champagne High Tea), The Regency (fine dining), The Regency Bar & Lounge
Pool
Outdoor pool terrace; some suites face the pool
Events
Six event venues, including a ballroom
Front desk
Open 24 hours
Check-in / check-out
3:00 pm / 12:00 noon
Airport transfers
Through partner Island Car Rentals, which has a desk at Norman Manley International (KIN)

Checked October 2026 against the sources below. See sources. Something changed? Tell me.

What stands out

  • Every room is a suite, from 450 sq ft junior suites up to the 1,100 sq ft Derby Suite.
  • Breakfast is included, with Jamaican dishes like ackee and saltfish, escoveitch fish and steamed callaloo.
  • A 1920s mansion with gardens: The Terrace restaurant and its Champagne High Tea are a Kingston institution.
  • 24-hour room service and a front desk open around the clock.
  • Best Western BW Premier Collection membership, so stays can earn loyalty points.

What to know before booking

  • Every suite type is listed for two adults, so it's not set up for families sharing a room.
  • Six event venues and a ballroom mean weddings and functions are part of hotel life, especially on weekends.
  • The hotel doesn't publish an airport drive time; book a transfer through its partner, Island Car Rentals, before you fly.
  • It's a city hotel: there is no beach.

Rooms

All rooms are suites. The King Bed and Double Bed Junior Suites are 450 sq ft (42 m²) with a work desk and a walk-in rain shower, and look over the garden or pool. The named suites go bigger: the Blue Mountain Suite (700 sq ft) has hardwood floors, an office and a terrace facing the mountains; the Hemingway Suite (750 sq ft) has a sitting area for meetings; the Blanche Blackwell Suite (900+ sq ft) has a marble bathroom with a Jacuzzi, a built-in bar and a private terrace; and the Derby Suite (1,100 sq ft) adds a dining area, wet bar and office. Every suite has air conditioning, a smart TV, free Wi-Fi, a safe, a minibar with tea and coffee, and 24-hour room service. The hotel lists every suite type for two adults.

Food & drink

Breakfast is included for hotel guests and runs from bacon, sausage and hot cereal to ackee and saltfish, escoveitch fish, steamed callaloo and mackerel rundown eggs Benedict. The Terrace is the garden restaurant and the setting for Terra Nova’s Champagne High Tea. The Regency is the fine-dining room, and The Regency Bar & Lounge has indoor and outdoor seating. My take: book the high tea even if you stay elsewhere. It’s one of the few proper ones left in Kingston.

Pool & beach

There’s no beach in Kingston itself. Terra Nova has an outdoor pool terrace in the gardens, and some junior suites look over it. Kingston’s usual beach trips, the boat to Lime Cay from Port Royal and the fish spots at Hellshire, haven’t had an official update since the hurricane, so ask at the front desk before you go.

Location

Terra Nova is at 17 Waterloo Road, just off Hope Road near the New Kingston business district. Devon House and the Bob Marley Museum are both close by on Hope Road, and Emancipation Park and Knutsford Boulevard are a short ride. Airport and private transfers are handled by the hotel’s partner, Island Car Rentals, which has a desk at Norman Manley International Airport. The UK Foreign Office advises visitors who don’t know Kingston not to drive in the city, and notes that most people use the South Camp Road (Humming Bird) route to and from the airport, so a hotel transfer or a registered taxi is the simple answer. Nearby: Devon House, the Bob Marley Museum, Hope Gardens, Emancipation Park, Trench Town Culture Yard and the National Gallery of Jamaica downtown. See where to stay in Kingston for the wider city.

Questions people ask

Is Terra Nova now a Best Western?

Yes. The Jamaica Gleaner reported in January 2026 that Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel joined Best Western’s BW Premier Collection in mid-2025. The hotel stays locally owned, and guests can earn Best Western loyalty points.

Is breakfast included at Terra Nova?

Yes. Terra Nova says hotel guests get a complimentary breakfast, with Jamaican and international dishes.

Where is Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston?

At 17 Waterloo Road, near Hope Road and the New Kingston business district. Devon House and the Bob Marley Museum are both a short ride away.

Is Terra Nova good for families?

It’s better for couples and business travelers. The hotel lists every suite type for two adults, so contact the hotel before booking with children.

Is Terra Nova open after Hurricane Melissa?

Yes. The Jamaica Tourist Board lists Terra Nova Hotel as open as of October 2026.

Sources & updates

Update log

  • — New researched guide; facts checked against official sources.
  • — Moved source citations out of the text

Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.

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