(Left) Mary Phillips, general manager Jamaica Inn, says her secret is 'hospitality with a whole pile of love'. - File (Right)A section of Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios. The property has been ranked among the best in the world for 2007. - photo by Rosemary Parkinson

Six of Jamaica's hotels were ranked among the Top 25 in the Caribbean, up from four last year, but the island's showing in the world's Top 100 vacation spots was less impressive.

Jamaica Inn, the only property on the big list, was ranked 49 among the world's best as determined by Travel+Leisure magazine in its 12th annual World's Best awards readers' survey.

its 'amazing location'

Mary Phillips, general manager of the property for five and a half years, said Friday, when contacted for comment, that part of Jamaica Inn's charm was its "amazing location", backed by a unique type of service delivery.

"My whole thing here is service - hospitality with a whole pile of love," said Phillips, who says she is from St. Mary.

"I have a staff who are just amazing. They work incredibly hard."

Jamaica Inn has 60 per cent repeat business, perhaps because it is 'a beautiful spot' to vacation, but some of it might also be the result of the hugs that staff dole out in abundance.

"They call us the 'huggy hotel'," said Phillips, laughter in her voice.

The top property on the Travel+Leisure survey overall was Oberoi Udaivilas, in Udaipur, India, which scored 94.36 points, up from the third spot in 2006.

Jamaican Inn, which was not ranked among the Top 100 last year, scored 89.78.

Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios No. 3

Within the Caribbean grouping, which included Bermuda and The Bahamas, the six Jamaican properties making the list were:

Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios - No. 3

Couples Sans Souci, Ocho Rios - No. 11

Royal Plantation Spa & Golf Resort, Ocho Rios - No. 16

Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Montego Bay - No. 17

Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa, Runaway Bay - No. 20

Rockhouse Hotel, Negril - No. 24.

Four of the six - Royal Plantation, Round Hill, Grand Lido Braco, and Rockhouse - did not make the regional listing last year.

Jamaica's Director of Tourism, Basil Smith, in a statement on the rankings, said Travel+Leisure readers were some of the world's most sophisticated and discerning travellers and that Jamaica was honoured to have "the most properties voted as best in the Caribbean."

The survey results are published in the magazine's August 2007 edition, as well as on its website, www.travelandleisure.com.

lavern.clarke@gleanerjm.com