Three of the hotels and villas that operate in Jamaica under Island Outpost — Chris Blackwell’s boutique hotel chain — were lauded in Condé Nast Traveler’s 23rd Annual Reader’s Choice Awards.

The Caves, Jake’s and Strawberry Hill all received nods in the Top 10 Hotels in the Caribbean/Atlantic category; the only Jamaican properties on the list.

The magazine’s November issue lists the best hotels, resorts, cruises, airlines, islands and cities in the world as chosen by more than 25,000 of its readers. Each hotel is evaluated based on five criteria; food/dining, location, overall design, rooms and service.

Out of a total of 100 points, The Caves (listed as second on the top ten list), Jakes (seventh) and Strawberry Hill (tenth) received overall scores of 93.1, 86.7, and 75.8, respectively.

“Our hotels are consistently being recognized in the global market for our high standards and unique product. Condé Nast readers are known for being discerning and experienced travelers, so it is a great testament to the quality and design of our hotels to have rated so highly in the five key categories,” said Island Outpost marketing and sales manager Melissa Eldemire, in a release issued yesterday . “We feel confident that we have found the right model for a successful and sustainable approach to tourism in Jamaica.” In 2009, The Caves was listed in the ‘100 Best in the World’ and in the ‘Top Hotels in the Caribbean’ (ranked 2/10), and Jake’s was also named as one of the ‘Top Hotels in the Caribbean’ (ranked 6/10) by Condé Nast Traveler’s globetrotting readers..

Condé Nast Traveler is a global publication and is considered one of the travel industry’s leading guides and reviewers of worldwide tourism offerings. With a readership of 827,000, the publication’s target audience is the frequent global traveler that is discerning about fashion, culture and design.

“The exposure received by these Jamaican hotels through the Condé Nast Annual Readers’ Choice Awards will further enhance the island’s profile in the luxury travel market and help to highlight it as a premium and unique vacation destination,” added the release. “The ratings will appeal to high spend travelers who seek out authentic cultural and holiday experiences that offer luxury and top notch service. These types of travelers offer value to the wider local market because they enjoy exploring the countries and destinations that they visit. Their destination exploration helps to spread the tourism dollar to small businesses and local enterprises outside of the hotel. Niche tourism offerings, such as sport, cuisine and nature, appeal to exploratory travelers who read publications, such as Conde Nast Traveler, to find the ‘right’ destination for their interests.”

Island Outpost hotels are known for being distinct and highly unique. The company is committed to creating personal and relaxed experiences for its guests, and each property is operated in a responsible manner, in harmony with its local culture and environment. Each Island Outpost property has its own singular sense of style — The Caves in Negril feels like a secluded castle set above a vibrant town center, while Jake’s in Treasure Beach is a charming and fun bohemian boutique hotel and Strawberry Hill offers a cool refreshing escape 3,100 feet above sea level in the Blue Mountains.