Onsite Review: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa

ROOMGrand Palladium Jamaica Resort & SpaBy Barbara ScofidioAt the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, a fresh renovation and new plunge pool suites have elevated the guest experience. In fact, you know it’s an experience that travelers will never forget when the accommodations are so fabulous that they don’t want to leave their rooms. That was the case during my recent stay in one of the resort’s new Oceanfront Junior Plunge Pool Suites. The suites’ infinity plunge pools are nothing less than divine, set on a bluff above the Caribbean facing north, making for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It became my obsession to capture the perfect photo, in just the right light, to do justice to the juxtaposition of the peaceful water at the infinity pool’s edge and the crashing waves beyond. The resort just added 48 of these suites earlier this year—40 Oceanfront Superior Junior Suites with Private Pools and eight Oceanfront Superior Suites with Private Pools. The eight Superior Suites are the largest in the resort, with 161-sq.-ft. pools and outdoor terraces, as well as private living rooms with balconies. The English Colonial-style Grand Palladium Jamaica is coming fresh off a $27.5 million renovation of all existing rooms, which are set in low-rise villas. Serene colors mimic the sand and sea, while appointments such as ceiling fans, jacuzzi tubs and woven rattan decor lend an air of unpretentious elegance. The resort has also refurbished its two lobbies and ballroom; the Infinity Saloon Bar, which hosts live entertainment; and the MoBay buffet restaurant, which increased its capacity. The entire Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts complex actually has two sides—Grand Palladium Jamaica and Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton. The flow between them is seamless, and guests can move freely from one side to the other. They also share restaurants and amenities, including the main pool (said to be the largest in the Caribbean), a kids’ club and waterpark, Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness center, and Sunset Cove, a sandy beach that’s the perfect spot to catch the sunset. PILLARS For honeymooners, the Lady Hamilton side includes 48 exquisite romance villas with outdoor showers, which are set back from the rest of the resort on a point, with water visible on all sides. An adults-only pool is available only to Lady Hamilton guests. In total, there are 1,054 rooms, 10 restaurants (a mix of buffet and a la carte) and five themed bars—which means a guest could basically dine in a different restaurant every night. The Jamaican restaurant, Xaymaica, is a must-do, with specialties such as braised oxtail, spicy curry goat and coffee rube crusted beef, topped off with sweet potato pudding or pineapple upside down cake for dessert. The coconut dinner rolls are simply unforgettable—pillows of soft dough with just a hint of sweetness. Around 18 percent of total visitors are repeat customers, says Merricka Dyer Cunningham, the resort’s sales manager. “The majority of our market is North Americans, especially from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, as well as Canada,” she says. “When it’s family season, you’ll know it—it’s when the North Americans are having their holidays. Outside of that, you’ll see a lot of couples, small groups of friends traveling together for celebrations—and of course, weddings.” The resort’s location in Lucea, halfway between downtown Montego Bay and Negril, means that guests can experience both of these island destinations within a half-hour’s drive. Onsite tour operators can also arrange for a variety of excursions, from swimming with dolphins to ziplining to catamaran rides.POOL Dyer Cunningham says a huge plus for the resort is its rural location. “We are located in such an underdeveloped area—Lucea is considered ‘the country’ in Jamaica. There’s farming and fishing, small schools and community centers. There are people who were born in Lucea who have never left. Yes, there’s golf down the road at The Tryall Club, and there are curated excursions, but guests can become immersed in the local culture here.” Friday night is Jamaica Night, and local craft vendors set up to sell their wares. There’s also a charming authenticity to the service this writer experienced. Staff members frequently strike up conversations, ask questions and happily share their personal stories. Their interest is genuine. “Of our 1,600 staff members, almost all are Jamaican,” Dyer Cunningham says. “What I love about the service is that our staff is encouraged to be themselves. They will tell you their real and true experience.” Contact InformationGrand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa: palladiumhotelgroup.com

COVERHAL GATE 1HAL GATE 2 & 3HAL GATE 4Table of ContentsSANDALSSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesAMERICAN CRUISE LINESAdvisor Speak: Passion for Cruises Led Her Here— A $3 Million Travel AgencyIndustry Insights: Tour Operators are ‘Highly Confident’ About 2024Cruise: Swanky SailingsCruise: Multimillion-dollar Revamp for Windstar Sailing YachtsATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES SCATLAS OCEAN VOYAGESPRINCESS CRUISES SCPRINCESS CRUISESSCENIC SCSCENIC LUXURY CRUISES & TOURSSEABOURN SCSEABOURNDISNEY SCAlaska Cruise Season—Booking Options for 2024 & 2025DISNEY CRUISE LINEHOLLAND AMERICA LINE SCRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE ADALASKA RAILROAD SC ADOnboard Review: Discovery Princess—10 Reasons to Book for an Alaska VoyageOnboard Review: Celebrity Ascent Offers Elevated Experience for TravelersOnboard Review: Norwegian Viva—Cruising in Comfort and StyleMexico/Caribbean: Elevating Romance Through LuxuryPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP SPREADATLANTIS SCATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND BAHAMASINCLUSIVE COLLECTION SCINCLUSIVE COLLECTIONSANDALS SCOnsite Review: Impression Isla Mujeres by SecretsOnsite Review: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & SpaOnsite Review: Sandals Dunn’s River—Sandals 2.0 Looks Mighty FineOnsite Review: 3 Melia Hotels & a Theme ParkPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUPCUNARD