Hotel Review: Grand Palladium in Montego Bay, Jamaica
What’s not to love about a week in paradise! The Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Montego Bay Jamaica was everything a weary soul could need! From the moment I stepped off the airport transfer bus, the staff were there to greet me with a smile, rum punch, and cool towels to refresh my face. Everything was taken care of – all I had to do was relax.
Cocktails at Sunset Cove, Grand Palladium Jamaica
I stayed in a Junior Suite – needless to say, I spent very little time there! The beach and pools for time in the sun were what I was looking for. My days were spent basking in all the Caribbean had to offer, whether lounging on the chairs, taking the free kayaks out for a spin, or listening to live reggae bands on the terrace each night. The music and dancing every night could have been a scene out of the movie Dirty Dancing – the entertainers at the hotel dancing up a storm, sharing their moves with the guests.
Days at the Grand Palladium can be as quiet or activity based as you like. My days tended to start with a relaxing breakfast on the outside patio as I watched the world go by. The palm trees and bright blues of Jamaica certainly started my day on the right foot!
My favourite beach at Sunset Cove had everything I needed. As the Grand Palladium is an all-inclusive resort, I only needed to wander up to Poseidon’s Sunset Cove Restaurant for lunch or tropical rum punches and pina coladas any time I liked. Free watersports, like kayaking, catamarans and snorkelling were also available.
The Grand Palladium has 5 freshwater pools, complete with sunbeds and towel service. I found it hard to leave the tranquility of the beach, but did manage to get up to the pools to meet some of the other hotel guests.
The food in the a la carte restaurants was excellent. The resort certainly went out of its way to help all the guests for anything they needed, including very special requests! Sadly, I didn’t have my camera with me for dinner in the Lotus House Restaurant (Asian cuisine) as the hotel helped make the night incredibly special for one couple! Not far from where I was sitting, as I was sipping on my pre-dinner cocktail, the staff welcomed in a young couple and he proposed! Photos were taken and the couple were then whisked away to a private dinner to celebrate their engagement!
Twilight Sunset Cove, Grand Palladium Montego Bay. Photo courtesy of Charlene M
The staff at the Grand Palladium were also available for any assistance you may require for making the most of your time in Jamaica. I took advantage of an outing to Chukka’s horse riding in the Caribbean Sea. A blast if you can find the time. I met other guests who took a private taxi in to Montego Bay for a day of sight seeing and shopping and a tour to see a waterfall.
So, put your feet up, relax. Everything is good in Montego Bay!
Hotel Amenities:
Grand Palladium Montego Bay, Jamaica. Photo from hotel website.
5 Freshwater pools
Free umbrella, sunbed, shower and towel service
Main Pool
Four built-in jacuzzis
Swim up bar
Surface area: 8000m2
Maximum 1,20m deep
Roselle Pool
Located at the Grand Palladium Jamaica
Quiet pool
Maximum 1,20m deep
Children’s Pool
Located at the Miniclub
Separate and enclosed pool
Maximum 0,65m deep
Coral Pool
Located at the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton
Adults Only
Built-in jacuzzi
Surface area: 500m2
Maximum 1,70m deep
Open until midnight
Pool at the Spa
Built-in jacuzzis
Maximum 1,20m deep
Activities & Sport Facilities
Aerobic
Aquatic gym
Table tennis
Petanque
Waterpolo
Darts
Participatory “fun games”
Minigolf
Sports Bar (table tennis and billiards)
Archery
Three tennis courts
Two beach volley nets
Two basketball nets
A soccer and football field
Water Sports at the beach
Catamaran
Kayak
Snorkeling
Pedal boats
Windsurfing
Excursions *
Scuba diving courses *
Sailing courses *
Windsurfing course *
Spa & Fitness Centre
Gymnasium with lockers dressing room and air conditioning
Jacuzzi
Sauna
Vapor bath and turkish bath
Footbath
Massages *
Beauty salon *
Hairdresser *
Beauty treatments *
Waxing *
Manicures and pedicures*
Entertainment
A complete, daily program of sports activities and entertainment on the beach and at the pool.
Children’s entertainment throughout the day and show for children at night/ Mini-disco
Shows and games every night at the theatre and Disco Bar Bobsled, air conditioned from 11:00pm – 2:00am.
3 Buffet Restaurants
Mo’ Bay Restaurant
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Italian corner and Show Cooking
Air conditioning
Negril Restaurant
Breakfast and dinner
Italian corner and Show Cooking
Air conditioning
The Blue Lagoon Restaurant
Open air restaurant
Lunch
Overlooking the main pool
Italian corner and Show Cooking
Theme Restaurants
A la carte dinners- Reservation required
Open: 5:30pm – 9:45pm
Reggaetoni Restaurant
Italian cuisine
Bhogali Restaurant
Indian cuisine
Lotus House Restaurant
Asian cuisine
El Mariachi Restaurant
Mexican cuisine
Bubba’s Restaurant
Grill – barbecue
Xamayca Restaurant
Creole cuisine
Poseidon’s Sunset Cove Restaurant
Rices, fish and seafood
Open: 12pm – 5pm
(Snacks service at lunch)
“A la carte” service from 6pm – 9:30pm
Wow Jamaica! Now that’s what i call a sweet hotel and in paradise land.
Posted by Charlotte | October 22, 2011, 9:08 amI couldn’t agree more! It was a fabulous hotel and the beach was perfect! Would go back in a flash.
Posted by Anita Mac | October 22, 2011, 9:17 amBest trip ever. Out maid Heather made our quarters truley feel like home, with that extra touch of flowers on the bed, and immaculate room. Our children were well taken care of, thanks kids zone, the kidszone ladies, Spice, Yuni, Barbie, Bubble, Nadia. Entertainment was also top. Beach experience, everything was just amazing. Home away from home in Paradise
Posted by Avtar Dhaliwal Avi | June 10, 2012, 6:22 amLoved the entertainment – those dancers were amazing. We were lucky to have a visiting band play the kettle drums on my last visit to Grand Palladium – they really kept the Caribbean flowing! I attached a video clip to the Postcard from Montego Bay post if you need a little Jamaica in your day!
http://traveldestinationbucketlist.com/2011/12/07/montego-bay-postcard/
Posted by Anita Mac | June 10, 2012, 5:38 pmWas childcare included in the “all inclusive”?
Posted by midnitechef | November 19, 2012, 12:00 pmA week in paradise sounds perfect. Where do I sign up?
Posted by Smith | June 11, 2012, 10:54 pmIt was absolute paradise. Did the package tour – can’t go past the price for airfare and all inclusive resort!
Posted by Anita Mac | June 12, 2012, 8:21 pm