This All-inclusive Resort in Jamaica Just Got a Major Makeover and Features 12 Different Restaurants

The Grand Palladium Jamaica underwent a $27.5-million renovation that you need to see.

When I first arrived at the Grand Palladium Jamaica, I was struck by the resort's size. It is grand indeed. I was greeted with a welcome drink in the open-air lobby, which consisted of large white pillars overlooking palm trees, one of the many pools, and, of course, the ocean. The entire property includes two resorts — The Grand Palladium Jamaica and The Lady Hamilton. The rooms at The Lady Hamilton provide an atmosphere more suited for a couples getaway, while The Grand Palladium serves a more family-friendly audience.

Finding the correct building was a challenge, but luckily, shuttles were zipping around the property that took me anywhere I wished. After a day or two, I got a lay of the land and gladly walked along the shaded pathways to enjoy the stunning views of the coastline and the large colonial-style architecture that marks every building of the resort. And if you've stayed here before, you may think you know the resort inside and out. But hang on because, in 2023, The Grand Palladium completed a $27.5 million renovation that saw the re-furbishing of all the guest rooms, giving the entire space a brand-new feel.

The Grand Palladium Jamaica

• The architecture includes large white columns and tropical courtyards, which live up to the resort's "grand" claim.

• The rooms are impressively large, and the new renovations include chic neutral interiors and a swim-up pool for certain suites.

• The size of the resort makes it so it never feels crowded. I never had to wait in line or search for a free lounge chair.

• The amount of food choices is very impressive. Whatever your favorite cuisine is, they most likely have a restaurant dedicated to it.

The Grand Palladium Jamaica is located on the island's North West coast. Its positioning provides the resort with crystal-clear blue waters, perfect for snorkeling and a fantastic view of the brilliant Caribbean sunset. The entire resort is made for relaxing, containing multiple pools and beaches with refreshments never far from reach. The main pool is often where you'll find the partygoers, day or night, but the several other pools and beaches are tucked away and provide a serene tropical hideaway. The nights are filled with delicious dinner options, music, and, of course, a drink or two. However, whenever my feet were tired from dancing, my room was a quiet oasis. I often found myself on my balcony, where I could only hear the chirp of the tree frogs. The size of the resort makes it so it never feels crowded. There is always an empty lounge chair waiting just for you.

Continue reading for all the need-to-know information about The Grand Palladium Jamaica.

The Rooms

The rooms are located in separate villa-like buildings situated around the property. Each villa continues the colonial style architecture. When I arrived at my building, I walked through large white pillars to a courtyard filled with tropical plants and a fountain. The rooms are notably large. It’s impressive that a resort holding over 500 suites can also offer them at such a size, averaging over 700 square feet each. Every room includes a sitting/living area, a balcony or patio, and a large hydromassage tub in every bathroom. The newest suites even include a private swim-up pool. The renovations upgraded the room design to a clean white and neutral palette with plush new furnishings and small nautical accents. The king beds are made for sleeping in, and the mini bar is included and stocked daily.

Food and Drink

The variety of food options at the resort is truly impressive. There are three buffet-style restaurants, one located over the infinity pool area, giving diners a tropical view. While the three buffets do offer a good amount of choices, the real variety is found in the seven a la carte restaurants, all of which have a different theme. They cover a wide range of culinary menus, from authentic jerk chicken shacks to upscale Italian or steakhouse dining. Certain restaurants require reservations and a dress code. My favorite was a tie between Bhogali, the Indian restaurant, and Poseidon, the seafood restaurant overlooking Sunset Cove beach, which is also the perfect spot for sunset.

Being a tropical destination, most guests want to indulge in a fruity frozen drink at least once during their stay. Bars are located at every pool, including the swim-up bar in the main pool, which means you’ll never be too far away from a cold beverage. There are also a few standout lounges located around the resort that are definitely worth visiting. Miss Lou Bar was my go-to spot which doubles as a coffee shop and bar offering a full menu of drinks that indulge in both. The Sports Bar is a great place to catch the game and enjoy bar fare like the Palladium burger or Jamaican-style chicken wings. Finally, the Infinity Saloon Bar is a huge wrap-around bar on the top level overlooking the infinity pool and ocean, offering drinks with a view. This is also where many nighttime activities take place, and you’ll find music, silent discos, and more.

Activities and Amenities

The Grand Palladium has five distinct pools. The main pool is an infinity-style swimming pool, the largest in Jamaica. It is also where you'll find the swim-up bar and daytime activities. The other pools include a kids' water park, an adult-only pool, and the pool attached to the spa.

Over on Sunset Cove beach is the water sports center, where guests can organize just about any type of water activity they'd like. All non-motorized water activities like snorkeling or kayaking are included, and motorized activities like boat rentals and excursions have an extra fee. The beaches are perfect for spotting sea life. I was able to stand out in the water and see fish clearly without any snorkel gear at all.

There are plenty of other ways to get active as well, with a full range of sports available, including basketball, archery, tennis, pickleball, mini golf, and more. There is also a fully equipped gym that includes a weight room and a cardio room.

If you prefer group activities, there are multiple organized activities scheduled throughout the day and night. These include everything from beach Olympics for kids to rum tasting for adults and live music and stage shows in the theater at night. The full schedule of activities changes daily, so you'll never be bored.

The Spa

The Zentropia spa is technically on The Lady Hamilton side, but it only took me five minutes to walk to for my appointment. You could also take one of the shuttle buses to the spa. The spa has several different treatment rooms where guests can enjoy massages, facials, waxing, and manicures. My massage therapist was very skilled and helped work out a knot in my back that developed during the flight. The spa also has a hydrotherapy center, which includes a sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and hot tubs. Guests in Zentropia’s hydrotherapy area can also enjoy the smoothie bar, which offers fruit and green juices.

Family-friendly Offerings

Grand Palladium Jamaica has several family options for children of all ages. There are mini clubs and baby clubs that provide supervised play options, as well as a space for teenagers at the junior club that includes video and arcade games. You can also find family-friendly nighttime entertainment in the theater, which offers an array of different performances.

Accessibility and Sustainability

While the resort's main building has an elevator, the buildings where the guest rooms are located do not. However, the ground-floor suites, which include the Junior Suite Garden View and the Junior Suite Beachside, are ADA compliant. As mentioned before, there are also shuttles that can be used to get around the property for those with mobility difficulties.

Location

The resort is approximately an hour away from the Montego Bay airport. While you can organize a transfer, the resort has also partnered with certain airport shuttles to help guests get the best service to and from the resort. Grand Palladium also organizes excursions and has a taxi stand in the lobby for guests who want to explore.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

When you book directly through the Grand Palladium website, there are several offers that guests can take advantage of. Some are seasonal, but others, like the Flight and Hotel bundle, can save guests up to 40 percent. 

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