Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa

To sum it all up I have mixed thoughts on this resort - it has so much potential but it has enough negatives that would make me want to try a different resort! If they could fix some of these issues (easily fixed) then I would go back! Cons: 1-Beds are full size and NOT Queen. They are also older and uncomfortable with pads that do not fit them. 2-The free non-motorized activities on the beach have a caveat to them! Keep in mind that this is an all inclusive, gated resort that is cashless but when you go to use the snorkeling gear you are then told you must provide a 30 dollar cash deposit for each one you want to borrow. After going to Sunset Cove with my kids I did not want to walk all the way back to my room (15 minutes each way) to get cash. This cost could easily be charged to the room if not returned - there is a reason you wear wristbands to identify your access to the resort. This one item probably upset me the most as this is what I was really looking forward to doing! This is not like that at other resorts! 3-Towels - They do not have towels to give out at 11:00 in the morning when you go to the beach?! You are provided with a towel card for each person so you can only get one towel anyway?! Address your laundry times to recognize that towels are needed at beach time. 4- Timeshare selling. AVOID the downstairs area below checkin. They will ask if you received your free welcome gift. You shouldn’t have to feel this pressure of repeatedly saying no. 5- Food - They need more outside quick options at the beach/pool area. They have jerk chicken but no other options besides indoor sit down where you need to be properly dressed. How about burgers, pizza or other quick items? Deserts - while they all look beautiful they are not sweet - not American and not European - they all taste exactly the same almost like non dairy. It is the strangest thing. 6- Not enough beach chairs. 7- Lack of good written or electronic communication on resort offerings and locations. They provide you a basic schedule but it leaves a lot of items off and doesn’t tell you where it is held at! 8 - Create some speciality drinks and advertise them at the bars- some of us want the special fruity drinks while there so advertise your Bob Marley and Jamaican punch, etc. 8- Not a 5 star - an average 3 which is perfectly fine but don’t have higher expectations. They need a manager to go to some other resorts and see how they do things - easy fixes! I really wanted to love this place for the following reasons: 1-It’s absolutely beautiful! 2- Good WiFi 3- Sports bar to watch games 4-Sunset Cove - perfect paradise location! 5- daily stocked mini bar in room 6- spa - massages were fantastic 7- water aerobics is the Caribbean Sea?! How cool is that! 8 - good drinks - very strong Tips - I definitely believe in tipping. A ride from the airport to the resort should show you how lucky you have it. These employees are working very hard - as you can see my cons are not about the people or employees! Everyone is different so you may not be bothered by the same things- it just gives you a different perspective! Good luck!!

Beaches beautiful clean and well kept Snorkelling fantastic on 2 main beaches. Watersports including snorkel equipment/kayaks/body board/peddle boat/mini sale boat - very good! Towels on most of the sunbed by 7am and most empty until midday so have to be quick! Also ran out of towels by midday and couldn't get replacement or swap 50% of time. Pools clean/well kept - 1 large infinite pool, childs pool, 2 smaller pools near apartments and spa pool Food - restaurants great and buffets also very good Drink/bars very good - bar staff more attentive if you wave a few dollars at them. Fridge restocked with water and soft drinks (no alcohol but then didn't ask for any either) Air con and fan was very noisy in room Room service is good but issues took days to resolve (3 adults and not enough bedding took 2 calls) and extra robe/towels/patio chair/replacement chair took 5 days/5 calls and change meeting in foyer American dollars! Complex would only change about £30 for Jamaica dollars and cant do American. Asked if would change American to lower denomination said not a lot of change and wasn't open until 10.30am then served someone 1 minute later. Shuttle service hit or miss - some drivers more interested in chatting up young ladies and will ask you to change vehicles at main foyer so they can drive them around :) Gym is good although the bikes were very old and noisy Wasps! - the bars are swamped because of the sugar drinks - take care if allergic or scared of them! Mossies - Take deet or something strong for personal use and also in room Lucea is awful don't waste time or money going in. If you don't intend to leave the complex then location is fab. Juta taxis pointless too so would avoid using. Went on Catamaran to Negril/Ricks café with Total Watersports - It was a great day but was delayed 30 mins leaving and then bus delayed picking up. The 90 mins shopping was reduced to a 30 min rush. The snorkelling trip with Total watersports was ok but again delayed leave and snorkelling was much better in the complex than the area we were taken to 5 mins away so felt a waste of money. Most of the staff are lovely and will try assist and make holiday as great as possible. It is a large complex and most rooms are away from the main hub. Rooms are 3 level apartments. We had ground level with ocean view but never got sunshine. Rooms at other side overlooked pathways etc.