Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa

Stayed here September 9-13 and couldn't have asked for a better vacation! Don't even bother reading the bad reviews because people complain about the dumbest things. From beginning to end, no complaints whatsoever. When we arrived we were greeted with a drink of our choice and made our way over to check in. Upon check in they told us we would have one bed and be farther from the pool. We asked if it would be possible to get two beds and be closer to the food/pools. They told us to go ahead and grab some food and by the time we were done they would have the room ready. Sure enough, we came back and they gave us a room on the second floor, two beds, and as close to the action as you could get. The food there was AMAZING! Breakfast buffet with so many food choices plus mimosas! My favorite thing was the made to order omelets. Jerk chicken stand for lunch everyday for me because it was that good! I loved every restaurant we went to for dinner as well. Hibachi, Steakhouse, Italian etc. I read a lot of review about how slow the service was which was not the case for us at all. Drinks are made strong, and if you have a problem with them not being "strong enough" ask for a double the next time. Don't forget people IT'S ALL YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK. Everyone that worked there were super friendly and polite to us our entire stay. They take your bags to your room for you and will come and get them for you when it's time to leave. Nobody was ever pushy about signing up for an excursion or the spa. They politely asked and we politely declined and we both went on about our day, it's that simple. There are people that walk around taking pictures with was awesome because then you can go back and look through them and decide if you want to purchase any. I loved the nightly entertainment especially the all white party. The shows were very fun to watch and entertaining as well. The pool and swim up bar were the highlight of the trip. There are plenty of seats so you don't need to get out there super early and claim your spot. There are two other bars near the pool so if the swim up bar is packed, there are other options. There are also staff walking around taking drink orders as well. For an excursion we booked through bookit at the resort and did the 4x4 Jeep Safari Tour. It was a great way to learn about the history and culture of Jamaica. I could write all day long about what a wonderful experience we had. Can't wait to come back!

Just spent the last 2 weeks in paradise on Lady Hamilton ! Clear water and white sandy beaches with palm tress, its all true ! From arrival to check out this place is faultless and we cannot understand the negative reviews. The resort is a 45 minute journey from the airport and is incredibly clean with immaculate gardens. The resort is what you make of it. If you choose to eat & drink the same thing for breakfast, lunch & dinner and then complain the selection of food & drink is repetitive and there is not enough variety I can assure you the issue is not with the resort, its you !! Treat all the staff with courtesy and respect and you will get the same back. Its incredible how rude guests were to staff who were working so hard. We were spoilt rotten by the choice of food and drink available at the buffets, Jerk huts, sports bar, room service ( no charge ), and all the evening a la carte restaurants including steak house, Italian, Jamaican, Indian, Fish, Japanese, Mexican. No need to book, we just turned up and we were seated pretty much  straight away. The only thing you need to book is the show cooking in the Japanese which is good fun. There are bars everywhere on this resort and a fantastic coffee bar serving incredible coffee & cakes. In the buffet restaurants the chefs are cooking your omelette to order in the morning in front of you or at lunch cooking different meats. The servers work so hard constantly topping up your drinks and clearing your tables. Our favourite was the Japanese a la carte and I can honestly say we had the best fillet steak & sushi here on numerous nights. Our server *****Mario Clarke***** really pulled out all the stops and made this so memorable for us. Choice of 3 beautiful beaches, enter the crystal clear water and you will have some beautiful fishes swimming around you including barracuda if your lucky! Or lay on the main beach or pool where staff continuously walk around taking your drink orders and bring them to you, you literally do not have to move. Each beach offers something different including a different view and are cleaned daily. Walk down to the beer hut behind the children's pool and from 11am you can get a fresh coconut  cut open in front of you by a gardener using a machete. Lovely experience and its a very refreshing drink. The pool is massive with a swim up bar and there is loads of sun beds. Live bands next to the pool / main beach on some days, on other days music with the entertainment team dancing like you will not believe. Live bands or DJ'S in the evening up at the infinity bar ( best place for the sun set ). Main theatre has a different show every night and the Michael Jackson show is incredible ! Selection of different activities through out the day. We did the aqua spinning in the main pool with the fitness team for a laugh and to try something new & different. It was great fun ! Again its what you make of your trip, the more interactive you are with the staff and activities the more fun you will have ! Large choice of trips at both receptions, don't use your travel agent, use the on site company as they are a bit cheaper. There is also a taxi company based at both receptions with a list of destinations and cost. The day trips we did involved long drives ( up to 2 to 3 hours to get there ) but you get to see the real Jamaica on the way and eat traditional Jamaican food. There is security guards everywhere on this resort including the private beaches and there is CCTV everywhere. We felt so safe in the resort and felt so safe out the resort on trips. We stayed in villa 38 Lady Hamilton which was next door to the spar and took about 3 to 4 minutes to walk to the reception. It is very easy to walk around the resort and the walkways are covered, we did not use the shuttles once in 2 weeks.The Spa is nice and relaxing but there is a charge, however it was included in our package. The junior suite has a large bathroom with a hydro massage tub. The mini bar in the room including water was topped up every day. In the room we had a safe, bathrobes, iron, coffee machine, satellite TV with numerous channels, air-con, comfortable bed,the list goes on. Room entry is by electronic key card. ******Few good things to know******. There is medical facilities on site. If you require treatment which we unfortunately did you have to pay for it there and then regardless of having travel insurance which we do. The medical facilities are independent to the resort so you cannot charge the bill to your room and the medical company does not wish to chase your travel insurance for payment which is why you have pay there and then. Its down to you to claim on your insurance when you return home. There are shops selling all sorts but are a little expensive. At the weekend a little market is set up on the lower part of the reception. Tipping is really appreciated, we took lots of US $1 notes. The beer on tap is red stripe, Jamaican beer. Well known brands of spirits are served at the various bars. Champagne & red wine was good. Dress code is very relaxed. I wore shirt, shorts, smart flip flops and sometimes shoes to dinner every night in the a la carte restaurants. I didn't wear trousers once. Some a la carte restaurants are out door only so obviously no air-conditioning. Some a la carte restaurants have half indoor seating with air-conditioning and half outdoor seating. In other words you have a choice. We did not get bitten once on this resort, never saw a mosquito. This is Jamaica where things are done a little differently. Come here with an open mind and don't expect it to be like your last destination. We cannot wait to come back !!