Grand Palladium @ Montego Bay?
Feb 27th, 2009, 06:40 AM
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Grand Palladium @ Montego Bay?
HI. Has anyone stayed at the Grand Palladium Resort at Montego Bay. From what I have heard is that it is fairly new. I plan on going to Jamaica in May. What is the beach nearby like? Is it fairly close?
Feb 28th, 2009, 06:58 AM
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The resort is actually located just outside of Lucea which is about an hour from the airport. It opened last July/August I believe. The resort's developer, a Spanish company, reportedly violated many environmental regulations that are loosely enforced on the island. The "beaches" located on the property are manmade and small. It has created quite a controversy. Over a period of a few years and trips, I saw this eyesore being built.
That all being said, it definitely isn't my kind of place. There are many better options than this place all over the island. If you need and AI resort, check out Sunset at the Palms in Negril. There is also a new AI on Negril Beach called the Grand Pineapple (old Negril Gardens). Of course, the best way to travel to Jamaica is a non-AI vacation that gives you an opportunity to sample many of the local establishments. It is a more cost friendly approach, as well, in most instances.
That all being said, it definitely isn't my kind of place. There are many better options than this place all over the island. If you need and AI resort, check out Sunset at the Palms in Negril. There is also a new AI on Negril Beach called the Grand Pineapple (old Negril Gardens). Of course, the best way to travel to Jamaica is a non-AI vacation that gives you an opportunity to sample many of the local establishments. It is a more cost friendly approach, as well, in most instances.
Mar 9th, 2009, 02:43 PM
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We just returned from the Grand Palladium yesterday. It was an experience. Not what I would want in a Carribean vacation. The weather was very poor - very windy.
The resort was huge and ostentacious, not very nice in terms of the gardens - I like nice lush landscape, none of that here. The beaches were very disappointing! I like to walk on the beach, but not much of that going on here. Also, we love to snorkel, but the water was not clear, so we were told snorkeling would be bad. We told it was due to the weather , but when went to Negril one eve to see the sunset at Rick's it seemed like the water was very clear there. I think the Palladium is located on a really poor stretch of Island were the water quality is cloudy, due to currents and wind. Had I know about all the environmental regs violated, I never would have gone here.
The food was pretty good, Bubbas and Pastafarian being the best, if you like good mexican food, you can pass on their mexican restaurant. The staff (locals) were very nice, but from what we saw they were not treated well - which made it hard to enjoy what amenities we were given.
The rooms were fairly pretty, but the AC was not very good. Our room was cool, but extremely damp. The beds were horribly uncomfortable. The shower had leaky issues. At times the resort smelled like raw sewage and there were drainage problems all over. I would not go back to the Palladium again.
I have had really good luck with vacations in the past, so I didn't bother researching this resort, I took it on the advice of Cheap Carribean to be the best deal and a nice resort. So, I will thank the Universe for a great learning experience and will be better advised in the futre when booking vacations. From now on I will use Fodor's and do my research on line.
The resort was huge and ostentacious, not very nice in terms of the gardens - I like nice lush landscape, none of that here. The beaches were very disappointing! I like to walk on the beach, but not much of that going on here. Also, we love to snorkel, but the water was not clear, so we were told snorkeling would be bad. We told it was due to the weather , but when went to Negril one eve to see the sunset at Rick's it seemed like the water was very clear there. I think the Palladium is located on a really poor stretch of Island were the water quality is cloudy, due to currents and wind. Had I know about all the environmental regs violated, I never would have gone here.
The food was pretty good, Bubbas and Pastafarian being the best, if you like good mexican food, you can pass on their mexican restaurant. The staff (locals) were very nice, but from what we saw they were not treated well - which made it hard to enjoy what amenities we were given.
The rooms were fairly pretty, but the AC was not very good. Our room was cool, but extremely damp. The beds were horribly uncomfortable. The shower had leaky issues. At times the resort smelled like raw sewage and there were drainage problems all over. I would not go back to the Palladium again.
I have had really good luck with vacations in the past, so I didn't bother researching this resort, I took it on the advice of Cheap Carribean to be the best deal and a nice resort. So, I will thank the Universe for a great learning experience and will be better advised in the futre when booking vacations. From now on I will use Fodor's and do my research on line.
May 16th, 2009, 04:52 AM
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Here are several photos of Grand Palladium's pools and the beach area also.
http://jamaicaallinclusiveresort.com...ca-resort.html
http://jamaicaallinclusiveresort.com...ca-resort.html
Feb 7th, 2010, 08:58 AM
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Travelling to Montego Bay next November for a wedding can anyone suggest a beachfront hotel that is close to the Grand Palladium Resort/Lady Hamilton resort. Attending a wedding at that resort and would like to be close but would like something close to local restaurants etc.
