Last week six of us headed south to Jamaica for a week on the beach at the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton, about a half our outside of Montego Bay. For Kay and I it was a welcomed summer vacation, for the others is was the last chance to get away before school started. We booked through Vacation Express and were on the last Sun Wing charter direct from Nashville.
The Grand Palladium is the largest resort in Montego Bay and it has a lot to offer. There are two ‘sides’ to the resort, the Jamaica side which is more for families and the Lady Hamilton which is more for adults or couples. They’re connected by an enormous pool, with swim up bar, and main building that has resturants, shops, casino, disco, and common areas. The resturaunts will fit any pallet with two buffets and a sports bar that’s open 22 hours a day.
In addition to the main pool there’s an adult only pool with a bar that’s open till 10:30pm and another pool with a Spa and ‘lazy river’ that’s shaded. If you’d rather be on the beach there’s three to choose from. I’d recommend Sunset Beach as it has the most shade. It’s in a cove and is where the included water sports (snorkeling, kayaking, paddel boats, wind surfing, catamaran) are located. It also has ‘the jerk hut’, which you need to visit at least once and The Poseidon resturaunt.
You really have everything you need at the resort but if you want to go on an excursion that’s ‘no problem mon’. We took a taxi to Negril for an afternoon and stopped by Margaritaville, did some shopping, got to see a still working light house that’s a few hundered years old and visited Rick’s Cafe. Rick’s is known to be a good place to see the sunset, on the day we were there it cloudy. But you will have some entertainment from the locals cliff diving.
Our other trip was to Dunn’s River Falls, the most visited attraction in Ocho Rios if not the whole Island. It is a must if you’re there for any length of time but before booking ask when the cruise ships doc. If your schedule allows avoid a day when they’re in port, lines will be shorter and you’ll have more time on the falls.
The other days were spent at the resort on the beach. I did get Parmy Olson’s ‘We are Anonymous: Inside the Hacker World of LulzSec, Anonymous, and the Global Cyber Insurgency’ to pass the time. It was a interesting read. We sprinkled in a little volleyball and tennis, but no running. Some others in the group did a little but walking was enough for Kay and I. And yes it is a big place so be prepared to take a stroll if you need to get somewhere.
We had a great time and would recommend the resort if you’re looking for a place to hang out in Jamaica.
