The Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa has a distinctive look. Three signature white domes shoot high into the typically blue sky, exuding a feeling of Greece on the sandy shores of Jamaica’s north coast. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my first view of the property came as my flight was making its final descent into the Montego Bay Sangster International Airport.
The all-inclusive Lady Hamilton shares facilities and services with neighboring Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa. The main pool, the largest in Jamaica, looks out at the ocean and serves as the centerpiece of both resorts. To the right is the Grand Palladium Jamaica, to the left, the Lady Hamilton. The Grand Palladium Jamaica is a bit more family-centric, but kids are welcome on both sides. With no boundaries of differences in the all-inclusive selection of services, most guests might not even realize the grounds are technically home to two resorts.
What is obvious though, is that the property is huge. Combined there are 1053 rooms and suites. Expect a day or so to get your bearings and learn your way around. By day three you’ll have mastered the short cuts and found your favorite hangouts.
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I stayed in a Lady Hamilton Junior Suite. Newly remodeled, the room was spacious with a king bed, and large sitting area with two chairs and a sofa. The balcony came with an ocean view and plenty of room to sit and enjoy colorful sunsets. The balcony also contained what just might be the room’s most utilized non-essential extra, a mounted, collapsible rack to air dry wet bathing suits. The mini-fridge is restocked daily with a selection of beer, soft drinks and bottled water.
The bathroom was bright and large, and though there was no door separating the toilet area, the glass shower door was opaque, allowing two people to share the space with a bit of privacy. The bathroom also had one of the larger soaking tubs I’ve ever seen. That said, I was never awake in my room long enough to take advantage of it.
As a waterfront all-inclusive, the resort has a long list of activities to keep you entertained throughout the day. The Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton is closest to the resort’s four beach areas: Gully Beach and Las Brisas Beach are for good for swimming and lounging. Coral Beach is an adults-only beach and Sunset Cove is where guests of all ages go to play. A staffed beachside shack at Sunset Cove has a long list of water toys waiting for folks who want to get wet. Paddle boats, kayaks, windsurfers and snorkeling gear are ready and waiting. (Activities like catamaran cruises, dive trips, glass bottom boat rides and ocean tubing are also available for additional charge.) Guests can also play bingo or give reggae dance lessons a whirl. Steps off the beach there’s a sit-down restaurant, jerk hut and bar, maximizing time on the sand.
If you don’t like sand, don’t worry, there are six fresh water pools on the property. The main pool offers a swim-up bar and a festive atmosphere. The children’s splash pool and mini water park is just steps away. Those seeking solitude should make a beeline for the adults-only pool.
Don’t be surprised if you find parents soaking up the sun at the adults-only pool. The resort kids’ clubs are open from 9am to 11pm and welcome children from one to 19 years old.
The Lady Hamilton all-inclusive model also includes food and drink. With three buffet restaurants, and seven a la carte sit down restaurants, options are plentiful. Try Jamaican specialties like jerk chicken at Xaymaica Creole or select from Mexican, Indian, Italian and Asian offerings. No one should go hungry, or be thirsty for that matter. There are 14 bars on the grounds.
Free basic Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort. It’s stronger in some areas than others, so if you’re trying to check email or social media, there will be moments where you might have to take a walk to speed up the process.
Rates for a Lady Hamilton Junior Suite range from $212 to $292, per person, based on double occupancy. There are no elevators in any buildings. If stairs present any issues, be sure to request a first floor room. You can also check rates on Expedia or Hotelopia.
Review and photos by Dana Rebmann. Her stay was hosted by the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
