Hotel Review: Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton

Apr 10, 2016

LadyHamiltonHotel_FEATURE — The all-inclusive oceanfront resort is located between Montego Bay and Negril in Jamaica. // © 2016 Dana Rebmann

Jamaica has a well-deserved reputation for long sandy stretches, warm water and bright-blue skies. Sunny days and warm nights are perfect for squeezing in everything or making the choice to do absolutely nothing. Whether your client’s idea of a great vacation is to lie back in the sand, float in a pool or don a mask and snorkel to hunt for sea stars, the newly renovated Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa offers all of the above, steps from their room.

Two Resorts in One
Located between Montego Bay and Negril, the all-inclusive Lady Hamilton calls a stretch of the Jamaican North Coast home. It shares its oceanfront grounds and a long list of amenities with neighboring Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa. Both resorts are similar; Lady Hamilton is a bit more family-focused, but kids are welcome at both properties.

Room Refresh
In time for summer, Lady Hamilton is showing off the perks of a $20 million renovation. All 516 rooms and suites received a face-lift. Along with new Caribbean-esque furnishings and decor, environmental friendly amenities have been added. Air-conditioning now turns off automatically when balcony doors are opened, and all rooms are equipped with motion sensors, so when guests are off playing in the sun, the room powers down.

Spiced-Up Dining
Upgrades weren’t limited to guestrooms. The recent redo and reopening of Indian restaurant Bhogali brings the resort’s restaurant count to 10. Three buffet restaurants and seven a la carte sit-down dining spots serve everything from Jamaican and Mexican dishes to Italian and Asian fare. There are also 14 bars on property.

Beach Boost and Splash Pad
Las Brisas Beach, one of the resort’s several beaches, was replenished giving guests more room to stretch out. Visiting families will have a tougher time convincing kids to head to the beach, though, now that the Kids’ Splash Pool and waterpark has opened.

Those seeking solitude can soak up sunshine at the adults-only Coral Pool. If clients are looking for shenanigans such as reggae dance lessons and beach bingo, Sunset Cove is the place. Along with beach toys like kayaks, paddleboards and windsurfing boards, the cove is loaded with sea life, making it a great snorkeling spot. Guests can check out all the gear they’ll need at the beachside sports shack. Catamaran cruises, glass-bottom boat rides, ocean tubing and scuba-diving trips are available for an additional charge.

Beyond the Resort
If travelers are up for a little exploring, they should consider nearby attractions such as Dolphin Cove Jamaica, Dunn’s River Falls and Chukka Good Hope Estate, but some of the best views of the Jamaican North Coast come from the water. Lady Hamilton offers a weekly catamaran cruise to Negril that features snorkeling, lunch at Margaritaville, time to shop and a stop at Rick’s Cafe to watch cliff divers. If you’d rather stay dry, soak up a little history with a tour of the Rose Hall great house. With hidden staircases, modern-day ghost stories and tales of how Annie Palmer, the lady of the house, murdered three husbands, the tour offers a haunting escape from the sun.