Jamaica AI part 2: Grand Palladium
Travel Date: November 2011
as per Nick’s question of what Jamaica AI means = Jamaica All Inclusive.
Let the gluttony continue with part 2 @ the Grand Palladium & Lady Hamilton in Lucea, 30 mins away from part 1 @ Riu Club Negril. A private transfer with a Camry via Jamaica Tours brought me through Negril to Lucea. Wasn’t expecting a Camry, it seems too luxurious when you look at other transport cars/vans! a grand sweeping driveway later, i was standing at reception desk. after some initial confusion over my reservation, i was sent to my villa. there were at least 25 villas on the Grand Palladium side. each villa has 3 floors with approx 10 rooms on each floor, and a Japanese pond in the middle of each villa. beautiful first impression for sure!
the Junior Suite room was gorgeous! marbled floor with an actual king size bed (see note in part 1 post), pull out couch, flat screen TV, and a balcony. big Jacuzzi tub and separate shower completes the amenities. and of course the standard mini bar.
Off to explore the resort…it’s 1 main building that ties Grand Palladium and Lady Hamilton together, where a la cart restaurants, buffet dining rooms, and shops are located. around the back is the big wraparound pool with the biggest swim up bar in Jamaica. A friend mentioned the + point for the largest swim up bar: the ratio of water to “other substance” in the water becomes better. 😀 There’s not much of a beach to speak of, more rocky edges and a small rocky sands with a few lounge chairs and umbrellas. the water looks pretty strong, coming in on the rocks. doesn’t look too safe to swim for an amateur swimmer like me. I wasn’t worried, more time to hang out at the pool!
only tried 1 restaurant while i was there since my time was cut short (health reasons…boo) – the asian fusion place. after 1 whole week at Riu Club, i was excited to have some change in cuisine. though i was sorely disappointed. the best thing was the appetizers: beef rolls and spring rolls. sushi makis were available but for whatever reason, they put everything with cream cheese. whhhhyyy?! even though i asked for cream cheese to be removed, some rolls still had them. it wasn’t good sushi anyways (but what can i really expect right?). the entrees from there got worse. between the people at my table, we ordered pad thai (looks more like chow mein), peking duck (very tough and fatty), japanese fried rice (didn’t try any), tempura prawn (the best option), udon noodles in miso soup (more a bowl of soup with a few strand of noodles). Dessert was actually pretty good – 2 top choices are the banana egg roll with ice cream and ginger chocolate cake. o, and 3 of the male diners were sent back because they did not have long pants on. they are very strict there! Even at morning buffet breakfast, men can’t wear sleeveless tops in the dining room.
I ended up only staying for 2 nights, so hard to judge its AI factor with activities/food/service etc, but overall I would say the resort was very pleasing, grand and nice to relax at with a touch of luxury feeling. The only downside I saw/heard was that the volleyball beach court was more rocky than beachy (shoes recommended); restaurant hours were weird (couldn’t figure out when the outdoor dining room was opened); there’s only 2 beers at a time at the room’s mini bar (ie. if you have friends over, you will quickly run out). o, and no mango slush.=(