Jamaica Palace Hotel

Breakfast was authentically Jamaican, and I loved the callaloo and sailfish, as well as the mackerel rundown and fried breadfruit. Special thanks to the chef. The staff were friendly all around and went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. At Jamaica Palace, the room was clean, well proportioned, and comfortable to sleep in, though we had trouble using and enjoying the TV. The hotel's location is on point, with easy access to Port Antonio spots like Gee Jam and Boston Jerk Centre. I'll definitely come back with friends. Thanks for a wonderful stay.

Breakfast was excellent every day, especially when we ate outdoors on the patio. The hotel is very clean, with friendly, efficient service, adequate free parking, and a secure setting. Its location, value, service, room size, and breakfast make it a real gem. It's a classic hotel with an unusual layout in its very large rooms and suites. The artwork in the hotel and rooms is a love-it-or-leave-it affair. The location is great.

The food was a highlight: dinner had a very good mix of traditional Jamaican dishes and Italian pasta, and breakfast was very good, both authentically Jamaican and intercontinental. We were given a spacious, well-lit Junior Suite on the ground floor. The bed was a bit hard, but I slept okay. The shower pressure was low. There's a large pool on the upper level with towels, and the pool area was relaxing. Staff were available and friendly, with an aim to please, though at times they seemed timid and awkward, almost like amateur hour. This is just personal taste, but the dark, gothic lobby artwork didn't suit Portland's bright, laid-back coastal feel. Jamaica Palace Hotel has plenty going for it, especially the food, and a few adjustments could make the stay even better.

The property is lovely, with a lot of charm and a beautiful setting, which made our arrival all the more disappointing. The receptionist was on a personal call and kept chatting while we waited, without greeting us or even making eye contact. We knew we were a little early, but were told bluntly there was “NO WAY” we could check in before 15:00. We were the only guests there then. No one suggested we have lunch while waiting until 3:00 PM. We were also told there would be an extra $60 per night because we had our six-year-old with us. After a long discussion, Booking.com (we booked for 3) was blamed, and the owner/manager eventually said the charge was fine. This should have been sorted out professionally without making it the guest's problem. The female staff seemed disengaged too. Some sat in the restaurant chairs, leaning out the window, and at one point one staff member was lying on the terrace with her head on the table, apparently asleep. The shower was warm only in the sense that a warm shower would have helped. It's a beautiful hotel, but the welcome and attention fell short.