Couples Swept Away

The staff were very friendly and helpful, and we had a beach bungalow with comfortable beds. The beach was amazing. Food was good, though not excellent, and we actually preferred the buffet to the reservation-only premier restaurants. The coffee bar was outstanding. This was our first all-inclusive resort, and it didn’t quite reach the level of excellence we’d had on our previous Viking river cruise. The drinks tasted watered down, the wine was bottom shelf, and none of the bars could make a decent martini. There was no drink upgrade program. I know I’m comparing it with Viking, which cost nearly twice as much, but I still think they could have done better.

We picked this place for our honeymoon. The rooms aren’t large, but they look elegant, and the staff were nice. Breakfast has two usual options, a buffet and a sit-down restaurant where you order. Both served much the same things, like eggs, bacon, sausage, bread, omelets, and pancakes, though the restaurant lets you customize the meal more. We’re picky, so maybe this was just us, but we would’ve liked more variety. The Palms hosts events each evening, with live music that carries clearly to nearby buildings. Most events wrap up by 10 PM. We go to bed early and stayed far from the Palms, so it didn’t bother us. If you’re an old soul like us, a room near there might be an issue if 10 PM feels late. Orlando, who works at the Palms, really impressed me. Of everyone at the resort, he made me feel most heard and paid close attention to what we needed. He always had a smile and went above and beyond.

Andrea Bruce at reception deserves a special mention. She was patient, kind, welcoming, and always there to help. Since most guests come from the United States, Canada, and the UK, local Jamaican staff naturally speak English quickly and fluently. We use English regularly, but as non-native speakers we sometimes struggled to follow. Andrea made things much easier, and we’re truly grateful. This was the most beautiful trip we’ve ever taken. The location is perfect, with direct sea access, Negril’s stunning white beach and excellent beach facilities. The rooms are beautiful, the food is great, and the entertainment is fantastic. The price may seem high at first, but we felt the all-inclusive experience was worth it. Meals, international alcohol and drinks, entertainment, and sports activities are included, so the value is exceptional. We’ll definitely return.

The beach vendors were a real downside. Many persistently tried to sell weed, jewelry, and other things, and it was hard to walk along the beach without being approached a dozen times. I understand they need to earn a living, but it made a quiet stroll difficult. We had a great, relaxing stay, with a friendly atmosphere and lots of repeat guests. The room was wonderful, very clean and well maintained, with a huge balcony or patio and wide open patio doors. It was cleaned twice a day. The long beach had clear blue water and hardly any waves, and the grounds were lovely, with no bugs or pests. Included activities such as snorkeling, catamaran trips, and kayaking offered good variety; snorkeling was excellent, with lots of fish and sea life. Food was mixed. For a tropical country, there was hardly any fresh fruit beyond pale-looking melon. The fine-dining restaurant we managed to get into was just okay, and we couldn’t get a reservation at either of the two nicer restaurants during our four-night stay, which was disappointing. That said, the buffet had excellent fish dishes and plenty of choice.