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🌴 Our 7-Day Getaway to Jamaica: A Romantic Escape to Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton
In July 2025, we packed our bags and flew off to the vibrant island of Jamaica for a sun-soaked, soul-refreshing escape. We chose the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort that offered the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Before booking, we signed up for the Palladium Rewards Program-it’s completely free (not a timeshare or credit card!), and we even got an extra discount for being members. Their app made planning seamless, letting us explore resort amenities, schedule spa treatments, and reserve restaurants with ease-all from our phones.
✈️ Travel Day: Landing in Paradise
Our journey started off at the Delta lounge, which gave us a quiet and cozy start before takeoff. Arriving in Jamaica was easy-as U.S. citizens, we breezed through immigration thanks to filling out the C5 form online in advance.
While researching transportation, we came across Knutsford Express, which seemed like a local option, but honestly, the resort’s complimentary airport transfer was more than sufficient. That said, the wait was long-nearly an hour at the airport before we finally hit the road. In hindsight, we wished we had chosen the private transfer (around $100 one way), especially after a long flight. It would’ve been worth it.
Once on the road, the drive took about an hour, depending on traffic. As we left the city behind, we were treated to some lovely countryside views and glimpses of Jamaican local life. At the resort, check-in was a bit slow-there was a wedding taking place that day-but the staff were welcoming. A quick heads-up: there are no elevators on the property, but the bellman helped us (and our luggage) get to our room in Villa 40 via golf cart. The villas are beautifully spaced out across the resort grounds, and while our villa was quite far from the main dining and entertainment areas, we didn’t mind the walk-it became part of our daily routine.
Our room was cool and cozy, although we noticed the AC wouldn’t go below 21°C, which wasn’t a deal breaker, just something to be aware of. The mini bar, refilled daily, was part of our all-inclusive package, as were all drinks, room service, and the “drink of the day”-a fun touch we looked forward to each evening. We also received a towel card to exchange for pool towels, with a $20 fee if lost. Instead of physical room keys, we were given wristbands (ours were red-see table below for what different colors mean). There is level above the VIP red wristbands called Signature level. The Signature Level guests enjoy exclusive beach and pool areas, preferential dining reservations, private villas, and access to Signature-only restaurants. While it sounds tempting, you honestly don’t need it. The standard all-inclusive offerings were already plentiful and satisfying.
Though cell service was hit-or-miss, the resort had solid WiFi. Since it’s an open public network, we connected through a VPN service.
on a high note with a live Bob Marley tribute concert, the perfect welcome to island life.
🌅 Day 2: Exploring the Resort + A Moonlight Surprise
With some restful night’s sleep, we started our day with breakfast at Mo’ Bay Buffet-a hearty and delicious spread. Then came one of our most important planning tasks: dinner reservations. We highly recommend getting this done on Day 1. The sit-down restaurants operate in 30-minute reservation blocks and have a dress code.
Reservations cannot be changed at least three hours prior to your appointment time. All restaurants and their food on the menu are included, but lobster dishes and some premium drinks come with a small extra charge.
Next, we visited the concierge area to book our excursions-we chose Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls. Transportation to and from the resort is outsourced to a third-party travel agency called Kiuki. We also made it a point to schedule our return ride to the airport at their desk.
As we strolled through the lush grounds to explore the resort, we passed a group of workers cutting coconuts from the trees. To our delight, they handed us fresh coconuts and Spanish lime (also called quenepa, mamoncillo, guinep, or limoncillo)-a spontaneous moment that truly captured the warmth of the Jamaican people. We brought our treats back to the room, sipped on cocktails from the bar, and relaxed on our balcony before heading to Poseidon, a seafood restaurant with beautiful ocean views.
While the food didn’t impress us (it was a little bland), the setting more than made up for it. Also, fellow cat lovers: the resort is home to many friendly cats who quietly roam around. They’ll leave you alone if you’re not interested, but we enjoyed their company.
After lunch and a quick nap, we got ready for one of the most romantic experiences of the trip-a moonlight dinner by the beach. A four-course meal, complete with a bottle of wine, candlelight, and the sound of the waves, it was everything we had hoped for.
🌊 Day 3: Adventure Awaits
Our excursion day started bright and early at 7:00 AM. We skipped the buffet in favor of a quick chicken sandwich and coffee at Miss Lou Café, then grabbed our towels and boarded the shuttle. Along the way, we asked our guide to stop at a roadside stand, and they kindly obliged-we picked up sugarcane, coconut water, and Jamaican apples.
A quick stop at a souvenir shop allowed us to buy water shoes, which were cheaper than at the resort. If you have water shoes or a waterproof phone pouch, definitely bring them from home!
Our first stop was the breathtaking Blue Hole (Island Gully Falls), where we swam in crystal-clear pools, jumped off rocks, and soaked in the jungle atmosphere.
We then headed to a local eatery where we had a delicious lunch of jerk chicken and fried fish-the jerk chicken was honestly some of the best we’ve ever tasted.
The second half of the trip took us to the stunning Dunn’s River Falls, which cascades all the way into the ocean-a rare and beautiful sight. We climbed from the bottom to the top with the help of experienced guides and even had a professional photographer capture it all (for $40, a great souvenir!). It was an exhilarating challenge, and while not for the faint of heart, the guides were incredibly supportive.
If you do this tour, try to be at the front of the group-it gives you more time to rest between climbs and hear instructions clearly. And as always, keep cash tips handy-the guides and drivers really earn them. The resort has an ATM, and tips are accepted in multiple currencies like USD, EUR, CAD, GBP, and Jamaican dollars.
Our main goal for this trip was to enjoy a blend of relaxation and light adventure. We chose to do just one excursion day and spent the rest of our time unwinding at the resort, which worked beautifully. If you’re more activity-driven, you could easily combine beach and pool time on the same day and add another excursion day in your itinerary. Jamaica offers so much-from horseback riding and river rafting to bamboo sailing, wine tasting, and even visiting Bob Marley’s hometown. There’s truly something for every kind of traveler.
That night, we enjoyed dinner at Sumptuori, the Japanese restaurant. We tried urumaki and futomaki rolls for the first time-and loved them!
☀️ Day 4: Cabana Life
This day was all about indulgent relaxation. We had booked a private beach cabana for $180 per person, which came with a bottle of champagne and a dedicated server who brought us cocktails, tropical fruits, snacks throughout the day and even delivered our lunch to the cabana.
The water was so clear, we could see our toes as we floated.
I even managed to get a nap in (apparently with some snoring, according to my husband!).
Later that afternoon, we played a lively game of ping-pong by the pool before heading back to the room to refresh. Dinner that night was at El Dorado, the resort’s steakhouse. My filet mignon was perfectly cooked, but my husband’s New York strip was a bit overdone-he swapped it for a filet and found it much better, though still slightly past medium rare.
We capped the evening off with a theater performance followed by a silent disco, dancing under the stars with wireless headphones-such a fun and unique experience.
💆♀️ Day 5: Spa Sanctuary
We started our morning with breakfast at Negril Buffet, which had an identical spread to the main buffet but shorter lines. After breakfast, we stopped by Zentropia Spa, where we had a hydrotherapy session included with our stay. Initially, that was all we planned to do-but the relaxing vibe and the spa salespeople (who are always offering discounted packages) quickly won us over.
We ended up booking a 50-minute Swedish massage for $270. It might sound steep, but it included full access to the spa facilities-saunas, Jacuzzis, a Turkish bath, smoothie bar, snacks, and even a private pool area just for spa guests.
We spent nearly the entire day there, and it was worth every penny. They also gave us an extra day of hydrotherapy access as part of the package. That evening, we dined at Bhogali, the Indian restaurant by the pool. The flavors were rich and comforting-a welcome taste of home.
We finished the night with a live reggae performance by POP (People of Palladium) where Kiran was called on stage for some interactive dance! We then promptly crashed after such a relaxing day.
🍹 Day 6: Poolside + Cocktails
We attempted breakfast at Blue Lagoon, but it was reserved for a kids-only event, so we returned to Negril. By the way, the resort does a great job with kid-friendly amenities, including a water park and lots of activities tailored to different age groups.
We spent most of the day at the main pool, enjoying cocktails, lounging in the sun, and eating from the poolside buffet that served flavorful Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken and pork. In the afternoon, we joined a cocktail-making class hosted by a resort bartender-one of the more interactive and fun experiences. This time, it was my turned to get picked out, and I was picked from the crowd to shake a cocktail!
These events, run by POP, are worth checking out. Ask the front desk for their schedule upon arrival.
The pool also features a swim-up bar, where we grabbed a couple of tropical drinks
before heading back to change for our final dinner at La Adelita, the Mexican restaurant. The food was delicious, and the service warm and attentive. We ended our last night with a beautiful international dance show, followed by karaoke and dancing-the perfect sendoff.
🧳 Day 7: One Last Morning in Paradise
We couldn’t believe our trip was coming to an end. For our final morning, we returned to Blue Lagoon Buffet, where the lines were blissfully short. After breakfast, we packed up and arranged for a golf cart pickup with the bellman (be sure to do this in advance!).
Once at the lobby, we left our bags with the front desk and enjoyed a final “Jamaican Memories” cocktail at the bar-a tropical tribute to the week that flew by. We also grabbed sandwiches from Miss Lou Café to snack on during the airport ride.
Our Kiuki shuttle arrived right on time and took us straight to the airport, with no additional stops. We ended the trip just as it began-relaxing in the Delta lounge, already dreaming of our next visit.
💡 Final Tips & Recommendations
• Bring waterproof sunscreen, swimwear, and light, breathable clothes
• Pack water shoes and a waterproof pouch for excursions
• Have small cash handy for tipping guides, drivers, and servers
• Want to be closer to everything? Request Villa 26 or 27
• Humidity alert: Don’t bother straightening your hair—just embrace it!
• Laundry is affordable most items are under $2
• Everyone operates on island time, so book carts and shuttles early
• Ask for discounts at the spa you’ll likely get one
• Book excursions through the resort for safety and convenience
Jamaica gave us so much-the sunshine, the sea, the reggae rhythms, and the generosity of its people. Whether you’re in search of relaxation or adventure, this island has something for every kind of traveler. We left feeling rested, renewed, and already excited to return.
If you’re planning your own romantic escape and want help budgeting a trip like this, feel free to reach out-we’d love to share a complete breakdown for couples.
