The Jamiaca Palace Hotel is a massive white building that gives the impression of a colonial hotel.

The place is full of art from who knows where. The rooms are very spacious and clean. The hotel's grounds are lush tropical gardens and are well kept. As far as safety goes, there is a guard 24/7, but Port Antonio is perfecly safe.

What is wrong with this place then, you may ask? Well, not much as far as appearance goes. The service wasn't great, but not bad either.

What got to us was the lack of atmosphere, it felt like we were the only people staying in the hotel. I didn't want an all inclusive party palace, but at least play some music at the bar/restaurant. When there is cruise ship in, the place comes alive and busses drops of passengers to stare at the art.

There is not a beach within walking distance, but you have great views of the ocean/bay and the mountains. The food is average and overpriced at best. Get a taxi and go eat out at San-San Tropez, Mille Fleurs or if you are on a budget go into Port Antonio and have a meal in the bay.

All in all a pleasant stay but the place didn't catch my imagination.

To sum it up: Save, clean, lack of atmosphere.

We ended up at the Jamaica Palace by coincidence, having checked out of the Great Huts down the road.

It's an amazing looking place - it was apparently built in the 1980s but looks older. The buildings and grounds were absolutely immaculate
in every way. There is art and scuptures displayed everywhere - on every wall and corridor and inside the rooms - and much of it was fantastic, particularly in the main reception. The taste of the decor is bizarre - ruffles and swags everywhere, but it kind of works. Each room has a huge circular bed right in the middle which was very comfy, and a sunken bath.

The pool (in the shape of Jamaica) was deserted the whole time we were there, so it was blissful to have it to ourselves. The strange thing was the lack of guests - it felt like we were intruding - almost as if they would prefer not to have anyone staying as it made the hotel easier to keep perfect.

The service (with the exception of one waiter) was very poor - quite attentive, but no smiles.

There aren't any other food options around the hotel and the menus at the hotel are exactly the same every day - after 3 days we were fed up of the choices. But generally the quality of the food was pretty good. Meals are around $10 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, $30 for dinner.

I wouldn't go out of my way to go to the Jamaica Palace for more than a few days - but it's not a bad choice in the area and the hotel itself was lovely.

There didn't seem to be any room for negotiation on the rates - a standard room is $150 including tax.

When no one from the hotel answered both my e-mails for a reservation, I booked it through Travelocity. Just 2 nts., our first time in PA, 26th trip to JA. We were told we had no reservation but when they realized we hadn't paid Travelocity for the room, they had 1 "lucky" room. The resort is lovely, but underused. The pool is up on a large deck area, bar, tables, gardens but I think they use it strictly for functions now ... weddings, etc. Found both friendly and indifferent staff. We enjoyed ourselves but ate in town, their restaurant is very pricey and no one was ever there. The room was adorable but they advertise balconies and we didn't see any rooms with balconies.

I loved this hotel - it has to be seen to be believed! The rooms are nicely appointed (although the air-con is a bit on the noisy side). The overall ambience is brilliant - really quirky - art and caged birds around every corner - the swimming pool in the shape of jamaica.

They really go the extra mile in making sure you have a good time - fresh flowers on the bed every day and the owners are always on-hand to help smooth over any little wrinkles (including mending the printer in the IT room!)

I wouldn't recommend the restaurant though, unless you are sick of Jamaican food and really want something European.