Was really excited to be travelling to this hotel on Boxing Day. The photos on the website looked amazing and, whilst the buildings are impressive and the setting in the lush greenery of Port Antonio is lovely, I have to say I was a tad disappointed.

The reception staff were less than welcoming and unforthcoming with information (with the exception of the security guards on the gate who were very helpful and friendly). The room was comfortable but basic with no facility for tea/coffee etc which, in this area would have been helpful. The hotel refreshment/restaurant service was very expensive and, it seemed, not popular so we did not feel inclined to try it - neither were we encouraged to.

I think the fact that we were there in December did not help - it was very overcast and rainy and therefore we could not make use of the hotel pool facilities or various outdoor seating areas which for the most part of the year, I am sure, would be idyllic.

Despite asking we could not get comprehensive information about the surrounding area and where would be good places to visit or eat.

The town is quite a walk from the hotel and when walking on the road (no option) you should be very careful about traffic. Taxis are cheap enough although you should be prepared for additional passengers to be picked up along the road as and when they hail the cab and agree the price before you get in. The gatesmen are good at hailing/setting prices when starting from the hotel.

If you are not eating at the hotel then in the town it was very difficult to get anything to eat before lunchtime and still then the choice was limited - however, this could be due to the time of year again.

Considering this was the first tourist port in Jamaica and is apparently geared up for a large number of American visitors, I found this hotel and location to be less than expected. The rest of our stay was spent with family in Yallahs, St Thomas and, whilst not primarily a tourist area, I much preferred it.

The Hotel was very clean, staff was excellent and rooms were big and spacious. This was my husband first visit to Jamaica and he loved every mintue of it. He wants to buy a house on the Island. My children love the hotel and all the birds especially the parrot called Max. They would talk to the parrot every morning before we go into the dinning room for breakfast. Jamaica Palace was beautiful we will definitely be staying there again. My family and I give the hotel two big thumbs up!!!.

The Jamaica Palace hotel is described as an elegant and luxurious 4 * hotel which is within walking distance of romantic beaches and coves. Whilst it may well look elegant when you arrive at the hotel, on closer inspection it certainly is not luxurious and certainly not within walking distance of romantic beaches and coves.
The hotel has a feeling of the overlook hotel in the film 'The Shining'. Very few people were staying at the hotel and the grounds have not been maintained to even a very basic standard. Floors around the grounds were generally dirty and mouldy, as was the poolside. The pool looks dirty and is it need of repainting and the outside bar area looks like it has not been in use for along time. Within an hour of being there I nearly stepped in dog or cat poo twice. This had not been cleared up by the next day, despite us informing the hotel manager of this.
The room was very basic, did not have a hair drier and the shower was a trickle of cold water. Someone came to try and fix this with a cocktail stick!!! Needles to say, this was not effective. We were told the shower may have been cold because alot of other showers may have been in use!!! (The hotel was nearly empty)
The nearest beach was approximately 3 miles away by winding roads without pavements for pedestrians.
We were so appalled by the poor standard of this hotel that after one night of a five night booking we left. The hotel manager said he was suprised by our complaints and could not really see our problem. The booking was pre paid through Last Minute.com. The hotel would not refund us for the four nights we did not stay as they said that Lastminute.com would be responsible for this. Lastminute.com could only offer us a refund for 2 nights, so we were left out of pocket for a hotel which has been totally falsely described by booking agents.
Anyway, don't just take our word for it in respect of this hotel, have a look at the attached photographs of this hotel which show what it is actually like.
In summary, what was probably once an elegant and luxurary hotel is now a dirty and run down hotel.

Good Service, decent but expensive food - except once, there was a fly in my soup, i did not bother to complain, the waiter had given such good service. Lobby - very good, rooms clean, but need updating, they have circular leopard print beads, yes as cheesy as it sounds it actually does not look that bad. I would stay here again. this hotel has real charm and personality, i recommend.