The location right in the town of Ocho Rios makes it easy to just walk downtown, to shop or to wander. The vendors don’t seem as pushy these days either.

At night it is so pretty to look at the hills with twinkling lights in the distance. 

The lobby is spectacular.

There are five pools including the kid’s pool. 

The kid’s area is amazing; it made me want to borrow a kid. A lot of kid’s clubs look like an afterthought squished into a small space. This space is bright, huge and very enticing. The stage, pint size of course, was for Karaoke. ‘The Playroom’ as the kid’s club is called is open from 10am to 10 pm. 

One guest said, “the ladies running The Playroom were excellent (the playroom is brand new, very well equipped with loads of toys, a big soft play area, water fountains and sand pit - our son loved it!)” 

The new wave simulator is the latest addition to the brand. Created by Wave loch, the Flow Rider Double creates two lanes of perfect, endless waves over a riding surface, offering hours of surfing excitement for all ages. While kids body board on the new FlowRider, more advanced and adventurous guests can use the stand-up "flowboards." 

Not only the kids loved it. I think most everyone under 80 had a go, and of course took a photo to show they did it. The slide had the same audience. 

The teen club is called Loud; the club was not loud when I was there, but I’ll bet it could be. And then there is a night club as well, and live entertainment outside.

There is a dolphin area, with Dolphins who were born in captivity. It is far enough away, that those who love swimming with the dolphins can walk to the end of the pier in a couple of minutes, but those that detest the idea don’t have them under their noses. There are water activities; Kayaking, paddle biking, wind surfing etc. The beach itself was very clean had very comfortable chairs and plenty of them. Guests didn’t have to wake up at 6AM to reserve a chair but the prime locations did go fast. 

The cruise ships dock within view of the resort and this creates two reactions! People like me actually enjoy them, and others claim it ruins the view. 

My favourite place to be every night was the Martini Bar, yes the drinks were good but Andre Campbell on the piano was fabulous. He could play anything from Beethoven to the latest pop and everything in-between. No sheet music needed of course. He would place a few bars of something, pause and ask what he song was. Then he’d sing a verse, and we’d sing along. He is quite the showman.

Food, well there was certainly lots of well-presented and interesting choices particularly in the Buccaneers’ Reel buffet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen devilled eggs before, nor has the head chef inspected my plate and suggested I haven’t put enough on it. The Italian restaurant La Gondola gave a taste of every single thing on the menu over a leisurely couple of hours. This is not the place to rush. Momo the Oriental Restaurant had great choices, and the Teppanyaki table with chef Gary had a fun presentation and delicious food. The kids who were at my table were enthralled. 

Yes, there is room service but there is also ‘snack destinations’ at the back of the lobby. Pizza, sushi, panini, deserts, and coffee. 

Over Christmas the resort reviews complained about water problems, so did most of the other resorts in the area. 

The other issue with the property were the elevators; they are working on staff elevators. If you have very impatient clients you might want to encourage them to book lower floors. 

And yes, there is sales staff there to sell your clients vacation club weeks. Encourage them to practice the word “no” if they aren’t interested. You might also show them “air only” in high season. 

The Awe Spa (this resort has the greatest names for venues) is the biggest in Jamaica, sure to wow you. Guests can use a portion of their $1500 room credit at the spa. Even with 23 treatments room, they need to book early.

Everybody loves the free WiFi and unlimited free calls to Canada. A very nice touch. 

Clifton Reader the GM, was with the previous owners for eight years. Many others on the management team have been with the resort a long time as well, in fact 75 percent of the staff stayed on. The Palace brand is Mexican owned, and 150 staffers from all the various departments went to the Moon Place in Cancun for a month of training - “The Palace Way.” The staff stayed as guests and one staffer said “ The owner welcomed us in person.” 

Clifton Reader says “The Palace is only a hotel-we’re a family”. We’re in Jamaica to take us to the full moon, and staff makes us. 

And, yes indeed, the staff is amazing. Stacey Anne in the Lobby Bar, and Tamara in the Martini Bar who remembered exactly what I drank every night, will live on in my memory of exceptional staff.