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At one stop during the bus transfer from Montego Bay Airport to the resort zone in Negril, the bus driver joked, “Be sure to wear comfortable shoes on the walk from your room to dinner.”
As we left the sprawling all-inclusive behind, one of the two remaining passengers turned to me, beaming. “That was nice, but totally different from where we’re staying,” he said.
It would be the couple’s second time at Sunset at the Palms, and they were giddy. Approaching the driveway toward the open-air, intimate lobby, his wife said, “See, the driver saved the best for last.”
While Sunset at the Palms is an all-inclusive, the size of the resort (85 rooms, for a maximum of 170 guests) keeps it quiet and serene. Its location, adjacent to Jamaica’s largest and best-preserved wetlands, means the most common sounds are frogs and birds.
The accommodations only enhance this immersive experience: luxurious tree houses made from local wood with king-size beds, stocked minifridges and private balconies from which to spot hummingbirds. The Treetop suites offer two floors of tropical-chic comfort and two private outdoor spaces, one with a hammock.
All other creature comforts are here, too: a pool with a swim-up bar, an open-air spa with a perpetual cool breeze, tennis courts and exceptional dining.
There’s an outdoor buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, often featuring local dishes (Jamaica Palms); a casual beach bar and grill (Palm Breeze Beach Bar & Grill); and the resort-elegant Lotus Leaf, for a multicourse, Caribbean-fusion feast.
There’s also Chef’s Showcase, my personal favorite. Here, under the stars, the chef presents four courses of locally sourced and inspired dishes that perfectly embodies the resort itself; it’s authentic yet elegant, sophisticated but not serious and purely Jamaican.
One of the best activities at Sunset at the Palms occurs shortly after sunset; following a day on the pristine beach and a bountiful dinner, guests gather at the poolside Bamboo Bar to listen to live music, drink rum punch and socialize like old friends. In fact, many guests have met at the resort and now return together each year. It feels like an extended family.
That’s a feeling Sunset works hard to foster. It hosts both a weekly dinner and weekly cocktail party for returning guests. When repeaters arrive, the staff says, “Welcome home.”
Sharon Powell, the hotel’s manager, said, “Guests feel pampered at this hidden gem, with an intimate ambience, gracious service and warm hospitality.” And she’s absolutely right: It is a hidden gem, a home away from home, but in a tree house.
Off-season rates begin at $399 per night for two people; the peak-season rates begin at $635 per night for two. Go to www.thepalmsjamaica.com for more information.
Source: travelweekly.com
