Birthday celebrations seem to have grown from one-night parties into events that last entire weekends, so with that in mind, I planned a three-day getaway for a niece who was reaching a milestone birthday—a perfect excuse for a warm-weather vacation for our travel-loving group who were mostly in the midst of a cold January. A new luxury resort in Jamaica was recommended to us, promising sunshine and a luxurious atmosphere. Recently opened adults-only, all-inclusive resort Princess Senses The Mangrove proved to be the perfect fit for our group. girls getaway.
We were all excited to visit Jamaica, a country we had never been before. On our drive from Montego Bay airport, we enjoyed the small towns, colorful houses and beach shacks as well as the turquoise water. Upon arrival, we were greeted with an escort to the Platinum Club lounge area—we had opted for Platinum’s upgraded amenities—for a light lunch and beverages as we took care of check-in details. The resort’s name was evident as we were driven to our room in a large golf-cart shuttle.
The property was built around a sandy bay, and all of the rooms in the resort faced the ocean for sunset views. Our furnished terrace was a great place to relax, and we enjoyed the tubs filled with bubbles. Blue Mountain Coffee shop was another favorite. There, we enjoyed ice-cream, coffee drinks, friendly young ladies eager to serve, and delicious creations.
We enjoyed the atmosphere at the pool and the shuttle to the separate pools. Princess Grand Jamaica We enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, colorful water slides, and Jamaican jerk grilled chicken. We were tempted by the adults-only resort, but we returned to our lounges at poolside and enjoyed cocktails.
We were able to enjoy the evenings dancing at a nightclub and only had to decide where we would have our pre-dinner cocktail and evening meal. The Robert’s Flame restaurant at the resort’s Steakhouse was a great place to get a personalized touch. Our server surprised us with a chocolate-covered birthday card for the honoree and a special dessert.
This resort is perfect for a group trip, a honeymoon, a weekend away, or whenever some sun and fun sound like a good plan. This is what it was really like to stay in the new Princess Senses The Mangrove.
Princess Senses Mangrove
- Relax in the cabanas or poolside, with swings, swings, or even water seats.
- There were shuttles available for us to travel around the resort. The drivers were fun and friendly. They taught us some Jamaican terms. (Wah gwaan? = What’s up?)
- We were all very impressed with the entertainment, especially the performers at the stage shows and the Illusion Night Club and MVP Sport Bar.
- The resort offers a variety of dining options, including 14 restaurants, 3 buffets, 15 bars and food trucks by the pool, as well as a nightclub, sports bar, a spa, fitness center, entertainment at night, and an indoor water park.
The Rooms
The 401 suites are all furnished with balconies and terraces that overlook the ocean. There are also 14 villas overwater, each with an infinity pool. The 183 Deluxe Junior Suites at the entry level include a spacious bathroom with designer bathtub, rainshower, minibar and coffee maker. The 61 Swim Out Junior Suites offer a shallow pool or a sunbed for relaxing. You can choose between a king-size bed, two queen-sized beds, or a suite with a sofabed.
Select one of our eight Luxury Junior Suites featuring a Whirlpool to enjoy a bubbly tub on your own private terrace, while enjoying the sun or the starry sky. In the spacious bathroom, they also have a designer bathtub with a rain shower. In one of 54 Pleasure Junior suites, you can enjoy a few extras. You’ll find premium bathrobes and slippers as well as a privacy kit. The Swim Out Junior Suites have the same amenities.
When you book a Platinum Junior suite, Swim-Out Junior suite, or Platinum One-Bedroom Suite, you can enjoy many privileges including a private check in area, a beach club with exclusive restaurants, butler service and premium drinks. You’ll also receive discounts on spa treatments and the option to check in early/check out late. The five Platinum Master Suites feature larger rooms, terraces and Balinese beds with whirlpool baths. They also include additional bathrooms and high-end products.
The Princess Bridal Suite comes with Platinum Club amenities and includes a designer bedroom, make-up space, and an exclusive terrace. While the Presidential Suite is equipped with a Sky terrace, infinity pool and accommodation for five people. Fourteen overwater bungalows offer spacious living areas, bedrooms, glass flooring, large furnished terraces and Platinum Club amenities.
Food and Drink
Courtesy of Princess Hotels & Resorts
Decisions, decisions. The all-day Food Market offers a wide variety of dining options, from sushi to steak to seafood to Mexican, Japanese, Jamaican, Caribbean and Asian Fusion cuisine. All the restaurants are beautifully decorated and serve a range of food, including Italian, Mexican and Japanese teppanyaki. The resort’s second-floor restaurants have comfortable seats for relaxing before or after meals, and rows of seats facing out to the ocean. We spent time there each evening, listening live music and enjoying sea breezes, as we sat in front of the ocean. Our sushi dinner at Umami was delicious, and I enjoyed the filet mignon and grilled shrimp (Beef & Reef) at The Pearl.
We also enjoyed the food trucks, the Reef beach, MVP Sport Bar, as well as the Blue Mountain coffee shops, which are open 24 hours a day. Each night, we finished our evening with an ice-cream cone. MVP Sport Bar’s dancing, games and cocktail menu were our favorites. And the rooftop bar was perfect for watching the sunset. We will need to return to see the other 14 bars we missed.
Activities and Experiences
It might be tempting to find a lounge chair by the pool—especially one that’s partially submerged on a hot day—but then you might miss out on sunrise yoga, beach volleyball, a reggae, soca, or salsa dance lesson, or a music trivia contest. You can also take spin classes, participate in horseshoe competitions or play cornhole. Retro Night was a lively show with great music and dancers.
You can snorkel or take a guided tour of the reef during the day. We went to the Wild Princess Water Park, located at the Princess Grand Jamaica resort family, for some snacks. As we ate our snacks, two adorable young activity directors invited us to play Jenga and Tic-Tac-Toe. It was great to watch the children on the slides and in the splash pools before heading back to the adults-only area.
The Spa
Courtesy of Princess Hotels & Resorts
This spacious and beautiful designed Princess Grand Jamaica Spa includes a sauna, steam room, solarium, hydromassage pool, and massage cabins. The spa has a wide range of massages. I particularly enjoyed the Swedish massage. You can choose from a variety wellness experiences, such as body scrubs, facials, or other pampering treatments. A full-service salon offers manicures, pedicures and makeup, as well as hair and beauty services.
Offers for Families
Princess Senses The Mangrove caters to adults only (18+). However, the Princess Grand Jamaica resort is open to everyone, offering a waterpark, kids club, and games, as well as shows and activities. This convenient location makes it a great destination for groups of all ages.
Location
Shuttle transportation is available in advance and is convenient. Princess Senses The Mangrove can be found about an hour away from Montego Bay Sangster International Airport. Tropical Tours is the onsite travel agency for excursions off-property to rum factories and waterfalls. Boat tours are also available.
Accessibility, Sustainability and Sustainability
There are accessible rooms and elevators in all the buildings. The Platinum Beach Club has accessible rooms for guests with disabilities. Shuttles provide transportation to clubs, restaurants and other parts on the property.
The Princess Senses The Mangrove is Jamaica’s first and only fully sustainable hotel. It was developed along with the Princess Grand Jamaica, a family-friendly property. The property is surrounded by more than 100 acres lush mangroves, which have been preserved both for their beauty and for their importance to the ecosystem of the country. The property includes its own electricity-generating plant, water treatment plant, solar energy system, and natural gas generation plant.
Princess, as a local member, has adopted Green Island High School, Harding Hall Preparatory School, and is the first hotel to build 500 rooms for tourists. The company developed a partnership with two local hospital.
What to Expect from Your Stay
You can join “MyPrincess”, free of charge, when you book your hotel through the Princess Hotels website You can combine this offer with other rates, offers and promo codes to receive a 20% discount. The MyPrincess Program for Princess Senses The Mangrove also includes a free shuttle service to and from airports, a 10% discount on spa treatments, and complimentary services upon arrival.
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