The Palmyra is a unique facility unlike any other we have visited through seven years of vacationing as a family. We enjoyed our stay very much and we are glad to have chosen a unit here. That being said, this place is not right for everyone and it's important to evaluate your expectations of what you want and/or need out of your vacation before you book here.
If you are seeking an amenties-packed resort experience that offers pre-planned activities, all-inclusive meal plans, on-site restaurants and shopping, bar service at the pool and on the beach, childcare services, resort-sponsored tourist excursions, and no requirement to ever leave the grounds, The Palmyra is not the right place for you.
It is, however, an excellent choice for those of us who want to relax with peace, quiet, and privacy, with few distractions from precious work-free family time. It would also be perfect for an intimate honeymoon or romantic couples vacation, as well as for the more adventurous travelers who prefer to spend their days exploring the "real" Jamaica on their own and return to a beautiful, affordable, and comfortable place in the evenings. We are a family of introverts and we specifically chose The Palmya because the reviews gave us the impression that it's uniquely suited for introverted personality types, and it is. We also did not want to pay any occupancy fees for our two young children, which Sharon C. was more eager to accommodate than any of the resorts we considered. I don't think it's possible to beat her rates and everything you get to enjoy with it on a Caribbean vacation. Our family of four saved THOUSANDS of dollars when we ultimately chose her unit over the Round Hill Resort we had initially booked, which dramatically improved our capacity to afford to do all the things we wanted to do while we were in Jamaica.
We had an unprecedented level of privacy during our stay at The Palmyra and often felt as if we had scored the entire grounds all for and to ourselves. We could spend hours at the beach and in the pool - which were both gorgeous - without ever being bothered, and we enjoyed premium views of the ocean, sun, and moon from their gazebo in the sea without ever having to stand alongside strangers and make awkward small talk. There were many other guests when we were there - the place was far from deserted - but everyone had enough space to spread out and do their own thing, and everyone there seemed to both value and respect the private sort of vibe to the whole place. Everyone managed to be personable and friendly without ever becoming invasive or annoying. It was wonderful.
The grounds are large and beautiful, but evidence of The Palmyra's financial troubles is unavoidable. There is no food or bar service on site, many units are empty, and you can expect minor inconviences such as a shortage of hot water (this won't bother you as much as you might fear by the end of a long day outdoors, and it is more room temperature than it is cold, was comfortable enough for my infant to bathe in) and no air conditioning in the indoor lobby or common areas (to be completely clear, THERE IS AIR CONDITIONING INSIDE THE CONDO). There are abandoned developments on both sides of the property - an urban explorer would love this place. We enjoyed exploring the ruins-like developments that were only partially constructed before they were abandoned and never felt as if they detracted from our own appreciation of the views and surroundings there, but we certainly understood where others who prefer a more polished veneer on their vacations could feel dismayed. The Palmyra is only 5 or 6 years old but looks more like it was built 15 or 20 years ago. The condo itself wasn't exactly immaculate, but it was very nice, comfortable, and the kitchen was well-equipped. The view from the balcony was spectacular - Caribbean to the right, West Indies to the left. We spent many hours enjoying the views in our room and in the common areas. Words cannot do justice to witnessing them for yourself.
Although the listing indicates the condo can sleep up to 6 people, we would be reluctant to bring more than 4 as there is only one king sized bed and one small sofa bed that is best suited for no more than two children or just one adult. It's possible to fit more than four, but some of you will be sleeping uncomfortably for your vacation if you bring six. If it is possible for you to travel with an air mattress or portable bed of some kind, six could be just fine. The four of us - two adults and two small children - comfortably shared the king size without any problems.
The staff crew at The Palmyra is small, but they were always present and available, and they were always very polite, respectful, non-judgmental, and willing to help. On our first day, the concierge set us up with a taxi driver from the Jamaican Tourist Board (JTB taxis are considered safe and ideal for tourists unfamiliar with the area) who became an essential key to how we were able to experience Montego Bay beyond the grounds of The Palmyra. His name was Richard Clark and we emphatically recommend requesting him through the concierge if you aren't renting your own car. We learned a lot about the island from him, and where to spend our tourist dollars to actually benefit the people living in Jamaica. He took us on a few free side tours through residential villages in the hills of the West Indies that we never could have found on our own simply because he really cared about sharing the hometown he loves with visitors, and he seemed very passionate about correcting and uplifting how tourists passing through perceive his community. He also diligently kept track of us during our excursion to Montego Bay's Hip Strip, made sure he always remained visible and knew our whereabouts since we didn't have cell service and could not track him down with a phone call when we were done for the day. We came to Jamaica with our two young children - a 7 year old and an infant (bring a car seat that you can secure with a lap belt and no base if you are bringing a baby to Jamaica!) - and we always felt safe in his taxi. We were so grateful for him and the concierge (I *think* her name was Joanna) who found him for us.
When you come to The Palmyra, you MUST be prepared with a plan as to where and how you will obtain food. There are no stores or restaurants within walking distance, so you WILL need transportation. The biggest curve ball we threw at ourselves was showing up with no idea how we'd get around or feed ourselves. This was our first trip to Jamaica so we did not understand exactly how many matters of convenience we have taken for granted on previous vacations. That's not to say The Palmyra is inconvenient - it is not inconvenient - but you really will need assistance from the concierge and taxi drivers to get around if this is your first time in Jamaica too. We just didn't realize how much we did not know about Jamaica until we had already arrived, so do some research on what's nearby before you get there. If you are not already familiar with Montego Bay, just winging it is kinda difficult. There are shops and restaurants very close, but you will need transportation to get to them. The concierge will arrange this for you. Blue Diamond Shopping Complex is just a five minute taxi ride away, and there is another grocery store across the street called Progressive Foods that is similar to Publix in the U.S. and is probably the closest place most suitable for tourists to purchase groceries. The restaurants in Montego Bay can be very expensive, and leaving the grounds in a taxi for every meal is both costly and time consuming, so you will be doing yourselves a huge favor to stock up at the beginning of your trip and prepare at least some of your meals yourself at the condo. The grocery store in the Blue Diamond has the best prices, but Progressive Foods has the best selection. We used both while we were there and felt comfortable and safe in both stores.
All things considered, we felt we got our money's worth out of The Palmyra and that our accommodations were very good and completely appropriate for the price range. What the future may hold for this property is uncertain, but for right now a vacation here can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend true quality time with family, friends, and loved ones while you are surrounded by serenity and beauty.