My partner and I needed to get away. No agenda, just good food, good drinks, and somewhere that didn’t feel like every other resort. Sunset at the Palms checked every box. Six days there and honestly, we’re already talking about going back.
The Setup: You’re staying in bungalows tucked into what feels like a jungle. Open up three sides of the room at night and you just hear… Jamaica. It’s peaceful in a way that’s hard to describe. Bed was comfortable, pillows were solid, and the shower—waterfall style with a wand—was better than expected.
The Beach: Quick walk across the road and you’re on one of the nicest private beaches I’ve come across. White sand, calm water most days, waves when it got windy if you wanted to play around a bit. Palapas for shade, good recliners, a beach bar with decent food. We were out there every morning swimming in the ocean and spent the majority of our trip right on that sand. You can walk down the beach and grab trinkets from local vendors too.
The Food: I’ll admit, we were skeptical about the buffet going in. Got there and realized we should’ve hit it way more often. Solid mix of local Jamaican dishes and familiar stuff if that’s more your speed. Nothing pretentious, just well-prepared food.
The Spa: We did two couples massages in their outdoor private cabanas. The deep tissue was legitimately one of the best I’ve had, and I’ve had plenty over the years. Great way to decompress mid-trip.
The Staff: This is the difference-maker. Everyone there treats you like you matter. Bring cash for tips—we probably went through $500 over six days between drinks and various requests. A buck or two here and there adds up, but the service you get in return is worth it.
The Vibe: Adults only, maybe 85 units total, so it’s not crowded. The crowd is couples, generally our age range—not too young, not too old. People were friendly at the bars without being in your face about it. Speaking of bars: pool bar (great pool, by the way), martini bar, and the beach bar. We’d swim in the morning, hit the pool in the afternoon, clean up, grab dinner, and wind down with drinks. Easy rhythm to fall into. The property has a cool look to it—been around a while but maintained well. All the bathrooms are updated, even the public ones.
Logistics: They have safe, newer taxis on-site if you want to explore Negril. No ATM at the resort but a short ride to one at a nearby property. Don’t walk on the main road—cars fly. Stick to the beach. We were a little concerned about hurricane damage before the trip, but Negril came through fine.
Minor Gripes: Could use more storage in the bungalows—not a ton of room for clothes—and a few extra hooks for towels wouldn’t hurt. They’re also pretty conservative with towel handouts. Not a dealbreaker, just something to know.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking to unplug somewhere romantic with great service, solid food, and a beach that actually delivers, this is the spot. We had a great time.
