Sunset at the Palms: A Super-Relaxing All-Inclusive Spot in Negril, Jamaica

NEGRIL, JAMAICA – It’s my last morning on the shady, warm patio at Sunset at the Palms resort on the west coast of Jamaica. I’ve just ordered an omelet at the breakfast buffet and am taking photos of the pretty tropical flowers and reach-to-the-sky palm trees that surround my table.

Suddenly a young woman who was cooking my breakfast rushes over and hands me my omelet.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, looking at the breakfast station a mere 20 feet away. She just smiles and heads back to work.

A second or two later another young woman comes by to offer me coffee.

“Yes, please,” I say.

“With milk?”

“Yes, please, “I answer. “LOTS of milk.”

She laughs.

“Oh, would you like me to warm it up for you?”

“No, I’m okay. But thanks.”

“All right. But next time I’ll warm it up for you.”

I’ll long remember the warm, calm waters at the uncrowded beach club across the road from the resort. I doubt I’ll ever forget my room and the patio, with the sounds of tiny black and yellow and pale brown birds and crickets and the soft rustling of a Jamaica breeze in the towering, deep green trees. I know I’ll never forget the warmth of the staff at Sunset at the Palms, a family-owned and operated hotel with a relaxed, wonderful vibe.

There was Cornelius, who was always asking me how things were going, as if I could have  a complaint in the world at this place. There was Evatt Bloomfield, the general manager, who used to work at the Sheraton Toronto and regaled me with stories of his various jobs around the Caribbean over the years.

There was also Jacob the gardener, a fellow close to my age who has probably swept more sidewalks and hacked at more overgrown trees than any human being should have to do in their lifetime. And Taneisha, who served me an al fresco lunch and chatted with me about family and gave me a huge after I finished my meal.

But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention two resident staff who made my stay extra special by eating almost everything put in front of them.

SPECIAL DINING GUESTS

As a former sports writer and political journalist, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting great GOATS, including Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky. But, until my trip to Sunset at the Palms, I’d never actually dined with two living goats.

One of the memorable experiences the resort offers is called “Picnic with Betty,” in which a guest or guests are seated at a table in a small, open field with formal dinnerware and a tablecloth, and a frisky goat named Betty.

I was the recipient of a double goat treat, as mother Betty was joined by cuddly, soft, five-week-old Billy, one of her offspring that also is lucky enough to live at this all-inclusive resort, adults-only resort (with Billy being an exception). I was able to order off a special menu for my picnic and chose blackened salmon and fries with a salad. The fries could’ve been hotter, but the salmon and salad was quite good, and I washed it down with part of a bottle of sparkling wine, which is included in your lunch.

I had a great time watching and feeding both Betty and Billy, who had beautiful, soft fur and nibbled quietly at most of the greenery I thrust in front of him.

If you’d rather dine with your special human someone on your own, the resort can set you up with a romantic, candlelit dinner in one of their pretty garden gazebos.

Another culinary highlight of the trip was the Chef’s Showcase, held in the Lotus Leaf dining rooms. Local chefs introduce themselves before the meal and talked about what they’ll be cooking under the guidance of head chef Michael Barnett, who once worked in Austria and likes to use European techniques mixed with traditional Jamaican dishes.

I enjoyed an excellent sweet potato and plantain mash with shrimp and a spicy coconut sauce, as well as jerked pork with cream cheese and callaloo (a local green that’s similar to spinach) and a chicken roulade. The staff also made an excellent, soft, chocolate cake and a dessert that feature a rum-soaked banana wrapped in bacon with a spicy Scotch Bonnet Pepper sauce.

“The showcase allows our young chefs to showcase their creativity,” Barnett said. “There aren’t many places where you’ll get dessert served with Scotch Bonnet Pepper sauce.”

Just outside Lotus Leaf is the open-air Martini Bar in the lobby, where a talented piano player and singer named Paul tickles the ivories and encourages sing-alongs several days a week. When I was there he was improvising with great tunes such as “New York, New York, “Sweet Caroline,.” “Don’t Stop Believin,’” and “With a Little Help From my Friends.” When he turned his attention to Piano Man he changed the lyrics and sang “It’s 9:09 on a Saturday, We’re sittin’ around at the bar.” The crowd was only half into it, so Paul stoppped the music. “Why are you holding back, “ he asked in mock exasperation. “Where’s the energy?”

The half dozen or so people gathered at the bar started singing with considerably more vigor. Paul smiled and said, “That’s it. Yah, man.”

In addition to the martini bar, there’s a nice cocktail bar by the pool, which also has swim-up seats. There’s a generously-sized hot tub near the pool, as well.

BEAUTIFUL BEACH

The resort is not on the water, but there’s a beach club on a fine stretch of sand on Bloody Bay (clearly not a name created by the local tourism board) that’s maybe a five-minute walk away, just across a two-lane road that’s easy to navigate with the help of the resort’s crossing guard.

I’m a guy who loves to swim in the waves, which is something you don’t often find in Bloody Bay. That being said, I loved the beach, which had soft sand and a roped off swimming area with perfectly warm water that reached a depth of around six feet at the far edge. That meant I could swim comfortably and enjoy the water, which I did at least five or six times in my short stay.

There were a few people selling trinkets on the beach, but it was very quiet and restful, with comfy lounge chairs for both sun and shade and a few thatched roof umbrellas.

I didn’t much care for the burger and chilled onion rings at lunch one day, but the ambience at the beach club was outstanding. Unlike some resorts, there was no pounding music from the poolside drifting down over the sand, and no choreographed dancing.

Bloody Bay  is known for its sunsets, but evenings were mostly cloudy when I was there in April. I didn’t mind, as I actually enjoyed the moody, early evening clouds and lack of people on the beach.

The resort offers free pedal boats, as well as Hobie Wave sail boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling gear.

GROUNDS FOR CELEBRATION

One of the best things here are the lush and luxuriant grounds, which go on for quite some distance and include brilliant pink bougainvillea and deep red/green/yellow croton, as well as dozens and dozens of graceful palm trees.

I didn’t have time for the full tour, but the resort offers hour-long botanical tours where one of the gardening staff introduces you to the various flora on the grounds and explains some of their uses.

All rooms are built above ground, with two units to a building. The walls don’t intersect, so you won’t hear your neighbor’s iPhone ringing or hear an alarm, not that anyone would want to set one in this tropical paradise.

My unit, 507, was quite sizable and had a comfy king bed, a good-sized bathroom, lots of closet space, a mini-fridge and a tea kettle with tea bags and instant coffee that was pretty good. The room featured big, wooden shutters you could open to get a breeze, plus a ceiling fan and air conditioning.

The best part for my money was the good-sized balcony/lanai, with a small table and chairs and a comfortable, cushiony sofa in one corner that was ideal for reading or contemplating nature. I already miss the view of the deep green foliage and robin’s egg blue sky peeking through the trees.

If you feel like exploring, the resort is happy to take you to Negril to have a drink or a bite to eat, or to watch the famous cliff divers. You also can do Half Moon Bay boat cruises, do a rafting trip on the Martha Brae River (very pretty and relaxing), visit the Appleton Rum estate, go deep-sea fishing, or visit nearby waterfalls.

All in all, I’d give the resort an enthusiastic two thumbs up. A minor food and spirits upgrade wouldn’t hurt, but it’s a gorgeous, low-key all-inclusive property that gave me one of the most relaxing stays I’ve had in I don’t know how long. Toss in a great beach, a fine swimming pool, amazing grounds and pitch-perfect staff, and you’ve got yourself a dynamite option for anyone who wants a quiet slice of Caribbean heaven.

JUST THE FACTS

The starting rate is $416 USD per room per night from now until Oct. 31, 2025.

The resort is about 9o minutes from Montego Bay/Sangster Airport. The resort can arrange easy, comfortable transportation direct to the front door.

Many Canadian airlines fly into Montego Bay. I flew Air Canada from Toronto Pearson. The flight is a little less than four hours.