Introducing Princess Senses: Jamaica’s New All-Inclusive, Adults-Only Resort Featuring Overwater Villas and Private Hot Tubs

Photo credit: www.travelandleisure.com

Birthday celebrations have evolved into extravagant weekend affairs, rather than mere one-night parties. With that in mind, a three-day getaway was arranged for my niece’s milestone birthday—a splendid reason for a warm-weather escape during a particularly chilly January for our travel-loving group. Our sights were set on the Caribbean, where we discovered the newly opened upscale Princess Senses the Mangrove in Jamaica, promising both sunshine and luxury for our girls’ retreat.

As first-time visitors to Jamaica, we enjoyed the scenic drive from Montego Bay’s airport to the resort, taking in the vibrant landscape adorned with colorful houses, charming beach shacks, and the stunning turquoise sea. Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed and escorted to the Platinum Club lounge for a light lunch and refreshments while we completed our check-in. Our journey to the rooms in a golf cart-like shuttle afforded us views of dense mangrove forests, whose intricate roots and lush foliage aptly reflected the resort’s namesake.

This newly constructed property is nestled along a sandy beach, and we were pleased to find that our accommodations, like all rooms at the resort, offered spectacular ocean views ideal for sunset watching. Our furnished terrace became a favorite haven where we indulged in bubble-filled soaks in the large round tubs, day and night. We also often visited the on-site Blue Mountain coffee shop for delightful ice cream and coffee concoctions, served with genuine warmth by the eager staff.

The serene atmosphere by the pools encouraged relaxation. We explored the nearby Princess Grand Jamaica, where we enjoyed the lively scene featuring food trucks, an engaging water park, and our first taste of Jamaican jerk chicken. Yet, the allure of our sophisticated adults-only resort drew us back to cherished poolside moments with refreshing cocktails.

As days transitioned into vibrant nights filled with dancing at the resort nightclub, one of our main challenges was deciding on pre-dinner cocktails and evening dining spots. At Robert’s Flame, the on-site steakhouse, our server elevated the experience by surprising us with a special dessert, impressively fashioned with a birthday message for our guest of honor.

This resort is an exceptional choice for weekend getaways, group trips, or honeymoon retreats whenever the desire for sunshine and spirited fun arises. Here’s a closer look at our experience at the Princess Senses The Mangrove.

Princess Senses The Mangrove

Along the pristine beach or near the tranquil pools, there are numerous options for relaxation, including plush cabanas, comfortable lounge chairs, swings, and in-water seating. Shuttle services are plentiful, with friendly drivers who often shared local Jamaican sayings with us. The entertainment quality was commendable, with impressive performances from singers and dancers featured in nightly shows and various hotel venues. The resort encompasses 14 dining options, multiple buffets, 15 bars, poolside food trucks, a night club, sports bar, spa, fitness center, evening entertainment, and a water park.

The Rooms

The resort boasts 401 luxury suites, each equipped with furnished balconies or terraces that overlook the sea. Additionally, there are 14 overwater villas featuring infinity pools. Among the accommodations, the 183 entry-level Deluxe Junior Suites come with living areas, spacious bathrooms boasting designer bathtubs, rain showers, minibars, and coffee makers. Guests opting for the 61 Swim Out Deluxe Junior Suites can step directly into a semi-private pool or lounge on a sunbed set in shallow water—an ideal way to cool down or swim laps.

If unwinding in a bubble-filled tub on your private terrace under the sun or admiring the stars sounds divine, the eight Luxury Junior Suites with a Whirlpool will be fulfilling. Luxury in these suites extends to designer bathtubs and double rain showers in the expansive bathrooms as well. The 54 Pleasure Junior Suites elevate the experience with premium bathrobes, slippers, exclusive privacy kits, mood lighting, and a round king-sized bed—similar amenities are available in the Swim Out Pleasure Junior Suites.

Higher-tier accommodations such as Platinum Junior Suites, Swim Out Junior Suites, and Platinum One-Bedroom Master Suites come with numerous advantages: private check-in, exclusive beach services and restaurants, butler service, premium beverages, discounts at the spa, and early or late check-in/out privileges when available. The five Platinum Master Suites feature larger layouts, spacious terraces with Balinese beds, whirlpool tubs, additional bathrooms, and high-end hospitality items.

The dedicated Princess Bridal Suite includes Platinum Club perks, designer bedding, a makeup room, and an exclusive terrace, while the Presidential Suite features a private infinity pool, expansive Sky terrace, and space for up to five guests. The 14 overwater villas offer substantial living areas, bedrooms, glass floors, large furnished terraces, private infinity pools, and Platinum Club amenities.

Food and Drink

Choosing dining options can feel overwhelming; guests would benefit from an extended stay to experience all that the resort offers. The all-day buffet, Food Market, and restaurants serving everything from sushi to steak, seafood, Italian, Mexican, Japanese teppanyaki, Jamaican-Caribbean, and Asian fusion cuisines are all elegantly decorated. Directly opposite this array of dining spots, comfortable rest areas are available for relaxing before or after dinner, where we often spent our evenings savoring live music and refreshing ocean breezes. The sushi dining experience at Umami was delightful, and the filet mignon paired with grilled shrimp at The Pearl was memorable.

In addition to formal dining, the resort offers food trucks for quick bites and classic jerk chicken, the beach buffet at Reef, MVP Sport Bar, along with 24-hour Blue Mountain coffee bars, which became our nightly ritual ending with ice cream cones. Engaging evenings at MVP Sport Bar, often filled with cocktails, dancing, and games, made for unforgettable moments, and the rooftop bar at the Platinum Club proved to be the ultimate sunset-watching spot. A return trip might be necessary to explore the remaining 14 bars that we didn’t have time to visit.

Activities and Experiences

While lounging by the pool may seem tempting—especially on a hot day—there are numerous activities not to miss, such as sunrise yoga, beach volleyball, lively dance lessons in reggae, soca, or salsa styles, and music trivia contests. Options also include cornhole games, horseshoe tournaments, spin classes, and more. Each evening, the Moonlight Theater features an outdoor stage performance at 9 p.m., where we enjoyed Retro Night with its vibrant dancers and fantastic music.

During the day, adventurous spirits can kayak or paddleboard, participate in water polo, or embark on guided snorkeling trips, or snorkel independently. We ventured over to the Wild Princess Water Park at the family-friendly Princess Grand Jamaica for snacks and fun from the food trucks. While enjoying our meals, enthusiastic activity directors encouraged us to engage in games like Jenga and tic-tac-toe, and the excitement of watching children splash through slides and pools added to our fun before we retreated back to the tranquility of our adults-only oasis.

The Spa

The impressive Princess Grand Jamaica Spa features a spacious design with a sauna, steam room, solarium, hydromassage pool, and private massage cabins. A myriad of massage treatments is available, including a remarkably relaxing Swedish massage. Guests can also indulge in facials, body scrubs, and other wellness experiences. The full-service beauty salon caters to manicures, pedicures, and styling needs.

Family-friendly Offerings

Although Princess Senses The Mangrove is exclusive to adults (ages 18 and up), the adjacent Princess Grand Jamaica caters to guests of all ages, providing amenities like a water park, kids club, shows, games, and other engaging activities. This combination of adult and family-friendly environments makes the resorts ideal for multi-generational travel.

Location

Set about an hour from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, transportation shuttles can be pre-arranged for optimal convenience. An on-site travel company, Tropical Tours, offers arrangements for excursions such as visits to rum distilleries, waterfalls, and boat tours.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The resort is equipped with accessible guest rooms and elevators in each building, making it easy for guests with disabilities to navigate. The Platinum Beach Club is accessible, and shuttle services ensure convenient transport across the property.

Notably, Princess Senses The Mangrove, along with its family counterpart Princess Grand Jamaica, is the first fully sustainable hotel in Jamaica. The property is bordered by over 100 acres of preserved mangroves, vital for maintaining Jamaica’s natural ecosystem. Sustainable features include its own electricity-generating plant, a water treatment facility, solar energy systems, and natural gas generation facilities.

Additionally, the hotel has pioneered the construction of 500 rooms specifically designed for tourism workers and has established partnerships with local schools like Green Island High School and Harding Hall Preparatory School. Furthermore, the resort collaborates with two community hospitals to support local healthcare efforts.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

To maximize your experience, consider joining the “MyPrincess” program at no cost when booking through the Princess Hotels website. This membership entitles guests to discounts of up to 20%, which can be compounded with other offers and promotional codes. Membership also includes complimentary airport transfers, a 10% discount on spa services, and exclusive welcome services.

Every review of T+L hotels is crafted by a travel editor or reporter who has personally experienced the property, ensuring that each selected hotel aligns with our core values.

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www.travelandleisure.com