The elegant Romance Beach at irresistible Grand Palladium and Lady Hamilton Hotels played host to the welcome cocktails to commemorate the start of the anniversary festivities on December 11.

In addition to celebrating 15 years in Jamaica, the beachside event also doubled as a celebration of top-performing local travel partners for the hotel in 2023.

Ramoy McFarlene, meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition (MICE) manager, spoke glowingly of the hotel’s local travel partners and praised their efforts and contributions to Grand Palladium’s success over the last year, which he said, is more successful than its pre-COVID best in 2019.

Speaking with OUR Today, McFarlene highlighted the importance of recognising the local market as an essential component to the success of the resort and that Grand Palladium has an annual event to give recognition.

“I know a lot of Jamaicans do not vacation at home but we want our locals to know we are just as committed to them and we want them to come here. Grand Palladium is for locals, too.” he said.

His sentiment was reiterated by hotel manager Lij Keith, who expressed pleasure in celebrating the valuable partners that have contributed to the hotel’s success over the past year. He felt using night one of the anniversary celebrations was the perfect opportunity to celebrate and honour those he referred to as the “best travel agents in Jamaica”.

Keith highlighted Grand Palladium’s effort to structure its rates in such a manner that Jamaicans are not priced out of the experience and to ensure that the local market is accounted for in the overall targets. When asked specifically about the reason for the deliberate effort, Keith stressed that the product at Grand Palladium is universally appealing and does not just cater to foreign visitors but is also tailored towards the local guests just as equally.

“We have recognised that though it is a Spanish company, we exist in Jamaica and it is important we also represent our local market.” he stressed.

Keith also highlighted the hotel’s continued commitment to excellence and the plans for renovations and projects that seek to enhance the hotel’s appeal even further. In summing up the resort’s first 15 years, Keith said: “It has been amazing. It has been 15 years of fun and celebration and 15 years of achieving together and looking to the future.” he added.

Grand Palladium’s anniversary celebrations continue through to December 13.