This Jamaican Resort’s All-Inclusive Promise Could Include a Butler Team

Mere hours after leaving behind befuddled robins pecking at the frozen birdbath in my Carolina backyard, I was spying leggy tropical waterfowl fishing in the mangroves at the tropical oasis I’d be calling home for the next five days.

My mid-winter break found me at one of Jamaica’s newest (and largest) all-inclusive resorts: the adults-only Princess Senses The Mangrove. There, at Green Island in Jamaica’s Hanover Parish, the resort is perched along a toast-colored beachfront adjacent to its sister property, the family-friendly Princess Grand Jamaica.

The resorts opened simultaneously in the fall of 2024 and bookend nearly a mile of the crescent-shaped beach where they’re conjoined by a long stretch of (mostly) shared restaurants, bars, lounges, clubs, retail shops, and amenities.

Combined, the expansive resort playground rests on 180 acres of carefully developed land fringed by dense red mangroves, an adaptive hardwood species that can thrive in salty waters. In addition to the thin-legged great egret I admired on my initial walk along the beach, brown pelicans, tiny Jamaican vireos, and rufous-tailed flycatchers dart about. It’s a birder’s paradise, and I was adding to my spotted list by the minute.

Photo: Princess Senses The Mangrove

There’s a resort within the resort at Princess Senses The Mangrove in the form of the Platinum Club. This premium amenity level means I got my own private check-in and check-out; had access to an exclusive rooftop lounge with premium drinks, a restaurant, a pool, and its own concierge; and, best of all, got dedicated butler service.

At check-in, I was greeted by Richardo who, together with his colleague Davel, would be my butler during my stay. Richardo quickly established a WhatsApp connection with me and urged me to take advantage of his service. Coffee daily at 6 AM with hot milk and rolls? Check. A private cabana at the Euphoria pool at 2 PM? Consider it done. Dinner reservations at The Pearl, the resort’s elegant international seafood restaurant? Of course.

Beyond the navigation of small favors and helpful requests, my butler team showed its stuff by anticipating my desires and sharing recommendations for the best the resort has to offer. They were like twin sons of different mothers, playing off each other to see who could impress me more (spoiler: it’s a tie).

When Davel learned I’d be on the pickleball courts taking lessons one morning, he came by in a golf cart with cold sparkling water, juice, and some good-natured ribbing about my form on the court. After check-in, Richardo insisted on giving me his personal tour of the resort by golf cart to share his favored quiet shady spots for escaping the sun and chilling with the paperback he observed on my bed. Each sent morning and afternoon texts with tips on activities and dining recommendations for the day.

Photo: Princess Senses The Mangrove

“Get there fast and take it slow” is more than a lyric from a fabled Beach Boys song when you stay at Princess Senses The Mangrove, especially when it comes to the accommodations.

The resort broadly splits its accommodations into two categories: luxurious suites (401 of them) and ultra-luxury suites (14 of them). Rooms range from the 603-square-foot Deluxe Junior Suites (with 140 square foot balconies) to the 3,068-square-foot Presidential Suite (with a sweeping sky terrace and an infinity pool that alone measures 862 square feet).

I was hooked up with a Platinum Junior Suite with a private balcony and a Hydromassage hot tub. The whole scene — the cloud-colored room design scheme, the cozy couches, the contemporary wall art, the accent pieces, and the balcony delivering ocean views for miles — put me in meditative mode and held the promise for midday naps over the next few days.

There was ample room for me to spread out on my third-floor suite. The studio-apartment-sized digs featured a great workspace, a 55-inch recessed big-screen TV, a luxe bath with twin vanities, a giant soaking tub, a double rain shower, a loaded mini-bar (Red Stripe and El Presidente are the brews of choice here), and a luxe balcony overlooking the drink.

There, viewing the comings and goings of slightly sun kissed couples navigating the beach was a much better diversion than anything offered on the tube. There was a pair of cushy chairs for reading, a table to hold the golden amber beverage I was seldom without, and a roomy hot tub (big enough for two) delivering more bubbles than an over-Champagned Aperol spritz.

Photo: Princess Senses The Mangrove

If you’re anything like me, beach days make you hungry — and in search of a tasty cocktail. The resort has a variety of dining and drinking options for guests: 10 themed restaurants, three buffets, a food truck area, 14 bars, and two exclusive Platinum venues (the Platinum Club and Platinum Beach Club, both of which have à la carte restaurants). I tried my best to sample each of the restaurants and bars available to Platinum Club guests but ultimately decided to save a few for a repeat visit. Nonetheless, I found several highlights, starting with Ka Teppanyaki.

Dinner is the show at Ka Teppanyaki, a giddy (sometimes raucous) Japanese-cutlery-swinging group favorite. Somehow, even without a karaoke player, my group was singing ‘80s and ‘90s hits led in great chorus by our tableside chef. I started with spring rolls, edamame, and sushi apps and worked my way up to the main event: stir-fried chicken, beef, shrimp, veg, and egg fried rice. The fresh sauteed pineapple with house-made ice cream was a standout.

At Fusion 360, I participated in a cooking class one afternoon and enjoyed Caribbean lobster with a ginger, miso, and garlic butter sauce that left me in a bliss-like state. More island flavors awaited a Jamrock, a Jamaican-Caribbean hideaway that hit a high note for me with oxtail, jerk chicken, and seasoned grilled grouper — a simple dish that honored this beautiful fish.

Photo: Michael J. Solender

I never quite got my fill of Jamaican beef patties (spiced beef in a buttery pasty shell, fried golden brown and delicious). Luckly, there was a special Jamaican food truck near the resort’s outdoor theater and plaza that churned out these beauties all day long. The truck’s hot-off-the grill jerk chicken was addictive, as well.

For breakfast — one meal I never sleep on — Chef Johnoy at the Platinum Club restaurant had me covered daily with traditional Jamaican favorites like jerk sausage and eggs and akee and saltfish with Jamaican sweet potatoes. Silky scrambled eggs played nicely with the salty whitefish and were a great day brightener when served with a cup of steaming Blue Mountain coffee.

Photo: Michael J. Solender

Activities and amenities at Princess Senses The Mangrove range from sporty (fitness center, sports courts, and water sports) to wellness-centric (spa and beauty salon) to exclusive (dance and mixology classes, themed parties, and more via the O’Club Experience).

Taking advantage of the resort’s spa was an easy choice for me. Deep tissue kneading was just what the doctor ordered, and body technician Kadian put her 19 years of experience to good use with me. There was also a cold plunge pool at the spa (I chickened out) and a circuit of hydro-spas at more tropical temps for soaking.

Water aerobics and volleyball called me on consecutive days, as did pickleball, a poolside group Patois (Jamaican creole language) lesson, and more than one visit to the MVP sports bar. At MVP, my beverage of choice was an homage to Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley. His eponymous cocktail sported the colors of the Jamaican flag and more than a hint of rum.

Photo: Michael J. Solender

One night, I stepped into the resort’s ​​Illusion Night Club, which rocked with live music playing pop faves and a crowded and swaying dance floor. There was also an outdoor theater for musical reviews nightly. I caught a Jamaican review one evening featuring bright costumes, traditional dance, and a steel band that let me know I was in the islands.

Princess Senses The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica are a 75-minute drive from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) on the northwest corner of the island. The resort will make transfer arrangements upon request. I flew American Airlines nonstop from Charlotte, NC. MBJ is also serviced by Delta, Air Canada, JetBlue, and several other airlines.

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