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Summary of reviewsGrand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal is a coveted destination, thanks to its convenient location near Kingston airport and the historic charm of Port Royal. Guests are drawn to its picturesque waterfront setting, ideal for relaxation and exploration, with activities like boat rides and historical tours offering a unique glimpse into a lesser-known side of Jamaica. The hotel provides an inviting atmosphere for travelers seeking solace away from the city's hustle, coupled with accessible local dining options like the renowned Gloria's Seafood restaurant and a variety of historical attractions, making it a preferred choice for visiting the area.
The dining experience at the hotel is notably praised, with both breakfast and dinner highlighted as memorable. Guests enjoy an authentic Jamaican breakfast amid stunning views of Kingston and the Blue Mountains, with traditional dishes enhancing the culinary appeal. Dinner also receives commendations, particularly for its delicious menu options like the Grand Vegetable Delight and curried pineapple chicken, paired with excellent service in a charming atmosphere.
Room accommodations at the hotel typically garner positive feedback for their spaciousness, cleanliness, and comfort. Many rooms offer modern furnishings and lovely views, appealing to guests seeking both short and extended stays. While some areas of the hotel might benefit from updates, the appealing aspects like ocean-view balconies contribute to an overall satisfactory experience.
The hotel's pristine cleanliness is consistently praised, with well-kept grounds, tidy facilities, and attentive staff enhancing the warm and secure ambiance. This focus on hygiene and hospitality is celebrated by visitors, who appreciate the professional and friendly demeanor of the staff. Notable mentions of staff members going above and beyond underscore the level of care given to guest experiences.
The hotel offers a variety of amenities, including a well-maintained swimming pool that guests enjoy for its relaxation potential and scenic views, further enriched by poolside events. Despite some challenges with Wi-Fi connectivity, it remains a valued, free amenity.
Families find the hotel accommodating, often highlighting the spacious room arrangements suitable for those traveling with children. The comforting beds ensure a restful stay, contributing to an overall enjoyable family-friendly environment.
In summary, Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal combines traditional Jamaican charm with exceptional hospitality and a serene, romantic ambience. The dedicated staff, delightful food, and scenic views, alongside potential for improvement in certain areas, make it a memorable escape for both family visitors and couples seeking a tranquil retreat. Show more
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Categories
Hotel with Free Wi-Fi
Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal provides guests with free Wi-Fi. This allows guests to stay connected easily, making it suitable for both leisure and relaxation.
Hotel with Parking
This hotel provides complimentary parking for its guests during their stay. Accessible parking is also available, enhancing convenience for all visitors.
Hotel with Gym
This hotel offers a fitness center for guests.
4-Star Hotel
This hotel offers a unique experience with its location in Port Royal. It provides comfortable accommodations and a historical ambiance, ideal for those interested in exploring the area's history.
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
The outdoor pool offers views of the Caribbean Sea. Relaxing by the poolside contributes to a calming stay.
Boutique-style Hotel
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Standard King RoomThis air-conditioned room features a flat-screen Smart TV, free Wi-Fi, a bedside table with a lamp and coffee-making facilities.
Deluxe SuiteThis suite is totally air-conditioned and boasts a seating area and gorgeous wooden decor. Guests also enjoy a flat-screen TV with cable channels, plus a private bathroom with a shower and toilet.
Deluxe Double RoomThis air-conditioned room a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a DVD player. There a are also beautiful wooden floors. Free WiFi is available throughout.
Double Room with Two Double BedsThis air-conditioned room features a flat-screen Smart TV, free Wi-Fi, a bedside table with a lamp and coffee-making facilities.
Twin Balcony Room This twin room features a pool with a view. The twin room's kitchenette, which has a refrigerator, is available for cooking and storing food. The twin room features air conditioning, a private entrance, a balcony with sea views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
6.9
Rated
Location
Nestled near the Kingston airport, Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal boasts a highly convenient location for travelers, especially those with early flights or layovers. Set in the historic and picturesque village of Port Royal, this hotel offers a unique setting with breathtaking views of Kingston and its surrounding mountains. Guests appreciate the serene waterfront setting, which provides a tranquil atmosphere for relaxation, complemented by beautiful grounds and scenic water views. The proximity to the sea allows for enjoyable activities like boat rides to Lime Key Beach and exploration of the area's rich history, offering a side of Jamaica not commonly discovered by tourists.
With its safe and quiet neighborhood, the hotel is an ideal escape from the bustling city, allowing guests to experience the quaint charm of a real old-time fishing village. Despite its tranquility, the location is vibrant with accessible local dining options such as the famous Gloria's Seafood restaurant. Travelers also enjoy the nearby access to historical sites and the warm hospitality of the staff. Though the hotel is a bit removed from Kingston's city center, its proximity to the airport, sea, and local attractions makes it a favored choice for visitors seeking both convenience and a taste of Jamaica's heritage.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal presents a mixed assortment of comments, with guests frequently mentioning its quality and ambiance. Many visitors appreciated the delightful Jamaican breakfast offered, noting it as authentic, delicious, and a highlight of their stay. The inclusion of traditional dishes was a particular treat on weekends, leaving a memorable impression on those eager to taste the local cuisine. Some guests enjoyed the free buffet-style setup, which included a variety of healthful local options, aiding in a fulfilling start to the day.
Despite some positive sentiments, there were mentions of limited choices and repetition in the menu, which may not cater effectively to all dietary needs such as vegetarian options. Breakfast service timing, starting at either 6:30 AM or 7:30 AM, was noted, along with feedback about the need for more variety and choice in the offerings. While some found the breakfast quite good, others felt improvements could be beneficial, particularly concerning service efficiency and the execution of meals.
Overlooking Kingston and the Blue Mountains, the setting for breakfast contributed positively to the overall experience, offering a scenic backdrop that enhanced the enjoyment of the meal. Although certain aspects like food quantity, serving temperature, and specific options like plantains and eggs were points of critique, interactions with the breakfast staff were generally praised, adding a warm, welcoming touch.
Guests found the breakfast competent and, for many, the captivating flavors and quiet atmosphere served as a serene backdrop to this Caribbean getaway, showcasing the hotel's potential for improvement while simultaneously highlighting its scrumptious essence.
Dinner
Nestled near picturesque waters, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal offers a delightful dining experience that most guests found enjoyable and satisfying. The on-site restaurant is praised not only for its impressive water views but also for the quality of its food. The dinner menu features a variety of tasty dishes, including notable mentions like the Grand Vegetable Delight and the curried pineapple chicken, both of which received high praises for their flavor. Guests consistently appreciated the excellent service during dinner, with friendly staff and an accommodating dinner chef who crafts meals to order.
Breakfast and dinner stand out as especially fulfilling meals, with some guests noting the exceptional breakfast staff who attended to their specific needs. Even as some diners experienced delays in service and noted the high prices, the overall impression of the food remains positive with descriptions such as delicious, great, and wonderful frequently mentioned. The restaurant's proximity to Gloria's, known as a premier seafood destination in Jamaica, offers guests additional options with its excellent reputation just minutes away.
Despite occasional slow service due to minimal staff, the atmosphere and location contribute to a memorable dining experience that aligns perfectly with a pleasant stay. Whether enjoying the local cuisines or simply sipping on the best piña colada crafted by the attentive staff, dining at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal is an agreeable aspect of visiting this scenic area.
Rooms
The reviews for the Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal reveal a mix of experiences when it comes to the rooms, with more emphasis on positive aspects. Guests frequently express appreciation for the spaciousness and comfort of the rooms, which are often described as large, clean, and airy. Many visitors highlight their satisfaction with the cleanliness and comfort provided by newly remodeled accommodations, noting that some rooms feature modern furnishings and stylish decor. The presence of balconies, particularly those with ocean or pool views, adds to the appeal for many guests.
On the downside, certain reviews mention challenges with outdated or worn furniture in some rooms. Additionally, occasional issues with cleanliness and maintenance are noted, including some reports of musty odors, inadequate cleaning, and the need for renovation in older parts of the hotel. While some guests experienced noise or unwelcome odors, these instances did not dominate the overall perceptions. Generally, the rooms are appreciated for being spacious and comfortable, making them suitable for both short and longer stays.
Beds
At the Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal, guests generally find comfort in the beds provided. Many reviews highlight the beds as comfortable, with several mentions of the overall room experience being both clean and pleasant. Upgraded room features, like a queen-sized bed, add to the positive accommodation experience. While there are occasional mentions of bed discomfort, the prevailing sentiment focuses on the reliability of comfort when staying at this hotel. With clean, welcoming rooms and plush pillows, the beds at Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal cater well to travelers, ensuring they rest well during their stay.
Cleanliness
Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal consistently earns praise for its cleanliness, with many guests highlighting various aspects of the property itself as spotlessly clean and well-kept. The beautifully groomed grounds and scenic surroundings contribute to a serene and tidy environment, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Guests often describe their rooms as clean and spacious, with comfortable furnishings contributing to a pleasant stay.
Beyond the rooms themselves, the hotel maintains a tidy and neat standard throughout its facilities, emphasizing a secure and peaceful ambiance appreciated by visitors. An attentive staff further enhances the experience, noted for their politeness and care, augmenting the overall sense of cleanliness.
While guest feedback occasionally suggests minor areas for improvement—such as some rooms needing touch-ups or better cleaning in specific instances—the overwhelming sentiment is positive regarding the hotel's hygiene standards. Decor that blends nicely with the surroundings ensures the hotel is seen as a lovely place, further cementing the positive impressions of cleanliness among those who stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal.
Staff
The staff at Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal consistently leave a lasting impression on guests with their friendliness and professionalism. Many reviews highlight the warm and inviting nature of the team, from the reception to the bar and restaurant staff. Guests frequently mention the courteous, polite, and helpful demeanor of the personnel, which significantly enhances their overall experience. Specific staff members, including Ryan, Shaddia, Tevin, and manager Mr. Brown, receive noteworthy praise for going above and beyond in their duties.
Despite this overwhelming positive feedback, a few reviews point out areas for improvement, suggesting that some staff members could be more attentive or approachable, especially at the reception desk. Yet, even in these less favorable comments, the willingness of staff to address and correct any issues is acknowledged and appreciated.
The staff's dedication to ensuring a pleasant and accommodating stay seems to be the hotel's greatest asset, making it a standout choice for visitors seeking both comfort and exceptional service. Overall, the enthusiastic and caring team contributes significantly to the hotel’s inviting atmosphere, enhancing the seaside location's charm.
Wi-Fi
Located in the picturesque setting, Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal receives mixed reviews regarding its Wi-Fi services. While some guests report excellent reception and describe the Wi-Fi as some of the best in Jamaica, others face challenges with connectivity. The Wi-Fi is appreciated for being free, a feature that some visitors find indispensable. There are moments when guests enjoy great coverage throughout their stay, even enabling them to download movies seamlessly.
However, consistent and reliable access to Wi-Fi can be an issue, especially in the guest rooms where connectivity frequently falters or is absent. Some guests find themselves needing to stay near windows for better reception. Additionally, a few reviewers mention that weak Wi-Fi impacts their ability to conduct work or use online facilities such as TV services. Despite its selectivity, the free Wi-Fi service remains a valued amenity among guests, contributing positively to the overall experience of staying at this charming hotel.
Pool
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal offers guests a swimming pool that is often noted for its cleanliness and maintenance. Many visitors have appreciated the well-kept pool, describing it as nice, wonderful, and boasting a great view, making it a pleasant spot to unwind and enjoy the surroundings. The pool, considered a fine amenity by some, enhances the overall appeal of the hotel with views from several vantage points, including certain rooms. While there are mentions of occasional issues with pool clarity and availability, these seem to be isolated incidents amid frequent positive feedback. Moreover, the hotel hosts events on Fridays and Sundays, adding vibrancy to the poolside experience. The combination of an inviting pool and a nearby small beach makes for a pleasing stay at the property.
Family
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal is well-regarded for its family-friendly atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those traveling with children. Families appreciate the spacious rooms, particularly those with two double beds that cater well to family sizing. Despite some challenges with room arrangements, such as accommodating four people in a single bed, the hotel creates an overall great experience for families looking to spend quality time together. Guests express a willingness to return, highlighting a satisfying experience for both adults and children. The hotel provides a welcoming environment where families feel comfortable and valued during their stay.
4 Star
Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal offers a unique experience that merges traditional charm with exceptional service. Despite its need for updates and maintenance, the hospitality truly stands out. Guests consistently praise the professional and warm-spirited staff, who go above and beyond to fulfill any requests. Diners are treated to delightful culinary experiences, with special mention of the chef's impressive skills, making meal times a highlight. While the hotel may not entirely meet the expectations of a four-star property in terms of facilities, the excellence of the staff and the quality of the food significantly enhance the overall experience.
Romantic
Nestled in the picturesque setting of Port Royal, the Grand Hotel Excelsior offers a romantic escape characterized by its great ambience and peaceful surroundings. Guests enjoy the serene experience of sipping drinks by the marina, with the breathtaking view of Kingston City's shimmering night lights adding a magical touch to their stay. It serves as a perfect getaway for couples seeking privacy and tranquility, with many visitors highlighting its appeal as a quiet and relaxing retreat. The romantic rooms enhance the overall experience, making it an ideal spot to spend quality time with a loved one. Whether it's a nice getaway with a fiancé or a memorable trip with a boyfriend, the hotel promises an enchanting experience for couples looking to unwind and connect.
Yes, Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal.
No, Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal.