Limo Mon's Palms review

After the the Fun Holiday boot Our stay at the Palms was great. Bank had taken control and they worked daily to remodel the office and make other repairs. Room was Fine for Negril beach room can use some up dating. Beach is small, when High tide hits no beach. Staff , security and food was great. Food was over priced.
Pool leaked and was dirty. Pool Mon said, It leaks in the side wall and he can't keep enough water in it to clean the pool. Hot water was very limited (trikled out most times). Cold water was fine. If the price is right ( about 60 us A night ) I would say go for it. Limo Mon

We have friends staying at the palms next month, I hope they won't be disappointed! They usually stay just a little down the beach.

Yah, when I hung at Palms I remember they had high dollar drinks but were good but yeah the pool was nasty.

What a shame that place went down hill ............ we last stayed a Donaldson's right next door a couple of years ago and the Palms looked first class ............ pool was clean, bar was great, decent food specials, etc.......... things never stay the same in Negril ................. that is why this message board is so special ........... the latest info is always just a few key strokes away ................ THANKS ROB and Lisa ! ! !

they won't let you stay at one place and then they send you to a foreclosure to stay at.......
glad you were so positive about the whole situation......
mi imagine the bank is only going to fix it up so far as to sell the place.......
sometimes it is so important to know the current runnings about a place before you book...

Cool Runnings, Marko

that is surprising about the palms--I remember after the renovations a few years back it looked totally upscale. I was never drawn to it for some reason.

They were sending overbooked people to Merrils when we stayed at F.H. a few weeks back.

Its a shame that The Palms has gone down hill. We stayed there for a day a few years back and it seemed pretty good.

My problem with the Palms (and other places, for example Push Cart) is that they charge U.S.$ for the drinks at the bar.
I don't patronize anyplace that charges U.S. for food/drinks. I think it's an insult to Jamaicans
and people who aren't from the States.
I understand accomodations being in U.S. dollars- because that is always paid by credit card.
But when I'm walking around Jamaica with J$ in my pocket and go to buy a drink - when it's priced in US, I'm getting whacked for a double currency exchange. (CAN$ -> Jam$ then US$ ->JAM$) so I simply don't patronize.

Come to think of it, I find it ironic that a place called 'Push Cart' charges in US$

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by poolguywindsor

They were sending overbooked people to Merrils when we stayed at F.H. a few weeks back.

---

That could be considered an upgrade as well!

"My problem with the Palms (and other places, for example Push Cart) is that they charge U.S.$ for the drinks at the bar."
That's the case in most places on the beach and more and more places on the cliffs. I don't ever remember seeing that 10-15 years ago. As a matter of fact I remember some years back the US/JMD exchange rate changed so rapidly in a period of three months (went from something like 65-1 to 80-1 between November and February!) that they were busy changing prices on everything at HiLo. That's when it dawned on me - so many people out there DO NOT change their money to local currency and then suggest other do not either like its a big deal.

The result - higher prices, US priced menus....I too try to avoid places like that. Of the five or six beach places where I looked at menus for drinks and food only one (Wild Parrot) posted their prices in JMD.

On the cliffs you are more apt to see prices posted in JMD but there are places such as PushCart, Rockhouse, Ivans and LTU that price in US. At LTU where I'm known I always get my bill in JMD. At Ivans, after doing some quick math in my head, I found their exchange was fair. Haven't eaten/drank at Rockhouse in years - and was only at Pushcart once for their Grand Opening.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kahuna3

My problem with the Palms (and other places, for example Push Cart) is that they charge U.S.$ for the drinks at the bar.
I don't patronize anyplace that charges U.S. for food/drinks. I think it's an insult to Jamaicans
and people who aren't from the States.
I understand accomodations being in U.S. dollars- because that is always paid by credit card.
But when I'm walking around Jamaica with J$ in my pocket and go to buy a drink - when it's priced in US, I'm getting whacked for a double currency exchange. (CAN$ -> Jam$ then US$ ->JAM$) so I simply don't patronize.

Come to think of it, I find it ironic that a place called 'Push Cart' charges in US$

---

Years ago all prices where in J's and if you didn't exchange for J's you where getting beat up on exchange rate.
Now they beat the J's up, I find Now it might be best to take lots 5's and 10's (u.s. dolars) . Some places now give you U.S. change back its when they say no us change and exchange it back to J's.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rastagirl777

"My problem with the Palms (and other places, for example Push Cart) is that they charge U.S.$ for the drinks at the bar."
That's the case in most places on the beach and more and more places on the cliffs. I don't ever remember seeing that 10-15 years ago. As a matter of fact I remember some years back the US/JMD exchange rate changed so rapidly in a period of three months (went from something like 65-1 to 80-1 between November and February!) that they were busy changing prices on everything at HiLo. That's when it dawned on me - so many people out there DO NOT change their money to local currency and then suggest other do not either like its a big deal.

The result - higher prices, US priced menus....I too try to avoid places like that. Of the five or six beach places where I looked at menus for drinks and food only one (Wild Parrot) posted their prices in JMD.

On the cliffs you are more apt to see prices posted in JMD but there are places such as PushCart, Rockhouse, Ivans and LTU that price in US. At LTU where I'm known I always get my bill in JMD. At Ivans, after doing some quick math in my head, I found their exchange was fair. Haven't eaten/drank at Rockhouse in years - and was only at Pushcart once for their Grand Opening.

---

Seen few places with Jamaican prices most U.S. some both.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kahuna3

But when I'm walking around Jamaica with J$ in my pocket and go to buy a drink - when it's priced in US, I'm getting whacked for a double currency exchange. (CAN$ -> Jam$ then US$ ->JAM$) so I simply don't patronize.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Limo Mon

Years ago all prices where in J's and if you didn't exchange for J's you where getting beat up on exchange rate.
Now they beat the J's up, I find Now it might be best to take lots 5's and 10's (u.s. dolars) . Some places now give you U.S. change back its when they say no us change and exchange it back to J's.

---

Man, both of you, please let me know where you "get beat up" on the Jamaican exchange rate when they have the prices in US$. Normally the prices are reduced when paying in JA$, say 82 to 1 when the actual rate is 85 to 1. This means anyone paying Jamaican$$$ will pay less than the US$ price. If you know of any place charging 86 or higher to 1us$ when paying in JA$, please tell me now! I will take all the US$$$ I can find and deal with them! Anyone can make money on that exchange!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob

Man, both of you, please let me know where you "get beat up" on the Jamaican exchange rate when they have the prices in US$. Normally the prices are reduced when paying in JA$, say 82 to 1 when the actual rate is 85 to 1. This means anyone paying Jamaican$$$ will pay less than the US$ price. If you know of any place charging 86 or higher to 1us$ when paying in JA$, please tell me now! I will take all the US$$$ I can find and deal with them! Anyone can make money on that exchange!

---

If my coffee was 1.50 u.s. and the rate I found some places where at was 80 to 1. That would mean it should cost 120J's ?
They say no its 140 J's its only 75 when convert it back then they show me on the calculator but can't explain it to me it happened more then once on my last trip. No names but the sea was windy monday.

Rob if you realy want me to give a list of where they beat the J up I can do that ?

"Seen few places with Jamaican prices most U.S. some both."
You need to check the West End more. Here I'd say more places price in JMD than in USD.

I'm a firm proponent of changing your money to local currency no matter what. First I've seen what NOT doing that does to a local economy (here in Jamaica) and why things have gotten so much more expensive in Negril in recent years. Second - think about - would you go to Europe, not change money and expect that they will take your US or Canadian dollar?

When in Rome, as they say...

And I'm with Rob - bring on that list!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob

Man, both of you, please let me know where you "get beat up" on the Jamaican exchange rate when they have the prices in US$. Normally the prices are reduced when paying in JA$, say 82 to 1 when the actual rate is 85 to 1. This means anyone paying Jamaican$$$ will pay less than the US$ price. If you know of any place charging 86 or higher to 1us$ when paying in JA$, please tell me now! I will take all the US$$$ I can find and deal with them! Anyone can make money on that exchange!

---

Here's what I meant by getting 'beaten up':
I always carry Jamaican with me, so I convert my CAN$ to JMD$ when I arrive. I get the `cambio`rate when I convert from C$ to J$, so I take a hit on that – not a big deal - I accept it because you always pay when converting currency, the rate is in favor of the service provider.
BUT, when beer in Negril is priced in US (and only US, not double listed in JMD and US) and I only have J$, the bartender gets his little calculator out and does a conversion from US to J$ – at his favourable rate (and rounding up) so I get hit again on the transaction. It`s a double tap on every US$ transaction because of the CDN-JMD-US conversion.
OK - maybe it's not anything to cry about, but it's the principle of it. I guess it's a pet peeve of mine to see prices in Negril listed in US$. I find it jarring, so I don't frequent those establishments.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kahuna3

Here's what I meant by getting 'beaten up':
I always carry Jamaican with me, so I convert my CAN$ to JMD$ when I arrive. I get the `cambio`rate when I convert from C$ to J$, so I take a hit on that – not a big deal - I accept it because you always pay when converting currency, the rate is in favor of the service provider.
BUT, when beer in Negril is priced in US (and only US, not double listed in JMD and US) and I only have J$, the bartender gets his little calculator out and does a conversion from US to J$ – at his favourable rate (and rounding up) so I get hit again on the transaction. It`s a double tap on every US$ transaction because of the CDN-JMD-US conversion.
OK - maybe it's not anything to cry about, but it's the principle of it. I guess it's a pet peeve of mine to see prices in Negril listed in US$. I find it jarring, so I don't frequent those establishments.

---

Well said, this is the same beating I'm talking about , But with U.S. dollars. When you travel to another country and exchange money you expect a little beating thats how they pay the bills to keep the place open. But when the country beats up its own dollars dosen't seem right.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rastagirl777

"Seen few places with Jamaican prices most U.S. some both."
You need to check the West End more. Here I'd say more places price in JMD than in USD.

I'm a firm proponent of changing your money to local currency no matter what. First I've seen what NOT doing that does to a local economy (here in Jamaica) and why things have gotten so much more expensive in Negril in recent years. Second - think about - would you go to Europe, not change money and expect that they will take your US or Canadian dollar?

When in Rome, as they say...

And I'm with Rob - bring on that list!

---

Its not that there are not places like you say on cliffs, I'm A beach Mon and our 8 days last week they beat up the Jamaican dolars.
I'm sure the cliffs wont belong before its like the beach area. Even Conch Hill had U.S. pricing.

short list: Palms, Sea wind, B Barn, Angela's, and your cliff area Blue cave castle as well Xtabi.

While in JA, I try my best to avoid any establishment that post their prices in US $ only.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by limo mon

no names but the sea was windy monday.

---

lmao!

[QUOTE=rastagirl777;29771]"I'm a firm proponent of changing your money to local currency no matter what.

I thought the same , but after my last 2 trips I'm not that firm about it. Like I post before for me its seems best to take small U.S. dollars.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Limo Mon

If my coffee was 1.50 u.s. and the rate I found some places where at was 80 to 1. That would mean it should cost 120J's ?
They say no its 140 J's its only 75 when convert it back then they show me on the calculator but can't explain it to me it happened more then once on my last trip. No names but the sea was windy monday.

---

The next time you encounter that situation, ask them for the exchange rate that they use. If you have your cellphone - use the calculator feature on it or ask them to use their calculator if you dont have a cell phone. Then apply the exchange rate that they offer - and pay accordingly. If It does sound like if they "cant explain it" - then they may indeed be applying the calculation wrong. In otherwords - it may be a simple mistake.

I have received incorrect bills every now and then, and if I feel like it is anything to be worried about, then I do the calculations myself. If the bill is wrong, I simply show them the results and always end up paying the correct amount. But to be honest - in the situaiton described above with the coffee - I wouldnt think twice about paying either $120j or $140j cause I would probably give them $150j and say keep the change... at most we are talking about an error of twenty cents in us$....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob

The next time you encounter that situation, ask them for the exchange rate that they use. If you have your cellphone - use the calculator feature on it or ask them to use their calculator if you dont have a cell phone. Then apply the exchange rate that they offer - and pay accordingly. If It does sound like if they "cant explain it" - then they may indeed be applying the calculation wrong. In otherwords - it may be a simple mistake.

I have received incorrect bills every now and then, and if I feel like it is anything to be worried about, then I do the calculations myself. If the bill is wrong, I simply show them the results and always end up paying the correct amount. But to be honest - in the situaiton described above with the coffee - I wouldnt think twice about paying either $120j or $140j cause I would probably give them $150j and say keep the change... at most we are talking about an error of twenty cents in us$....

---

This isn't about what you would pay or I would pay we had 2 cups coffee and left them 500J's. The point is they beat the J's up its no mistake . Lets say old days red stripe 1 U.S. dollar or 50 J's with street rate of 60 to 1 they never pull out calculator, you say paying in J's they say give me 50 you say U.S. they say 1 dollar. you make out paying in J's be it 10 or 20 cents its adds up over days. Now days street rate 80 to 1 , buy something priced at 10 U.S. dollars it should cost me 800 J's but they say no 950 if paying in J's. Now tell me that's not beating up your own dollars? So when you pay them in J's the rate is 95 to 1 but they tell you no. Like I said this happened more then once and at more then 1 place. You can walk to most beach places order 2 beers and they need get the calculator to figure out how much in J's . That never use to be like that even when prices where in J's. I see it as A calculator beaten not a mistake.

Limo Mon,

Please let me know where they have an exchange rate of 95 to 1 for us$ - I would love to go there and make a deal with them for all the us$ I can find! No problem!

I do not know of any "street rate" being 80 to 1, the street rate I am familiar with is 85 to 1. For certain places, they do have their own exchange rates and they are often posted somewhere on the property. You pay whatever the establishment has as their exchange rate - you cannot assume any "street rate" applies to a given business.

I am confused as to why you had what you described happen at more than 1 place. In all my years here - using up to 4 different currencies, I have never experienced this happening. And there are very few places in Negril that I have not been.

So please, do not feel hesitant to let us all know where we can get 95 to 1 for the us$.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob

Limo Mon,

Please let me know where they have an exchange rate of 95 to 1 for us$ - I would love to go there and make a deal with them for all the us$ I can find! No problem!

I do not know of any "street rate" being 80 to 1, the street rate I am familiar with is 85 to 1. For certain places, they do have their own exchange rates and they are often posted somewhere on the property. You pay whatever the establishment has as their exchange rate - you cannot assume any "street rate" applies to a given business.

I am confused as to why you had what you described happen at more than 1 place. In all my years here - using up to 4 different currencies, I have never experienced this happening. And there are very few places in Negril that I have not been.

So please, do not feel hesitant to let us all know where we can get 95 to 1 for the us$.

---

You wont get that rate you have to pay that rate I think you miss my point. It's like im in the U.S. and buying something for 1 dollar and I want to pay in J's they want 95 J's I can see that but I'm not in the U.S. I'm in Jamaica . If you want to exchange U.S. you get 75 to 1 so Rob you cant make no dollars thats why its a beat up and when I say street rate of 80 last week most places be it jerk cart or beach resort it was 80 some 82 to 1 . Cambio was 84 to 1 last week. Maybe they seen me coming and gave special rates. but around town its was 80 to 1

Rob so you understand If i buy something for 10 U.S. dollars in Jamaica and give them a U.S. 20 my change is 10 U.S. but they so no we give you change in J's and only give me 750J's. Then if I buy something for 10 U.S. dollars while in Jamaica and pay in J's they want 950 J's.

?? I am confused. I have never experienced what you describe I mostly use JDs in Negril but when I use USD I always receive the correct change (usually the going exchange rate 84 or 85 to $1US). If I pay for a meal listed at $10 - I give them $850J or if I pay with a US$20 they give me back $850J. I usually calculate myself but when I ask them how much in Js its always the going rate and trus me I watch every dollar regardless of US or J. It sucks if someone is trying to take advantage of you - maybe they are adding in a service tax or something?????

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sweetness

?? I am confused. I have never experienced what you describe I mostly use JDs in Negril but when I use USD I always receive the correct change (usually the going exchange rate 84 or 85 to $1US). If I pay for a meal listed at $10 - I give them $850J or if I pay with a US$20 they give me back $850J. I usually calculate myself but when I ask them how much in Js its always the going rate and trus me I watch every dollar regardless of US or J. It sucks if someone is trying to take advantage of you - maybe they are adding in a service tax or something?????

---

Not so for me last 2 trips previous trips it was like posted, I liked when all prices where in J's and I exchange my U.S. for J's and paid in J's that wasnt so at most places on the beach this trips some the last but more this time. Another poster post about the same treatment. Cambio was at 84 most place are lower then that I didnt see the 85 to 1 you talk about in places on beach and cliffs or at the cambio. 80 norm some 82 to, but when they price in U.S. now and you pay in J's you dont get the 80 to 1 they say its 82 to 1 but they give 75 percent of the exchange so its not 82 to 1. Thats what they figure out on the calculators now a days never seen calculator so much even when buy 2 beers or 1 beer 1 coke they get the calculator out when im paying in J's while in Jamaica why? Its there dollar I'm paying with.

So I am old school Negril. Last time I was there it was 40 to 1. Easy.They loved all $$$.So am i better bringing American cash,and if so,what are the best denominations to bring? Where is the best place to Exchange?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by limeex2

So I am old school Negril. Last time I was there it was 40 to 1. Easy.They loved all $$$.So am i better bringing American cash,and if so,what are the best denominations to bring? Where is the best place to Exchange?

---

With what I seen last week Take small U.S. bills (5's 10's and 20's) and you will get most prices in U.S. try to pay exact amount in U.S. Exchange big bills for J's carry both ask both prices pay in the money that is best for you. I say if its U.S. pay in U.S. Price in J's pay in J's. I use to be the type who exchanged all my U.S. for J's but after the last trip more small U.S. better.

palms from the beach looks great but the rooms have not changed much since it was Paradise View.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bossman

palms from the beach looks great but the rooms have not changed much since it was Paradise View.

---

The beach was small in front of the Palms, when tide came in on Monday last week NO BEACH.

Last year there was enough area in front of the bar and pool that they had lounge chairs stacked three and four deep with plenty of room to walk the edge of the sea. It was quite full of guests when they bussed them in from MoBay. It sounds like that has changed as the beach tends to do all the time. We don't stay at the Palms but do stay nearby. Thanks for the update Limo Mon.

p.s. - how was the Sunday night jazz?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bossman

Last year there was enough area in front of the bar and pool that they had lounge chairs stacked three and four deep with plenty of room to walk the edge of the sea. It was quite full of guests when they bussed them in from MoBay. It sounds like that has changed as the beach tends to do all the time. We don't stay at the Palms but do stay nearby. Thanks for the update Limo Mon.

p.s. - how was the Sunday night jazz?

---

They didn't do the the jazz had the sign up but no show. Palms taken over by bank I stayed jan 11 -19.
Beach was never wider then 2 lounge chairs and at 2 you had to go in water to get by.

Very sad, I stayed at the Palms shortly after they renovated a couple of years ago...I paid 80 a night for the room, and I loved it. Wonderful big white duvet, cotton sheets...pool was sparkling clean. I loved the big comfy couches scattered around. When I was getting ready to book again a few months later, the room price has jumped up to a price that was no longer in my budget.

I had breakfast there in September and it was pretty good, just a little pricey.

Here is the room I loved...considered "sea view"...but really it was thin slice of sea view....lol

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0...D720/ry%3D480/

What a shame. The place has a lot of potential. Hopefully the new owners, whoever they may be, can turn it around after the bank gets done with it.

RealNegril.com has a new webcast on Thursdays at noon from Sea Splash - which is right by the Palms. You can join the beach bar webcast and see the state of the beach in front of all the properties nearby on the 26th. The webcast starts at noon on RealNegril.com!

Orchid - that's a nice room! I love all the wood and louvres. My house is somewhat similar to that in certain rooms.

LimoMon - while you are a beach "mon" and I do realize there are quite a few establishments on the cliffs that do post their prices in USD you might have to look a bit harder and find those gems that post their prices in JMD. Wild Parrot is one of those gems but since I don't frequent the beach much that's the only place I know of - I'm so sure there are more.

In my experience, when I go to a place where the price is posted in USD (on the cliffs) I've never gotten terribly "swindled" by the exchange rate. At worst - its 84-1 as opposed to 85-1. Its worth asking too when you get to a place with USD prices as Rob suggested what their exchange rate is.

"Cambio Rates" - usually the best - but each money exchange place does charge a "fee" and can change money at any rate they'd like. That includes the airport, hotels, restaurants and shops.

The only way I see the JMD getting "beat up" is the prolific use of USD in Negril. Not even ten years ago Jamaica was the kind of place that was less expensive to live in and be in because the USD-JMD exchange was so favorable - 50-1, 60-1, I can't remember. But prices were based on the Jamaican economy so if something was 100JMD even if the exchange rate went up the price stayed at 100JMD and the US dollar was stronger for that. In more recent years because of the influx of US cash establishments found they can make more money if they changed their prices according to the US Economy. I will never forget that year that the US exchange rate rose 20-25 points in a three month period and each time it changed those boys at HiLo had their pricing stickers out changing the price of groceries. That spoke volumes to me. If we can convince tourists to use the local currency perhaps that would even things out a bit - because there are people who live here on a Jamaican wage being "forced" to pay US prices. And that blows :(