Princess Grand Jamaica vs Princess Senses The Mangrove Overview

Facebook Tweet Pin LinkedIn

Given the less than a two-hour flight from Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay, we arrived at Princess Grand Jamaica to discover firsthand that Jamaica is absolutely open for business and welcoming visitors following Hurricane Melissa. This impressive all-inclusive dual resort combines the family-friendly Princess Grand Jamaica with the adults-only Princess Senses The Mangrove. Between the beaches, restaurants, spa and Platinum perks (a butler!), you honestly never need to leave the property once you arrive.

Highlights:

My Experience on the Family Side: Why the spacious rooms, supervised kids’ clubs and a high-tech VR center make Princess Grand a dream for multi-generational families.
The Adults-Only Vibe Shift: A look at the privacy, elevated experiences and Bali-style overwater villas waiting next door at Princess Senses The Mangrove.
Is Platinum Status Worth It? My personal take on the swim-out suites and how my butler, Dexter, completely changed my perspective on all-inclusive service.

Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.

Let us inspire your travels! Sign up for our newsletter now.

The Quick-Glance Comparison

Open-air walkway along Restaurant Row at Princess Grand Jamaica featuring stylish lounge seating, tropical plants, modern décor and a guest strolling toward the oceanfront restaurants overlooking the Caribbean Sea. — The unofficial “Restaurant Row” is more than a place to dine. Comfortable lounge seating, ocean breezes,and stunning waterfront views make it the perfect spot to gather for pre-dinner cocktails, linger over conversation after a meal or simply soak in the beauty of Jamaica. Photo by Melody Pittman

Feature	Princess Grand Jamaica	Princess Senses The Mangrove
The Vibe	Family-focused, energetic, multi-generational	Quiet, romantic, sleek and serene
Best For	Parents traveling with toddlers, kids or teens	Couples, honeymooners and friend groups
Standout Amenity	Wild Princess Aquatic water park & VR center	Rooftop infinity pool & adults-only nightlife
Luxury Highlight	Family suites with boat-shaped bunk beds	Ultra-luxury Overwater Villas

Princess Grand Jamaica: The Family-Friendly Retreat

Children splash and play in the Princess Grand Jamaica aquatic park featuring colorful water slides, fountains, a shallow kids' pool, and family-friendly accommodations in the background. — Families are spoiled for choice at Princess Grand Jamaica, where three sparkling pools, an exciting aquatic park with slides and splash features and a supervised Kids Club with themed activity zones keep little travelers entertained from morning until sunset. Photo by Melody Pittman

Princess Grand Jamaica caters beautifully to families, teens and multi-generational travelers. What impressed me most was how successfully the resort balances family-friendly fun with spaces designed specifically for adults—that’s not always easy to accomplish, but Princess manages it remarkably well.

What Stood Out to Me

Thoughtful Accommodations: The guest rooms blend contemporary style with Caribbean comfort. Accommodations vary across several categories, including supervised kids’ clubs and practical family options—some even come with fun, boat-shaped bunk beds!
A High-Tech Haven for Teens: The game room and virtual reality center felt more like a high-tech entertainment venue than a resort amenity. Packed with cutting-edge VR experiences and racing simulators (for an additional fee), it quickly became one of the most impressive teen attractions I’ve seen at any resort.
Stress-Free Dining for All Ages: Buffets are available for every meal, making it easy to accommodate picky eaters. Kids especially enjoy the restaurant’s dedicated buffet area designed just for them at their height.
Endless Activities: Between the three swimming pools, the Wild Princess Aquatic water park, daily activities and non-motorized water sports, there is plenty to keep everyone busy.

Princess Senses The Mangrove: The Adults-Only Sanctuary

Luxury overwater villas at Princess Senses The Mangrove in Green Island, Jamaica extending over the turquoise Caribbean Sea with thatched roofs, private infinity pools and direct water access. — The crown jewel of Princess Senses The Mangrove is its collection of 14 ultra-luxury overwater villas, each designed for two guests seeking an unforgettable escape and featuring a private bedroom with a partially glass floor, an expansive overwater terrace, direct Caribbean Sea access and a private infinity pool.Photo by Melody Pittman

For adults seeking relaxation, privacy and an elevated experience, the adults-only Princess Senses The Mangrove property offers a complete shift in scenery.

The Adults-Only Perks

The Atmosphere: Senses features a much quieter, more romantic atmosphere tailored for couples, boasting a rooftop infinity pool, a private beach and adults-only nightlife.
The Overwater Villas: Travelers seeking the ultimate luxury setting can book one of the resort’s overwater villas. They offer a breathtaking layout that you’d easily confuse for Bali rather than Jamaica.
Curated Private Dining: In addition to the main restaurants, Senses offers beautifully styled, intimate venues. I experienced a gorgeous welcome dinner on the beach featuring tropical décor and personalized service that served as a memorable introduction to Jamaica.

Vegas-Style Nightlife: Guests will soon have direct access to Jamaica’s very first licensed integrated resort casino, bringing high-energy gaming, slot machines and sophisticated late-night entertainment directly to the property line.

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you are staying on the family side at Princess Grand Jamaica, don’t worry about missing out entirely. Guests can purchase day access passes to experience select amenities and exclusive areas over at Princess Senses The Mangrove.

The Platinum Club Upgrade

I’ll admit it: before this trip, I wasn’t sure how much I’d value butler service at an all-inclusive resort. As it turns out, the upgraded Platinum accommodations and amenities made my stay feel completely seamless and relaxing. For families or anyone celebrating something special, it is worth every penny. Read my review of the Platinum Club.

Modern guest room at Princess Grand Jamaica featuring two queen beds, a soaking tub, contemporary furnishings, and a private balcony with tropical resort views. — Room to breathe: Unlike standard family resorts that sacrifice style for function, the suites at Princess Grand maintain the same contemporary luxury and crisp air conditioning found on the adults-only side, but with layouts optimized for families. Photo credit: Melody Pittman

My Suite Features

689 Square Feet of Space (560 indoors), where all guest rooms face the water.
A Spacious Bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a soaking tub positioned right in the center of the room.
Luxury Touches like multiple seating areas, a stocked mini-fridge and Molton Brown toiletries.
The Real Star (Outside): My patio included a hydromassage hot tub, two in-water loungers and direct access to a semi-private infinity-style swim-out pool. Early mornings floating with coffee and quiet evenings by the water became some of my favorite memories from the trip.

Private terrace with outdoor soaking tub and direct pool access overlooking the Caribbean Sea at Princess Grand Jamaica. — Swim-Out Room Terrace at Princess Grand Jamaica.

The Butler Service Experience

Meet Dexter: My butler, Dexter, handled restaurant reservations, spa bookings, transportation questions and special requests throughout my stay—including keeping my mini-bar stocked with Coke Zero.
Zero Vacation Stress: Instead of navigating apps or waiting in lines, I could simply enjoy the resort. Dexter even tracked me down one afternoon just to confirm my transportation details. For parents or multi-generational groups, having someone coordinate these details removes so much stress.
Approachability: The service never felt stuffy or awkward. The staff were warm, approachable and genuinely invested in making us feel welcome. We communicated easily through WhatsApp.
The Extras: Platinum status also includes 24-hour room service, laundry service and one complimentary day of the spa’s hydrotherapy area (plus a discount on spa services!

Our Shared Dining Experience

Grilled steak with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and sauce. — Guests of this dual-resort property enjoy access to a food market, international buffet, and an impressive lineup of specialty restaurants serving Jamaican, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Asian, seafood, sushi, plus a sports bar, pool bar and even a food truck. This perfectly cooked steak from Robert’s Flame was my favorite meal of the trip. Photo by Melody Pittman

One of the biggest advantages of staying at this dual-property resort is access to a wide variety of restaurants and shared amenities, all included in your rate. The dining experience exceeded my expectations, and the variety ensures meals never feel repetitive, even during a longer stay.

Robert’s Flame for classic steakhouse favorites.
El Delirio for vibrant Mexican cuisine.
Jamrock for authentic Jamaican dishes.
Fusion 360 for excellent Asian-inspired fare.
Any Hour Bites: Between the food trucks, buffets, coffee shops, bars and snack stations, you can find something to eat at nearly any hour.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Stop by Blue Mountain Coffee Shop for pastries, light bites and a cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, often called the “Champagne of Coffee.”

Private waterfront balcony at Princess Grand Jamaica overlooking palm trees, resort pools and the Caribbean Sea. — Wake up to Caribbean views from your private waterfront balcony at Princess Grand Jamaica, where tropical scenery and ocean breezes come standard. Photo by Melody Pittman

FAQs

Can families staying at Princess Grand Jamaica use the pools and restaurants at Princess Senses The Mangrove?

Standard access is kept separate to preserve the distinct vibes of each property. However, if you are staying on the family side at Princess Grand Jamaica and want a little child-free downtime, you can purchase day access passes to experience select amenities, quieter pools and exclusive dining areas over at Princess Senses The Mangrove.

Is the Platinum Club upgrade at Princess Hotels Jamaica worth it for families?

I believe so, especially if your budget allows for it! The extra room space in the Platinum suites gives families much-needed breathing room. Plus, having a dedicated butler like Dexter to handle your dinner reservations and track down daily logistics via WhatsApp removes immense vacation stress, allowing parents to actually unpack and relax.

Do you get free airport transfers when booking Princess Grand Jamaica or Princess Senses The Mangrove?

Yes, and it makes the entire vacation feel completely effortless! Guests staying three or more nights receive complimentary round-trip airport transfers between Montego Bay airport and the resort complex, eliminating one extra travel detail you have to worry about managing.

What is the difference between Princess Grand Jamaica and Princess Senses The Mangrove?

It really comes down to your vacation style. Princess Grand Jamaica is an upbeat, multi-generational family retreat complete with a water park, kids’ club and high-tech VR arcade. Princess Senses The Mangrove is a sleek, adults-only sanctuary designed for couples and honeymooners craving a quiet, romantic atmosphere, a rooftop infinity pool and ultra-luxury overwater villas.

Does the new Princess Resort in Jamaica have a casino?

It will very soon! One of the most anticipated additions to the dual-property resort is a massive entertainment complex currently under construction. Once completed, it will house Jamaica’s very first licensed integrated resort casino, giving adult guests access to exciting Vegas-style gaming, dining and nightlife without ever having to leave the property.

SheBuysTravel writers have been where you’re going. We share our ground-truth experience to save you time, money and energy, making your trips easier. Been There. Bought That. Since 2006.