Caribbean National Weekly

Go Platinum at Princess Senses The Mangrove: Is the upgrade worth it?

By Sheri-kae McLeod··5 min read
Go Platinum at Princess Senses The Mangrove: Is the upgrade worth it?
Key Points(5)
  • There is something particularly satisfying about having someone bring you lunch while you lounge on the beach, arrange a ride when you don't feel like walking back to your room, or escort you to dinner without you having to worry about a thing.
  • At Princess Senses The Mangrove in Hanover, those little luxuries are part of the Platinum experience — and after staying in a Platinum Junior Suite, I can see the appeal.
  • The adults-only, all-inclusive resort offers several ways to upgrade a stay, from suites with private whirlpool tubs to overwater villas with infinity pools.
  • I stayed in a Platinum Junior Suite, which comes with access to exclusive facilities and personalized service designed to make a vacation feel a little more special.
  • Platinum costs more than a standard room category, but the question is whether the extras justify the additional expense.

There is something particularly satisfying about having someone bring you lunch while you lounge on the beach, arrange a ride when you don't feel like walking back to your room, or book a reservation and then escort you to dinner. At Princess Senses The Mangrove in Hanover, those little luxuries are part of the Platinum experience — and after staying in a Platinum Junior Suite, I can see the appeal.

The adults-only, all-inclusive resort offers several ways to upgrade a stay, from suites with private whirlpool tubs to overwater villas with infinity pools. I stayed in a Platinum Junior Suite, which comes with access to exclusive facilities and personalized service designed to make a vacation feel a little more special.

A suite with room to unwind

The Platinum Junior Suite is spacious, measuring approximately 603 square feet, with a 140-square-foot balcony. That gives you about 743 square feet of indoor and outdoor space combined.

Inside, the suite has a large bed, cable television, and a separate seating area with a small table. The balcony is furnished with seating and a hydrotherapy tub, a perk that sets the Platinum Junior Suite apart from the standard rooms. There is also a separate tub in the bathroom, along with a shower.

The minibar comes stocked with sodas and snacks, and the room includes complimentary Wi-Fi, a safe, coffee- and tea-making facilities, bath amenities, robes and slippers. Platinum suites also receive a welcome gift upon arrival.

There are other room categories for guests who want something different. The Swim Out Platinum Junior Suite has a furnished terrace with direct access to a semi-private pool, while the resort's overwater villas offer a more secluded experience above the water.

Butler service that makes a difference

The most memorable part of my Platinum stay was the service from my butlers, Keen and Herminque.

They escorted me to dinner, left snacks in my room, and brought lunch to me on the beach. When I needed a ride back to the main lobby, they arranged a shuttle cart.

These might sound like small gestures, but they are precisely the sort of things that can make a difference at a sprawling resort. Rather than having to work out every detail yourself, you have people who can help coordinate the experience.

The resort’s Platinum butler service runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and covers much more than booking reservations. Butlers can arrange special occasions, organize spa treatments and resort activities, coordinate transportation around the property, arrange food and drinks by the pool or beach, collect and return laundry, and liaise with housekeeping.

For guests who prefer a more hands-off approach to planning their time, that level of attention can be a significant part of the upgrade's appeal.

The Platinum Lounge

The Platinum Lounge, also known as the Beach Club, is another major part of the experience.

Located closer to the resort’s overwater villas and some distance from the main hub of activities, the lounge offers a quieter place to unwind. During my stay, it had a coffee machine, a buffet with desserts and ice cream, and access to a private rooftop bar.

The Beach Club also serves three meals a day, with breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., lunch from 12:30 to 3 p.m., and dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. That means you can enjoy a meal without having to make your way to the resort’s main dining areas. Between meals, it’s a convenient spot to grab a coffee or something sweet, or relax with a drink at the bar.

The perks that come with Platinum

Beyond the room, lounge, and butler service, Platinum includes several additional benefits.

Guests receive private check-in and check-out at the Platinum Lounge, along with complimentary early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability.

Premium alcoholic drinks are included, and the package offers assistance with à la carte restaurant reservations. Room service is also included for Platinum guests, with complimentary service available until 10 p.m.

The spa benefits are worth noting, too. Platinum guests receive one complimentary visit to the hydrotherapy area per person per week, along with a 15% discount on spa treatments and products.

Make time for the spa

The complimentary hydrotherapy visit deserves a special mention. I tried the hydrotherapy area on my first visit to the resort, and it was an excellent experience.

The spa's facilities include a sauna, steam bath, hot tub and indoor pool with water jets, alongside hydrotherapy experiences and treatment rooms. The wider spa menu includes massages and other treatments, which are generally charged separately.

For Platinum guests, the complimentary hydrotherapy visit is a useful way to experience the spa without having to commit to a paid treatment. I would make time for it rather than treating it as an optional extra to squeeze in if the schedule allows.

An adults-only resort with plenty to do

Princess Senses The Mangrove is an adults-only, all-inclusive property in Green Island, Hanover. The resort has 401 suites and 14 overwater villas, along with multiple swimming pools, specialty restaurants, bars, a spa, a fitness and wellness center, a nightclub and daily entertainment.

Dining options cover Jamaican and international cuisine, including Italian, Mexican, Asian and steakhouse offerings, as well as buffet dining and casual food options. The resort advertises 14 restaurants and 15 bars across its facilities, giving guests a range of options beyond the Platinum Club.

There are also live shows, water sports and other activities for guests who want more than a beach-and-pool holiday. Some facilities and services, including spa treatments and certain water sports, carry additional charges.

One useful advantage is that guests staying at Princess Senses The Mangrove can access facilities at neighboring Princess Grand Jamaica, the family-oriented sister property. That expands the range of facilities available during a stay, although Platinum privileges at the two resorts are separate.

Is Platinum worth the upgrade?

Ultimately, yes, I think Platinum is worth it, especially if you value convenience and want to spend your vacation relaxing rather than worrying about the little details. Having butlers who can arrange transportation, bring lunch to the beach, or help coordinate dinner means you can spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying yourself. So if your idea of a good vacation is having what you need taken care of so you can simply relax, pay for Platinum.

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