Hotel Riu Negril - All Inclusive

“Amazing hotel with fantastic staff”

Just returned from an 11 night stay. Travelled with husband and son aged 24. We had 2 standard garden view rooms. We were offered a discounted upgrade on arrival but as we don't spend much time in the room we declined and the rooms we had were lovely anyway. We were in block 2. My son was on the fl… more

Just returned from an 11 night stay. Travelled with husband and son aged 24. We had 2 standard garden view rooms. We were offered a discounted upgrade on arrival but as we don't spend much time in the room we declined and the rooms we had were lovely anyway. We were in block 2. My son was on the floor below us but not a problem. We dined in all the restaurants at least twice and enjoyed them all for different reasons. The staff at this resort are excellent and work incredibly hard. We enjoyed the entertainment especially party nights. We spent most days round the adults pool. It was a very sociable place to be but also had a few days on the beach which was beautiful. No problem anywhere with sunbeds. Always plenty for everyone. The entertainment staff are all amazing. I have never seen such fantastic dancing. My only gripe, and this is no reflection on the hotel, is i saw a few incredibly rude tourists that spoke to staff disrespectfully, but I guess that's just a cultural difference. All said, we would return in a heartbeat.

less

“Our fourth stay at a RIU”

For those who remember the British band Madness, a line from one of their songs”there’s always something happening and it’s usually quite loud” would be an appropriate description. Lots of music around the pool areas and plenty of fun and games from the entertainment team. If you want a quiet peace… more

For those who remember the British band Madness, a line from one of their songs”there’s always something happening and it’s usually quite loud” would be an appropriate description. Lots of music around the pool areas and plenty of fun and games from the entertainment team. If you want a quiet peaceful holiday this is probably not for you. Having visited 3 other RIU hotels we knew what to expect. The rooms are nice, the staff and food very good and there is always plenty of entertainment. The pools are nice and warm, and we had no trouble booking into the à la carte restaurants via the app. The Kulinarium is especially good. There are more than enough sunbeds (unlike many large all inclusive resorts we have visited) and plenty of shade. The beach is nice, but has lots of live sea weed/grass, which some will find off putting. The sea at the RIU Tropical Bay just around the bay has crystal clear water. So all in all, pretty much what we expected.

less

“No Prosecco Hotel !”

The Good Friends booked this hotel and so it was not our first choice and having read some of the reviews about this place I was concerned . However the setting was lovely and the hotel recently refurbished and better than some of the hotels further up in the area that is considered a better beach… more

The Good Friends booked this hotel and so it was not our first choice and having read some of the reviews about this place I was concerned . However the setting was lovely and the hotel recently refurbished and better than some of the hotels further up in the area that is considered a better beach/sea. The amenities were good , everywhere was clean and the rooms were nice and spacious. The staff made this holiday they were lovely , upbeat and friendly and work so hard . They could not do enough . Our allocated room was near a road and I am a very light sleeper so had no sleep first night and was moved on request without a problem. The breakfast and lunch buffets were great and some of the best choice we have had . The evening buffet was fine , some issues with waits in between dishes/ carvery being empty and replenished and it had a bit of a canteen feel. In general we found in the speciality restaurants the starters were limited and not the greatest, the mains good , the desserts limited and tasteless . The Steakhouse should offer a regular and large portion to prevent the wastage from the very large portions served which we couldn’t eat and were overwhelming! Grounds were lovely and immaculate. The Poor Bits There was no Prosecco or sparkling wine of any description! Prosecco is my drink of choice and when asked the bar tenders said they couldn’t understand it as loads of people ask for it and they have it at the other Rui hotels in Jamaica I have never been to any hotel or bar in the world that doesn’t have it. The drinks were limited and of poor quality especially the cocktails which were just very sugary slush with alcohol. I have never been to a Rui which didn’t offer Buck’s Fizz at breakfast . No beer/ larger apart from red stripe . No flavoured gins or tonics only basic gin and tonic . There is a large outdoor bar / evening seating area with 2 bars and a stage either side . In the evening there was something on at either of the stages all night so if you wanted a quiet drink and to hear yourself speak the only options were the Sportsbar which doubled as an American style burger place or the lobby / reception bar with people coming and going and not much atmosphere. I missed a small beach or pool bar where you could have a drink in the evening and relax to no or low background music . The music in the main was unfortunately mostly booming house/ dance music both night and day including round the main pool . There was little reggae/ Bob Marley/ disco/ pop music that most people over 45 would want to listen to . The DJ managed to clear the room / floor most nights by playing a few pop/ disco songs most people knew followed by lots of loud house/ dance music ! The evening buffet was 7 to 10 and on the beach party night the reggae band was on 7.30 to 9 so right at the time most people were eating and when we went to it at 9 pm the reggae band were packing up and the DJ was playing such loud house music many people were just walking away ! The sea was not as clear as further down the coast but that didn’t bother me as I took swim shoes . Unfortunately whilst the holiday was fine I would not return. The lack of Prosecco/ quality of drinks and evening meal food gave it a feeling of things being done on the cheap which is such a pity . By the end of the holiday we were all feeling the lack of a quality drink ! I would rather pay a bit more when travelling so far to get that feeling of a bit more luxury.

less

“If your a non smoker it may not be for you”

The smoking is out of hand in accommodation we were not smoking but we had it inside our room when other guests disguarded the rules and smoked on balcony and inside rooms. We saw people inside the buffet with a joint hanging from there mouth not good health wise for all in a food area. On the plus… more

The smoking is out of hand in accommodation we were not smoking but we had it inside our room when other guests disguarded the rules and smoked on balcony and inside rooms. We saw people inside the buffet with a joint hanging from there mouth not good health wise for all in a food area. On the plus the hotel is very clean staff work very hard and entertainment team were amazing. Some of the food restaurants were touch and go worst steak we ever tasted. Cocktails were ok done better than others. Would we return again it’s a NO due to smoking issues absolutely everywhere but in designated areas.

less