Riu Negril, Jamaica: Our Honest Review of This All-Inclusive on Bloody Bay

By Clare and Mark, Pack With Purpose. We stayed here in late March, just after March break. Everything below is what we actually found.

Riu Negril is an all-inclusive resort tucked into a quiet cove at Bloody Bay, on the northern end of Negril. It isn’t a luxury hotel, and we’ll be honest about that. But if what you want is warm water, a calm beach, and a relaxing getaway without a long list of things to fix, it fits the bill. Here’s everything we’d tell a friend before they booked.

The beach and the feel — Clare

We traveled late March, just after March break. The beach is white sand, and there were always chairs to be had. People come and go for lunch or to take a break from the sun, so even when it’s busy you can find a spot nearly every time you walk down.

The hotel sits in a nice alcove, and the water is warm, clear, and gentle. There’s no strong tide, which makes this a great beach for children. One honest note. On the right hand side, further out in the water, there’s some seaweed that grows up from the sand. It doesn’t wash up on the beach, and to the left of the hotel there’s less of it in the water. If seaweed bothers you, set up to the left.

There’s always a gentle wind, no matter what time of year you go. That’s just part of Caribbean living. The sunsets are beautiful, and in the evening the water turns even calmer. I slept like a baby the whole trip.

Getting there — Mark

Hi, it’s Mark. You’ll fly into Montego Bay, and the drive to Negril runs about an hour and a half, roughly 50 miles. I booked us a private car as a treat, which turned out to be a Mercedes. If you’d rather keep it simple, the hotel runs its own shuttle from the airport, and that works just fine.

One honest heads-up. The roads are filled with potholes, so prepare for a bumpy ride. It’s just the way it is, and it’s worth knowing before you go so it doesn’t catch you off guard.

The food and drink — Mark

Overall the food was pretty decent. I’d give it about 3.5 out of 5. The buffets were the highlight. Green Island, Island Cove, and Mandalay had a varied selection every day, and you never left hungry. Clare and I loved Green Island for breakfast. What a great start to the day.

The reserved restaurants were a more mixed bag, and I’ll be straight with you. Luigi, the Italian, didn’t work for me. The flavors fell flat and I couldn’t quite make sense of the menu. That’s a 1 out of 5 for me. The Steakhouse was decent, a 3 out of 5. My steak was cooked well, not the greatest cut of meat, but still good, with the typical steakhouse feel. Our favorite was the Kulinarium, around a 3.5 out of 5. The lobster risotto was well done, and they hand you a sparkling wine the moment you walk in. You feel like they actually want to look after you.

Don’t skip the Rastaman bar for the jerk chicken. It’s worth trying. And the Jammin bar was the best of the lot for us. The people are kind, they love to serve you, and they make a wonderful coffee. It’s perfect for lounging in the lobby or waiting on a reservation.

The rooms — Mark

The rooms were better than we expected. The beds were very comfortable, the mini bar stayed stocked, and the staff gave great service every time, whether we needed something or they were cleaning the room. We were on the top floor overlooking the beach, with a wonderful sunset view, and we were near the quiet pool, so it never got loud. The rooms have been refurbished recently, and it shows.

We didn’t try it ourselves, but you can upgrade to a swim-up or plunge pool room. They looked very clean, and that’s something I’d love to do next time.

Who it’s for — Clare

Honestly, I found Riu Negril a great place for just about everybody. A lot depends on when you go. Around March break you’ll find bigger crowds and more energy. We went just after, and it was more peaceful and relaxing because there simply weren’t as many people.

What I liked is that the resort gives you the choice. If you’re more central, around the main lobby, there are pools and music for people who want a livelier, party feel. If you want quiet, they have areas set aside for that. They do the same thing on the beach. The central end gets lively, and off to the right it stays peaceful. So you can have the trip you actually came for.

Beyond the resort — Clare

The resort sits on its own cove, and Seven Mile Beach is just down the road. There’s a shuttle that will take you there. If you want to experience Jamaican culture, there are some wonderful bars right on that beach serving the best jerk chicken and lobster you’ll ever have the pleasure to eat. The water there is warm and clear, and it’s a fun place to spend a sunny day.

One thing I’d steer you away from. If you’re thinking of Dunn’s River Falls, I wouldn’t do it from here. It’s a four hour ride one way, so you’d spend most of the day on a shuttle bus. Save that for a trip based closer to Ocho Rios.

Is it worth it? — Clare and Mark

Mark: Yes, Riu Negril was worth the money. It isn’t a luxury resort, and I wouldn’t sell it as one, but for a relaxing getaway it delivers.

Clare: March was an excellent time to go. The weather was beautifully warm but not too hot, the grounds are beautifully kept, and the staff are warm and friendly and do their best to make you feel welcome. We enjoyed our stay.