Hotel Riu Palace Tropical Bay - All Inclusive

Visited October 21st for what was supposed to be 7 days. Our stay at the Riu Palace Tropical Bay was excellent. The staff, the grounds, facilities, food and entertainment. Every aspect of our resort experience was beyond our expectations. For perspective I've been to 5 Sandals resorts. Hurricane Melissa hit on the 28th. I want to commend the staff at the hotel for their professionalism and conduct. Despite facing their own personal challenges with the Hurricane, they made sure that every guest was safe and sound. Communication to guests verbally and via letters left at our rooms was practical and helpful. Despite the early stages of the storm, groups of employees went door to door. They delivered food and drinks to all rooms for guests for the planned room lockdown, from Monday Night to Wednesday morning. After the hurricane, the property was equipped with generators and all staff did their utmost to keep a smile on their faces. Many working day and night, some staff staying on site, they began the clean up immediately. We did not expect it after what they had experienced. With no WiFi or cellular service most staff did not know how there families were doing in the aftermath. Despite that, all levels of employees were incredible. Despite the uncertainty, they continued to provide an abundance of excellent food and drink each day after the storm. For a couple days we were shuttled back and forth promptly to the nearby Riu Negril. Again despite the employees personal challenges we were served 3 buffets a day at that beautiful property. The staff there made us feel welcome and the Palace staff came there working double duties. We had positive experiences with all of the Riu employees, but I would like to mention specifically: Shoya - Riu Negril reception desk, Gary Beckles , Ruth - waiter / waitress Palace, Beverley- Riu Palace reception All bartenders at Riu Palace - worked day and night - non stop. Paulo and Alejandro ( assistant GM - Palace) We departed on November 2nd. We are grateful to all at the Riu Palace Negril. They should be commended. Thank you

Visit Oct 22-Oct 29, 2025 (scheduled departure). Arrival smooth and easy. Escorted to our room 3116, as we requested. Everything perfect, staff amazing. Room great and very clean. Ocean was clear to the bottom, secure swim area. Plenty of chairs on the beach and pool for everyone. Food was plentiful and something for everyone. Ground impeccable clean, staff polite, professional and helpful at all times With the incoming hurricane Melissa, we were kept informed of all the changes, at all times. Clear instructions, with excellent emergency preparedness to perfection. We followed all instructions and came out of it safe. Staff continued to be positive and professional. Yes, we lost AC, occasional power and occasional water, but never lacked for anything. Clean up was proceeding quickly. Staff was able to keep up somewhat abbreviated normalcy for us. The biggest barrier was communication. WiFi was down, but arrangements were made for us to use the neighboring resorts' Wifi for calling home, rescheduling flights home. We were able to go home safely on Nov. 2, 2025, safe and sound. Thank You's go out to our housekeeper, Keniesha (Rm. 3116) for looking out for us and checking on us numerous time of the day if we needed anything. See is amazing. Our buffet waiter Kevin always greeted us with a smile and made us feel good. His co-worker Andre waiter was also upbeat and made us feel good despite the situation. Remember this staff, many of them went home to nothing left of their home and families. Everyone kept a positive note and did not bring it to work. Awaiting our return visit soon.

The check in was quick and friendly although there was only one other couple checking in at the same time. ( a tip, we checked in online 24 hours before arrival so maybe that helped). The rooms are in 6 blocks with 3 floors but no lifts, so if you have reduced mobility request a ground (or first as it is called) floor. Our standard room had 2 x 4ft beds, large screen tv with American channels, a table and 2 chairs, a 2 seater sofa and coffee table. It also had a 6 drawer unit and 2 bedside drawer units. There was a single and double wardrobe with a safe, ironing board and iron. There was a large fridge with water, beer and soft drinks, replenished every other day, as well as the expected optics on the wall. There was a coffee maker, ceiling fan and a/c. There was also an umbrella which came in very handy. The bathroom had a walk in shower, double sinks and a hairdryer. Soaps and shampoo were in dispensers on the wall but there was no vanity tray. There was always plenty of hot water no matter the time of day. The main buffet restaurant had a good choice of hot and cold dishes although many dishes were repeated every day. The food was tasty and well cooked but, like all RIU hotels we have stayed in, only hot if you managed to get it as it came in from the kitchen. There was plenty of choice so I doubt anybody went hungry. There are 4 speciality restaurants and we tried 3. The steakhouse and Italian were good but the Krystal restaurant was excellent. Please book early as they quickly fill up and it's best done via the app. The bars were well stocked with well known international brands. The entertainment team were very enthusiastic and quite talented and there was also visiting professional acts a couple of times a week. Evening entertainment was on 6 nights a week because all the entertainment team were at the RIU party at the RIU Negril every Thursday evening. There are 3 pools, an adults only swim up bar, an activities pool and a large pool. There were plenty of sunbeds although the hotel only felt 1/3rd full. I'm not sure what it would be like in the peak season. The drinks service around the pool could have been a little more regular but it seemed that perhaps the staff levels were a little reduced as it was the low season. However, we didn't really go without. The beach was clean with plenty of sunbeds. As the beach is public there are people offering cigarettes and other things but a polite 'no thank you' worked well. A few hundred yards down the beach are locals in huts selling various tourist gifts, just remember to barter. The best thing about this hotel though is the staff. Everyone you met were so friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble for them. A special mention to Latoya in the coffee shop, Angella in the main restaurant and Samoy in the entertainment team. Overall an excellent hotel with brilliant staff just let down by the buffet food not always being hot. Perhaps a microwave could be provided. One last point. Our prayers and thoughts are with the staff and the rest of the Jamaican people following the disaster of Hurricane Melissa.

The staff at this resort are absolutely wonderful. Pleasant smiles and genuine conversation made it feel very comfortable and warm. The food was delicious in all the restaurants. The beach was clean and the water warm we had exceptional service and every need was met in a quick manner. All of this happened while they knew that hurricane Melissa was looming in the distance. My sisters and I have nothing but praise for everyone and although our vacation was cut short, we will return as soon as we can to offer our support.

The breakfast was wonderful and there was a variety of choices. Intercontinental and local cuisine

The labelling of the dishes, for someone with sight problems, the black on grey writing is not legible I had to be using my reading glasses. The deckchairs and small tables could use regular cleaning

Staff and entertainment

"Honeymoon Suite" was just a basic room with a tub in it. Balcony had cheap plastic folding chairs and table.

Riu Palace Tropical Bay, Jamaica – Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ — “A Lovely Jamaican Escape That’s Missing the Sparkle” We stayed at the Riu Palace Tropical Bay, Jamaica to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and overall, we had a pleasant holiday — but it just didn’t quite live up to its “Palace” name. Check-In and First Impressions: The welcome wasn’t quite what we expected. The hotel was only around 45% full, yet we felt a lot of pressure to upgrade our room. It turned into more of a sales pitch than a warm greeting — the upgrade was quoted at $1,100, then $700, before being haggled down to $400. It left us feeling like we had to upgrade, rather than being made to feel special. Since it was our wedding anniversary, it would’ve been lovely to have been surprised with a complimentary upgrade — something like, “Hey Mr. and Mrs., happy anniversary! We’ve upgraded your room with our compliments.” That little gesture would’ve made all the difference. The hotel did send a bottle of fizz, which was a nice touch — but the cork broke, and it took four days to get a replacement. The Resort: The beach and grounds are beautiful, but the hotel itself is tired and in need of an update. It’s clean, but it lacks the polish and attention to detail that make a stay feel truly special. Many staff members seem to expect tips for everyday service, which can feel uncomfortable. As Brits, we prefer to tip at the end of a holiday for good service throughout, not every time someone brings a drink — but here, it sometimes felt like tipping was required just to receive decent service. Food and Drink: The buffet offered plenty of choice, though many food labels were missing, so it wasn’t always clear what was what. The speciality restaurants were fine — some nights were better than others, depending on who was working. The hotel shop is extremely expensive — a large bag of Cheetos was $15! Service and Room: Beach and pool waiter service was inconsistent — we might see someone twice a day at most, again depending on tips. Room service was okay, though the food wasn’t great. The mini-bar was only restocked every other day and contained two Sprites, two regular Cokes, two Diet Cokes, and a couple of beers. Requests for tonic water and more soft drinks were ignored. Our room cleaning was basic, with no special touches despite tipping the maid and mini-bar attendant early on. The People: Interestingly, the beach vendors were actually some of the friendliest people we met. Once they recognised us, they mostly just wanted to chat — they’re genuinely social and respectful, even if you don’t buy anything. And yes, you can buy anything from them! Overall: We had a nice enough time — Jamaica itself is stunning, and the relaxed vibe is unbeatable. However, the Riu Palace Tropical Bay needs an update and a shift in service attitude to truly deliver a five-star experience. The entertainment team were excellent, but beyond that, the resort lacked warmth and sparkle. We’d definitely come back to Jamaica — it’s a beautiful island with an amazing energy — but sadly, we wouldn’t return to the Riu Palace Tropical Bay.

Amazing beach, welcoming stuff, good food -lots of lobsters, bartender Kristal can make a drink you didn’t even know you like at the lobby bar, neon party was excellent. Overal awesome vacation, sunsets to die for