Hotel Riu Ocho Rios - All Inclusive

I travelled to the Riu Ocho Rios with my mum (84) and aunt (80). The hotel was lovely and upgraded our rooms to an ocean view. There were a few glitches, like some confusion with the shuttle pickups, but staff were very helpful overall. We enjoyed the various buffet/restaurants, and my gluten free mother was generally accomodated, especially at the Mandolay restaurant. It was our first time at an all inclusive, and it was a bit hard to navagate at first. We went to an Aquafit class in the pool which was fun. We also had friends come for a day with children, and they enjoyed the kids water park. The rooms were very clean and had lovely balconies to sit on and look over the resort and to the ocean. I would visit a Riu again.

My first experience of a resort and quiet frankly, probably my last. I did not like it at all. Too many people, too noisy and run like a cruise ship. People enter the buffet general dining area with unsuitable clothing. The staff work fast and quick, but are not generally pleasant unless they have served you before and you have tipped them. There is a huge tipping expectations which I find irritating and disheartening. The drinks at the bar were watered down, the wines are not really wines, more like scented water. I almost choked on the appalling red wine that was served in the buffet hall. After that I stuck to the Savignon Blanc which was marginally easy to swallow but devoid of any grapes. No idea what was bottled. I expected an abundant of seafood, and not the constant fried tasteless fish fillet, and not even fresh sometimes. Tasted like leftovers.Yikes. Had prawns but they couldnt be bothered to peel it. Would have preferred crawfish. Didnt get any though. The food was extremely salty. What what surprised me was the fact that when I asked for Chilli or pepper sauce, they had only Tabasco Sauce, and yet Jamaica is an Island associated with scotch bonnet. They cannot even make their own pepper sauce from local produce? How sad. I dont think the hotel management is bothered by the reviews here, as they are always fully booked. And so they should be, with all inclusive marketing package deal. Only people with discernible taste will choose not to stay at this hotel.

Food was great. But thats about it. Staff is constantly begging for a tip. Beach is mostly covered with seaweed. Mini bar is not being topped up During the stay. My wife has arranged for a birthday cake during our dinner. Although this was prearranged in advance we were denied the cake and surprise element was destroyed. Staff members demanded a tip to serve a cake. We felt like beggars. We left the restaurant as experience was awful. Reception staff did not attempt to make it right.

The resort, the beach, and my room were amazing. While I felt the bed was very comfy, for some reason my back did not seem to agree and I had debilitating back ache that made movement extremely painful my whole time there. Might just me getting old though. Special shout out to Tamaya and her manager at the front desk for their efforts to get me back into a room when my flight was cancelled. I plan to return sometime.

Riu Ocho Rios Riu Ocho Rios is not the same 4 years ago it was much better the hotel desperately needs an upgrade checking in was super slow the room was an upgraded one terrible sewer smell on entering over that section The drapes was looking terrible the coach the chair was spread up with a sheet when you sit in it the cushions rolled off the chair and rolled you flat on the floor it's very dirty when I lift up the sheet to see the chair the side table falling apart the hallways smell strong with bleach I had to complain to the housekeeper we felt uncomfortable that night because no flat sheet was on the bed only a fitted no pillow cases only 1 no blanket we had to call the next day to get them house cleaner man only cleaned the bedroom area and leave the bathroom dining room buffet filled with smoke from frying up meats daily I had to run out of there along with other guests its overwhelming food finished quickly no refills foreign meats and fish only no fruits they ran out the food is salty and very greasy and cold the beach is very nice no beach umbrella The Island Routes Rep for the resort Sidia never around have send all information via Whatsapp and no response I had to kept sending messages she is very unprofessional the day before we was getting ready to go home tried tirelessly to reach her she responded late at night with a lie about our pick up time in the morning the bellhop came early for our luggages we waited patiently for our pickup no pick up at the time she told us I called her several times then she suddenly pick up the phone she is very scary I sure hope no one else have to encounter this on their vacation shouted at me lied constantly hang the phone up on me the front desk staffs was helpful at that moment they tried to reach her no response the bellhop tried as well until she finally texted to say the driver was coming for us he had to drive very fast because time was against us traffic was heavy even entering into the airport we almost missed our flight we barely made it The white party at entertainment is good new years eve party started out with a hugh flop trivia games boring a band followed boring until the locals DJ took over it was really good some nights entertainment is good like Jamaica night some not so good latin night needs a bit more to it silver bird band can be boring only the acrobatics is really good the place is clean Just need to be upgraded lobby is unattractive just like the rooms and dining area the bellhops are very nice and professional Sasha from Italian is really professional helpful and nice bartenders are mostly nice not all we would not return to Riu Ocho Rios too much disappointment no Christmas pastries at Christmas No Jamaican fruit cake. Worst we have ever seen it.

We enjoyed the resort from entertainment to activities to room service. Food can be slightly improved. Our trip back was canceled because of snow storm but the manager Selena Lowe was extremely helpful in extending our stay despite full resort and accommodating our needs during these few days

The food was excellent - lots of variety. The staff were delightful. The beach was well maintained. Activities were fun. The Synwing Reps were extremely helpful particularly Nekoda and Trish. The excursions were enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this hotel for a vacation!

A great well run family-friendly all inclusive resort close to many of the famous attractions in Jamaica. Beautiful grounds, beautiful beach, very clean rooms, plentiful and varied buffet, several additional restaurants, pools and bars. A kid zone that will safely entertain your child for 2 hours in the morning and afternoon. The staff are hardworking and kind so please acknowledge them with a smile, a ‘good morning’, ‘good evening’ and ‘thank you’. Remember that many of them have families impacted by the Hurricane late last year. Some resorts on the island are still closed for repairs. RIU had minimal damage as far as I could tell. Jamaica needs the tourism to recover. For myself, the beach was the best part: long, sandy, with a reef offshore making the swimming safe for everyone including children. Lots of beach chairs available as well as towels by every pool. It was our first time in Jamaica and we would go back to this resort happily. I’m glad I ignored some of the negative reviews. I really don’t know how anyone can complain about this resort.

When staying here I had requested a crib for my baby 3 times, one was not brought to the room my baby fell and was admitted to hospital costing €3000 when returning the the hotel I asked for a room without a step and was refused, a ambulance was called to the hotel and a incident report was filed, not once did they come and check on my baby to see if we were ok. After writing to them when I got home I was told I’d get a response on 15-20 days , I have followed up and still no response 28 days later. Shocking service after a baby was injured at the result of not providing a crib after requested on multiple occasions. Would appreciate someone getting back to me regarding complaint ref 398823

The Riu Ocho was my first ever all inclusive experience and I feel like I have been missing out! The drinks are strong and delicious. The food was great and had amazing variety. There are too many activities to try everything and we could have stayed a second week and never been bored. Food - I was able to get resos at all the ala carts restaurants with the Italian being my favorite. But the kids preferred the buffet and there was always new foods to try. Nicardo for dinner is a GEM and went out of his way to make our group feel special. That man deserves a medal. Some of the best service I have ever had and he works hard! For breakfast and lunch Tamesha was our girl. She is wonderful and remembered all the kids drinks and what everyone liked. She set the most thoughtful birthday table for one of our kids and even brought all the kids Jamaican souvenirs. I looked forward to seeing her everyday. Cordesha at the slides also stood out for her personality. She was so friendly and encouraged the kids to try the drop slides cheering them on the whole time. The entertainment team are some of the most talented and hardest working people I have seen. The shows were outstanding and they remembered the kids from the kids shows and always called them out for hugs and high fives. Beautiful people inside and out. The hotel great. The beach is beautiful (even with some seaweed) and the food is better than expected but what makes this experience exceptional is the staff. They work so hard, they care about the guests and go above and beyond to make memories. If you have the means, bring extra money and tip generously. They deserve it.