Hotel Riu Ocho Rios - All Inclusive

Staff is friendly, room are clean if a bit tired. Grounds and beach are lovely and well maintained. However the food, well plentiful and varied, is overcooked, cold and just plain bad. This is the worst food I have experienced when staying at all- inclusive resorts, including other Riu resorts, I am so disappointed. Even at the Italian Restaurant, where you need to book a reservation, my Salmon w/dill sauce was served barely warm and the sauce had congealed.

Horrible experience at the worst resort in Jamaica. Staff is very unfriendly and not helpful, food is extremely low quality and always runs out, 'free' transfer to airport not available/denied. This Riu resort is the Spirit airlines or Carnival cruise line of all Jamaica resorts. Problems started at checkin where the worker claimed my credit card signature was somehow not close enough to my signature in my passport. Never had an issue like this and furthermore I could see on my phone that the resort already took my money. Literally no information about the resort was provided at check-in on eg dining, map of the place, or how to get to the room (there are no porters to help with your luggage). Staff unfriendly and not helpful. Room was just OK, looked old and worn out. Roach in room. Food was very poor. Buffet lines were long and looked like a hurricane passed by (most bowls/trays empty and not being replenished). If you are willing to wait 30 min you might get an omelet. Food quality low. Service at specially restaurants was good, but food quality low (poor quality steak in steak restaurant). Bbq shack on the beach is OK, but never available (you can get chicken the whole day but jerk pork only 3-5 and even then only after a very long wait) Entertainment OK. At booking we received free transportation back to MBJ airport and we got a 8 digit confirmation number/code. We asked the front desk and they said check with Nexus (company that handles these transfers for Riu). Nexus stated we are not on the list they got from Riu. The Nexus people were totally useless, lazy, and unprofessional. We had a confirmation code they refused to check in their system or make a call, and instead told us to go ahead and call some number to sort things out. We had enough and just took a JUTA taxi the next day and paid $140 out of our pocket (even though we should have had a free transfer). Another issue is overbooking at Riu Ocho Rios. Our Juta driver shared that he and a colleague had to drive a group of 14 (!) people to another Riu resort at 11 pm because Riu was overbooked and they did not have a room for these people that had a paid reservation. I assume that Riu's Online Reputation Manager will write some useless lines below in response, and not address any of my comments. Not surprising if you have a reputation manager and not a customer service person handling your issues.

I visited this hotel for my 40th birthday with friends and was genuinely looking forward to the stay, but unfortunately the experience was very disappointing. A recurring issue throughout the hotel was the attitude of the staff. Many came across as unfriendly and reluctant to help. In the main restaurant, getting a drink felt like a gamble — staff often ignored guests, and when you did ask for service, it was treated as an inconvenience. I also experienced behaviour that made me feel uncomfortable. I was staying in a room on my own, and a male cleaner repeatedly knocked on my door for reasons that felt unnecessary. I specifically requested a female cleaner and was assured this would be arranged, yet the same male cleaner was sent to my room again on another day. This left me feeling unsafe in a place where I should have been able to relax and ended up leaving the hotel 4 days early! Overall, the stay did not meet expectations, especially for a milestone celebration.

We just got back from an absolutely amazing 10days at Riu Ocho Rios. The hotel is well maintained. All the staff work very hard so you have an enjoyable stay. The food is amazing, something for everyone. Ours was the Jamaican section where we got to try all kinds of Jamaican food. 😋. The beach is very clean and well layed out while we were there. The bar very cheerful. Again I can’t street enough how hard all the staff work. The rooms are well clean everyday. The cleaners always surprised us everyday with their artiste talents. The staff in St Ann’s buffet were always attentive and polite, most of the time. We managed to book a day trip to Dunn’s river waterfall. Unfortunately our TUI representative didn’t mention that we need water shoes, otherwise they don’t let you on. We ended buying some there around £8.00/9.00. We were a small when got to Dunn’s river waterfall, but ended up in a larger group. There is a camera + video man that’s follows you. After you can buy both for €40. Please if you go on the nine mile take socks with you, as you walk around bare feet around the resting place of Bob Marley and family. 🙏🏽. We tried to feed this back to the TUI but they were not interested!! I am a Riu club member I was told there would be a little something in the room by the rep. Never happened. If you not going to do it, then don’t say anything!! We just had couple of very small negative things to say. Sometimes we did get some waitresses who would not attend to us or clear our plates, particularly the side of the sports bar. Which is really disheartening. So we sat across the buffet area. Another was I wanted a bit of rice, as it was the anniversary of my mum’s passing date. But no one would help I kept going from St Ann’s to reception. Finally I did get some, with flowers that the gardeners cut for. On the day of our departure. I had a last urge to eat patties. So I asked the staff in the restaurant if I could take two for the journey. But I was told I couldn’t before opening in ten minutes. I explained we were leaving now. But the man with the green collar said no. 😞 so sad. Overall a brilliant holiday. Please pass on our thank you to everyone. Hopefully we will return with our families in the near future.

Really good hotel, excellent food choices. Rooms are spacious and have plenty of towels and great toiletries. Beds are comfortable and everywhere is spotlessly clean. The staff in the main are fabulous, particularly Jason in the dining room. The pools are great and clean. The beach is beautiful and clear water. They work very hard to keep the beach seaweed free. The staff are all hard working. The entertainment is good and fun. On a personal note, I found the pool area far too noisy with both bars competing in their music choices. We sadly had some poor weather and there is little to do unless you leave the complex. We caught a taxi into Ocho Rios both days. The dining area can be somewhat chaotic on opening. The food can be the same but there is so much choice that there is something for everyone, including chips, pizza, pasta, salads etc. Bring plenty of adaptor plugs. You don’t have to smoke in the designated areas, you can smoke by the pool. Yes people smoke weed. There is a protected swimming area in the sea. It takes about an hour and a half from the airport. I would get a taxi to beat the buses and check in online. This is a fun and lively hotel that attracts families, couples and children.

Stayed here for a 2 week holiday with friends 11/01/26 - 25/01/26 Had the most amazing time, all the entertainment staff work extremely hard to provide you with the best entertainment. Rooms are cleaned daily with fresh towels being left each day, the mini bar is restocked just leave them a message on the app as to what you need. The main buffet has lots of choice only downfall is having to queue for a while, especially at breakfast time waiting for the omelette. The Beautiful Talia in the buffet restraunt who looked after us for the whole 2 weeks was truly amazing, kind lovely and nothing to much trouble for her, she is an absolute star and the Riu should be so great full they have her. They need to sort out the karaoke as they only have it on once a week for half hour which is absolutely no use at all. The white and neon night are amazing so much fun, make sure you save your energy for those because you certainty will need it, loved every second of it. The staff at the swim up bars are really cheerfully happy guys and the cocktails are great. Would definitely return

We traveled to Jamaica for Christmas with our family. We stayed at the Riu for 5 days. This is the worst experience I have ever had a resort in Jamaica and travel there yearly. On our last night at the Riu, our daughters room flooded due to a malfunctioning toilet from the room directly across the hall from them. The front desk employees could have cared less about the situation. It took for us going to the front desk 4 times before they offered to move them to another room. They originally stated someone would come to clean the room however, they couldn't give a time frame. We asked for a manager and were told there were no managers working overnight. We were then told a manager would be available the next morning by 9am. We were leaving for the airport at 8am and told we could ask for the assistant manager who would be available at 7am. Upon visiting the desk the next morning, a female member of staff who was clearly someone in charge for the day refused to speak with us and instead instructed another staff member to give us a business card with an email address for complaints. Upon arriving back to the states, I filed a complaint and waited 21 business days for a response only to be told they could not assist us, could not change our disappointment but would love to have us visit again in the future. The is NO chance in hell I would visit this this resort ever again! The staff was rude and very unorganized. I wouldn't recommend this resort to anyone. This resort gets ZERO stars.

I have had the most amazing time in Jamaica. I arrived on 15 Jan with family, to warm weather. During my stay there was some breeze and rain but on the whole the temperature was amazing, 28 degrees and higher during the day on most days, and stayed pretty warm all evening. For the RIU managers, supervisors and those in charge - please make sure ALL your staff see this review as they are amazing, so talented and work VERY VERY HARD. Thank you team and can’t wait to come back and see you all. One of the highlights for me was the entertainment team, especially “Jamaica Evolution” night on Thursday’s with the team performing the history of Jamaican dance. ENTERTAINMENT STAFF I want to shout out to the entire team, some of whom I meant on my last couple of vacations at RIU. Andre, Dale, Raejae, Romaine, Passionate, Annalisa, KeeKee, TT, Sabrina and more recently Serina (Siri ❤️). Also to the newer ones I have met this year such as Asheen, Conray, Jordan, Tashima ,Savannah, Asia, Damilla, Natalie - thank you ❤️ The entertainment team and a lot of the other teams really enhanced my holiday as I got to know a lot of them, and so I miss them already. Let me take this opportunity to thank the other teams RECEPTION STAFF The lovely Brianna made us feel so relaxed and happy as she was very attentive and looked after us when we arrived - Thank you ❤️and also shout out to BRIAN (Sept 2023) and ARLINGTON (Mar 2025) who also made us feel so welcome on those holiday dates - Thank you ❤️ POOL BAR STAFF Romone, OShane, Tyrese, Cleon, Lamar, Javaine, Joseph, Troy, Ricardo and all the other staff whose names I didn’t get a chance to ask them - Thank you ❤️ RESTAURANTS, JERK STATION, SPORTS BAR, Waiting Staff & Chefs Arlene, Sheryl, Shanaika, JR, Silanthia, and all the rest of the team - thank you for looking after us every day, and all our food and refreshment needs in the restaurants, sports bar, Jerk station, that you took care of and for providing wonderful food, and a lovely birthday cake for my Dad 🤗❤️ - Thank you ❤️ LIFEGUARDS & TOWELSTAFF Raymark,Rashade, Shanton. Akeem Miguel, and the rest of the team - Thank you ❤️ PHOTOGRAPHERS (Caan, Alex, Jason, Henry) who work in the hot sun to produce the most beautiful, spectacular photos - Thank you ❤️. CLEANERS & MAINTENANCE Shakeisha - thank you for cleaning Rooms 3529 and 3530. For not only ensuring our rooms were clean but also for the wonderful designs you made with the towels, and the cleaners, such as ODane who always cleaned with a smile, all around the hotel keeping everywhere spotless - Thank you ❤️ Also to all the staff who work well into the night preparing the restaurants ahead of service the next morning - Thank you. ❤️ Side note to the guests who stay: please remember the staff are people too, so please treat them with the courtesy and kindness you would wish to be treated with. Remember, it costs you nothing to say THANK YOU and PLEASE. I watched guests not even acknowledge a bar staff member serving them drinks on a very busy day when they were sat at the table eating food by the pool ( which by the way they could have got up and got it themselves as they were just less than inches away from the bar). Let’s start being more considerate when we travel on holiday and be thoughtful to the employees whose “paid” job it is to serve us, which doesn’t entitle us to be rude to them. I continue to stay at The RIU in Ocho Rios BECAUSE of the staff and my wonderful memories whilst here. I may have not mentioned everyone by name but I have been grateful to every one I have spoken to during my time here. This review is for all those who I have spoken to or even just smiled at, who work hard, I want to say THANK YOU. 🙏🏽 ❤️ 💐

We arrived Jan 14 - ?.. we arrived at Riu Ochos after an almost 3 hour bus trip as they stop at other resorts to drop people off so exhausting. Upon arrival the manager was very unwelcoming and unfriendly. We are a Diamond member but she never acknowledge this. After arguing with her she finally upgraded us and my niece to an ocean view. The rooms are very old and need badly a renovation. Our couch was covered with a sheet so we would not see the stains on it. We have been there 3 times before twice for New Years and it was amazing But now it has changed the staff not so friendly and the buffet selection very poor. On our third day we were offered to transfer to Riu Aquarelle as they were overbooked so we jumped at this opportunity. There were 3 busses transferred there they told us they would take care of the paperwork. But when it was time to leave our return paperwork was not done so we were told to take a taxi to the airport which would cost $120.00. We will never go back to Riu Ocho Rios or ever recommend this hotel to anyone Very very unhappy and disappointed

We really enjoyed our stay at the RUI Ocho Rios. Sometimes a bit fast and furious but one of the waiter/supervisor waiters stood out in the crowd his name is Travis and he seemed to be in charge of some of the A’ la carte restaurants on site. His politeness and understanding of what we needed made our dinning experience special. Martin & Faith London England..