We booked Club Riu Negril because we wanted to invite our family members to come celebrate my daughter’s college graduation so we needed an affordable place for everyone. There was 17 of us in all.. A few of us stayed from Sun to Sun 5/29 to 6/5 most of my family opted to stay the long weekend Thurs to Sun so they paid $400 per/person for the room for the entire weekend including transfers to and from airport.
Accommodations
The ride from the hotel is very long about 2 hrs. The hotel is ok for the price. Nothing upscale but when we wanted upscale we stayed at the Sandals Negril. My room was an oceanfront room with view of the ocean and one of the pools. The room was a nice size and it was clean and the air and ceiling fan kept the room nice and cool. the tv was fuzzy. There was only 1 towel in our room and no wash cloths. We called housekeeping but you know they are on Jamaican time so service was slow. We did finally get it 2 hours later after going to the front desk and making 2 additional phone calls but hey I’m on vacation I didn’t get upset. We paid 40 for the week to have internet in our room. You can connect up to 4 devices. It works on the beach in your room and everywhere, They do have it free in the common areas. Our rooms was always kept clean and cute little animal made from the towel was put on our beds daily. The fridge was kept stocked every 2 days with beer soda and water.
Dining
I really enjoyed the food. I only ate the Jamaican dishes so I can’t tell about anything else. They do have a theme each night in the buffet restaurants which I only picked out the Jamaican cuisine and everything I tried was delicious.
Entertainment
We was so tired the first night we didn’t make the show but the entertainment staff was very nice and fun. Everyone was pleasant. All the staff that I came in contact with was friendly especially at the buffet restaurants. We always played games with the entertainment staff which made the vacation even more fun. Rolly Polly, Spotlight had us entertained all week.
I want to address some things that people put on the reviews but from my opinion
Staff
We enjoyed the staff everyone was nice friendly and fun except the 2 bartenders that was at the bar where the main stage is. We was having fun dancing and decided to get shots from the bar. I had fun green light up shot glasses. They both basically ignored my group didn’t even ask us what we wanted. We was going to tip well mind you but they wouldn’t know because they was so rude giving us mean faces and the one bartender whispered something to the other about us which made us uncomfortable so I told my group don’t even bother with them they won’t ruin our trip, we went in the sports bar and of course received friendly service again.
Food
I think it’s subject to what you like. I thought the breakfast was always delicious. They have EVERYTHING. I would order an omelet with veggies and cheese ask for it well done get some potatoes bacon and toast and it was perfect. They also have fresh fruit homemade donuts that are made right in front of you and so much more food to choose from. I give it an A plus.
The steak restaurant which you need reservations for was the best choice do not miss out on it. The wine I guess that’s all in a person’s preference because I had wine with dinner each night and I liked it. I’ve had bad wine plenty of times and I can’t say that this was one of them.
The Asian restaurant was Great it was buffet style and they also had a station where they cook the food in front of you. The food was very good in there.
The french restaurant was not my favorite but I did enjoy the fish soup it had all fresh seafood. I didn’t really care for anything else. My family went to the buffet right after we had dinner at the french restaurant
The buffet – The buffet had a variety of food some nights it was hit or miss but I would always just eat the Jamaican cuisine and I was satisfied. The coconut ice cream was excellent.
Jerk hut was good on the beach for lunch I Would get the spicy hot jerk sauce on my chicken rice and peas and cabbage with rum punch.
Coffee– The coffee for breakfast is the blue mountain coffee which is the best coffee.
The coffee that you get at the bar is from the machine and is sorta like a Starbucks coffee with the milk warmed like a cappuccino or something but i think it the nestle brand which we liked it also it’s just different.
We never had problems getting reservation. I have to give a Big shout out to Tatiana at the front desk I mentioned to her that I needed a cake for 17 people and she got us a cake from a local bakery that was so good and moist. She also sent us a bottle of champagne which was a wonderful touch. The restaurant accommodated my group of 17 and sat us together. If you travel with a big group the Riu is the way to
Rest rooms
I’m not sure why people was saying there was no restrooms there is a restroom by the lobby area and another by the restaurant where you have lunch at during the day and turns into the steakhouse at night. Another one by the pool that has the lounge chairs in the pool.
Pools
The swim up bar pool was where the entertainment people was playing games and stuff. That pool can get disgusting at times over by the bar area because people and kids spill drinks in there. The other pool by building 2 is a quiet pool and is very clean. My balcony was overlooking that pool and the beach and I saw them clean and treat the pool every morning.
The beach or bay which it really is Horrible . Like everyone said it was murky and had tons of seaweed which smells horrible but we made the best of it. I bought a little raft and laid on it plus I had on water shoes. The locals was annoying trying to sell you weed which I don’t smoke so I just wanted them to go away.
Walk down to the huts and you can get souvenirs and I also had the best grilled lobster from one of the hut restaurants.
The entrainment staff put on great shows each night. Monday night is white night and a beach party on the beach. So bring something white. There really is no night life so you have to make your own fun. It’s better when you’re with a group. I wish they would’ve kept the night club for parties but I bet like other resorts no one went in so they turned it into a sports bar. The snacks, even the popcorn is horrible in the sports bar.
We also set up a photographer to take group photos.
I reserved a catamaran tour for 17 people with JuJu tours go on their website for prices and different tour options. This was not part of the Riu but they are reliable and the prices are affordable.
Check out other Caribbean destinations I love https://caribbeantravelqueen.com/
Contact me, Subscribe or Download my FREE E-Book “10 Tips for planning your Romantic Caribbean getaway” HERE https://caribbeantravelqueen.com/contact
