Riu Palace Tropical Bay

Just returned from 10 days at this beautiful place and had the best time with my husband and 3 adult sons. I expected it to be good having seen such positive reviews and wasn’t disappointed. On arrival 2 of our 3 rooms were upgraded to sea view which was a nice surprise. You’re welcomed with a rum cocktail which, after a long journey there in rush hour traffic was much appreciated as the wrist bands go on and you slowly sink into relaxation mode. The beach and sea is absolutely breathtaking. If you’re out early enough on paddle boards when it’s calm before the water sports start you’ll see rays, enormous starfish and the odd barracuda. Wander along the beach and you’ll see rastas selling gorgeous crafts along the blue tents and some walking the shoreline every day touting their wares. No pressure to buy. Just politely say no thanks or have a chat. They’re trying to make a living like anyone else especially after the devastation of Melissa (some still have no fresh water). Walk along to the sister RIU if you want a change but we found the beach and bars nicer at the Palace so stayed on base. Lovely to walk the whole bay though. Staff. They absolutely make this hotel and should be rewarded sufficiently for the efforts they go to in making guests enjoy themselves. Shout out to Sillion, William, Nikolas, Gregory, Andre in the pool bar who turn every thunderstorm into another party! Magic! Friendly young Chauvaun one of the lifeguards befriended us and the fab family of Glaswegians we met. Krystal and Shelley in the Daiquiri bar were also delightful and can’t do enough for you. Rooms are very nice. Gardens and pool areas nice. We didn’t book this for the pools though as they’re not very big but we came for the amazing beach and sea which is better than any pool. The RIU Negril parties on Thursdays are fun and you can catch shuttles from the Palace. The entertainments time work incredibly hard from walking up the beach geeing everyone up in the mornings, aerobics on the sea, yoga, organising the many pool parties and then entertaining us with a show most nights. Highly skilled athletes and dancers and the Michael Jackson was my favourite. Loved the reggae band playing Bob Marley classics. Get one of the boat trips to snorkel, visit Rick’s Cafe and Margaritaville. Worth it. Also visit Office of Nature just along the beach next door for fresh lobster, cocktails and gossip with the local rastas and hear Donovan sing with his guitar and amazing whistle. Cons : not many but please RIU management allow staff especially bar servers to wear shorts and trainers. Seeing men in trousers and females in skirts and TIGHTS in that heat on the beach is off-putting. Mexican bar staff wear shorts and look smart and cool. Restaurants : the Japanese was ok if portions were a little small for my men who had to top up at the buffet! The Kyrystal was lovely and had a very delicious shrimp starter and lobster main. Didn’t try the steak restaurant because we accidentally sat down there for the buffet and got asked to leave because my son was wearing a cap-sleeved t-shirt! Not sure what that was about when anything goes for women really but hey-ho! Buffet was good - wide selection for most tastes and we didn’t really use it at lunchtime because we all preferred the jerk chicken hut on the beach! Wow! How we miss that! Anyway I think if you’ve read this far you’re already booking so lucky you! You won’t regret it.

The resort was beautiful!! Food was great, and so were the drinks! BEACH WAS STUNNING and NO SARGASSUM! The rooms were pretty with a rain shower water head, a very comfortable bed, and wonderful pillows. They stocked a mini bar, and we could utilize it at NO EXTRA CHARGE. I would highly recommend buildings #6 and #7 for a direct ocean view and just steps from the beach. These villas weren't too far from the pools, bars, and restaurants but far enough that we didn't hear the music and the noise coming from that area.

Many peddlers on the beach, but if you said "no thank you," they left you alone immediately. Highly recommend the Jerk Chicken Hut that was always open 12-3 in the afternoon; best Jerk Chicken, ever.

Special shout-out to JUDITH, our cocktail waitress, who served us drinks on the beach every day!! She was constantly going back and forth getting what we asked for. She was always so happy and pleasant! On my birthday, she set up balloons early in the morning in the tree that my friend and I always sat under on the beach. There was a Happy Birthday banner on our door, and she sang to me! It was a milestone birthday, and she did everything to make it extra special! She was always spot on with service and was able to answer any questions we had. If she didn't know the answer, she would find out for us! An extremely helpful person!! I hope she is there for many years to come because I plan to go back!!

The guy at the bar who was always saying "Merry Christmas" was excellent at making drinks! Happy Feet ( Instructor) was so good at coming up with modifications during our water aerobics class! (My friend had some orthopedic problems and couldn't do some of the exercises.) He brought so much ENERGY to the class!

CHRIS at the front desk was very helpful and accommodating! After a 4-hour delay at JFK, my friend ended up with a knee problem from sitting too long. Chris was able to move us to a first-floor room at the last minute. Our reservation was for a third-floor room, and that would have never worked. Thank you, Chris, for saving our vacation!

JUDITH, Karen and I miss you already!

We stayed in Room 3105 at the quiet end of the beach near the Scuba Caribe, greeted every morning by Donovan playing his guitar "Bob Marley vibes" the perfect way to start your day. The sea crystal clear and warm with a resident baby ray Breakfast always with a smile and banter, table looking out to the ocean waited on by Twain "Craig David" and Damian. Stakehouse is by far the standout serving up fillet and Caribbean Lobster to die for, chef would take out of the shell for you, looked after by Everton and Marten along with tears of laughter, so much fun. The lobby bar serving up Apperol Spritz and Baileys looked after by Antonette and Lyanna both absolute superstars. Scuba Caribe offers the catamaran trips to Ricks Cafe Kimani is your man to book with. The transfer from the airport 1hr 20 gives you the insight into the real Jamaica and the fall out from Melissa. The journey went quick reggae tunes and the bus driver saying when in Jamaica if you want to drive on the grass just ask😂 Great memories made.