Final recap time!
Where We Stayed
Ben and I booked our trip through Expedia.com, and stayed at the RIU ClubHotel in Negril on Bloody Bay, about 10 minutes north of 7 Mile Beach, and an hour’s drive from the Montego Bay Airport (MBJ).
We stayed at the RIU Palace in Cabo San Lucas for our honeymoon four years ago, and love the all-inclusive option the resorts offer, which include all meals, drinks, and dining at usually 4-5 onsite restaurants, as well as a morning and evening buffet. You will not go hungry at a RIU!
Since we stayed at a “ClubHotel” instead of a “Palace”, I’d have to say the Palace in Cabo was nicer, but from what we saw of other hotels in the area, this was near the top for Negril. There was actually a RIU Palace located about 1/4 mile up the bay from us, but from what we could see, the only difference between the two was that our hotel was probably more family friendly, and $400 cheaper.
Besides, they all have the patented RIU liquor carousel in each and every room!
Plus a mini bar stocked with all the water, soda, and Red Stripe you can drink. What more do ya need?! ;)
The hotel was beautifully landscaped with palm trees and other trees native to the area.
Including mango trees,
and these wacky 2D palm trees, which I kind of hated. They made me squirm for some reason!
The beach was clean, large, long, and there were plenty of sand loungers for everyone.
Plus, did I mention the view?!
I was not joking when I said the water was as warm as bathwater , and Ben and I spent several days laying in it at the base of our chairs, digging up sea shells while sipping drinks we’d take turns getting from the beach bar about 20 feet away.
The hotel also offered several free water activities, including snorkling, and sea kayaking. I begged Ben to go with me on the last day, and let me just say, sea kayaking is harder than it looks!
There is a ton of marine life to see in the bay including sting rays, star fish, puffer fish, and sea urchins, so step carefully when you’re in the water!
If the sea isn’t your thang, there are two pools to dip into, including one with a swim up bar.
Speaking of bars, they were pretty much everywhere, serving up drinks aplenty, all day long, and all included in the price of the hotel.
There was nightly entertainment in a little theater-like area, but we never caught a show as we were in bed by, cough 9pm cough, most nights. Too much vitamin D… (or fun!)
Besides our all day tour, we ventured out one other afternoon to walk along Negril’s famous 7 Mile Beach. While it was absolutely beautiful, – please don’t hate, 7 Milers – we much preferred staying in Bloody Bay. Although we only went south starting at Margaritville on 7 Mile, there were just way too many people selling “stuff” on the beach for our liking. I do hear that the area north of Margaritaville, around the Couples Swept Away hotel, is very, very popular though.
I’d give the RIU ClubHotel a solid 3.7 stars out of 5. The rooms were comfortable and quiet, and the food was fresh and plentiful (the beach shack jerk chicken was SPECTACULAR!) What really counts in my mind – the view, the beach, the staff – was top notch. I would stay there again.
Final Thoughts on Jamaica
Jamaica is the ULTIMATE relaxation destination. Omar made it very clear the day he picked us up from the airport that you are on island-time when you come to Jamaica. Everything moves a little bit slower there, so be patient, and set your worries aside, mon!
A couple other things I would tell my friends and family before visiting, therefore I’m telling you, is that from what we saw and experienced (I don’t want to generalize an entire country) the areas in and around Negril and southwest Jamaica, where we toured, were very, very poor. I had friends tell me this, but I was still not prepared for what I saw. While we enjoyed ourselves immensely during our vacation, it was at times sad and unsettling staying at such a beautiful, luxurious resort, when I knew that 100 yards away there were entire families living in 8×10″ boxes balanced on rocks. I don’t think I really need to get into it, but just understand that Negril is not a standard resort town like Cancun or Puerta Vallarta, where you go out and shop at these mega complexes or town centers or anything. I don’t know if Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, other popular Jamaican vacation destinations, are similar.
I was also not prepared for the amount of pot we encountered during our trip! We either saw or smelled it nearly everywhere we went during our stay, and although we were approached to buy many times during our stroll on 7 Mile Beach, we were never bothered in Bloody Bay. Nobody was every pushy about it or anything, I just thought I’d mention it.
Overall Jamaica is a very unique, and unimaginably beautiful country. Definitely Top 3 most stunning places I have ever seen, and hands down the most relaxing place I’ve ever been. If you want to get away from it all, go to Jamaica. And tell ’em Ben and I sent ya’!
Grace 04.18.2012
I did feel a similar sort of discomfort when visiting the Bahamas. We went to both Nassau (the main island with more shopping and the HUGE Atlantis resort on nearby Paradise island), as well as Andros (the largest but least populated island). Andros was really, really amazing due to the seclusion but the residents there live a very, very simple life. Our little “resort” was by US standards, a nice motel/tiny hotel and was still by far the nicest building in the area. All the food had to be brought in by boat. It does tug at your heartstrings and makes you really grateful for what you have back home.
Thank you for sharing your experience and lovely photos! :)
Katie Downing 04.18.2012
Your pictures are beautiful and make me want to go back to Jamaica! I’ve been twice now and it is one of my favorite places I’ve been. We stayed in the Trelawny beach area along the north coast between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Just beautiful. Plus you can’t beat the all-inclusive route!
Molly 04.18.2012
My boyfriend and I went to Couples Tower Isle in Ocho Rios and loved every minute of our stay. Our hotel was perfect! You’ve made me start looking at some other places in Jamaica to go :)
Brenna 04.18.2012
I would love to go to Jamaica and have been to a few other places in the Caribbean. My boyfriend and I are looking to plan something this fall, but he has no interest in Jamaica because he says it is unsafe. Did you have any safety concerns while traveling there? Had you heard anything about the safety of the country before visiting? I’m just curious because I don’t want to rule Jamaica out as a vacation destination after looking at your photos and hearing your reviews!
Prairie Bee 04.18.2012
I love your pictures and your observations! Jamaica should put you in charge of their travel outreach! No, wait! You’re doing that already for the state of Iowa!!!! I’m so glad you had such a great time.
Also: congrats on the wonderful sidebar on your blog!!!! You’re a rock star, Iowa Girl!
Amy 04.18.2012
I love hearing your perspective…………and I bet if I ever get there, I’ll agree….what a contradiction, beautiful place and povert, ugh………..I’m with you on not liking pot to be all around………….oh well, you made a great vac. happen……yay!
Ty 04.18.2012
We have visited Jamaica three times and love it. The poverty was shocking the first time-even though we had been warned. However, we know that people visiting brings a lot of opportunity for the locals. Staying in those hotels helps the locals put food on their tables!
Kel 04.18.2012
Your pics are lovely! I enjoyed all the info and the recipes very much!!
Ashley 04.18.2012
We stayed at Riu Santa Fe right next door to the Palace this past February. I LOVE Riu hotels!! They are great!! :) We want to check out the other side of Mexico and possibly Jamaica next. Will definitely keep this place in mind!
Kristin from MN 04.19.2012
My husband and I stayed at the RIU Vallarta in 2007 and the facilities were amazing, but the food was awful! It could be because they hadn’t been open long and maybe hadn’t worked out the kinks. The reviews said they food was bad, but we figured it wouldn’t be all bad at all the restaurants. Well… it was horrible! They couldn’t even get the breakfast buffet right. So if you are going to Puerto Vallarta, I would advise against this place unless the reviews have changed.
Stefanie 04.18.2012
I know how you feel about witnessing the poor areas of countries. I felt that way when I went to St. Lucia 3 years ago. I was there on a mission trip and even then felt like it was luxury. The country was absolutely beautiful, however given the reason why I was there and what I witnessed, I don’t think I could ever go back for a vacation. Mission work for sure, but I would never be able to relax.
Gorgeous photo’s, hoping they convince my boyfriend to pick somewhere tropical for our trip in December!
heather 04.18.2012
ugh i’m always the immature one, but…the part about pot made me laugh so hard just now! your photos are great, i’m glad you had a good time.
Michelle (Better with Berries) 04.18.2012
What an amazing vacation! I’m hoping that once all of my friends have stable jobs and are out of school, we can take a vacation to an all-inclusive resort. It looks so fun!
Kim 04.18.2012
Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation! Can’t wait to visit Jamaica one day. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos!
Kelly 04.18.2012
Im glad u had a nice trip. I really want to go back to Hawaii. Especially now that they have a Disney resort.
I think I might have to pass on Jamaica. The herbal offerings are not something I want to experience or my kids. Thanks for the warning.
Magnolia Mom 04.18.2012
Great post! I’ve never been to Jamaica, but hope to go one day. My husband and I love to cruise. I would really like to try an all-inclusive though. Thanks for the tips.
Daisy 04.18.2012
i love your vacation recaps. you are so detailed, thorough and always have THE BEST TIME.
Lindsey 04.18.2012
This is so random, when you posted from Jamaica I thought the resort looked familiar! It’s the same one we stayed at 2 years ago! I laughed out loud when you mentioned all the “stuff” being sold on 7 mile beach, we had the exact same experience – knew there were drugs but had no idea how fluently we would be offered them! I guess that means you didn’t hit up the jet skiiers… (word was that was where you went if you wanted it at the resort…) Was the Ciiiiiiiiiiggarettes, cigars cigars cigars guy still roaming the beach?
Iowa Girl Eats 04.22.2012
Yes! We’d see (or rather, hear) him once a day! ;)
Tori 04.18.2012
Looks beautiful! We stopped at Ocho Rios on a cruise and I was depressed as well. We walked from the ship to the market and there were beggers everywhere. I don’t think I could go back to Jamaica because of just HOW depressing it was, despite its beauty. :/
Mara @ What's For Dinner? 04.18.2012
I have dreams about Jamaica. We went on our honeymoon (I think I’ve mentioned that before) and stayed at Sandals Ocho Rios. It was magnificent, but we’ve been talking about a Negril trip. SO glad to hear the RIU is nice!!!
Sarah @ Fresh Living 04.18.2012
Your pictures are beautiful. The beach looks gorgeous and I loved the mango trees! Glad you enjoyed it :)