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’!
Thanks for sharing your vacation experience.
I’m lucky to live in SoCal where the tropical destinations in Mexico are just a few hours away….but I would still love to visit Jamaica someday.
We really liked Jamaica too! I see that on your list of places to see includes Costa Rica. We just got back and loved it! Let me know when you are planning on going…I have lots of recommendations.
We stayed at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica during our honeymoon last year and absolutely loved it! It is one of the most beautiful, relaxed places I’ve ever been. We had read a lot of reviews prior to going, but I don’t think anything can prepare you for the poverty you see there. There are no traffic signs anywhere and the roads are terrible – some people staying at our resort paid to take a helicopter from MBJ so they didn’t have to ride in the van! We were also very surprised to find out how high the interest rates were for property. Most citizens build their houses on stilts so they don’t have to pay as much. We learned that if you’re buying land, interest rates range from 15-35%. Families would buy property, build one room, and live in it for years as they slowly completed their house (this is why so many of the houses look unfinished/abandoned.)
We would definitely return, though!
I have loved reading about trip. Thanks for all the tips
Oh, and make sure to go to Rick’s Cafe in Negril. The sunset and cliffs are amazing!
I know you said you preferred Bloody Bay to 7 Mile Beach, but you really need to try Couples Swept Away. AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING. We had our honeymoon there 3 years ago and hope to go back someday. If you are looking for a place in Mexico ever, the Excellence Riviera Cancun is probably the most luxurious place we’ve stayed – get the upgraded area! Loved the pictures!
Thanks for your posts of Jamaica. I absolutely love Negril. We go atleast once a year and always stay at Couples Swept Away. Looking at your pictures reminded me why I love the island so much! And, I’m definitely trying the jerk chicken recipe as I haven’t found a recipe yet that comes close to our favorite Negril jerk spot, Bourbon Beach!
We stayed at the same resort when we went 4 years ago! LOVED it, and would totally stay there again. And we too missed out on the nightly entertainment (too late for our alchohol, food, and sun laden bodies – lol:)). I’m hopeful that we’ll return at some point – just such a relaxing and awesome place to enjoy.
The poverty is overwhelming, no doubt. It does make you grateful for what you have, and thoughtful for those who do not have so much.
I totally agree with your comments about the poverty. I believe it’s widespread across the country. We stayed at a Sandals resort that was a 2 hr bus ride away from Montego Bay and I was shocked and saddened (and yes a little scared) of the sights we saw on the ride. The sandals resort was nice but all we could think about was how much poverty was just outside of your doorstep..literally..that and the men holding machine guns in the streets and monitoring the beaches in the guardshacks. I’ve never been more proud to get home and live in the USA!
We learned after our return that Jamaica is a 3rd world country and that the government is considered corrupt (this was shared by locals). Their main source of revenue is tourism, which we expected.
I agree, the waters are beautiful…but there are areas on the Gulf Coast of FL that are just as beautiful, i.e. Seaside, Pass a Grille, Sarasota, the FL Keys, etc… Going forward, I choose these areas. At least you aren’t harassed by someone selling drugs (although it’s there-I’ve smelled it) and we don’t see machine guns on the beach.
You sound like you know a lot about Florida beaches. What beach in Florida would you say looks the most like Kristin’s gorgeous Jamaican beach pictures that is ALSO somewhat close to Orlando (within a few hours)?
I’m so, so glad you had a fantastic time on your trip. I was really nervous when I heard where you were going. Hubster and I ventured down there in December for a small destination wedding which was not held on a resort. It was the worst trip we’ve ever been on thanks to the fact that one of the villas guests were staying in was robbed while we partied at the reception. Thankfully none of our things (especially our cameras since we were shooting the wedding) were taken.
I’ve heard great things about the resorts down there. I’m glad your story was a happy one. I even showed Hubster your all day tour post with the comment “Look, some people have a great time in Jamaica.”
But I would definitely echo your concerns for travelers and highly suggest staying on a resort.
I’m really enjoying your blog. Thank you for sharing all your information.
The 2-D palm that you were hesitant about is called a Travelers Palm. They typically grow in an east-west orientation so they were used as compasses back in the day. They look odd but are really quite amazing.
First of all, just want to say that after browsing through a bunch of food blogs yesterday, and coming back to yours…I love your blog. The food, the way you write, etc! Thank you!
Secondly, I want to go to Jamaica!!! I’m afraid that if I went, I wouldn’t want to come home.
We stayed at St. Lucia for our honeymoon and I think both countries are similar in certain ways. We didn’t stay at an all inclusive though, just a tiny 5-room inn and really immersed ourselves in the culture. We did touristy things too, but I feel really fortunate to have gotten to see so much of the country during our stay.