After reading reviews on this website, we were hesitant about our 6 day trip to Riu, Montego Bay- boy are these reviews WRONG! The Riu montego bay is comprised with the most beautiful facilities, rooms, pools, beach and staff- to say the least. When we arrived, we were greeted with our vitamins (rum and punch) and checked in . We simply asked if there were any available rooms to upgrade to and were immediately given a honey moon suite! (thank you Sandra!) They had it, we asked, they gave it to us no problem. Our bags were taken to our room, we had lunch, and started what was to be the best 6 days ever. Rose Hall is the main restaurant and buffet, they always have something you like. Mahoe Bay was the lunch spot with more great food but we just ate Jerk Chicken everyday which is cooked to perfection right on the beach. The Asian restaurant was just fine, but the Italian and Steak house were great. There was never a single piece of trash or litter on any of the grounds or in the pool. The hotel is essentially over-staffed and have someone to accomodate your every need. The Jamaicans are also such kind and hard working people, they love sharing their history and experiences in Jamaica if you ask. We will definitely be returning to Jamaica and will continue to stay at Riu properties whenever we have the chance.

Was a bit concerned when I read some of the reviews about the hotel and staff before we came but the food, room and especially the staff were excellent. The entertainment at night was a bit hit and miss for our taste but the entertainment team gave 100% every night.

we booked this hotel because it was about a grand cheaper than the next door neighbor sandals. i'd LOVE to hear from someone who has been to both & know if the price difference it really worth it.
i read & re-read reviews before we booked this trip. we decided to give it a shot anyway because the price was so great & let's face it, 83 degree weather on a beach in feburary is better than cold dreary weather in ky.
the hotel is beautiful. the room was fine, a little bit musty but clean & as i'd read in several reviews, the bed was hard as a rock. we were located in the 2000 building & i felt like we were in the middle of everything with zero privacy. it was centrally located, but we couldn't sit on our balcony without everyone who walked by looking up at us. my husband mentioned he felt like we were in an apartment complex. so def request something more out of the way if you don't want to be in the middle of everything.
the food to me was awful. my husband isn't the picky eater i am & he was not crazy about it either. by far the jerk chicken on the beach & the tacos at the pool on 'mexican' day were the best things we ate all week. the daily lunch buffet honestly was not fit to eat. the hot dogs & hamburgers didn't even look like real meat. the breakfast buffet was ok & the nightly buffet was edible, but i wouldn't give it much more than that. we ate at all 3 specialty diners & the asian was the best. at the steak house we were served salad that had chicken on it & the chicken was GRAY. it def appears that they are constantly recycling food. there is nothing that is made to order in the entire place.
if you are planning a trip with drinking as a big part of your plan & don't care much about food, then this would be a great place for you to visit. i don't drink much, so i def don't feel like i got my money's worth. the few drinks i had were fabulous & open bar in your room, etc makes it a drinker's dream.
as far as the drugs go, we had several people approach us to sell them. anyone who goes to jamaica should expect this to happen. if you're going to be uptight about it, you might as well find another country to travel to. plenty of people travel to the homeland of bob marley for that specific reason. someone only tried to sell to me one time while i was ON riu property & he had it hid in a shell walking up & down the beach. once we said no, we were not hassled. there were ppl outside property on the beach & on the street also selling it, but if you don't leave the hotel, you shouldn't find it to be problematic.
the beach was also rocky as reported in other reviews. but they still have a big stretch of it for this resort that isn't rocky. i feel like because it was in a cove it wasn't super gorgeous, but it was plenty pretty enough. we spent more time at the pool because it was beautiful, large and clean. they also have the swim up bar for the party animals. the staff engages the guests in games throughout the afternoon & even if you don't want to participate (like me) it was entertaining to watch.
we would not go back to the riu montego bay. because of the food situation, i'd be hesitant to book at any other riu as well.

I have been to many RIU resorts. This one is average at best. Average food, repetitious, HARD beds....and if you are looking for a quiet location......NO ONE MENTIONS THE FACT THAT YOU ARE SITTING ONE MILE FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY. VERY, VERY, VERY LOUD. Never again for me at THIS RIU.