Riu Palace Jamaica - All Inclusive - Adults Only

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

5024 reviews

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  IT IS NOT SAFE TO STAY HERE - SCAM

  Check-in was smooth, and the exterior of the resort is well maintained. Restaurant and bar staff were generally pleasant. Unfortunately, that is where the positives end. The guest rooms are extremely outdated with poorly executed, cheap finishes that do not reflect a resort experience. More concerning, however, was the conduct of the front desk and management, which turned our stay into a stressful and alarming experience. During housekeeping, minor makeup residue was noted on towels and sheets—normal wear and tear for a beach resort. Nothing excessive or damaged. Despite this, housekeeping never replaced our towels or changed our sheets during our entire stay. A day before checkout, we received an email claiming we owed $520 for towel and sheet “damages.” We were not connected to WiFi often and did not see the email immediately. That same evening, around 7/8 PM, security and housekeeping repeatedly came to our room—knocking aggressively and calling the hotel phone back-to-back. When we did not answer because we were napping, housekeeping unlocked and entered our room without consent in an attempt to address the charge. They noticed we were asleep and left. This was extremely frightening and a serious violation of privacy and safety. We have never experienced anything like this at a hotel. We are not opposed to replacing towels if necessary, but $520 is an outrageous and unreasonable charge. During checkout, the situation escalated further when we were refused the ability to leave the resort and were told the hotel would call the airport to prevent us from leaving Jamaica if we did not pay. Being threatened over towels is completely unacceptable. After significant back-and-forth, staff claimed to “meet with a manager” and reduced the charge to $200, which we still felt was unreasonable but paid under pressure just to leave. Even then, they attempted to charge us $240, contradicting what was just agreed upon. To make matters worse, we spoke with multiple staff members across the property, none of whom were aware of this supposed policy or could explain why it was never disclosed at check-in. This experience felt predatory, particularly as two young women traveling together. The intimidation, lack of transparency, harassment, and unauthorized room entry completely overshadowed any positives of the stay. We will never stay at a RIU property again and strongly caution others to be aware of these practices before booking.

  Jan 27, 2026
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  Amazing

  Had the best time at Montego Bay, second time for us and it didnt disappoint. Only thing that did cause some upset was the constant disruptions from guys along the fence between the beach and the neighbouring hotel. Some privacy screening at least up until the end of the cabanas would deter them and cut down on guests being constantly harassed. Would also be one less thing for security to police- who work so hard

  Jan 25, 2026
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  Terrible hotel chain

  Only a 3 - 4 star hotel very run down, bedroom was damp drains blocked and smelt found cigarette burns on duvet cover. Was our first time in a RIU never use this chain again. The staff were the only thing that makes this place so I’d like to thank all of them for there friendliness and hard work, I feel bad to say we won’t stay here again but I felt unsafe at times due to people knocking on doors in the night running riot In corridors security didn’t seem bothered by this I witnessed people taking drugs on the beach and not just weed but other things I saw people dealing drugs around the hotel also, then they tried to fine us for a makeup stain on pillow which they thought was hair dye and on a towel I had to wash them myself in the sink to prove this wasn’t damaged, also tried to fine me for vaping on the beach with no one around. I love Jamaica we go every year but will never go here or this chain again, if you have booked to stay I would change it unless you like to party and not enjoy the country.

  Jan 22, 2026
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  Honeymoon at the Riu Palace

  Amazing place to visit but a few things missing that could have made it a 5 star rating. Really could not find fault with the hotel at all, it is spotlessly clean with no evidence of cockroaches as other reviews have mentioned, the cleaning staff are brilliant. We had a seamless check in and were often greeted to a good morning or hello from the reception team. The all inclusive food offer is also the best I've encountered, the drinks are perhaps not the strongest and could do with more alcohol in them. The entertainment is also very good and engaging. The entertainment team is great. Would have liked a bit of variety to the music though, some nice chilled music instead of the constant boom boom would have been welcomed to make it a bit more peaceful and tranquil. I wasn't overly impressed with the food offer in the restaurants which seemed to be just an extension of the all inclusive offer, easy enough to book into but we ended up preferring the buffet offering. Others we spoke to raved about them in fairness so perhaps it was just me. Previous reviews of young Americans running riot didn't prove to be an issue, indeed it was more of the middle aged ones that created noise although not to an overly excessive extent. Would be good if the reception bar didn't show American football games though as it became very loud in there at times. Perhaps the biggest disappointment for us was the beach and sea, the beach was ok but the sea was full of seaweed beneath the surface, it actually felt like walking on grass. We visited Doctors Cave beach 15 minutes down the road which only highlighted what we were missing at the hotel. Would highly recommend going there for a peaceful day and beautiful sand and sea. Another great day out was going to watch Montego Bay Utd in the Jamaican Premier League, locals were so friendly and it was nice to encounter a football (English version) in a different environment. The damage to towels and linen policy is also a real thing, whilst we didn't fall foul of it because we literally treated them like gold, others did whilst we were there. Shouldn't really have to worry about receiving a huge fine for accidentally getting makeup on a towel. Despite me being picky and highlighting a few things, all in all we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would seriously consider revisiting.

  Jan 21, 2026
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  Excellent hotel

  Me and my wife stopped at this hotel from 28/12/25-8/1/26. Well whot can I say about this hotel,it lived up to all expectations,food,hotel,rooms were 5 star rating ,staff gave 100% and always friendly and the service on the beach from bar staff was brill.you had the option of using the riu reggae and riu montego bay,we tried once and these are not a patch on the palace. I would recommend this hotel to anyone that is unsure and I would definitely book up again. We've stopped in riu palaces around the world and I must say this came a close top one for us.

  Jan 17, 2026