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The resort was very well maintained and very clean. The staff was absolutely wonderful- pleasant, happy and very helpful. I can’t really say enough good things about the staff. The food in the restaurants was good - especially the steak house. We did enjoy the buffet, but after 7 days of lunch and breakfast it did get a bit monotonous. The process of making dinner reservations is absolutely ridiculous. In order to make a reservation you cannot do so until midnight of the prior day…needless to say by the morning, the times and restaurants are very limited , if available at all. And they had to made via the App which was cumbersome at best. That issue alone could prevent me from returning to this resort. The beach was beautiful, but there were not enough chairs or umbrellas, and more than half the umbrellas were broken. But again, the staff was excellent trying to help us find umbrellas and chairs. The bar service on the beach was exceptional. All in all we enjoyed the resort, but that dinner reservation system needs changed.
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The buffet is small, if the hotel is 70% full , for a Riu , small pool , beach for swimming is awful , almost impossible to swim , for long walks forgotten this , many Americans, activities are very far and very expensive. Too expensive to pay for this riu, If you have made other Riu Palace , pass by this one , the food is still okay , little seafood, lots of pork, chocolate is incredibly good, not pay for partial view , all rooms have partial view,
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We took a long weekend trip with friends - we picked this resort because it is new and for the brand reputation. Overall it was a good trip - here are pros and cons:
Pros: staff are really nice (Miguel, Monique, Raheem, Darren, Charlotte, and Chavel) -the pool bar has a really fun vibe when the afternoon hits, rooms are nice/clean, beach is nice with no seaweed, and the jerk chicken and pork at Pepe’s was really good. The foam party was also fun.
Cons: the food at the restaurants was terrible and you wait a long time / one day at the buffet it was so crowded (photo) because they weren’t pacing the entry. There are a bunch of pools but none are connected so they are small. One other thing was our friends Apple Watch and duty free alcohol was taken from her room - when they complained they weren’t taken seriously especially by the assistant general manager Clara. So be sure to lock everything up….. disappointing.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First time in Jamaica and first time at the RIU Aquarelle. We've been to a few RIU's around the world and this was the best so far. The area surrounding the hotel was in part industrial and run down, but once within the complex you could see the quality shining through. All staff were friendly and helpful. Of note were Amanda in the main restaurant working mornings and lunch, very attentive and always done with a smile. Around the pool, the drinks waiter Tyrese N went above and beyond ensuring we were looked after with drinks and closing the sun canopy when the sun got to warm etc. Food was of an excellent quality in the buffet, good variety at all times. There are also 5 other restaurants you can book in with for extra variety, the Kyoto we enjoyed the most with Asian food. The entertainment team work hard or Riu fun as there called these days and the Michael Jackson show being our highlight. Rooms were clean, spotless and bed very comfortable, free minibar topped up everyday is also a major benefit. Beach is right beyond the sun deck and water warm with clean white sand with plenty of sunbeds. Pool area has plenty of sunbeds, my only annoyance by one of the pools was they left the volleyball net up, so leisurely swimming was difficult if sat by that pool.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Restaurant supervisor : Kenardo was hands down outstanding - do NOT lose this man as he knows how to make a guest feel welcome accommodated, and like a celebrity. He knows his industry extremely well and should be at a Michelin 5 star restaurant or exclusive resort. Several others stood out Hernando at the breakfast buffet was exceptional. Annalique - not sure I have her name correctly but she works closely with Damion in the restaurant area a lot around buffet but they both bounce around and are wonderful.
*****Now let’s get to this ridiculous business of rationing food. You pay for an all inclusive you shouldn’t be told you can’t have more than one item on the menu! This is outrageous and not a good service to have. Especially, when other all inclusive offer more restaurant options and food items. Also, you shouldn’t be told that you can’t take anything to your room when I see others taking plates out of the buffet area. Trust me I am not one for all inclusive but I did it to be with my friends but I have stayed at many in my time. Room service is a joke - you can’t order drinks only water and that’s another thing if you want bottled water on the resort you have to go to the front desk to get it! That’s uncalled for. Granted the room service person who delivered the food was very cordial. But the woman who took the order one night was NOT accommodating at all and you should have more than just a few items to choose from.
KRYSTAL was spectacular- the only restaurant that warrants me to post this - the food was superb - 4 star type of restaurant- worthy of a NYC girl rating !!
Need more entertainment as in DJ and dancing on all nights not just the amphitheater shows nightly. I will say the Michael Jackson show was by far one of the best shows I’ve seen on a resort the -everyone one of them were fantastic and extremely talented!
All in all , would we come back to this resort? NO! I’m sorry I picked this resort because it was new and looked great but it lacks a-lot of professionalism as in amenity wise and food perspective. Some of your staff need to go back to learning about hospitality except for the select few that I mentioned that made our stay enjoyable.
I can say this as I have a degree in hotel/restaurant management and have worked in the hospitality industry for many years. I also now work in the private equity world where I make decisions on where to send my c level executives and their families.
If I could offer up one piece of advice - you need to tell the resort management to lift this strict business on meal selection. It’s an all inclusive for goodness sake - your guests should be able to try different things especially when your pricing is expensive to stay at your resort!
Oh and the sports bar - you cannot serve a plate of wings like that - one order doesn’t even feed one person??!!
Martini bar is outstanding - staff knows what they are doing
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Unfortunately, the Rui oversold their rooms so when we arrived, we didn't get the family suite we had booked. We specifically pick resorts for the room configurations so this was a huge disappointment. The first day, they had to put us in separate rooms so we had to be split up with the children. Then when we moved to the next room they were 'connecting' which really just meant a connecting front door but each had heavy doors so it was mostly like we were in separate rooms from our children. While Davion was incredibly apologetic and helpful in trying to resolve the issue, the Rui's vendors are independent from the hotel so when I was promised a spa credit for my 'inconvenience', it never actually came through because the spa felt 'we got a deal for booking a room at a lower, discounted rate' (having no sympathy for the overall inconvenience). In reality, we would have paid the full amount to stay in the room we had booked.
If not for the room situation, I would have gone with 4 stars as the staff are incredibly friendly/kind, the resort was clean and the food was delicious. However, the room is a huge part of being comfortable on vacation so this is why I'm going with the 1-star review.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My only complaint was not being able to visit the restaurants, they were always booked and we had a large party so it was hard for us to get together all at once, but the buffet food was amazing! We would run to the buffet. before 2020 I loved buffets, now 2024 I’m scared as heck to eat a buffet, but once I got there , that feeling went right out of the window! As I looked around the food was so fresh and always looking appetizing, areas were so clean. The staff were very friendly and professional at the same time, which really made our stay memorable!! The only thing I would do differently is bring my beautiful Grandchildren and more cash for tips! They deserve it. I will be back my boi as my Dad would say😉
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So family of 3 from uk 12 year old son and honestly what can I say not one bad word about this hotel , been here 12 nights so far and staff are amazing food is very good entertainment team everything is top draw , you will not be disappointed if you complain about here then you need your head testing 😂😂
Been on a lot of trips and I highly recommend Deron Brooks for airport transportation and any trips you need keep to the locals and not your holiday operators he has taken us on 8 trips and not one has been disappointed made us feel welcome by everyone he is a great tour guide
RIU Aquarelle and Deron you have been amazing 👏👏👏
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was a horrible resort - not a 5 star - don't waste your money. The food was mediocre, there were roaches and other bugs in our room and around the resort. The lack of inconsistent guest experience and extremely poor customer service is the worst we have ever experienced. Even after we brought the issues to the attention of management; they take no responsibility and lack in accountability.
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:For the amount of money you're better off going to Sandals. Its NOT worth the money spent. It is...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My birthday was well spent, I enjoyed every moment.. The food was awesome, I went for breakfast and when I came back to my room I saw a birthday gift card, cupcake and a token from your lovely staffs. I just want to send special shout out to ICE, she’s an awesome individual, thanks for making my birthday an awesome one in steak house. Paul(Bar supervisor) Derwayne, Monique, Melissa, Miguel from Entertainment and Pearson (pool bar) Champagne from buffet, ya’ll are awesome staffs at this organization. The room I stayed in was properly cleaned, room service was top tier. I strongly recommend this resort.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Keep up the good work, keep these amazing staffs, treat them well because they are the face of...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Florence Hall Village area.
PRICE RANGE
C$483 - C$665 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
CaribbeanJamaicaTrelawny ParishFlorence Hall Village
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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