RIU Ocho Rios Review: The Jamaica Resort That Surprised Me Most
By Amy Davoli, CTA, Owner & Travel AdvisorVisited November 2024 · 6 min read
Quick takeaways
- A big, beachfront, family-friendly all-inclusive near Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s north coast, with around 900 rooms.
- Online ratings call it 5 stars (based on amenities), but I’d call it a solid 4 star resort. It was renovated a few years ago and looks really good for its age.
- Huge for families: connecting rooms, Family Suites for up to 6, a modern Kids Club and the Splash Water World water park.
- About 1.5 hours from Montego Bay airport.
- Great value for Jamaica if you want a fun, upbeat getaway that’s easy on the budget!
In November 2024, I toured Riu Ocho Rios with Barbara Durley, one of our Travitude Travel Group advisors, as part of a series of site inspections in Jamaica. I have to say that Riu Ocho Rios is the property that might have just surprised me the most! I wasn’t sure what to expect before I arrived, but I was very pleasantly surprised by this family-friendly resort. Here’s my honest take, with lots of my own photos, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your next sun vacation.
My first impressions
While the online ratings will mark this property as a 5 star (which is actually based on the amenities offered), I would categorize it as a solid 4 star property. It was renovated only a few years ago, and it looks really good considering the age of the property!
There is a TON to do here for the whole family. If you’re looking for a fun and upbeat getaway that’s not too hard on the budget (for Jamaica), this is the place!
I was totally surprised by this property, and so glad Barbara and I saw it for ourselves!
Getting there
Riu Ocho Rios is about 1.5 hours from the Montego Bay airport (MBJ). I know it seems like a long drive, but grab a cold beer, water or soda and relax on your transfer ride knowing you’re in hot and sunny Jamaica for a week!
Amy’s tipMost vacation packages include your airport transfers. If you’re travelling with little ones, ask us about a private transfer so you can make a stop along the way if needed.
Rooms and Family Suites
This is a larger property with around 900 rooms, and there are over 14 different room categories depending on what your travel party needs. The resort offers connecting rooms, and new Family Suites designed to hold up to 6 people, which is a big plus for larger families who want to stay together. Adapted rooms for guests with disabilities are also available.
Amy’s tipWith so many room categories, it really pays to have someone help you pick the right one. Tell us who’s travelling and we’ll match you with the best room (or rooms) for your group.
Pools, beach and Splash Water World
The resort sits right on the beach near Ocho Rios, and there’s no shortage of places to cool off. There are 5 swimming pools plus a children’s pool with slides, and the kids (and big kids!) will love Splash Water World, the resort’s water park, which is open 6 days a week.
Restaurants and bars
You definitely won’t go hungry here! There are multiple à la carte restaurants, including Italian, a Steakhouse, Asian and more, plus a main buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In between meals there’s a mini buffet with tons of options, so there’s always something to eat or snack on.
One of my favourite spots was the sports bar off the lobby, with fantastic drink service and snacks like Jamaican patties. Yum!
Kids Club and entertainment
The Kids Club is incredible, with a huge, new and modern indoor climber that kids will want to go back to again and again. Riu’s entertainment team also runs a wide range of daily activities and entertainment for both adults and children, so there’s something happening all day long.
Other things I loved
- Free gym and steam bath
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- “RIiu Party” theme parties (being added after my visit, while the lobby was being upgraded)
- Adapted rooms available for guests with disabilities
- Beautiful, well-kept tropical gardens to wander through between the pool and the beach
Who Riu Ocho Rios is best for
- Families who want a water park, Kids Club and rooms that fit everyone.
- Multi-generational groups who’d love connecting rooms or a Family Suite.
- Budget-minded travellers who want a fun, lively all-inclusive in Jamaica without the luxury price tag.
If you’re after a quiet, adults-only, luxury escape, this probably isn’t the one for you, and that’s OK! We have lots of first-hand favourites in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, and we’re happy to point you in the right direction.
Thinking about Riu Ocho Rios for your next family vacation? Message me if you’d like to learn more, or for a quote for your preferred travel dates. I’d love to help!
FAQs
How far is Riu Ocho Rios from the airport?
Riu Ocho Rios is approximately 1.5 hours from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ).
Is Riu Ocho Rios good for families?
Yes! It’s a very family-friendly resort with Splash Water World, a children’s pool with slides, a modern Kids Club, daily entertainment for kids and adults, connecting rooms and Family Suites for up to 6 people.
Is Riu Ocho Rios a 5 star resort?
Online ratings list it as 5 stars based on its amenities. After seeing it in person, Amy would call it a solid 4 star resort that looks great after its renovation a few years ago.
Does Riu Ocho Rios have a water park?
Yes. Splash Water World is the resort’s water park, open 6 days a week, and there are also 5 swimming pools plus a children’s pool with slides.
