Stepping off the plane and onto Jamaican soil is always a feeling of being home, the place where we truly feel relaxed and at peace. This trip was different, filled with new excitement, we were off to an unexplored destination, Negril. My wife and I have traveled to Jamaica over 10 times, but never to Jamaica's most well-known, laid back beaches of Negril. Not only was Negril a new destination for us, but we were off on only our second visit with our 3 year old-daughter, who has quickly discovered a mutual love for the nation, culture, weather and beaches of Jamaica.
The ride from Sangster International was smooth and easy and took around an hour, which was less than anticipated. As a bonus, our daughter nodded off in the car which meant an early evening of exploring the resort easily, and learning the lay-of-the-land. Upon arrival we were welcomed with an ice cold fruit punch and swiftly greeted by an available front desk attendant. Check-in was simple and we were pointed to our room, building 3, a beachfront junior suite on the third floor, room 3231. A bit of a walk from the lobby and toward the private end of the beach we found ourself looking out from a third floor double balcony, with a palm tree coming up to greet us, backed by the beautiful Carribean sea.
The ride from Sangster International was smooth and easy and took around an hour, which was less than anticipated. As a bonus, our daughter nodded off in the car which meant an early evening of exploring the resort easily, and learning the lay-of-the-land. Upon arrival we were welcomed with an ice cold fruit punch and swiftly greeted by an available front desk attendant. Check-in was simple and we were pointed to our room, building 3, a beachfront junior suite on the third floor, room 3231. A bit of a walk from the lobby and toward the private end of the beach we found ourself looking out from a third floor double balcony, with a palm tree coming up to greet us, backed by the beautiful Carribean sea.
This is always a favorite location of mine when it comes to a beach resort, a little ways from the lobby and entertainment/eating areas is always a recipe for a calm and quiet beach, perfect to getaway from the crowds. The area in front of our building was perfect for some peace, with plenty of shade from the beaches beautiful trees.
(beach area in front of our oceanfront Jr suite, building 3 room 3231)
Arriving in the late afternoon, we went to the easiest spot for dinner, the first we walked past. The Riu offers 4 rotating restaurants open various nights as well as a nightly buffet option. The restaurants available are gourmet, italian, asian, and the steakhouse. We were able to enjoy the steakhouse as our first meal, and they definitely set the bar high. Offering a 5-course meal, the presentation and flavor of each dish was perfect. Our first meal was definitely a perfect welcome back to Jamaica, and a preview to what was to come for our next 4 days.
On our first full day we were able to figure out the hangout spot that best fit our needs for the remainder of our stay. While the Riu offers 3 beautiful pools, we are beach bums, to the beach we went. We were up by 7:30 and ready to find our spot on the beach (we are always early risers on vacation, why sleep in the room when there's paradise to be soaked in!). We made it to the beach by about 8:30-9 and easily found a spot by a palm tree which would offer ample shade for our little one throughout the day. The beach at the Riu Negril is situated on Bloody Bay, a large cove that creates perfect, calm, crystal clear blue and green water, which is exactly what we love. The water was perfect for our daughter to run in and out of, cooling off whenever she desired. The calm waters are one of the many things that keep us coming back to Jamaica. On a side note, I must say the 3 different pools the Riu offers have something for everyone, the pool by building 2 is nice and quiet, with some beautiful cabana style shades, while the other 2 pools are much bigger and one features a pool bar and the entertainment crew kept that one lively and fun.
After hanging on the beach for a bit and letting our little one build up an appetite, we headed off for our first breakfast at the Riu Negril.... A little ways up the beach, past the lobby and evening entertainment stage was the buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast had great options for every taste and diet. Offering a variety of fresh fruits, meats, cheeses, american breakfast items, and authentic Jamaican dishes, there was no shortage in options. Each morning for us was filled with lots of bacon and eggs (our daughters favorite), fresh fruits, and most importantly a fresh pot of coffee to share between my wife and I. My two favorite parts of the breakfast offerings were the omelet station where the kindest young woman prepared custom omelets of your choosing, and the fresh made donuts that were available hot and fresh each morning.
On our first full day we were able to figure out the hangout spot that best fit our needs for the remainder of our stay. While the Riu offers 3 beautiful pools, we are beach bums, to the beach we went. We were up by 7:30 and ready to find our spot on the beach (we are always early risers on vacation, why sleep in the room when there's paradise to be soaked in!). We made it to the beach by about 8:30-9 and easily found a spot by a palm tree which would offer ample shade for our little one throughout the day. The beach at the Riu Negril is situated on Bloody Bay, a large cove that creates perfect, calm, crystal clear blue and green water, which is exactly what we love. The water was perfect for our daughter to run in and out of, cooling off whenever she desired. The calm waters are one of the many things that keep us coming back to Jamaica. On a side note, I must say the 3 different pools the Riu offers have something for everyone, the pool by building 2 is nice and quiet, with some beautiful cabana style shades, while the other 2 pools are much bigger and one features a pool bar and the entertainment crew kept that one lively and fun.
After hanging on the beach for a bit and letting our little one build up an appetite, we headed off for our first breakfast at the Riu Negril.... A little ways up the beach, past the lobby and evening entertainment stage was the buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast had great options for every taste and diet. Offering a variety of fresh fruits, meats, cheeses, american breakfast items, and authentic Jamaican dishes, there was no shortage in options. Each morning for us was filled with lots of bacon and eggs (our daughters favorite), fresh fruits, and most importantly a fresh pot of coffee to share between my wife and I. My two favorite parts of the breakfast offerings were the omelet station where the kindest young woman prepared custom omelets of your choosing, and the fresh made donuts that were available hot and fresh each morning.
As far as the lunch buffet which was housed in a more central building, which transformed into the steakhouse at night, was filled with other great daily options. Each day we were blessed with fresh fruit options, full salad bar, various hot bar stations, from freshly grilled fish, steak, chicken, and other proteins, to the more kid-friendly station always having mac and cheese, pizza, and other American classics. I loved the fact that both the buffets offered self service juice, as this gave my daughter and I the opportunity to sample various juices to find out what we liked best. I always love letting her explore and try new foods and beverages. It was also great at lunch for us adults, as they had fresh Red Stripe beer as well as red and white wine available for self-service as well. The service at both breakfast and lunch was always very accommodating. We were always greeted as soon as we sat, asked if we needed any beverages or any other requests, and off to the buffet we went. If a plate was finished it was removed from our table promptly, the service really was top notch. One thing that made me and my wife's stay even more awesome was the fact that the buffets always served JACKFRUIT! A fruit that is very common in Jamaica, which is delicious was found at every meal :) Jackfruit tastes just like candy and is something we usually have to find off the resort, but were happy this was the first time it was available readily on a daily basis, kudos Riu Negril!
As for the dinner options, other than the buffet, we were able to enjoy the steakhouse (as previously mentioned), the asian restaurant, and the gourmet restaurant. The Asian restaurant was a buffet style, but offered awesome options of various asian cuisines. I loved their sushi options as well as a their sweet and sour chicken. As for the gourmet restaurant again, we were very impressed. We were served a delicious 5-course meal, and again, the food was prompt, with little wait between courses, presentation was beautiful and taste was delightful. The service was wonderful here as well.
As for the dinner options, other than the buffet, we were able to enjoy the steakhouse (as previously mentioned), the asian restaurant, and the gourmet restaurant. The Asian restaurant was a buffet style, but offered awesome options of various asian cuisines. I loved their sushi options as well as a their sweet and sour chicken. As for the gourmet restaurant again, we were very impressed. We were served a delicious 5-course meal, and again, the food was prompt, with little wait between courses, presentation was beautiful and taste was delightful. The service was wonderful here as well.
The service from all aspects at the Riu Negril really was excellent. Everyone I came into contact with met me with a smile, and always went above and beyond to meet any request to make my stay better. One thing I love most about Jamaica is the people, and everyone I spoke to from the groundskeepers, lobby staff, as well as bar and restaurant servers always made us feel welcome and comfortable in every way they could. This is a big deal, especially when traveling with a very busy 3 year old who is always curious and full of energy. The staff were so kind to her, always asking how her stay was, and making her feel important.
From an entertainment standpoint, the Riu really took this to a whole new level. Having traveled to many Caribbean resorts, as well as many in Jamaica, the entertainment at the Riu was the best we've experienced thus far. Our first evening was filled with amazing acrobatic entertainment, with climbing, whip tricks, and our very favorite fire breathing. They really put on amazing show that entertained us as well as our little one. The house band played each night after the main shows, and always delivered with great live music, with a mix of local reggae and well-known songs, really appealing to any and all audiences. The best part was, the central location of the entertainment and band stages, they were between the lobby and resort's restaurants, making it convenient to finish up dinner and stop by on your way back to the room. Other shows we were lucky enough to see were their African culture performance night, which was filled with great authentic African music and the fun night, where the house DJ entertained, pulling various guests on stage for a bit of a Jamaican talent show. The entertainment team not only put on a great show, but you could tell they were having fun doing it, which made it all the more enjoyable to watch.
From an entertainment standpoint, the Riu really took this to a whole new level. Having traveled to many Caribbean resorts, as well as many in Jamaica, the entertainment at the Riu was the best we've experienced thus far. Our first evening was filled with amazing acrobatic entertainment, with climbing, whip tricks, and our very favorite fire breathing. They really put on amazing show that entertained us as well as our little one. The house band played each night after the main shows, and always delivered with great live music, with a mix of local reggae and well-known songs, really appealing to any and all audiences. The best part was, the central location of the entertainment and band stages, they were between the lobby and resort's restaurants, making it convenient to finish up dinner and stop by on your way back to the room. Other shows we were lucky enough to see were their African culture performance night, which was filled with great authentic African music and the fun night, where the house DJ entertained, pulling various guests on stage for a bit of a Jamaican talent show. The entertainment team not only put on a great show, but you could tell they were having fun doing it, which made it all the more enjoyable to watch.
(sorry for the poor phone video quality, dancing with my daughter was too fun not too share)
One awesome bonus the resort offers is its kids play and swim area. The fenced off pool offers three different little slides, and a giant mushroom that the kids can play under and splash around. Its got some nice loungers and umbrellas for mom and dad to stretch out on and catch some sun or shade. Our daughter loved taking a break or two for an hour or so each day in this area splashing around and having a great time. She was also able to meet some of the resorts' other children and play with them in this area.
From a gastro and entertainment side the Riu Negril delivers on every level, on to the most important component in our travel book, the beach. I know I touched on finding our spot by the palm trees each day, and that was definitely our biggest thing, finding an area with plenty of sun for my wife and I, but enough shade for our little one to retreat too when the sun got the better of her. Each day we were able to find this, a few palm trees away from the Bob Marley bar which kept us refreshed and relaxed all week, just a few steps from the beautiful calm waters. I can't say enough good things about the Riu Negril's beach, its what keeps us coming back to Jamaica. The beach is nice and walkable, offering at least 3/4 a mile of beach in front of the resort, and at least another 1 mile of beach wrapping to the other Riu resort on the cove, Riu Palace. The vendors have shops set up between the two resorts if you're up for browsing souvenirs, and Jamaicans love to haggle, never take the first price. The vendors will also walk the beach which can be seen as a bother for some, but are friendly, and a simple "no thank you" always suffices. As the days went by, you get to be familiar with them, and they're always friendly and asking how your day is. Again, this can be seen as a negative by some, but putting it into perspective, this is how these people earn a living, they appreciate kindness and respect, and when given, you receive the same in return. The water is beautiful and calm, not only because of the cove the resort sits in, but Jamaica's beaches tend to be calm due to the reef that surrounds the entire island. The one part that may bother some about the beach is the sea grass, about 50% of the Riu's swimmable area is covered in sea grass, and can be very mushy to walk on, not a problem for us, just stay on the sandy parts and avoid those areas. I was able to borrow a snorkel from the resort's water sports hut ($20 deposit required), and swam the sea grass at the quieter end of the beach near our room, I saw plenty of small schools of bait fish and little yellow and white fish, and also was able to swim along and stalk an Eagle sting-ray for a bit, which was really cool to see. I think I've ranted on long enough, in other words, the beach gets my approval, and I am writing this dreaming of being back there right now.
(our daily view from our spot on the beach in all directions)
I mentioned borrowing the snorkel from the water sports, which was another awesome perk of the resort. My wife and I were able to take out paddle boards and kayaks on a complimentary first come first serve basis, which our daughter loved as well. With the calm cove, the waters were easy to navigate and explore. Our daughter loved sailing our boat down the "coast" and seeing the vendors and natural beach past the resort. The guys running the water sports were all really accommodating and friendly, and always made sure my daughter was having a great time.
I love when people include our daughter in the conversations and make her feel like a "grown up", it always goes a long way and I must say this was one thing I loved about all of the staff at the Riu Negril. Along with their kindness which I've countlessly mentioned, they're involvement of our daughter was the best. We had such a wonderful stay with the Riu Negril, and would recommend it to any type of traveler. There weren't too many children on the resort, but all we saw seemed to be having a great time. There was a wide range of ages on the resort, and it really seemed to have something for everyone. We can't thank the Riu enough for accommodating us, and definitely hope to be back at the Riu Negril again soon!
Please comment below any questions , and I'd love to hear about your experiences in Negril and Jamaica!
Please comment below any questions , and I'd love to hear about your experiences in Negril and Jamaica!