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Hotel Riu Negril

Negril, Jamaica

4.1(4,483 reviews)

FamilyRiu

Hotel Riu Negril is RIU's standard-tier family all-inclusive in Negril, and its biggest asset is where it sits: on Bloody Bay, the calmer bay at the north end of Negril rather than the main Seven Mile Beach strip. The water is clear and turquoise, the sunsets face west over the sea, and the bay is quieter than the busy stretch further south. The resort itself is a lively, party-friendly RIU with a 24-hour all-inclusive, which suits groups of friends as well as families.

Things to Know

Timeshare Pressure

Traveler Insights

Pros

+Sits on Bloody Bay at the quiet north end of Negril, a calm, palm-lined bay with turquoise water and the same west-facing sunsets as the main strip, without the vendor traffic of Seven Mile Beach
+RIU's reliable 24-hour all-inclusive - snacks and drinks around the clock, plus the American Country sports bar open 24 hours for late-night burgers
+Free non-motorized toys go further than at most resorts in this price band: paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear are included, and RIU throws in a free scuba trial
+Genuinely family-ready: the RIU Land kids' programme, a children's pool and a pool with slides keep kids busy while parents use the swim-up bar
+Post-hurricane rebuild has paid off - guests in early 2026 described the renovation as done to a high standard, which retired the old dated-rooms complaint
+Rick's Cafe, the West End cliffs and Seven Mile Beach are a short taxi ride away when you want the classic Negril evening
+Riu Palace Tropical Bay is the neighbour on the same bay, so guests can compare the standard and premium RIU tiers side by side when booking

Cons

−This is RIU's standard tier in Negril - the Palace next door is the upgrade, and guests who have stayed at both say the difference in rooms and food is noticeable
−Food is functional rather than memorable: a big buffet plus themed restaurants, but guests rarely single out the a la carte rooms the way they do at the Palace
−It is a long transfer - RIU puts the hotel about 80 km from Montego Bay's airport, roughly an hour and a half by road
−Accessibility is a weak point - long paths across the grounds are hard going with limited mobility, and a February 2026 guest reported a room-location request being ignored
−The post-Hurricane Melissa reopening had a rocky start - January 2026 electrical issues forced at least one guest relocation to a sister property, though reviews had turned strongly positive by February 2026
−RIU advertises a tennis court, but a 2026 guest found none and the sports facilities RIU describes today are pickleball and beach volleyball, so keen tennis players should check before booking
−Service can be inconsistent - some guests praise staff by name while others report slow or indifferent service
−Expect RIU's timeshare and membership pitch, which guests mention here as at other properties in the chain

The practical experience is classic RIU. There is a large buffet for breakfast and dinner, several themed restaurants, the Rastaman swim-up bar, Bob's beach bar and a 24-hour sports bar. Pools include in-water loungers and a jacuzzi, kids get RIU Land, a children's pool and a pool with slides, and the Renova Spa adds a steam bath and relaxation pool. Free paddleboards, kayaks, snorkel gear and a scuba trial are better value than most resorts at this level. The hotel reopened in December 2025, within RIU's announced 30 November to 15 December window after Hurricane Melissa; after electrical hiccups in January 2026, guests from February onward described the renovation as done to a high standard, and the old complaint about dated rooms no longer fits.

Riu Negril is best for families and groups who want an affordable, busy all-inclusive on a calm Negril beach and do not need gourmet dining. Couples who care more about food and quiet usually compare it with Riu Palace Tropical Bay next door, or with Sandals Negril and Couples Swept Away on Seven Mile Beach, all of which cost more. Whatever you book, take a taxi to Rick's Cafe on the West End cliffs for sunset at least once.

Common Questions

Is Riu Negril on Seven Mile Beach?

No. RIU places the hotel on Bloody Bay, the calmer bay at the north end of Negril, rather than on the Seven Mile Beach strip itself. The bay has the same clear water and west-facing sunsets, and Seven Mile Beach is a short taxi ride away if you want to walk it or visit the beach bars.

When did Riu Negril reopen after Hurricane Melissa?

RIU announced in November 2025 that Riu Negril would reopen between 30 November and 15 December 2025, and it was operating again in December 2025; RIU did not publish the exact date. The first weeks were bumpy, with January 2026 guests hitting electrical problems and at least one party moved to a sister property, but by February 2026 guests were praising the renovation. RIU also set up a $1,000,000 aid fund, with 80 percent assigned directly to its Jamaican staff.

How does Riu Negril compare to Sandals Negril?

Sandals Negril is couples-only, sits on Seven Mile Beach rather than Bloody Bay, and generally gets better marks for food, rooms and service at a noticeably higher price. Riu Negril takes families and costs less. If your budget stretches and you are travelling as a couple, most travelers recommend the upgrade; if kids are coming or price decides it, Riu Negril is the practical choice.

Should I stay at Riu Negril or upgrade to Riu Palace Tropical Bay next door?

The two RIUs are neighbours on Bloody Bay, and the Palace is the premium tier with better rooms, service and dining. Guests who have stayed at both consistently say the upgrade is worth it if the price gap is manageable. Riu Negril is the better fit for families who want RIU Land and the slide pool.

Is there good snorkeling and water sports at Riu Negril?

Snorkel gear, kayaks and paddleboards are free to use, and RIU includes a free scuba trial. Bloody Bay's calm, clear water makes for easy snorkeling straight off the beach. It is not a dedicated dive resort, but for snorkeling from an all-inclusive beach it is a real value-add.

How far is Riu Negril from the airport?

RIU puts the hotel about 80 km from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Guests describe the transfer as roughly an hour and a half, and RIU offers transfer services if you would rather not arrange your own.

Restaurants (8)

Type	Restaurants
Buffet	Green Island, Island Cove
Mexican	Tiki Taco
Italian	Luigi
Asian	Mandalay
Steakhouse	Steakhouse
American & grill	Pepe's Food
International & fusion	Kulinarium

From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.

What's nearby

Seven Mile Beach
10 min drive · 3.7 mi
Rick's Café cliffs
20 min drive · 8.8 mi
Negril Lighthouse
25 min drive · 9.4 mi

More things to do (12)

Bloody Bay Beach · beach4 min drive · 1.2 mi
Catamaran sail and snorkel cruise from Negril · excursion10 min drive · 3.7 mi
Booby Cay boat trip · excursion10 min drive · 3.7 mi
Dolphin Cove (Lucea) · adventure park40 min drive · 23 mi
Negril West End · town20 min drive · 6.1 mi
Half Moon Beach · beach14 min drive · 6.4 mi
Negril Hills Golf Club · golf25 min drive · 8.8 mi
Hanover Museum · museum35 min drive · 18 mi
Fort Charlotte (Lucea) · historic site35 min drive · 19 mi
Lucea · town35 min drive · 19 mi
Blue Hole Mineral Spring · nature35 min drive · 14 mi
Savanna-la-Mar · town50 min drive · 22 mi

Amenities

Water Slides

Yoga Classes

Diving

Kids Club

Swim-Up Bar

Snorkeling

Water Sports Rentals

Nightly Entertainment

Show 4 more amenities

Buffet Dining

Spa

Gym

Beach

Style & Rooms

Room upgrades

Swim-Up Rooms

Seaweed & sargassum

Jamaica gets sargassum, typically worst June through August.See the month-by-month guide →

Every all-inclusive in Negril →

Google Reviews★ 4.1 · 4,483 reviews

Camille D.

a month ago

“Based on the reviews I was hesitant to book. I was very impressed with the check in process. The young ladies who checked me in greeted me with a smile & were very courteous & kind. Lennox assisted me with my luggage & he was so amazing. I hurt my k...”

michael k.

3 months ago

“Wow…this is the only word that best describes my girlfriend and I experience! I want to note that this was my first ever international trip, and the experience from the time that I off boarded the plane to the time that I packed up to leave was great...”

Colette S.

3 months ago

“We had the most fantastic holiday here. From start to finish. This hotel is my favourite. The rooms are immaculate. Shout out to all the maids there for working so hard to make our rooms extremely clean and the special touches they would do every day...”