Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle
Family-friendly resort in Falmouth. Business, Mid-Range.
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Traveler Insights(187 discussions)
Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle opened in May 2024 as one of the newest large-format all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, and the freshness of the property is the first thing guests notice. Everything is new — the rooms, the four pools, the waterpark, the restaurants — and the brand-new construction energy shows in the design and cleanliness. Riu built this one specifically for families and groups, and the layout reflects that: a dedicated waterpark pool for kids, a RiuLand Kids Club with age-divided programming, an adults-only pool for couples who need a quiet corner, and five distinct restaurant concepts so a week of meals doesn't feel repetitive. The entertainment team has become one of the resort's calling cards — consistently described as joyful, high-energy, and genuinely fun rather than going-through-the-motions.
The food situation is stronger than typical Jamaica all-inclusives. The main White Bay buffet features a live jerk station at all three meals, which is an unusual and welcome touch. Napoli's Italian and Kyoto's Asian options get particular praise, while the steakhouse receives more mixed feedback. Staff warmth is a recurring theme across reviews — guests coming from other Jamaica resorts frequently note that the hospitality here stands out. The beach is on White Bay, which offers cleaner water than some Montego Bay strip properties, though it's ocean-facing and subject to sargassum seaweed accumulation in season.
Riu Palace Aquarelle positions itself as a premium family resort at a price point that's competitive with the Moon Palace Jamaica and Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall. It sits in the Falmouth/Trelawny area, about 45 minutes to an hour from Montego Bay airport — farther east than most visitors expect, but that distance is why the beach is cleaner and the development is less crowded. Best for: families who want a waterpark included, couples who want an adults-only pool zone, and travelers drawn to a genuinely new property without the deferred-maintenance risks of older Jamaica resorts.
Pros
- +On-site waterpark with multiple slides and a dedicated kids splash zone included in the all-inclusive rate — one of the few Jamaica resorts where the waterpark is genuinely part of the property, not a day-pass excursion
- +Opened in May 2024 as a brand-new build, meaning rooms, fixtures, pools, and infrastructure are fresh with none of the deferred-maintenance issues that plague older Jamaica properties
- +RiuLand Kids Club divides children by age group with genuinely structured programming — crafts, beach activities, board games — praised by parents for keeping kids engaged all day
- +Five distinct restaurant concepts including a proper jerk station in the main buffet, Asian at Kyoto, Italian at Napoli, gourmet at Krystal, and a steakhouse — real variety for a week-long stay
- +Adults-only pool provides a quiet retreat separate from the family pool zone, giving couples and adult travelers a noise-free option without leaving the property
- +Entertainment team is consistently praised as one of the most energetic and genuinely joyful in Jamaica — water fitness classes, theme nights, and shows that guests actually want to attend
- +Four pools total with the kids pool featuring waterslides and a splash park, meaning families with different-aged children can find a pool that fits rather than fighting for space at one overcrowded main pool
- +Snorkeling and water sports rentals are included, with diving available for an additional fee — the beachfront location on White Bay delivers cleaner water conditions than some Montego Bay resort beaches
Cons
- −The resort only opened in May 2024, so the long-term track record on maintenance consistency and service training is still developing — some early guests noted operational rough edges typical of a new property finding its footing
- −The steakhouse restaurant drew mixed reviews — meat quality didn't consistently match the premium concept, with some guests finding it closer to standard buffet quality served in a fancier room
- −White Bay beach location in Falmouth/Trelawny is significantly further from Montego Bay's airport (roughly 45 minutes to an hour) and from main tourist zones than guests expect when booking a Jamaica resort
- −Nightly entertainment runs loud and late — guests whose rooms are near the entertainment stage have flagged noise as a sleep issue, especially on theme nights
- −The dive operation coordination drew some guest complaints — booking processes and scheduling for diving excursions were less streamlined than the rest of the resort experience
- −With 753 rooms, peak-season crowding at the main pool and buffet is a real phenomenon — early risers and off-peak timing matter here more than at smaller properties
- −Holbox-style seaweed (sargassum) on the beach can be an issue seasonally — the beach is ocean-facing and less protected, so conditions vary by month and weather patterns
- −The premium dining restaurants (Kyoto, Krystal, Steakhouse) require advance reservations that fill quickly during high season — guests who don't book on day one often miss out
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“We stayed at Riu Aquarelle in Jamaica, and I honestly don’t have enough words to fully describe how exceptional the experience was. The staff are absolutely phenomenal. Their attitude, professionalism, and genuine engagement with guests are beyond a...”
“We stayed as a family of 5 (2 adults, 9 , 2 and 3 months old) and had a wonderful experience overall. The welcome was great; the front desk staff and bellhop were amazing and very appreciative of our tips and chocolates. While our room was disappoint...”
“Our stay at the Riu Palace Aquarelle in Jamaica was absolutely exceptional and far beyond our expectations! From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the beauty of the hotel—elegant, modern, and impeccably clean. Our room was stunning: spaciou...”