If you’re looking for a deluxe, all‑inclusive resort that blends modern luxury with tropical charm, the RIU Palace Aquarelle in Falmouth, Jamaica is a compelling choice. From its prime beachfront location to its high‑end amenities and sustainability credentials, this resort offers an exceptional vacation experience. In late September I had the opportunity to visit and experience the resort firsthand. Following are my observations.
Riu Palace Aquarelle Location & Setting
Situated on the northern coast of Jamaica in the parish of Trelawny, the resort sits on the sands of White Bay Beach in the historic town of Falmouth about a 40 minute drive from the Montego Bay Airport. White Bay is a protected cove featuring beautiful blue waters a mile of white sand beach perfect for a quick jog or afternoon stroll.
Resort Overview
Opened in May 2024, the RIU Palace Aquarelle is one of the newer properties in the RIU portfolio in Jamaica. The resort boasts over 700 guest rooms offering 24‑hour all‑inclusive service.
It’s a 5‑star rated property with family‑friendly facilities, waterslides and a water park for kids, plus adult‑only areas for couples or friends traveling together.
Accommodations and Rooms
Rooms at RIU Palace Aquarelle are designed to deliver comfort and modern convenience. Guests may select from standard rooms, family suites, swim‑up suites, and ocean‑front or ocean‑view accommodations. The swim‑up and family options make the resort well‑suited for multi‑generational groups or families with children.
Most rooms boast ocean views and include amenities such as flat‑screen TVs, minibars, coffee makers and rain showers. The difference between partial ocean view and ocean view rooms is primarily the floor the room is located on. Higher floors provide unobstructed ocean views. The hotel also offers swim-out rooms on the ground floor and also with Ocean views on higher floors.
Dining & Culinary Options
One of the highlights of the resort is its variety of dining venues and culinary themes. The main buffet restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with live‑cooking stations located on the waterfront with excellent ocean views.
A la carte restaurants include Krystal (fusion cuisine), Napoli (Italian), Kyoto (Asian), Steakhouse (premium grilled meats). The poolside a Jerk‑grill offers burgers and fantastic Jerk Chicken and Pork.
Guest can enjoy unlimited drinks throughout the day at multiple bars, including swim‑up bars, lobby bar and Sports bar featuring table games as well.
For more casual snacks and 24‑hour service, you’ll find options like Capuchino coffee and snack bar and the sports bar.
Pools, Water Park & Activities
At RIU Palace Aquarelle, the resort takes “fun in the sun” seriously. With multiple outdoor swimming pools including a children’s pool and a dedicated water park called Splash Water World with slides and water‑play features split into large kid and little kid sections. The adults only pool offers a more serene setting for those looking for a more relaxing escape.
The resort sits on White Bay Beach, where you can relax on loungers or engage in watersports like kayaking, paddle‑boarding or snorkeling. Coral reefs are within swimming distance of shore. The beach area in front of the resort may include some rocky patches or less expansive shallow water compared areas next to the resort. Thus, if you’re very focused on perfect sandy, swim‑friendly beaches, it may be worth looking at the exact beach entry conditions and possibly bringing water shoes.
Fitness and Wellness
For fitness or wellness a fully‑equipped gym, daily fitness classes (yoga, Zumba, aqua gym), spa/wellness center offering a complete menu of massages, beauty treatments, sauna/steam bath.
At night guests are entertained with live shows, themed parties, night‑life options, and kids’ clubs (RIU Land) for younger guests.
Who is this resort ideal for?
The RIU Palace Aquarelle appeals to a broad range of travelers and provides a wide variety of amenities all within feet of a beautiful beach. This is resort is perfect for multi-generational family reunions.
Families with kids will enjoy the waterpark, dedicated children’s pool and RIU Land kids club and activities to keep the kids occupied. If you have young children who nap or go to bed early, request a room away from the outdoor entertainment stage.
For Couples and Groups, the swim‑up suites, luxury restaurant brunches/dinners, adult‑only pool areas or themed entertainment provide a great setting for couples or friend groups seeking both relaxation and socializing.
All‑inclusive convenience seekers: With 24‑hour food & drinks, multiple restaurants, and on‑site activities, you can relax without worrying about extra costs or planning every mealtime.
Lastly, if you want to make the most of your holiday in Jamaica to do some sightseeing, we recommend excursions to the north of the island. Dunns River falls is a fun day trip, rafting down the Marth Brae, Glistening Waters Bay where plankton light up under the water at night. For more information, visit the Jamaica Tourist Board website.
Summary
In short: If you’re seeking an all‑inclusive resort in Jamaica that’s fresh, modern, filled with amenities, and convenient for families or groups with a stylish edge and sustainability credentials, then the RIU Palace Aquarelle in Falmouth is an excellent choice. With over 700 rooms, multiple restaurants, a splash water‑park, beachfront access and a strong eco‑focus, it stands out among newer resort options.