Hotel Riu Palace Tropical Bay

Sjdance wrote a review September 2025

Very honest review. Family of 7

I wanted to write a honest review as I was so appreciative and worried before going to Tropical Bay after reading some very negative (and imo now very unfair) reviews. I will be as honest as I can.

After a very long flight from the UK we headed for the transfer which I was nervous about after reading that it was hell but it was actually fine. Yes it was long but we already knew it was going to be. The roads are not the best but again it is what it is and the bus driver explained to us it was going to be bumpy but overall it was ok.
We arrived at Riu Palace Tropical Bay and wasn’t wowed but the outside but headed in to be greeted by big smiles and friendly staff offering drinks. Check in was very easy and pain free. We were a big group of 7 of us and had requested 3 rooms next to each other but when I asked, the lady said no we wasn’t next to each other! I was quite disappointed at this as I had asked our travel agents to request it and also emailed the hotel to ask. After a few mins she did then say she had found 3 rooms close which was much better and we was very appreciative of this. We headed to our rooms and were happy with our selection, the rooms are a good size, looked clean and had everything we needed. We had a slight sea view which was a bonus.

I want to give a huge big shout out to Renie the TUI rep who’s at the hotel most days. She was so helpful and friendly and so caring. She went above and beyond for us a family a few times while we were there and we can’t thank her enough!

THE FOOD:
Buffet - Breakfast was fantastic, had everything you could want for breakfast. Lunch and dinner could be a bit samey but had lots and lots of choice and we always found something to eat (even the fussy ones of the group)
I’ve got to give a big shoutout to Diana and Natalie who looked after us as a group every morning and lunchtime, making sure we always had a table for us all and even went the extra mile on our daughters birthday by decorating the table for her. Very lovely ladies.

Steakhouse - we ate here twice and loved it. Steak was a good size and cooked to perfection each time, could have done with a steak sauce but not a big deal. My son has the lobster and said it was delicious too so all round a big hit for us.

Italian - we only managed to get in here on our last night which I’m gutted about as it was definitely up there as one of our favourites of the holiday. Starters are a help your self style and had such a good range of choice, we was very impressed. Most of us then had the lamb to follow and it was exceptional! We would have definitely gone back here if we could have.

Japanese- we booked here for my daughter’s 18th birthday and it was ok. We wasn’t wowed by it but it wasn’t bad. Just ok.

Fusion - Again this was ok, nothing amazing but also not bad. Of course this is all by personal preference. Definitely all worth a try.

THE BEACH!
As a group we are not massive beach/sea people but I can honestly say after being here we are converted. The beach and sea here is hands down the best and most beautiful we have ever seen and been to! It’s absolutely stunning.
The water is crystal clear and warm and we also saw some marine life while there which was a huge bonus for us. I would go back to this hotel just for the beach and sea and I never thought I’d ever say that!

The entertainment was good, again was appreciative about it after reading lots of reviews saying there was none and what was there was rubbish but it was actually very good. Always having a show on in the evening which is what we wanted. It wasn’t crazy or a lot but it was just right for our family. The entertainment team do a great job and do their best. Very friendly and lovely. Shout out to Coco, Diamond and Toni-Ann who remembered us and played cards with us. Always with a smile and friendly face.

I’ve got to say in all the places we have been on holiday I can honestly say on this holiday we met some of the most friendly, kind, chilled, helpful and just all round lovely people we have ever come across. We would go back to Jamaica just for the people. Another shout out to Vilton and Mathew the life guards. They really made our holiday with their friendly, happy faces always smiling and joking with us. They are real assets to the place. Great guys.

We done 2 excursions while there which were both amazing. One to Chukka park where we done Zip lining, horse riding in the sea and quad biking. It was a lovely day and well worth the money. We then done a catamaran trip with the guys on the beach and this was an excellent day and very good value for money. Would highly recommend both days.

I would have given this a 5 star review but unfortunately there were a few minor things that stops me doing that and as I said I wanted to be completely honest so here are the few negatives.
On one occasion our toilet in the bathroom overflowed and flooded our bathroom and some of the bedroom. We rang straight down to reception and they were there to sort it within about 15 mins. Fixed the problem and sorted the room very quickly, obviously not ideal and I was worried it was going to happen again but it didn’t but on a second occasion we came back to our room to a big puddle under the aircon which was leaking through one of the lights! Again rang down to reception and it was sorted and fixed very quickly. These things are a pain and not what you expect when you spend so much on a holiday but also understand these things happen so not going to hold it against them.
We was also a bit disappointed with the swimming pools. As a family we are big pool people but they are quite small and boring but the beach and sea do make up for it so not going to complain to much.

Overall we had the best time and would 100% recommend and would go back.

Date of Stay: August 2025

jeancD7392AM wrote a review September 2025

Holiday with our grandson

We stayed at Rui palace tropical bay hotel with are grandson who is only 12 who also had a greet time at this hotel. The rooms are very clean with very comfortable beds if you are really fussy about things grouting on bathroom tiles is not good in parts but clean also cracks on toilet system (room 4222). Buffet food ok always found something to eat, booked Krystal restaurant very forgettable, also steak house restaurant ok not able to get reservations at the other restaurants. Breakfast buffet was good as you are normally served by the same staff we were served by Damien and Duval who had an orange stripe on uniform they also made a great start to the day always so friendly and made sure we had are coffee and juice as we sat down but slightly annoyed as on the last day we left a tip and a women with a green stripe on her uniform someone who we had never seen came from nowhere and took the tip from the table and I believe she put it in her pocket I would have said something but I don’t like confrontation wish I had, so I would say if you leave a tip make sure the right person gets it. Also will say the pools are really clean you have a pool bar for adults, party pool that the entertainment team use and a relaxing pool witch is actually that very relaxing. Beach is very nice and you see a beautiful sunset everyday, only downside beach beds are a bit stained. But I would recommend this hotel with the little issues I have pointed out.

Date of Stay: August 2025

TracyP984 wrote a review September 2025

Lovely relaxing holiday

Lovely relaxing holiday
We have returned home from a 2 weeks stay at this resort. My partner and I was looking forward to a chillaxing holiday and that's exactly what we got.
We spent most of our time on the stunning beach, where there were plenty of sunbeds, and the sea was just perfect.... clear ...warm and sea life.
Biggest niggle for me was every 5 minutes you would be approached asking if we wanted ciiiiiiiiiigerettes, cigars, weed, magic mushrooms, massage, hair braid, boat trips, souvenirs, the list went on.
Food was tasty enough, I was very limited what I could eat due to dietary restrictions but I didn't starve.
Room looked like it needs a little updating in places but it was cleaned daily.
Grounds were very well kept and every single person worked hard to maintain the grounds.
Staff were friendly on a whole but there were a few in the restaurant who looked like they just didn't want to be there.
Big tip is take plenty of dollars for tipping. They are very big on tipping. I do kind of understand with the little wages they are paid. But I'm old fashioned and we tipped all relevant people (room cleaner, bar staff, wairter/waitress etc) at the end of our stay, so in between we were ignored..... bit disappointing.
All in all though, we did enjoy our relaxing holiday, which was our aim and we would visit again.

Date of Stay: September 2025

smcinto wrote a review September 2025

Great stay

I travelled to Tropical Bay from Riu Aquarelle and was stunned by the contrast ie it was less hectic and chaotic.

Check in by Deandria was prompt, courteous and friendly. Jameson was able to rectify the issues that I encountered with the first room by promptly offering me an alternative.

The room was a great size and also included a sofa-bed. The minibar was excellent and included top shelf drinks, rather than generic ones. Replacement sodas were quickly supplied upon request.

I personally thought that the buffets offered a fantastic selection for all palates, and as a result I was not inclined to try the speciality restaurants as I was happy with what was available. The coffee shop had a good selection of hot drinks, snacks, cakes and they also provided soya, almond and oat alternatives.

I don't tend to participate with the entertainment that's on offer, but they all did a brilliant job during the day, especially poolside.

The rooms are very tired but this did not impact my stay and I would not hesitate to return or recommend this location to friends and family.

Date of Stay: September 2025

Mamo4ka wrote a review September 2025
Jamison, Pennsylvania

Beautiful Negril Beach, But the Resort Has Declined

Negril truly has the best beach, hands down — soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and unforgettable sunsets. It’s what keeps drawing us back.

However, as returning guests to this resort, we were disappointed to see a noticeable decline since our last stay. Service, amenities, and overall upkeep just weren’t at the same standard we previously enjoyed. It felt like the charm and attention to detail had faded.

Still, the beach remains the star of the show — it's the one thing that hasn't changed, and it's absolutely worth experiencing.

We hope the resort can return to the quality and warmth that made our first visit so special.

Date of Stay: September 2025

baldy_83 wrote a review September 2025
Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester, England

one of the best RIU palaces we have stayed at

This hotel although a little tired in places , we found to be one of the best RIU palaces we have stayed at the staff was great , very kind and at tentative, nothing was to much trouble, we had a really good time here, the staff all work hard to make your stay as good as it possibly can be, the rooms are clean and tidy , the bars are well stocked, the staff in the lobby bar were very good. the food was of a good standard, the pools are clean and tidy the beach is to die for, a big thank you to all the hard working staff at this hotel who made our stay so good. all the forgotten ones you never see in the background in the kitchens administration, its a massive team effort keep up the good work.

Date of Stay: September 2025

Copperpennies wrote a review October 2025

Beautiful vacation

What a wonderful time we had. From check in to check out everything went smoothly. The staff was helpful and caring, just give a little respect and you get respect back. Give a smile and greeting and you get it back. Be kind and you’ll get it back.
The rooms are great. People say the rooms are outdated but are you there to live in the room? The A/C works great as does the minibar fridge. No problems with the room at all. The room was always clean.
The food is fantastic. We ate only at the buffet and there was so much variety we didn’t know where to start. Can’t starve here that’s for sure.
And of course the beach. What can I say except GORGEOUS. We spent most our time at the beach. Yes the sunbeds are a little “used” but spread your towel on it and you’ll be just fine. If you’re that fussy that you insist on having a totally clean sunbed, you shouldn’t be at the beach.
The resort is definitely something everyone needs to experience. It’s beautiful, clean, and very welcoming. Just always remember YOU make your own vacation good or bad, you choose

Date of Stay: September 2025

tiab2529 wrote a review October 2025
Cheltenham, Cotswolds, England

Wedding

If you are looking for an amazing place to get married I would thoroughly recommend this hotel.
Sophia, the wedding planner, is an absolute star, from the first communication right thru to your big day. Nothing is left undone.
The beach is stunning and everybody is friendly and professional
We had the best day

Date of Stay: September 2025

Sunseaholidayaddict wrote a review October 2025
Calne, Wiltshire, England

Amazing holiday

Myself and my husband went to the hotel to celebrate my 50th birthday and what an amazing trip it was!
We had a garden view room that we were happy with, we could see the sea if we looked sideways over the balcony but more importantly we could hear it while we relaxed on the balcony with a Red Stripe.
Our cleaner Mikeisha was so friendly and kept the room nice and clean.
We met so many amazing members of staff, Krystal was a real favourite in Daquiri lobby bar, making the best cocktails and entertaining us every night.
Also Bianca and Alecia who were lovely and worked alongside Krystal.
Jelani who bought our drinks regularly during the day by the pool and really took care of us.
Andrew at the adults only swim up bar who sang along all day while pouring great drinks, such a lovely man.
Maxwell and Shamoy took care of us every day at breakfast and lunch at the buffet restaurant and I must say the hotel has the best buffet restaurant I have ever used, we never got bored of the food and the service was amazing.
The entertainment team were great too.
The beach was the best beach I have been to since I was in the Maldives 23 years ago and I have been on a few beaches around the world.
Don’t forget you can use the sister hotel that’s about a 15 minute walk down the beach, turn right and keep going ( RIU Negril) for the pools, buffet restaurant, waiter service Sports Bar and steam room. They also lay a bus on to take you there for the white parties and neon parties on a Thursday nights free of charge.
As soon as the staff knew I was celebrating a big birthday I was spoilt. A cake and singing in the buffet restaurant with a decorated table on my birthday and on our last day wishing us a safe flight, a birthday cake and singing in the lobby bar and birthday celebrations at the adults only swim up bar.
On my actual birthday we used the taxi company located in the lobby to drive us to Ivan’s restaurant at the Catcha Falling Star Hotel in Negril, it was $40 return journey but Suave who drove us was lovely and talked us through the sights on the journey, he even booked the table for us and told us to get the waiter to phone him when we paid the bill so he could collect us but as it turns out he was already waiting for us in the car park.
I highly recommend Ivan’s, the service, food and views were amazing, it’s next door to Ricks Cafe and again they made a fuss of my birthday.
The beach was shallow and beautiful.
We don’t often return to the same hotel twice but I can see us returning again and again, we had the absolute best holiday and highly recommend this hotel, I shed a tear when we drove away and that never happens.

Date of Stay: September 2025

Journey715590 wrote a review October 2025

8th visit - still amazing

I’ve just returned from my 8th stay at this wonderful hotel – twice this year alone! It truly is a lovely, relaxing place, set on the most beautiful beach.

All of the staff are incredibly friendly and attentive.
A special shoutout to the entertainment team – they’re amazing! So hardworking, welcoming, and they genuinely go above and beyond to get to know everyone and ensure your stay is unforgettable.
There’s also a great daily schedule with the RIU Fit team if you want to stay active while enjoying your vacation.

The food is consistently excellent – fresh, with lots of variety every day. From the bar staff to the lifeguards, everyone plays a part in making this place feel special.

We even had our family from Jamaica visit for the day, and they were warmly welcomed and had the most amazing time with us.

Already counting down the days until our return in April!

Date of Stay: September 2025

missgreyeyez2 wrote a review October 2025
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Arrive a stranger....Leave like family

I also am going to write a review....an honest one. I was planning my first solo trip and of course I wanted to come back to Jamaica, my happy place. Whenever I go somewhere or do something reviews are the first thing I read and I always take to good with the bad. I contemplated coming to Tropical Bay because of some of those reviews, but I am sooo glad I chose this amazing place. Granted, this is not my first time in Jamaica so I don't need to discuss the roads and all the other irrelevant things that take away from the review of this place. When you travel, you have to have and open mind...not everything is going to be like home.
From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warm smiles and Jameson at the reception desk got me checked in quickly. Paul, the concierge, promptly grabbed my luggage and escorted me to my room. My room was immaculate...and I thank Danya for that. I never had any issues with my room, it was clean and smelled so good. She was an amazing room attendant and respected my privacy. After traveling all day I was hungry and quickly realized there was food served at all times of the day. I chose to eat buffet style everyday since I was by myself and the food was very good. The dining staff was also wonderful...so thank you Nadeen, Shane, and Samuel. I soon found myself mingling around the adult pool bar and met Andrew and a wonderful bar staff. Nobody compares to this bar crew...here's to Judith, Theodeen, Andre, Gregory, SIllion, Geovan, Laura, Bevan, Crystal, and of course Richard. Everyday I was always met and greeted with great conversations and smiles. In fact, i never came across 1 person who worked there that did not speak or acknowledge I was there...always asking, "How yuh stay or Wah Gwaan?" The beach is also wonderful, clear water, white sand and a clean space to enjoy the hot sun and the glorious sunsets. there was not time during my stay that I felt unsafe. This is a quiet resort and it was very much appreciated when one wants to relax and have some peace. My overall experience was way beyond my expectations and I will now return year after year. Jamaica has always held a special place to me and it never disappoints.....well neither does the RIU Palace Tropical Bay. THANK YOU ALL for an amazing vacation and making me feel like family. As I always say...it's never good-bye...it's see you later.

Date of Stay: August 2025

michellehZ3256QV wrote a review October 2025

TERRIBLE

I must say this has been an experience first off my luggage was taken to the wrong room and staff refused to retrieve it. No restaurant to eat at other than the buffet. Staff have been are not helpful at all. If you’ve booked here cancel asap

Date of Stay: October 2025

J9165IQruthh wrote a review October 2025

Negril nice!

Lovely hotel set on perfect bay, you can walk the beach left or right for about 15 mins and enjoy calm clear Caribbean waters and friendly jamaican smiles. If you turn right head past the blue shack shops and you end up at Riu Negril where the water isn't as clear but beach is full of shells and party atmosphere. Do stop at the blue shack shops, plenty of souvenirs and chat, don't be afraid, you're welcome and safe. Hotel is fine, typical Riu, plenty of good food choices, lots of cocktails, thanks Krystal and Ali/coco/janel for the chat and masterpiece cocktails. Room was fine, cleaned to perfection and mini bar restocked daily. Dining staff attentive and thank you Maxwell and Amoy for looking after us at breakfast and all the ladies who welcomed us lunchtimes, especially Jackie Williams. Special shout out to the animation team who work so hard and have a million talents, singing and dancing and masters of entertainment, Spotlight needs a show of his own, he can conjure up a quiz when its raining, sing, dance and gives 110%, what a gem the Riu has in him, very clever, funny and talented. We've loved our stay. Made lots of beautiful memories and friends. Thank you Jamaica 🇯🇲 xx

Date of Stay: October 2025

Seaside34227139924 wrote a review October 2025
Sedona, Arizona

Dishonest management

Was not given room category that I paid for. They refused to refund. Was not given the coupon vouchers advertised. They refused to make it right. Staff were amazing but apparently management don’t care to be honest and give guests what they pay for. I recommend finding a resort that isn’t dishonest.

Date of Stay: October 2025

Wanderer30921908479 wrote a review October 2025

Amazing vacation

Amazing beach, welcoming stuff, good food -lots of lobsters, bartender Kristal can make a drink you didn’t even know you like at the lobby bar, neon party was excellent. Overal awesome vacation, sunsets to die for

Date of Stay: October 2025