Riu Ocho Rios

We went for my mothers memorial and although beautiful we had a few hiccups like wifi issues, extremely far walk to and from 99% of the amenities such as dining, beach, reception etc. My 4 year old daughter had blisters on one of the back of her heel because she had to walk so far. It took us 20 mins each way. My keycard didn’t work a few times and I needed to pee while I had my sleeping daughter on my shoulder trying to figure out how I’ll make to 20 minutes walk back to the front desk. They should have had a phone in the hallways for situations like these. It was very dreadfull at that moment. We moved to building A but the shower would leak and so would the ceiling. It was very musty as a result. I like it better on the other side as it had no issue other than distance but I had no choice but to move into an uncomfortable room with must due to the distance. Made my trip uncomfortable and not to mention we extend our trip for personal reasons which made it worst. Couldn’t wait to leave that room. Other than that, it is a very nice hotel and even with the upgrades they still need a lot more work done

So where do I begin. Let me explain by saying that in less Than 3 years ago we began using the Riu chain of hotels. Nearly all of them had just been refurbished, so we know what to expect. As a gold member now our Riu stays usually receives that little extra touch but that wasn’t to be at this resort. It’s no big deal but it sets the tone on arrival which leads me to say that at Riu Ocho Rios there was no personal welcome from the hotel, no help with luggage from the coach. Also our luggage remained in the lobby area for over an hour after arrival. I’ve no qualms with taking my own cases to the room but when they insist on letting them take care of it only for us to go to the room, wait 20 minutes, (wanting to refresh and change from a 19hour travel) we give up and go for food and only then after we finished food and asked about our bags were they moved. Before any of this though we had already spent 40 minutes trying to check in and get connecting rooms or a family room. The room situation certainly was a little nightmare. We booked way back in January with TUI and the only option given when booking was two rooms no family Suite. What happens I believe is because my son has turned 13 now, they class that as an adult. Hence giving two rooms because, I tried changing his age to 12 and they gave me a family suite for that booking, but obviously I cannot put a false age on the booking so I had to settle for the two room option. Anyway I added to the notes, requesting a connecting room and never once thought it would be an issue. So on arrival We are told that we have two rooms 3 doors apart.🙀🙀🙀 that meant that my Kids at 11 and 13 wouldn’t be near us or me and the wife would have to take a room each with a child each. To pay 9k for a family holiday and not be together wasn’t gonna work for us. The manager realised that the kids were too young to be in a room on their own etc and they managed to somehow find us what we needed after being initially told they are at full capacity. We basically got 2 rooms Both have two double beds in each room. they were two rooms facing each other but there was another door at the face of the corridor which we could close and lock allowing us to have the both rooms open if we wished It’s actually a better option than a so called family suite, whatever that is. More space Two bathrooms etc ooooh and two fridges and optics Double the Booze 😂😂 But just a heads up to anyone booking that may find themselves in a similar predicament I would perhaps ring ahead and get an email sent for confirmation that you get the room that is required Whilst there also with friends and also people that we spoke to Firstly a family of 3 we came with that have a 15 year old lad They had a room with 2 beds pushed together and their son had to sleep in this make shift big bed with them Shocking in my opinion considering the cost Same as another another couple of family of 3 that I have spoken with all having to share beds. I’m just dumbfounded that a hotel of this size, and it really is huge, has no adequate family suites or if they do then they have over booked and given inappropriate rooms to family’s. Anyway that’s the room issue, if your still reading. I will list everything else I felt to be sub par now. I wouldn’t call this a 5 star. 3star plus at most. Riu seems to give those little touches you would expect in a 5 star hotel to Palace resorts only so: Don’t expect any of the following: One on one service Robes or slippers in room No bathroom pleasantries No Gold member service No top shelf spirits No waiter service No beach service No pool side service No table service at evening entertainment No room service No other food options after hours apart from snacks in the sports bar which is not the best by anyone’s standards I found a lack of toilets at this resort, only one place around the pool area. Lack of hand sanitizers especially around the pool. Jerk chicken food supplied as ginger food but yet there is nowhere near by to sanitise your hands so imagine all those greasy hands entering the pools after eating. Not good. The beach and ocean. No where near paradise as I’ve seen some describe it as. It’s small and compact and loses all sunshine by midday because the resort is so close to the beach it blocks out the sun. Infact you lose all of the sun bathing by 3oclock ish as the sun dips down behind the hotel. The seas was full of seaweed, I was expecting it to be a lot more crystal blue but in fact it looked quite dirty entering the sea. Food ? Well it is what it is. No surprise there for when it’s all inclusive. Though I will say that the food areas are no where near big enough for this size hotel. It’s the first time ever I’ve had to que at the buffet and or wait for food to be replenished. Food 9 times out of 10 was luke warm. Buffet was repetitive daily but is quite the norm with Riu in my experience. Queuing for the themed restaurants was abit of a joke. Makes me wonder wether the booking a time slot system may be better after all. The kulinarium was the worst to try and get a seating. Gave up on that one. 9.oclock they finally buzzed us after being in the que at 6.10pm. We went to the buffet at 8.30 with buzzer lol. Just to see if it ever went off. Staff and service ? Poor. Really poor. The majority miserable. Had to ask for drinks instead of being asked if we want anything. Even when tipping. And making an effort with staff so they may remember us next time. Nope not here. I gave up on tipping in the end, due to dollars being snatched out my hand without a thankyou or smile. So rude. The only grateful staff was housekeeping. She was lovely can’t fault the room and cleanliness. My biggest positive here is the entertainment Staff. They are awesome and probably the best we’ve encountered. The evening shows and bands were pretty decent also.