Hotel Riu Reggae

Hotel Riu Reggae fills the space between the party-heavy crowd at the Riu Montego Bay and the more discerning guests at the Riu Palace Jamaica. For those who are familiar with the Riu brand, it will feel like home. Fortunately, the brand seems to have learned from its mistakes with Riu Palace Jamaica, a property that was meant to be a smaller version of its sprawling properties but just ended up feeling crowded with truncated spaces. Even with nearly twice the number of rooms, Riu Reggae usually manages to avoid feeling crowded, even at the small beach. However, the weekly foam parties and other activities may be a bit rowdy for some guests. The design is fresh and contemporary, with lots of pops of color to offset the ubiquitous white decor. Unsurprisingly, this adults-only property tends to draw a majority of couples and friend groups, seeking a split between relaxation and fun. 

This hotel has a great location for travelers who don't want to travel far once they arrive at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, as it's just a 10-minute drive from there. While this is convenient, it also lends to extremely loud bursts of noise as airplanes fly over the property. It's situated along a pretty, if a bit small beach. Guests who want to get off-property and explore don't have many options within walking distance, aside from sister properties Riu Montego Bay and Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica right next door. A gas station, Burger King, and small strip mall across the highway. Top sights such as Dunn's River Falls and the Blue Hole are a 90-minute drive away. 

The 454 rooms are fresh and contemporary, if a bit underwhelming. Expect mostly white decor with pops of royal blue in bed runners, curtains, and accent pillows, and minimal artwork. Neutral-toned bathrooms are attractive and consists of spacious showers, wall-mounted hairdryers, dual sinks, bathrobes, and just shampoo and bars of soap. All units have furnished terraces, with either garden or sea views. Standard Riu amenities consist of air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars and full-sized bottle liquor dispensers, but are missing coffeemakers. Upgrades to Junior Suites add coffeemakers, jetted tubs, and larger terrace areas with sea views. 

Riu Reggae delivers on food with five restaurants, including an extensive main buffet with live cooking stations and four specialty restaurants. Unlike many all-inclusive resorts, guests do not need advance reservations for the specialty restaurants. Overall, the food gets good reviews at the gourmet-style Kulinarium, a steakhouse, Italian and Asian options, and an afternoon jerk hut by the pool. However, as mentioned, there is no room service and food is hard to come by once the buffet closes.The 24-hour Daiquiri lobby bar is a big hit, though guests can also grab late-night drinks at Pacha nightclub until 2 a.m. over at the Riu Montego Bay. Daytime drinking goes down at both of the swim-up pool bars, and booze flows through the evening at the lounge bar. 

The Riu brand does a good job of keeping to their promise of an all-inclusive vacation. Visitors can expect to eat for free at the buffet and all four specialty restaurants, as well as be served free alcoholic drinks and soft drinks from the bar. Nightly entertainment and daily activities are also included, though off-site excursions, some instructional classes, and spa treatments will cost extra. Otherwise, guests can use the gym, whirlpool and other spa facilities, non-motorized water-sports equipment free of charge. In-room minibars and liquor dispensers are replenished daily with no limit. It's good to note that while the hotel touts a 24-hour all-inclusive experience, there is a noticeable lack of food available after the main buffet closes. A lobby bar is open 24/7 with some limited snacks, but there is no room service. Bartenders will automatically pour local liquor, but top-shelf brands are also included. 

Features are fairly extensive here, with the highlight for many guests being the small but pretty stretch of beach. Loungers and umbrellas line the sand, and drink service is available. More buzzing are the three infinity pools, two of which have swim-up bars. The pools are the only area that tends to feel crowded, and that's likely because its where everyone flocks during the daytime. Daytime activities include staff-led games by the smallest of the three pools, and weekly foam pool parties. Occasional planes fly overhead. Guests have free use of the non-motorized water-sports equipment on the beach, and access to both the gym (equipped with Life Fitness machines) and spa facilities. While the sauna and whirlpool are free to use, guests will have to pay extra for any of the beauty, massage, or body treatments. Off-site activities can be booked through the hotel. Guests also have non-reciprocal access to Riu Montego Bay and its facilities, including the nightclub Pacha open late. Nightly entertainment typically consists of themed shows modeled after Broadway performances or live music. Some past guests have complained of daytime and nighttime activities and entertainment creating noise issues.