This past July, my family and I finally took our first trip to Jamaica! Can you believe it? Even though I’ve been married to my husband for 14 years, and his parents are from Jamaica, this was my and our kid’s first visit. And let me tell you, the family vacation in Jamaica was more than I expected!
This trip was a special gift from my mother-in-law. She wanted all her children and grandchildren—28 of us—to spend time together in one place. I was excited but also a little nervous for a few reasons: I didn’t choose the hotel – a Jamaica All Inclusive Resort, I didn’t know the room type, and I’ll admit, some of the reviews I saw on TripAdvisor had me questioning if this was the right spot for us. Plus, I’ve always been a little weary of all-inclusive resorts.
However, after attending a wedding here, a friend reassured me that the food was great, so I went into it hopeful. Here’s how our 7-night stay went and whether I’d recommend the RIU Ocho Rios for your next family vacation in Jamaica.
Related: All-Inclusive Resorts: Tips for an Unforgettable Experience
Welcome to the Hotel RIU Ocho Rios
After a 90-minute drive from the Montego Bay airport, we were exhausted and ready to unwind. RIU’s website promises a warm greeting and refreshing drinks upon arrival, but that wasn’t exactly our experience. Rum punches and tropical drinks were set out, but we had to grab them ourselves. It didn’t entirely give that luxury feel I was hoping for.
And since we were such a large group—28 of us!—check-in took forever. But once we finally got settled, I was eager to see what our room was like.
Our Junior Suite Experience
We stayed in a Junior Suite with a king-size bed that didn’t last long. We split it into two small doubles to accommodate our family of four—my husband, our 4-year-old, our 13-year-old, and me. Let me just say it wasn’t the most comfortable setup. My youngest slept with us in one bed, while my teenager claimed the other. While our backs and rest suffered, she slept well.
The room had a lounge area with a pull-out sofa, a stunning pool, and beach views from the balcony. But no one dared sleep on the pull-out couch. We also had a minibar stocked with rum, vodka, soda, and water, which was a nice touch. However, I was disappointed by the bedding. There were no comforters, just blankets stored in the closet, and one smelled musty. Even though I requested a replacement, it never arrived.
Spacious Bathroom Features
One thing I loved about our room was the bathroom. It was spacious, with double sinks that made it easy for all of us to get ready. The walk-in shower with dual shower heads came in handy, especially after a long day at the beach with my 4-year-old. The hotel provided shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel, but I was surprised there wasn’t any lotion. And I have to mention the glass shower doors had a film of soap scum on them that wasn’t cleaned, even after I requested it through the hotel’s app.
@beautyandthebump This was our “home” for the week in Jamaica at the all-inclusive RIU Ocho Rios! ️✨ We stayed in a Junior Suite with a king-size bed that didn’t last long—because we had to split it into two small doubles for our family of four. Spoiler : it wasn’t the most comfortable, but we made it work! My husband, 4-year-old, and I all crammed into one bed while my teenager claimed the other. The lounge area came with a pull-out sofa and stunning views of the pool and beach from the balcony… but no one was brave enough to try sleeping on it. The real win? The spacious bathroom with double sinks! Oh, and there’s a minibar complete with rum, vodka, and a fridge stocked with sodas and water. Thank you to my mother-in-law for this awesome trip! Cheers to making the best of family travel adventures, even when they’re a little snug! ️ #JamaicaVibes #FamilyTravel #RIUOchoRios #TravelWithKids #hotelroom #blacktravel #blacktravelfeed #blacktiktokcommunity #blackfamily #allinclusiveresort ♬ Enjoy Your Life – Mas Rizky Iman
Dining at RIU Ocho Rios
The resort boasts seven restaurants and six bars, including two swim-up bars. For most of our meals, we dined at the St. Ann buffet. This place had everything: pizza, vegetarian dishes, and delicious Jamaican staples like escovitch fish, saltfish, bammy, and fried dumplings. I loved starting my mornings with callaloo, but I’m still upset that I only had one bowl of the plantain porridge!
With such a big group, dining at the specialty restaurants was tricky. Still, we did manage to grab dinner at Mandalay, which served an Indian-Chinese fusion, and Piacenza, an Italian buffet. I’ll let you in on a tip: Piacenza was less crowded for breakfast, which was a pleasant surprise!
View this post on Instagram
Family-Friendly Amenities
The RIU Ocho Rios is packed with amenities for families, but not everything was a hit with us.
Pools: There are five outdoor pools, including a water park with slides for kids and adults. But the downside? The water park closed at 5 pm, and the pools shut down at 6 pm, which didn’t sit well with my kids, especially when the sun was still shining. Who wants to go on vacation and not have access to pools for as long as possible? No one!
Beach: We loved the private beach and found “our spot” under a beautiful almond tree, where we could relax and even enjoy fresh almond fruit.
Water Sports: There’s snorkeling, kayaking, and more, but we didn’t take advantage of these.
Spa & Gym: The resort has a full-service spa and a gym. My nephews hit the gym, but I skipped the spa this time, which is unusual for me on vacation.
Entertainment: The nightly live performances were fun! I enjoyed the steel pan the most. My husband, nieces, and nephews even participated in karaoke, a highlight for us.
Related: Indulge in Luxury and Relaxation at Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya
Pros of Staying at RIU Ocho Rios
- Beach access was a big plus! It’s right there, and we made the most of it.
- You don’t have to worry about food at this Jamaica All Inclusive Resort. There’s something for everyone, from local Jamaican dishes to familiar comfort foods for the kids.
- The drinks are unlimited, but I recommend sticking to Wray & Nephew rum if you’re having a daiquiri. Some of the other cocktails made me feel slightly off, so I stuck to beer and wine for most of the trip.
Would I Stay at the RIU Ocho Rios Again?
Overall, our stay was nice, but there’s definitely room for improvement. This Jamaica All Inclusive resort could use some cosmetic upgrades, and the musty blanket and unclean shower doors were disappointing. The staff, though, was friendly, and we enjoyed having daily beach access.
If you’re looking for a Jamaica all-inclusive resort that’s kid-friendly and right on the beach, the RIU Ocho Rios isn’t a bad choice. Just be prepared for early pool closures and maybe a little wear and tear in some areas. Would I stay here again? Maybe, but I’d also be open to exploring other options in Jamaica.
I hope this review helps you decide if the RIU Ocho Rios is right for your next family vacation! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or tips for traveling to Jamaica.