Riu Montego Bay: My Honest Review of the Palace Resort
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Hello fellow travelers! Let’s chat about all things Riu Montego Bay. Specifically, the Riu Palace Montego Bay. When I first started planning my trip, my main goal was to do as little as possible, and I wanted ZERO kids. I did a little research and based on what I was looking to get out of this trip and my budget, the Riu Montego Bay checked all of the boxes!
So, if you are resort shopping in Montego Bay for an adults-only and all-inclusive resort, then pull up a seat, and let me share my recommendations, tips, and my honest review of what my experience was staying as this beautiful hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Introduction
If you have already started shopping around for resorts in Montego Bay, then you’ve probably realized there are hundreds! However, if you are looking for an adults-only and all-inclusive vibe, I got you. If you are looking for great pools, a wonderful private beach, great food and service, then Riu Montego Bay Palace is for you!
Let’s dive in!
My Experience Staying at Riu Montego Bay
Riu Montego: Palace First Impressions
My first impressions of just the Riu Montego Bay experience started at the airport where my transfer was waiting to pick me up. The process was seamless and that’s exactly what I needed after a long travel day.
Once I got to the hotel, feel that amazing Caribbean air flow through the open lobby was exactly what I needed, and I know instantly that this was going to be an amazing and relaxing week. I had Elite Club, so I went right up to the counter and checked in. The staff were warm and welcoming and really made me feel right at home. Especially since I was travelling solo.
Ocean View Elite Club Room
Booking the Elite Club room, which was an ocean view king, was honestly unexpected and included in my package deal. The room was incredibly spacious, with a large bathroom and separate jacuzzi tub, which I didn’t take advantage of.
The balcony was also incredibly spacious, and I had the most amazing views of the pool, the property, and of course, the amazing blue ocean waters. I stood out there when I checked in for a good 10 mins with my eyes closed, and just taking in the Jamaican breeze and the ocean smell that I ad so missed.
The king bed was super comfy, and after a long travel day, it was exactly what I needed that first night. If you are deciding between room types, I would highly recommend opting for an ocean view balcony room. Watching the sunset with coffee and the sunrise before dinner, was absolutely breathtaking, and some of my favorite moments of my trip.
Riu Montego Bay Food
One think that can always be a little sketch, in my opinion at an all-inclusive, is the food. The Riu Montego Bay Palace had several restaurants to choose from and one Elit Club restaurant that I tried. And honestly, the food was fine. It wasn’t great and it wasn’t terrible.
What I did notice though, was that the buffet literally had everything that was served in the specialty dinning, without having to worry about making a reservation or waiting. I didn’t discover this until about halfway through my trip. And honestly, I found the food to be best in the buffet, which is usually not the case.
Pro Tip: If you are staying at the Palace in Montego Bay, then you have access to all of the restaurants at the two sister resorts: Riu Reggae and Riu Montego Bay
Now, let’s get into the restaurants and my personal take on each of them:
1. Krystal Fusion Restaurant
This restaurant was actually the first one I tried, and honestly it was my least favorite. It had a great upscale vibe, which I loved. The dishes were presented beautifully, but the food, in my opinion, wasn’t the best here.
I had the beef tenderloin here with truffle-infused mashed potatoes, and while the mashed potatoes were really good, the steak, I found to be a bit chewy (I am a bit of a steak snob).
2. Zen Japanese Restaurant
The second night I tried Zen, and this restaurant was my absolute favorite (I dined here twice). IF you are a sushi lover, then this 100% is the place for you. Everything I tried was super fresh, the rolls were all fantastic, and the atmosphere in the restaurant was laid back, but chic.
Both nights at Zen I had the assortment sushi platter which was fantastic. There was fresh salmon, tuna, and eel Nigri (I passed on the eel). Each piece was crafted to perfected, and when it was paired with the miso soup, chef’s kiss!
3. Steakhouse (Located by the beach)
Next up, I went to the Steakhouse, which ago, was so-so. Mostly because I am super picky about my steak and how it is cooked. The restaurant was on the beach, so the atmosphere was perfection, you could hear the waves, and having dinner at sunset was honestly the best.
If you are looking for a romantic dinner for one of your nights here, then this is the place for you! Now, they did have a seafood platter that I didn’t try, but I heard other folks talking about how good it was!
4. Italian Restaurant (Ristorante Italiano)
Next up was the delicious Italian restaurant. Which honestly, was really good and my second favorite restaurant on the property. Come hungry, because the portions are large, but full of amazing flavor.
I opted for the seafood linguini and it was incredible. If you are a shrimp, mussels, and calamari fan with lots of garlic, and butter, then this is the dish for you! It was absolute perfection!
5. Buffet Restaurant (Main Buffet)
On my second to last night, I was super exhausted from the sun and one of the couples I met by the pool, who actually visit the resort 2-3 times a year from the UK told me to always eat dinner in the buffet because everything in the specialty restaurants is also at the buffet. Boy, were they right! Everything I had eaten at the restaurants was at the buffet, plus so much more!
I probably ate more at this dinner than I had this entire trip! Most resorts, I feel like the buffets for dinner are a last resort, but honestly, I could’ve eaten dinner here every night and would have totally loved every second of it!
Pro Tip: Get the Jamaican jerk as it’s probably the best I have ever tasted!
6. Elite Club Restaurant
Because I had booked the Elite Club, I had access to their private steak restaurant, which honestly, was exactly the same as the other steak restaurant. Again, the steak was so-so, but it was a small and quite restaurant separate from the rest, so it felt nice and secluded.
I was told they occasionally have lobster tail on the menu, but unfortunately, I missed out on that. But otherwise, I didn’t find it to be any different or elevated then the other steak restaurant on the property.
Riu Montego Bay Pool/Beach
Out of my 7 days in Montego Bay, I was at the pool/beach for 5 of those days. I stayed in the Elite Club area because it was much quieter, less busy, and I was able to have a lounge chair in the sun when I wanted sun, and a cabana in the shade when I wanted shade.
Now, for the main pool? Well, that’s another story. They had a DJ every day, foam party’s, and it was the opposite of my experience in the Elite club pool. It was incredibly lively and everyone looked like they were having a great time.
So, depending on your vibe, if you want the party scene, head to the main pool. But if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing experience, head over to the Elite Club (if you have it).
Pro Tip: Remember as a Palace guest, you can you the pools at the Montego Bay Riu and the Reggae Riu
Riu Reggae Pary (White Out Neon)
The one event I didn’t know about was the Riu Party, which is held at Reggae. They alternate weeks between doing the white out party and neon, so make sure you download the Riu app so you know which party is going on during your stay.
I did not attend this event, but I saw everyone decked out in their neo at dinner and everyone looked excited to go. I opted to call it an early night due to my full day of being in the sun.
The next day, I heard other guests talking about how much fun it was, how there was a DJ, everyone was dancing and just having a great time. So many people were dressed on theme, which made it even better.
So, if you are headed to the Riu, make sure you prepare ahead of time for their famous Riu party!
Pro Tip: This is adults only, so no kids aloud!
Is Riu Montego Bay Safe: Safety at the Palace
A few weeks before I left, the U.S. issued a travel warning against Jamaica. Of course, after that came out, I got nervous and started researching what that meant for my trip. Well, it turns out they have always had the warning, but just extended it.
So, like a good little investigator, I took to where I knew I would find reliable information….TikTok! Yes, I am serious! There were so many Americans on the beach, posting, showing everyone how safe it was, they were having zero issues, and to not cancel their trip.
I am so glad I did not cancel my trip. My entire week there couldn’t have been more safe and more perfect. It’s a nice remember to always do your research, don’t always take the news as gold, and just always be alert and on guard regardless of where you go.
No regrets!
Conclusion
Looking back on my week at the Riu Montego Bay Palace, I can honestly say it was everything I needed and more. It was a perfect mix of complete relaxation and rejuvenation and 2 days of excursions. The food, the service, the beach, pools, and rooms, were all fantastic, and I have honestly zero complaints.
If you are looking for an incredibly adults-only all-inclusive resort on the beach at a great price, then the Riu is for you!
If you have questions or comments about the resort or need recommendations, reach out anytime!