We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.
Free Newsletter

Interested in Riu Tropical Bay and Negril?

We'll send you updates with the latest deals, reviews and articles for Riu Tropical Bay and Negril each week.

Explore other Negril resources:

Riu Tropical Bay: Traveler Reviews


Norman Manley Blvd, Bloody Bay Beach | (Hotel scheduled to close for renovations August 20, 2008. Reopening in December 2008.), Negril, Jamaica
Property Type: Resort (All-Inclusive)
  • Hotel featuring an assortment of amenities, sports facilities and leisure activities that are included in the nightly rate.
Description: * Renovated in summer 2008 * Located in Negril, on Jamaica???s west coast * On the beachfront * Complimentary sun loungers on the beach... This description is based on information provided by the hotel.
Fitness Center Restaurant Swimming Pool
Check Rates and Availability: $613 Avg. Price
mm/dd/yyyy mm/dd/yyyy
Check Rates
Opens one window for each offer. Please disable pop-up blockers.

TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews

Reviews of Riu Tropical Bay

( 15-19 of 1,022 )
“Best bang for the buck”

Riu Tropical Bay

Save Review
4 of 5 stars
atlantic highlands,new jersey
Aug 15, 2008
6/7 found this review helpful

been to jamaica ten times///riu tropical four times.got back this june!!!!!!!!oohhh rainy season low prices?guess what no rain at all!!!!!!!!!!!booked my trip from nyc area with air for two for $2700 total!cant beat it!ive stayed at sandals/couples/lido etc....yes you will get more restaurants&bars&water ski boats but you will pay 50% more.the rooms all have balconies and in room stocked bars!the food isnt fantsastic but it isnt bad either!the beach is the best around and it isnt even close!better then the pricey grand lido&sandals!!!!!!!!!this riu has less kids than the riu negril and i think its cleaner also.......the pools could be bigger but so what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!heres a tip!!!!!!!if you can pay the $200 per person round trip shuttle flight from montego bay do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!you dont have that 2 hour ride from hell to the hotel and you leave alot later on the last day!!!its also a great scenic ride(if its not raining)another tip!go to the "rockhouse hotel"(look it up)15 minute cab ride for dinner on the cliffs then walk right next door to the "pirates cave bar"better than ricks(not as touristy)another tip,take tip money from home like singles and fives,give the bartender a five each morning and they will treat you great,dont have to but it goes a long way!!!oh yeah bring your own cooler cups so you dont have to run to the bar alot with their small cups!!!

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Beach/rooms/price
    • Disliked — No beach bar
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LENNYJOHN's Summary
Date of Stay: June 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Romantic getaway
Age group: 35-49
Member since: March 08, 2005
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 4 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Pet owners, Families with young children
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Outdoor / Adventure
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $613 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Pathetic”

Riu Tropical Bay

Save Review
2 of 5 stars
Trenton, NJ
Aug 14, 2008
1/4 found this review helpful

Stayed 7/26/-8/1. Room 1322 - Horrible smell to room, bugs, dirty bed and bathroom. Complained from day one of smell, etc. Nothing was done. In trying to find out where the smell was coming from discovered mold behind the beds and around the air vents near the bathroom.

After three days our room was changed - not by the general manager - but the manager who oversees the bars. Room 3312 had a broken toilet which took over 8 calls to the front desk during a 9 hour period to get fixed. The room smelled also and bathroom was dirty.

When we spoke to the general manager, Edgar, he was not accomodating at all...he just stared at us with a blank look and rehearsed reply....very dissappointed

The food was not that great....they sure can't cook a steak... don't know if that was really beef or not....very poor cuts...pools were not that clean....staff, however, were pretty cool....I found airport staff RUDE...our luggage was badly damage and they told us no claim could be filed. They had 14 year olds drinking alcohol as long as their parent/guardian said is was ok....disgraceful. I had been to Montego Bay and Ochios Rios before and loved it, While Negril is more laid back, I don't know if I would stay there again. We want to go back for ATI next year but stay somewhere else.

We send an email to riu.cim with no response yet.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Leaving
    • Disliked — Paying my money to stay there
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
gogogogone's Summary
Date of Stay: July 2008
Traveled with: Friends
Visit was for: Quality time with friends
Age group: 35-49
Member since: August 14, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
probably not
I recommend this hotel for:
Older travelers, Families with young children
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $613 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Best Holiday Ever”

Riu Tropical Bay

Aug 14, 2008
3/4 found this review helpful

This was the best holiday I've ever had. Me and my boyfriend went for 2 weeks from the 28th July til 11th August. The weather was nice and very hot - it rained every day apart from 3 but it didnt rain for long and i came back with the best tan i've ever had. Its so hot some days that you need a bit of rain.

Rooms
We stayed in block 6 and it was incredible we had a ground level room and had no view but that didnt bother us as we were hardly ever there. We had a huge king size bed and a big flat screen t.v, a comfy sofa, coffee table, another table and 2 chairs. The bathroom was amaxzing and i had not trouble with water temprature. The bed wasnt hard either it was just right. There was loads of closet and drawer space.

Food
The food was fantastic. There was something for everyone, they had typical Jamaican dishes and planty of other dishes. I loved the mozerella sticks and the pasta. The had huge lobsters and crab legs too.
We spent most of our nights in the buffet as there was so much choice but we went to the other restaurants too. Sir Anthony's was good but there was a big wedding party so we waited a while for our food. The japenese was ok but i dont really like sushi so wasnt really for me although the chicken kebabs were delicious. The steak how mixed grill was huge... and came with a baked potao and veg but it was so big and we were rather drunk that we ate hardly any i would definatly visit there again. The pizza place was very nice i enjoyed their pizza and pasta alot.
Even the fussyest of eaters would definatly find something to enjoy.

Entertainment
I would pay good money to see some of the shows the Riou Tropical Bay put on - they are fantastic. They have Jamaican bands singing Reggae and dancing shows and plenty more. The steel drum band was one of my favorites. The dancers are incredible and backflip off the stage. If you dont want to be pulled up on stage for the pre show then make a swift exit from your seat and go to the bar or the toilet. The entertainers will get you on stage teach you some moves and make you dance so if your not into it then get away fast - they will not take no for an answer - its alot of fun though.

Beach and Pool
The beach was amazing - very calm and te water was crystal clear we always fouind the perfect spot and wasnt botheres by any one selling things at all. We did buy cigarettes fromm a guy that walks the beach as they are $11 in the gift show and he gave us 6 for $40. Watch out for sands garbs getting in and out of the ocean as one put its claws into my foot - its only a little nip though and didnt really hurt.
The pool was never misty it was always clear and the Andrew who was usually at the pool bar would always sing which was nice...

Staff
The staff are great - very friendly and always looking to help. Kennel made our special cocktails all the time - just ask his for something special and he'll make it. He also took my boyfriend to his barber shop aswell which was nice of him. Ninja is a character and always made me laugh he is crazy. Sandi gets the crowd going and is a great dancer. Devon was very good at the evening pre show.

There is entainment all through the day - on the beach, on stage everything. The have cards and board games for the rainy afternoons too. We played the olympic games which was so funny and we each won a bottle of rum.
We also took advantage of the canoes and paddle boats and we went on one day trip to YS falls and Appleton rum factory which was good.

This is honestly the best time ive ever had and am definitly going back next year - we made friends there that we'll always be in contact with!!

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — It was cleaned everyday
    • Disliked — The beach sand crabs
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lizzie1202's Summary
Date of Stay: July 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Romantic getaway
Age group: 18-24
Member since: February 18, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Great pool scene, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Pet owners
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $613 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Do not get married here!”

Riu Tropical Bay

Aug 12, 2008
4/9 found this review helpful

We went to RIU in April with 40 others to get married. The overall stay was okay but for the price we paid we could have went to a nicer place. We did stay at another resort for our Honeymoon the following week and the comparison for the price alone was unreal.

First of all there is NO SPORTS BAR or ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS even though their brouchures state that there is. This means that in order to watch sports you have to stay in your room. Also kids get to play in the swimup bar pool because there are only two pools right besaide each other and the swimup bar pool is the only pool with a shallow end. And there are no washrooms close to the pool(s) at all so there is an extreme temperature difference between the two and it is gross! If you don't have kids you will get annoyed because there isn't anything for them to do at all but run around the swimup bar pool. And don't expect anyone to bring you a drink, get it yourself you only paid $$$$ and there is no service on the beach or around the pool.

When I was ready to walk down the aisle they played the wrong music! I told the co-ordinator it was wrong and she argued with me! As I was walking down the aisle! I was disgusted with her and had to have the wrong music playing because she was too lazy to check! And I have the entire wedding party as my witness.

I don't get any of the great food comments - everything is the same everyday. There is a selection at the buffet but it is pretty much the same and very basic and the section that changes daily is usually packed and lined up. The pizzaria would not be open under our FDA laws in Canada - they open at 4pm, put out food and leave it out for the night. We went there many late night's to find really old food under a heat lamp with nobody around. There is no a la carte for lunch or breakfast and if you want to eat at one for dinner you must line up in the morning for dinner that night. And the food is good at the a la carte's but the restaurants themselves are boring with nothing to make the experience special. i.e. the "Gourmet Restaurant" is a little room that is bright, plain and has no music - you can hear everything going on outside and can't wait to finish your meal to go out there and join the fun!

The beach is not cleaned daily, everyday there was cigarette butts and sometime cups and plates lying around. They offer no security on the beach so ANYBODY can come to your resort and there are tons of people trying to sell you stuff from pot to parasailing. It was not like this a couple of blocks down the road at the Couple's Swept Away. Most people tell you this is normal in Jamaica, it isn't and it is the resorts responsibility to offer you a SAFE, CLEAN and RELAXING environment.

We had a good time becuase of the group we were with and our wedding. None of us will return to this or any other RIU. I challenge anyone of you that gave this dump rave reviews to try a Couple's resort and see a real difference.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — The beach and sunshine
    • Disliked — The resort gives the bare minimum to classify as a four star resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
OntarioAng's Summary
Date of Stay: April 2008
Traveled with: Large group or tour
Visit was for: Personal event (wedding, ...)
Age group: 25-34
Member since: August 04, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
    • 1 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
no way!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Great pool scene, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $613 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Fantastic”

Riu Tropical Bay

Save Review
5 of 5 stars
stoke on trent
Aug 6, 2008
1/2 found this review helpful

My partner and I stayed here between 26 June and 10 July. The place was brilliant. We stayed in the older part block 4, and overlooked the sea. The room was very nice. I suppose I could sit and be very picky but what for? it was lovely. Everywhere was so clean and tidy, and the staff were fantastic.

Thought I would have a go at the water aerobics, and expected the ususal holiday splashing about having fun, but if you want a work out, this is for you. It was the proper job. The "Ninja" worked us hard.

Went on a few trips, through Thomson. The Bob Marley Trail, was good, but I wouldn't recommend it if you have children, as people were walking around smoking splifs, and you can't help breathing the smoke in (maybe I'm a bit conservative about splifs around children, but everyone to their own). Duns falls were great fun.

The sunset cruise was also great, but you have to jump of the boat and swim (with life jackets) to Rick's Cafe, so better to book with the watersports based on the hotel, as their boat docks, and no swimming involved.

The white water rafting and the ocean safari weregreat.

The only "dampener" (parden the pun), was the torrential ran, which came 12 out of 14 days every afternoon. We found out that in Montego Bay they had only seen rain twice for half an hour. Don't know if we were just unlucky. We worked around it by getting up a bit earlier and taking advantage of the early sun, then chilling out in the afternoon.

Will definately go back there again the people are lovely, smiling friendly and can't do enough for you. "Ya man"

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — the atmosphere.
    • Disliked — Nothing
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
murphStokeOnTrent's Summary
Date of Stay: June 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 35-49
Member since: August 06, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Great food / Wine, Shopping, Spa
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $613 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com

Reviews of Riu Tropical Bay

( 15-19 of 1,022 )
Travelers Who Viewed This Property Also Viewed
*Average price
Write Your Own Hotel Review
Been to Riu Tropical Bay? Share your experiences!

Do You Own Riu Tropical Bay?

TripAdvisor has free and easy resources to help you enhance your listing and promote your property.

Riu Tropical Bay Also Known As

Address: Norman Manley Blvd, Bloody Bay Beach | (Hotel scheduled to close for renovations August 20, 2008. Reopening in December 2008.), Negril, Jamaica