Riu Palace Aquarelle
Montego Bay, JMAll travelers
Our take
Brand-new Riu flagship blending family fun with adults-only escape
- ~30 min from MBJ
No ResortFinder markup. We just do the work.
Resort facts & overview
- Location
- Montego Bay, JM
- Audience
- All travelers
- Brand
- Independent
- Dining listed
- -
- Airport
- MBJ
- Transfer
- ~30 min
- Reno
- Reno 2024
Why travelers love it
“Brand-new Riu flagship blending family fun with adults-only escape”
Opened in 2024, this is one of the freshest all-inclusives on Jamaica's north coast, with a modern look that shakes off the tired feel some older Riu properties carry. Guests consistently praise the friendly staff, evening entertainment, and the mix of an adults-only pool with swim-up bar alongside kids' splash zones, though beds run on the soft side.
Food & drink
StrongA strong buffet with genuine variety anchors the food scene, backed by four specialty restaurants where the Italian and steakhouse stand out. Top-shelf brands at the bar and cocktails worth ordering round out a solid culinary showing.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Buffet variety impresses across two weeks
- Italian and steakhouse are the specialty highlights
- Top-brand liquors and creative cocktails
- Four à la carte venues to rotate through
Dining overview
A large main buffet with wide variety plus four à la carte specialty restaurants; guests single out the Italian and the steakhouse as standouts. Drinks lean toward top-shelf brands with well-made cocktails.
Food & drink photos
Food & drink photos
Beach
StrongA gorgeous stretch of Montego Bay sand fronts the resort, with water sports on offer straight from the shore. It reads as a genuine highlight rather than an afterthought.
medium confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Gorgeous beach frontage
- Water-based activities available on site
- Sunset and sunrise views over the water
A pretty stretch of Jamaican coast with calm swimming and complimentary non-motorized water sports available from the beach.
Pools
StandoutFour pools give you real choice: two swim-up bars, an adults-only option, and dedicated kids splash zones. The Kingston pool draws repeat visits and the bartenders there earn name-check loyalty.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Four pools including adults-only
- Two swim-up bars in the mix
- Kids splash park and water play
- Standout bartenders at Kingston pool
Four pools spread across the resort, including two with swim-up bars and a dedicated adults-only pool. Families also get splash park and water play areas for kids.
Rooms & suites
Modern, clean rooms with sea-view options that shine at sunrise and sunset. Beds are on the softer side, which is a common note in reviews.
Junior Suite Standard
Base 35 sqm junior suite with a balcony or terrace. Views face inland rather than the sea, so this is the pick if you want to keep costs down and don't mind skipping the water view.
- View:Garden view
- Size:35 m² (~377 ft²)
Includes
- +balcony or terrace
- +walk-in shower
- +in-room safe
Junior Suite Side Sea View
Same 35 sqm layout as the base junior suite but angled for a partial, side-on look at the ocean from the balcony. A modest upgrade if you want a glimpse of water without paying for the frontal view.
- View:Partial ocean view
- Size:35 m² (~377 ft²)
Includes
- +balcony or terrace
- +side sea view
- +walk-in shower
Junior Suite Sea View
A 35 sqm junior suite with a balcony or terrace facing the ocean. Reviewers repeatedly call out sunrise and sunset views as the main reason to book here.
- View:Ocean view
- Size:35 m² (~377 ft²)
Includes
- +balcony or terrace
- +sea view
- +walk-in shower
Room details here are AI-assisted, compiled from the resort's own website and public sources. Categories and names change often — confirm the exact room when you book.
Room photos
What’s included
StandoutFrequent-Jamaica travelers call this the best value all-inclusive on the island, delivering a near-Royalton feel at Riu pricing. The 2024 build means everything still looks and feels new.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Called best-value AI in Jamaica by repeat visitors
- Modern 2024 construction, still pristine
- Premium liquor pours included
- Upgrades accommodated at check-in
Package inclusions and upgrade access have not been collected yet. Confirm them for your room and dates when booking.
Amenities & activities
Couples
Good fitAn adults-only pool with its own bar carves out grown-up space inside an otherwise family-forward resort, and the evening entertainment gives couples a reason to linger after dinner. Sunset sea-view rooms add a romantic touch.
medium confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Adults-only pool with swim-up bar
- Sunset and sunrise sea views from rooms
- Strong nightly entertainment including themed shows
- Modern 2024 build feels upscale
Heads up
- Lively family energy throughout main areas
- Beds run soft for some
Families
IdealBuilt in 2024 with families squarely in mind, the resort pairs a kids splash park and water play zones with nonstop activities and entertainment. It reads modern and clean, closer to a Royalton-tier family stay than legacy Riu.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Kids splash park and water play areas
- Packed daily activity and entertainment schedule
- Brand-new 2024 build, very clean
- Welcoming staff with kids
Peace & Quiet
MixedThis is a lively, entertainment-driven resort with crowds, shows, and splash parks setting the tempo. Retreat to the adults-only pool if you need to decompress, but silence is not the selling point.
medium confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Adults-only pool offers some separation
- Sea-view rooms feel calm at sunrise
Heads up
- Constant activities and entertainment
- Family splash areas add energy
- Popular themed show nights draw crowds
Strong evening entertainment program with themed shows (the Michael Jackson tribute night gets repeated shout-outs), plus daytime activities, water sports, and kids' facilities.
Spa, gym & activity photos
What guests say
High confidence564 reviews · through Nov 2026
Read all reviews on Google ↗
Based on older reviews
Recurring complaints
No recurring complaint theme found in the reviews analyzed.
Best suited for
What past guests say
“My stay at Riu Palace Aquarelle was exceptionally great. The entire surrounding was clean and welcoming. The staff in general were very courteous and the services offered were customer friendly. Food variety was top notch👌. I cant over emphasize how much I enjoyed my stay. I celebrated my birthday🎊there and it was more than what I expected. Thanks to the entertainment department and others who executed my birthday surprise. My overall experience was awesome and would definitely recommend...”
★★★★★
★★★★★
“Sure will”
★★★★★
“Great I loved it”
★★★★★
“Everything about this hotel was horrible. We checked in and got our room we get upstairs. We got two twin beds instead of a king. I went downstairs to talk to the young lady and she said that the room type I chose was just a request. OK so if it was just a request, why do you all charge different prices for different rooms. And they’re not willing to you if you get a low grade room. Second, it is very hard and darn near impossible to make reservations for any of the restaurants the...”
★☆☆☆☆
Read all reviews on Google (2,102) ↗
Ask Rosie
Have a specific question about Riu Palace Aquarelle?
Rosie answers from this resort’s guest reviews and our research — with quotes.
Know before you book
- Soft beds not to everyone's taste
- Some minor areas noted as needing improvement
- Can feel busy given family orientation
- Lively family energy throughout main areas
What you should know
What to Know
About 30 minutes by taxi from Montego Bay airport, with quick check-ins softened by a welcome drink. Ask for a room upgrade at arrival, and prioritize the Italian, steakhouse, and Michael Jackson tribute night.
medium confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Only 30 minutes from MBJ airport
- Welcome drink during check-in
- Room upgrades possible on arrival
- Michael Jackson show is a must-see
Heads up
- Beds run on the soft side
- Popular shows and restaurants fill quickly
WATCH OUT: Seasonal heads-up
- Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, with peak risk August to October
- Occasional seaweed can wash up on Jamaica's north coast, though less problematic than the Caribbean's east-facing beaches
The transfer from Montego Bay's MBJ airport runs about 30 minutes by taxi or shuttle. Check-in can involve a short wait but staff greet arrivals with a welcome drink. Tipping is not required but appreciated, and requests for room upgrades at check-in have worked for some guests.
Good to know
- Property opened in 2024, so finishes and design feel current
- Adults-only pool with swim-up bar gives grown-ups a break from family areas
- Beds are soft, worth noting if you prefer firm support
- Evening shows are a highlight, not an afterthought
- Short 30-minute transfer from Montego Bay airport
All photos
Ready?
No ResortFinder markup. We just do the work.
What we know
Everything below comes from data we collected: here's the inventory for this resort.Updated July 2026- Photos
- 75
- Review excerpts
- 20
- Dining venues
- Not yet collected
- Menus
- Not yet collected
- Room categories
- 13
- Videos
- 3
- Editorial lenses
- 8
We aggregate. We don't trap. Verify on any of these:
Where this data comes from
We tell you what we know, and what we don't.
- Last updated
- July 18, 2026
- Sources
- Official resort siteGoogle PlacesDirect resort media
- Completeness
- 67%
Source collection snapshot
These collection totals can differ from the items available on this page. Video totals include screened results; the inventory above counts published tours.
- 76 photos
- 24 videos
Still verifying dining, menus. If something looks thin, ask Rosie or ask our booking team and they can usually fill in the gaps.