Riu Reggae Hotel, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Riu Reggae Hotel, Montego Bay, Jamaica Review
Hotel RIU Reggae is an adults only all-inclusive hotel located in Jamaica’s second city of Montego Bay. It’s the third hotel in Montego Bay from the RIU group and it promises to give guests the luxury experience with a vibrant twist fit for the exciting Jamaican atmosphere.
For most of us, travelling has been on a virtual standstill or slow down this year ever since the emergence and persistent presence of the covid 19 virus. We have been through stay at home orders and quarantine and the travel industry has really taken a major hit this year. For a travel blogger like myself the travel itch has been on overdrive. So with the world slowly opening back up, I decided to use the opportunity to try and travel in this new world. I was curious to see how the new covid measures would be adapted to facilitate safe travel experiences while still having a good time. So with that in mind, I decided to go to one of Jamaica’s leading hotels to see how they have maneuvered through these corona times. It also helped that they were having a deal online. I don’t know about you but I love saving money while travelling.
Related: Jamaica’s Top Travel Bloggers Reveal Their Favourite Local Travel Destinations And Covid Travel Tips
How To Get There
Located just a few minutes away from the Donald Sangster international airport; I found the journey to Hotel RIU Reggae quite easily by following the directions given by Google maps.
It's pretty much a straight journey to Montego Bay from Kingston via the Edward Seaga highway. Once in Mobay, then you canuse Google maps to guide you straight to your destination.
Checking-In
The check in process was a little long to be honest bu that is to be expected considering the implementation of covid protocols to the check in process.
On entry, you are greeted by a staff member who advises you to sanitize your hands at the sanitation station. Once you've done so, you are then directed to the thermometer screen (I'm not sure exactly what it's called) which checks your temperature to see if you are in relatively good health/symptomatic. Once you get the all clear, then you go to reception area to get the full check in.
The reception area is abundant with lines showing you the distance you should stand from each other in order to practice safe social distancing while you wait to be dealt with.
Check in is at 4pm and check out at 11am. I'm not sure but these might be adjusted hours to facilitate adequate cleaning or the rooms. Once checked in, you get a covid information packet along with your room key and other hotel information.
Accommodations
The rooms were small, clean and cozy. The decor was modern and minimalistic with the beautiful hues of vibrant blue reflected perfectly against the white background. It added to an overall calming and relaxing feel to the hotel.
The hotel practices energy conservation and uses things such as needing to use the magnetic key card inserted into an outlet in order for the electricity to be turned on and kept on. Once the card is removed, then the electricity goes out.
The room also came with a small table for 2 and a bottle of hand sanitizer in addition with the usual soap, body gel and shampoo/conditioner that are included with a hotel stay.
I was a bit disappointed that there was no refreshments in the room such as drinks or water in the fridge or a tea/coffee station. But I just chalked it up to be a part of their covid measures.
On leaving I found out that rooms are.sanitized and disinfected in between guests.
Food
Since it's covid time only the main restaurant on property was opened. Food was served buffet still with a twist.
As you arrived at the restaurant, you were greeted by a staff member who checked your temperature and then you were directed to the sanitizer station. After this you were guided to the food area where social distancing cues showed where you should stand as you wait to be served. The hotel set up different stations with staff assigned to serving guests at their respective stations. This made it a little bit more timely than a traditional buffet but it was a lot safer for everyone. You were also required to wear masks while in the serving area. You wouldn't be allowed in the dining area without one.
Meals were traditional a hotel menu which showed a mix of local and international cuisine to appease any palette. I thought it was a good variety and they also asked if you had any food allergies or dietary restrictions at the different stations. Although, I didn't see any outright vegan or gluten free or any other real alternatives on display.
The seating are was outside along the poolside. You were seated by a member of staff who would also serve you your beverages. I also noticed that the tables were cleaned in between each use so that was good.
Meals were on a schedule basis. Breakfast at 7am, Lunch at 12pm, Dinner at 6:30pm. I didn't see any snack carts or grills on the property for that inter-meal munch in case you got hungry while waiting for the next scheduled meal time.
There were also 2 on property bars that were opened for majority of the day.
RIU Reggae Hotel
Entertainment
Due to covid, entertainment was rather limited. The usual lively and exciting hotel atmosphere has had to cut back group experiences as they try to practice social distancing and other covid measures.
Activities were limited to the beach, pool, a few non-motorized watersports and music playing throughout the property. The spa and gym were also available for use.
Overall
Overall, I'd give my experience a 3.5/ 5 stars. The staff was generally good, the food was okay and the room was comfortable. I know the hotel had to adjust their offerings due to covid 19 but it was just an okay experience overall.