It all began in Negril, on Jamaica’s west coast, in 2001. Captivated a few years earlier by the island’s energy and coastline, RIU opened Riu Palace Tropical Bay, the first chapter of a story now celebrating its 25th anniversary. Behind its light-coloured façades, the hotel blends pastel tones, touches of turquoise, natural light and views over the gardens and sea. Three years later, Riu Negril strengthened this presence with a more tropical, contemporary identity: an open lobby, wood, lush vegetation and natural tones echo the atmosphere of the bay. Expansion then reached Ocho Rios, on the north coast, in 2005, before moving to Montego Bay, in the north-west, with Riu Montego Bay in 2008, Riu Palace Jamaica in 2013 and Riu Reggae in 2016.

Three resorts where spaces open generously onto the beach and pools become true social hubs. Adults-only Riu Palace Jamaica features three infinity pools, while Riu Reggae embraces a livelier atmosphere around its sea-facing pools. In 2024, Riu Palace Aquarelle completed the collection in Falmouth, between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, overlooking White Bay, with a contemporary aesthetic, sea-facing gardens and four pools.

Across these seven hotels, water becomes a recurring theme, yet each stop has its own character: Negril’s peaceful horizons, Montego Bay’s energy, Ocho Rios’ generous family spaces and Falmouth’s contemporary lines. Renova Spa provides a quieter counterpoint, with massages, body treatments, Jacuzzis and relaxation areas. In 2026, RIU has 4,275 rooms in Jamaica, nearly 4,000 employees – 99.2% of them Jamaican – and welcomes around 500,000 guests each year.

The anniversary was celebrated on 18 June at Riu Montego Bay with a gala attended by more than 300 guests, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness: twenty-five years that have made Jamaica one of the defining chapters in RIU’s history.

RIU JAMAICA