Note to all traveling to this resort....

Yes, the beach is beautiful.
Yes, All Inclusive rooms have awesome...HBO, nice showers, mini fridges and mini bars along with very strong A/C.
No, not all the A la cart restaurants are good [we recommend Sir. Anthony's...this place was 5+ star quality]...stay away from the Steakhouse, unless you prefer your meat charcoaled to perfection.
Yes, the drinks are awesome and plentiful...best bartender in the whole place: Kian - but once u tip anyone well you'll be treated like royalty.
Yes, the entertainment is kinda boring, but you can't really blame the performers when their hard efforts go unrewarded and their shows are given a minimal budget.
Yes, the buffet is awesome...love the pasta station.

For Water Sports and activities, visit the web site
Scubacaribe. - We went Parasailing, best $45/person ever spent.

For tours - you MUST visit Rick's Cafe.....nice live entertainment, grreat food at decent prices, entertaining divers and of course, an unforgetable sunset.

Shopping - Please find some authentic Jamaican stores to buy souvenirs from....too many foreignors take over the malls and markets and ruins the whole experience.

Clubbing...Go to the JUNGLE, totally tourist safe - as long as you don't hang out the club gates and plays a good mix of music to keep everyone happy.

Anyhow....hope my tips helped, enjoy your stay

My husband and I just returned from RTB for our honeymoon. We were both a little worried about the place after reading so many reviews, but don't worry the place is an absolute paradise. The staff were friendly and always wanting to please you. From thre moment we entered we were greeted with rum punch and our luggage was carried for us to our room. The service was excellent all week long. Our room was clean, big and had a beauitful view of the ocean. The mini bar was restocked every other day. We had no problems with items going missing, perhaps it was because each morning we would leave a tip on the dresser. The beach was amazing the water was so blue and warm. We would go everyday to the same spot and no problem getting chairs. In fact the beach was really private we would have an entire section to ourselves each day. It was very \relaxing and quiet. Since we were on our honeymoon we chose to just lounge around all week, but if you wanted to do day trips they did seem pretty affordable. We never used the pool at all but from the looks of it it was nice. The food so good we tried all the a la cartes and ate at the lunch and dinner buffets which were also incredible. Each day they would change the selection and what a selection it was. We both returned home five pounds heavier. Our favorite restaurant food wise was the steak house, but the service was a little slower. The Japenese one was excellent service and very good food also, especially the fried ice-cream dessert. At night we would sit around the bar and Bennett who is the nicest and coolest bartender would make us all kinds of drinks. The shows each night were a bit lame but the disco was fun. Overall it was the best vacation for both of us.

My friend and I just got back from a short 4 day stay at the RIU TROPICAL BAY (August 26 - September 2nd) I had been reading reviews on here for quite a while and I was a bit concerned. We have stayed in Aruba, Cozumel, Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen mostly at 4 or 5 star resorts. This one ranks right up there! We were welcomed with drinks upone checking in. The staff at the desk was mostly very friendly and remembered us each time we had a question! Our room was OCEANFRONT #3208 BEAUTIFUL and not far from anything!

We walked down to th Other RIU Negril and though it was very nice and newer building, We liked the Tropical Bay Beach and overall feel better. We walked along the beach the other way to check out the resorts and Consensus was that our BEACH WAS THE BEST. I will say that the Lido Braco? looked good from the beach side too but I liked the Tropical's palm trees on the beach the best.

All meals were great. The best meal I had was at Sir Anthony's! Don't waste your time at the steakhouse as you can get the same food at the Buffet. The drinks were good as well. I heard some complaining about them not being strong enough but you can order an extra shot and it will be just fine!!!!!

The manager at the CASINO ROOM was GREAT! I wish I had his name because he was wonderful. He opened up a few hours early just to CASH out my winnings ($50.00) for me. He has remembered us form the night before too!

The entertainment was great too! We had a beach party on Wednesday night wiht a Reggae band and then we saw one other show on Friday night. They were awesome! These people work so hard and such long hours.....We really appreciated the job they did! I would like to see anyone that complains about them, go over there and match it or do better!

We had no issues with air or electricity at all! We booked two excursions and also took the shuttle from the hotel right over to Margaritaville one night! All were wonderful. The two excursions we booked were the Country and Western Riding horses IN (and I mean IN) the OCEAN. This was an awesome tour!!! We learned so much about Jamaica and the land and how many live off the land! Highly recommended! The other was the Wild Thing Catamaran Sunset Cruise to Ricks. If you have not been...this is a must! We had a great time and met a ton of people.

Things to be aware of if you go....

Yes...Bring an Insulated mug. The cups at the hotel are somewhat small. They will make you two drinks at a time. Bring the mug! No Problem Mon!

Bring small bills if you want to tip. One thing I did not like was that many...not just at the hotel ASK YOU FOR A TIP. Gosh I hate that. I understand why they do it as it is their livelihood, but some did not even ask very nice and others stood there with their hand out and did not leave. They got very small tips as opposed to some that REALLY EARNED IT who we tipped BIG! (that was fun and you could tell they appreciated it) THE HOTEL DOES NOT or DID NOT HAVE CHANGE ANYWHERE! Even the exchange at the Desk!!! That was somewhat irritating and made me feel bad for the staff who are the ones that suffer!

The Activities/Entertainment Staff were awesome! From the day time to the evening. They were great. Don't forget to tip them they work so hard!

Yes...We were offered "GANJA" EVERYWHERE starting with the shuttle driver that picked us up at the airport! Did not take long....BUT All you have to do is say no thanks...firmly. They stop right away! They were fine. Same with the vendors down the beach as you walk to the other RIU...Just say no and they leave you alone.

If you do not want to be picked up on, then wear a wedding ring. My single friend was constantly asked out. She wished she had a ring on. They would ask me about my family because of my ring and then they would leave me alone once I confirmed it.

Sand Fleas......Bring BUG SPRAY or something strong. I used SPF 30 with DEET and it did not help my legs from getting bitten when were were kicking back on the beach, particularly toward the evening sunset hours.

I will say there were some that were not as nice as I would have hoped. This included many other tourists as well. So that kind of explained the attitude that seemed to come from a few of the staff...If I had to deal with complaining, demanding tourists all the time ...I might not smile as often either.

Have an open mind. You are in another country. Take the time to learn about it and the culture. The Jamaicans are very appreciative of that.

I had a wonderful time. If I ever get the chance to visit Negril again...I would go back to the RIU or recommend the RIU TROPICAL to anyone! Or....If I do go again...I would like to go and spend some time in Montego Bay as well. I kinda felt cheated that I did not do that this time! when we drove through on the way to the airport....I really wanted to see some other sites!

I wll try and add pictures later!

Just saying the word Jamaica is relaxing!!!

PLease forget about all those nasty reviews!! We met so many complaining people!! sheez it was almost more annoying than the locals at the market trying to sell you things!

People often forget the that the standards of jamaica are not like canada and europe. I had a great time especially talking with the staff!!

When me and my boyfriend arrived (we are 24) we were greeted with drinks! Plenty of people to help with your luggage too! We whent straight to the night club since it was my Birthday. Wooho what a nice way to get started on some serious party-age. This is my 2nd time in Jamaica and not the last thats 4 sure.

The food was great always changed every night!!! ESPECIALLY THE DESSERTS. they are a must in jamaica... BUT be quick when the jerk chicken comes out!! everybody races to the hut and they run out quite fast since ist's soooooooo yummay! We also tried a place in town, a small hut on the side of the road! OMG it was soooooooo goooood that I almost fell to the ground! OH Jerky where have you been all my life!

Im a huge snorkel fanatic! there is not much to see off the beach but for 20 bucks they will take you out tp the corals for an hour! This is a must!! ANOTHER WORLD and LOTS to see! starfish and langosta you name it! and bring some bananas with you!! u won't regret it! Nice shells to find as well!

The beach has no word to describe. I was there 24-7! the temperture was hot like a sauna just like my friend sean paul says! But load on the suntan cream as it his very strong.

The bus ride was 1h30min. And ladies your hair will be georgeous while you are there. Mine was at its best!! I don't know what it was, the water, the temperature.. who knows!

I was kind of bummed that Ricks Cafe was Americanized. The first time I whent 4 years ago, it was so jamaican style!! now they rebuilt the whole thing TOURIST style and it pissed me off sure didn't make me feel i was in jamaica. I also preferred Maragrita ville in montego bay.

All in all this was awsome and i will go back soon!