May trip report - The ginger goes to Jamaica

[Flipadelphia26]

Thanks all.

gerry, as for RIU - I would say we liked the resort overall. We stayed in one fo their normal king sized rooms. Each room had a mini fridge that had red stripe, water and soda. Some days it was better stocked than others. The bed was huge (but that's because we share a queen at home). The bathroom was on the small side, but it was clean.

I felt that there were not enough bars on the beach. The beach is really long and they only had one bar for beach access. So you'd have to either walk back and forth a lot or drink melted drinks, or warm drinks if you got multiple rounds to bring back.

We really liked the pool, and the pool bar. The only issue - which I hate to sound like an old man here - was that since this is a family resort, kids were playing in the pool. It got rather annoying sometimes, The wake would rush up over the tables that they had in the pool.. They had 2 pools. One did not have a bar, and I feel that the one with the bar in it, should have been no kids allowed. That's really my only beef and It's not a huge one.

The food was decent. They have a little jerk hut on the beach. Nothing compared to the quality of what you can get off the resort, but for those who do not know the difference, it is decent - since it is included.

They have a main eating hall where breakfast and dinner is served. The place is huge and clean and a ton of options for both. Not a whole lot of "Jamaican" options. It was really only one small corner of the buffet. However, what they did have there was good. Lots of "American" food.

They have a pizza spot opened late night. It was not good pizza. Not trying to be a hater here, but growing up in the Philly area. We do it right on the East Coast. I havent seen it duplicated. Not even when I was in college in Miami. It's got something to do with the humidity and getting the bread to rise I think.

They have a special area for lunch, closer tot he pool and beach. Similar quality to breakfast and dinner. The beach was ok. If you never went to 7 milie beach, you'd think that this beach was more than spectacular. The water is clear. The sand is white etc. (There was a lot of seaweed and mud on the floor in the water though) didn't bother me at all, but Jackie did not like it.

The staff was friendly. The grounds crew made sure we were "taken care of" right as we were walking to our room. We were already, by our bus driver, so no problem.

I wouldn't stay there again, unless I had a group of people that were steadfast on staying All Inclusive. I just felt disconnected being on the far end of bloody bay, from the rest of the area.

We didn't have enough time to see any of the west end, other than ricks. Next time, we will be doing a lot more, as we have 7 nights and will be staying on 7 mile beach. My family rented out the A and B sides of 2 cottages at Yellowbird.

I am worried about my mom and sister, because they are used to "living the good life" and might whine that there is not enough amenities. For my dad, brother jackie and I, all we need is a bed, a bar and the beach. Since we plan on exploring all of the bars.