RIU Aquarelle looks nice enough but SUCKS

I want to start this off by saying no hate to the local staff or the country itself. This trip was incredible and that was due to the people I was with and the people on the island.

With that being said, for the amount of money Riu charges, it was not worth it.

Drinks: yes all inclusive and even a mini bar in room. However the drinks 100% have to be watered down. I drank 10 drinks - including shots - over the course of a day and felt nothing but a headache. The next day I stuck to beer and got a lil tipsy off of one. And Red Stripe is LIGHT

Food: Most of the food is lackluster at best but room service is atrocious and honestly a little insulting. They must not have access to appliances in the room service area because they only offer a few desserts, salad and sandwiches. That’s it. All of it dry and lackluster. Buffet is C+ … American food is terrible, Jamaican food is only half bad. The oxtail was the best meal of the trip but was accompanied by hard, stale white rice.

Atmosphere: The resort is pretty with 3 pools and water slides all on the beach. However the pools closed at 6pm so no night swim/programming for the adults. There is a stage with nightly shows and those are okay. Nothing spectacular. No movie theater or bowling or any activities outside of that, really.

I saw a DJ by the pool Friday night but the pool was closed so people were just sitting next to it.

If you want to party, I suggest the other Riu property. They were offering free shuttles from aquarelle to there for a white party Saturday night.

Obviously no other recommendations bc this is my first time in Jamaica and I guess you get what you pay for but our money should have stretched a bit further.