Great hotel, Amazing location from attractions, don't let other reviews fool you, i would easily rate this hotel 5 star, each and every member of staff were friendly and helpfull, room was very comfotable and very clean, mini bar restocked every other day.
Stayed in a limited seaview room, which i couldn't see why as all you had to do was step on to the balcony and look left *breathtaking*.
2 main pools one for entertainment and the other for relaxing, always felt welcome, amazing selection of food. tipping is big out there though i wasn't made to feel bad at all when i didn't have enough af shopping.

Overall Amazing experience would deffinatly go again.

My family and I went to RIU Ocho Rios from 08/02/08-08/08/08. Eight of us traveled including 4 adults (age 30-44) and 4 kids (age 15mo., 6, 10, and 15).
Check in was quick although it was not great. I was refused the opportunity to make dinner reservations at 5:55p because they end at 6p. The drinks they offer at that time was so good we all asked for more thereafter.
Get your singles from the bank before you leave home. It was soo difficult getting any US change. If you want JA $ you won't get the same rate as the bank.
It was my personal priority to give a tip to my housekeeper (daily), at least one waiter/waitress(daily), and transporters. I was fully aware that some people work only for tips, and hotel staff make around $15 a day. They will appreciate even a dollar, but they work so hard that they deserve much more.
Our room was kept clean. The housekeepers switch what end they start on so no room is last everyday.
The pools are treated nightly, the beach was clean for snorkeling, the hotel overall was clean.
My husband loved the jerk hut, and I loved the sit down dinners.
My daughter loved playing volleyball, and we all liked the coconut water and music on the beach.
At night the entertainment was nice 9p-11p. From 11p the nightclub started off with dancehall reggae the transitioned into reggaeton. Me and my husband don't understand Spanish.
The day of departure we ran into trouble. While planning we paid for transportation to/from the airport through Apple Vacations. We were scheduled for pick-up at 8:30a for a 2p flight with tropical tours at the airport. After contesting again with our Apple representative at the hotel we were told that we could be picked up 9:30a if we confirm again the day before departure. Of course we were all having to much fun to remember to confirm by then. We went to the front desk at 8:15 to call our other party and ask questions about another matter very close to the Apple reps. We received no call to our room that morning so we showed up again 9:00a to leave the kids while we transported our bags. We ended up paying $100US to get to the airport.
My husband loves his home but not enough to go back to that RIU location. We will see what Apple will do to compensate us.

words can't explain how great this place was, try it, spend a little extra and get what a vacation should be. we had to recover from our trip to mexico in march, and we did.

I will keep this to the point!!!!!!!
The pool was dirty with a layer of scum constantly around the outskirts, pool lighting was floating on the surface of the pool which my son-in-law got tangled around his foot causing him to stumble,his daughter of 11 months he was carrying at the time hit the pool side causing damage to her face.( It took two days to rectify this problem) I doubt this was a permanent remedy.
Broken and or missing tiles in and around the pool, lots of damaged sun beds, damaged umbrella bases with large shards of broken hard plastic awaiting unsuspecting guests
totally disgracefull for a 5 star location.
Food was far from riu standard boring and repetative menu, we constantly waited for plates cuttlery and even on occasions set our own table, no where near enough staff required for such a large site, I am still waiting for any of the drinks I ordered to be served at evening meal in the 14 nights stay, again disgracefull.
Bar staff ignorant and surly would much prefer to serve U.S guests than Brits and they made it very obvious!
I don't give tips to get good service I give tips FOR good service. Everyone wanted something for just doing thier job and even asked for money watches mobiles.
I would not even attempt to join the line to eat at one of the special restaurants, I'm on holiday why would I want to spend one or two hours a day standing in very hot temeratures just to secure a table?
Jamaica may be a beautiful location but thats all. worst Riu I have ever been to and we have visited quite a few.
In conclusion beautifull place, far from usual Riu standard, poor service and unsafe dangerous pool life, I feel robbed.