Riu Negril vs. Riu Ocho Rios

[Jamaica08bride]

Hello All,

I just joined this forum a few days ago but I have already read a lot of good information and some that may have even saved me a lot of headaches on my wedding day. I am scheduled to get married May 10, 2008 at Riu Negril. Everything was going fine until I learned that contrary to what the coordinator told me the Riu Negril does not guarantee you a private reception dinner. The confusing part is I received emails from her telling me the prices of the private dinners and telling me that I should reserve the restaurant as early as possible since they can go fast. If they don't guarantee it then what's the point of telling me that? Having a private reception is one of my must haves so hearing this could be a deal breaker.

 

I have heard a lot of good things about Riu Ocho Rios and it was actually our first choice but we could not get the time we wanted on May 10. So after hearing everything about Negril I sent in a wedding request for Ocho Rios on May 9 at 2:00pm. All of this has happened in the last 24 hours, so we have not made any decisions as to what we are going to do but it's at least nice to know that we have a back up plan.

 

I've read all the information about Riu Ocho Rios but I was wondering if anyone has any information about Riu Negril. In an ideal world I would like to go with my original plan and have my wedding and guaranteed private reception in Negril. But as we all know, in the world of destination weddings you may not always get exactly what you want. So any information, opinions, and recommendations, you all can provide me would be greatly appreciated.

[Spazz]

Hi! I was deciding between the 2 also. I chose the Riu Ocho Rios because it is bigger, newer, etc. It seems like so many people are getting married there and I have heard such great things about it. The RIU Negril does look beautiful too, I just wanted a place with more bars, restaurants, etc because I have a large group coming. I reserved a private reception at the RIU Ocho Rios for an extra cost. If the coordinator already sent you a menu, that's odd that they don't reserve the dinner for you...weird! If the dinner is what is important to you, I would definitely make sure that it will be available. If not at the Riu Negril, then at the RIU Ocho Rios. Could you change resorts and pick a different day/time? Maybe you could tell the coordinator that you are thinking of changing your resort and she then would be willing to reserve the room Sorry, I think I'm talking in circles, it's early...

[Heidi]

Talk with Amanda (amanda&gabe2008 ) - she had originally booked Riu Negril & changed to Ocho Rios, so she probably has lots of Negril info for you.

 

I chose Ocho Rios because of the excursions available...at Ocho Rios, you can do a ZIp Line Canopy TOur, ATV tour, hiking, mountain biking, waterfalls, horseback riding, swim with dolphins, etc - lots more options than Negril.

 

I booked our dinner at one of the restaurants at no extra charge, though it will be semi-private. I also booked the disco, which will be completely private from 9-11 for our reception.

[amanda&gabe2008]

Hi Jamaica08bride!!

 

I can completely understand your frustration! I was booked at the RIU Negril since January and after all of the issues that i encountered (with the WC and my guests) i decided to switch hotels. There were so many ridiculous things that the RIU Negril were telling me and then going back on that i got so sick of it.

First they said that i couldnt talk to the WC until 30 days before the wedding!! This really made me mad. I kept asking about cermony sites and areas for private dinners- and just like you- first they said it could be done and then after told me oh no, we cannot do anything private. Getting ahold of anyone associated with that resort was a complete hassle. My travel agent spent weeks on the phone and email trying to talk to them. They dont return emails or phone calls. They quoted us group rates and then sent a contract with prices significantly higher than what was quoted in the emails. Oh my god! It was such a pain in the butt!!!

So, on June 14 (day before the due date of the contract with Negril) i decided to look into the RIU Ocho Rios more thoroughly. With the pricing being significantly cheaper (a suite for 7 nights in Negril was near $5000- in Ocho Rios $3900) i decided to make the move.

Like Heidi said, OR has much more to do for your guests. The pricing is cheaper and the resort is bigger.

I havent talked with Chandlyn about my details yet, i really need to get moving on that. i was just so bummed about how they acted in Negril, that i took a break from the plans all together.

 

Good Luck- please feel free to let me know if i can help you out....

[nenawedsjohn]

Hi! I am staying at the RIU Negril the week we get married in April, however, we are not getting married there. When I was researching, the WC took forever to get back to me each time I emailed her and she wouldn't even answer half my questions! So, I researched some more places in Negril and we are now getting married at The Charela Inn - just 5 minutes down on the same beach.

 

My fiance and I went to RIU Negril last weekend to check everything out at the resort and at the Charela Inn. The RIU Negirl is very nice. The rooms were clean, the service was wonderful and the food was great. BUT, we did see weddings take place there and they are NOT private. You just have dinner and then you can walk around the resort or do the same you would any other night at the resort. There is no place for a DJ, dance floor, etc. And other people do eat at the restaurant - you just get a "section." Hope that helps!

[PhillyGal]

I am so torn. I booked Iberostar Rose Hall for Dec 13th but love the beaches and vibe of Negril. I have a big party so would probably stay at the Riu Negril but also looked into a wedding there (we visited last December, stayed at the Riu and talked to the coordinator). The Riu was NOT the place for us to be married. We witnessed a wedding ceremony there and it was soooo not private (there was a sunbather like 3 ft away from the whole wedding party). I am looking into Charela Inn. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a beach reception. Does anyone know if Charela does this?? Wow, this is tougher than I thought it would be:)

[albianstar]

I just got married at the ROR in december and HM in negril couples swept away, so i didnt see the negril riu

BUT

We liked Ocho Rios better for us Negril was too boring, the shopping is not there adn there are more activites available in Ocho Rios.

 

If you do go to Negril Make SURE to go to YS Falls fro the day.

It is included in the appleton rum tour - but skip that and arrange to go to ys falls for the day. It is so wonderful. You can buy food there or bring your own and the canopy tour adn zipline are at hte same place.

Not to be missed!

[nenawedsjohn]

The Charela defintely does weddings on the beach - we are getting married there is April and we went 2 weeks ago to witness a wedding on their beach. Let me know if you have any questions! Oh and the food was great too.