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RUI Tropical Bay 05/14/02
Reviewers Rating:  Great
This review is more for those choosing between resorts in Negril or throughout Jamaica. I want to say - I love Jamaica, been there 6 times and will go back. Ive been to Couples Ocho and Negril, Grand Lido, Beaches Negril, and Swept Away. I just want to provide the good and bad points for RUI as compared to the othe resorts. We got a tremendous deal and chose this resort - we were there 8 days. The good: Mini bar in the room (redstripe, liquor dispenser and old school pepsi in the glass bottles...I was in heaven!), great beach, friendly staff (the most friendly Ive encountered), swim up bar, good pools, breakfast and lunch were great. We got upgraded - no problem, just a 2 hour wait (but before regular check in), topless beach(at least for me:), low amount of VERY well behaved kids. Disco was beter than usual , but always too loud. This place was hopping all day long. The pizza actually tasted good (looked a little strange) Bartenders were extra cool (thank you Carl, Clive, Kirkpatrick, Jermaine, Craig, Pryce, Rayon and Marsha!!!!) The OK: The beds were hard (really hard!), the grounds could have been more lush and kept better (they are new, so Ill let it go), our oceanview was blocked, coffee wasn't blue mountain. Mosquitos were worse than usual. LOTS OF EUROPEANS - like 50% or more. This was harder to meet people and had an affet on the staff, they weerent as talkative until they knew you were american. Gym and spa are ok - nothing special. ....but none of these were deal breakers. The Bad - THE SCHEDULE!!!! This place is run like CRUISe without the flexability. I missed dinner twice because of the required seating and they would not change our dinner seating (either 7 or 9). Dinner was not great (dont recommend SIr Anthonys, nice presentation, but food sucked)- lunch and breakfast were better. NO food in the rooms, no room service, nothing to eat after midnight. I will not return to this resoprt just because of the lack of total freedom as compared to Couples, beaches and swept away. In addition, after all of my extra water sports costs, couples Negril would have been cheaper. No rafts, hard to get a beach chair in the morning, really small drinks, no top shelf liquor or any other beer other than red stripe. No (real/outside) Jacuzzi, no waterfalls. No little private getaway areas...24/7 its either beach, pool or room. Beach was crowded - this is a pretty small resort for the amount of rooms (like 370?) Price dependent - we got a good deal here and it was worth it. Wouldn't return due to the "schedules" and lack of room service, but they do a good job. Price independent - My recommendation is couples Negril - pay the extra $300. Its worth it. ;-). Families go to beaches Negril.. HINTS FOR RUI: BRING A RAFT!!!!!!!!!!! Need flip flops, pavement is hot Big thermal mugs - forget those little glasses. Keep a a little food in the fridge to snack on, BYO DONT get oceanfront - pay for gardenview, first - theres really no diffeerence - its not worth it, second, you'll probably get upgraded anyway (if you have a good agent) You can tip here. Get off the RUI beach and take a walk down the public beach - hang out there one day - very private and relaxing. GO sailing and kayaking to the grand lido caves.
tc
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