Colonial meets contemporary: The Riu Montego Bay

A meandering lagoon-style pool is one of the many temptations at Riu Montego Bay - All Inclusive.

By Vince Font

There’s something about colonial architecture set amid island greenery that’s fascinating to the eye, and even more thrilling to the rest of the senses. Perhaps it evokes romantic images of bygone eras, or maybe it gives people a vague notion of traveling backwards in time — whatever it is, it’s an insanely appealing combination. Throw in all the comforts of contemporary life, and it’s a combo you simply can’t pass up. There are some Montego Bay hotels that do this better than others. Case in point: the Riu Montego Bay All-Inclusive, a sprawling resort situated right on the shore of Mahoe Bay just a few miles from Montego Bay. So what makes the Riu “all that” when compared to other Montego Bay resorts?

For one, it’s got the aforementioned colonial architecture in buckets, extending from the resort’s grand exterior to its individual guest rooms — but with added amenities like central air, mini bar and satellite TV. Guests who upgrade to suites get hydro-massage bathtubs and larger rooms with a separated lounge area, adding to the ambiance of an island home away from home.

But who wants to stay in their room forever, especially in a place as grandiose as this? Walking out onto the resort’s extensive beach, you can find plenty of water sports to keep you soaked head to toe, including windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, and scuba diving. Speaking of scuba diving, there’s a free lesson for each all-inclusive vacationer in the resort’s grand swimming pool (yet another bonus to the Riu, a huge lagoon-style dipping hole complete with swim-up bar).

By day and night, there’s entertainment for all age groups, including a daily program aimed at youngsters between the ages of 4 and 12. But families aren’t the only ones who can take advantage of the offerings on hand — the Riu has four restaurants and a lively nightclub called Pacha, where couples can hit the dance floor and shake their collective legs until the early hours of dawn.

To get an up close and personal view of one of the finest of the Montego Bay hotels and save a few dollars inthe process, book an all-inclusive stay at the Riu. Vacation packages include hotel stay and round trip airfare, ensuring maximum bang for the minimum buck.

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Vince Font is a freelance writer born in Puerto Rico and currently escaped to Utah. When not dreamingof interstellar travel, he’s on the hunt for weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations. Next stop: The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast.

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