My local take
Riu Palace Aquarelle opened in May 2024 on White Bay, just outside Falmouth in Trelawny, about 35 minutes east of Montego Bay airport. It’s a family resort, not adults-only: Splash Water World, the RIU Land kids’ club, a children’s pool with a pirate ship and slides, and two-bedroom family rooms. The only adults-only part is one swim-up junior suite category.
My take: this is the Riu I’d point a family to if they want something newer and want to spread out. The two-bedroom family rooms start at 58 m², which beats squeezing four people into one room. It’s a big resort, with 753 rooms, and you’re a drive from Montego Bay’s restaurants and nightlife, so it suits people happy to stay inside the gate.
If it’s not quite right, look at Ocean Coral Spring, an all-suite family resort with a water park and lazy river on the same coast, or Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites, an all-suite family resort closer to the airport. More options: Jamaica hotels with water parks and the best all-inclusive family resorts in Jamaica.
At a glance
- Name
- Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle (often called Riu Aquarelle)
- Area
- On White Bay beach at Coopers Pen, near Falmouth, Trelawny
- Resort type
- All-inclusive, 24 hours; families welcome (not adults-only, though one swim-up room type is adults only)
- Status
- Open, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board
- Opened
- May 2024, Riu's seventh hotel in Jamaica
- Size
- 753 rooms
- Room types
- Junior suites 35 m² (including swim-up), two-bedroom family rooms 58 m², swim-up two-bedroom family rooms 60 m², superior sea-view family rooms 77 m², ocean-front suites 55 m²; adapted and connecting rooms
- In every room
- Minibar and drinks dispenser, satellite TV, air conditioning, safe; balcony, terrace or private pool
- Restaurants
- 6: White Bay buffet, Krystal (gourmet), Napoli (Italian), Kyoto (Asian), Steakhouse and Pepe's Food jerk grill
- Pools and water park
- Several pools with swim-up bars, a children's pool with a pirate ship and slides, and Splash Water World
- Kids
- RIU Land kids' club
- Spa
- Renova Spa with massages, beauty treatments, hairdressing and a jacuzzi
- Wi-Fi
- Free throughout the hotel
- Check-in / check-out
- 3:00 pm / 12:00 noon
- Airport
- About 35 minutes from Montego Bay (MBJ)
Checked October 2026 against the sources below. See sources. Something changed? Tell me.
What stands out
- Riu's newest resort in Jamaica, opened in May 2024.
- Splash Water World, the RIU Land kids' club and a children's pool with a pirate ship and slides.
- Two-bedroom family rooms from 58 m², including some with a private pool, so families don't need two rooms.
- Six places to eat, including the Pepe's Food jerk grill, and food and drinks 24 hours.
- Free Wi-Fi throughout, and a minibar and drinks dispenser in every room.
- Swim-up junior suites, with one category kept adults only for couples.
What to know before booking
- It's big, with 753 rooms: busy rather than quiet.
- About 35 minutes from the airport and further from Montego Bay's restaurants and nightlife than the Rose Hall resorts.
- Not adults-only: with a water park and kids' club, expect plenty of children.
- Riu doesn't list an exact pool count or water park age rules, so check with the hotel if that matters for your children.
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Rooms
Every room has a minibar and drinks dispenser, satellite TV, air conditioning and a safe. Junior suites are 35 m², with partial, full or front sea views, and some have a private swim-up pool; one swim-up category is adults only. Families have real choices: two-bedroom family rooms of 58 m², swim-up two-bedroom family rooms of 60 m², and superior sea-view family rooms of 77 m². Ocean-front suites (55 m²) add a bathtub. Adapted rooms and connecting junior suites are also available.
Food & drink
Riu lists six places to eat: the White Bay buffet with live cooking, Krystal for a more formal dinner, Napoli (Italian), Kyoto (Asian), the Steakhouse and Pepe’s Food jerk grill. The hotel also has five bars, including a café for coffee and pastries, and food and drinks run 24 hours. Check the themed restaurants’ booking rules at check-in. My take: start with the jerk grill.
Pool & beach
The resort sits right on White Bay beach. Around the pools there are swim-up bars, a children’s pool with a pirate ship and slides, and Splash Water World, Riu’s water park, which is included for guests. Families will spend most of their time here and at RIU Land.
Location
The resort is at Coopers Pen, just outside Falmouth, the old Trelawny capital, and Riu puts it about 35 minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Nearby, the Luminous Lagoon glows at night, and Martha Brae river rafting is a short drive inland. Locals will tell you Falmouth town gets busy on cruise-ship days, so plan a town visit for a day without a ship in port. See where to stay in Montego Bay for the wider area.
Questions people ask
Is Riu Aquarelle adults only?
No. Riu Palace Aquarelle is a family resort with the RIU Land kids’ club, a children’s pool and Splash Water World. Only one swim-up junior suite category is adults only.
How far is Riu Aquarelle from Montego Bay airport?
About 35 minutes by road, according to Riu. Book your transfer before you fly.
Does Riu Aquarelle have a water park?
Yes. Splash Water World is on site and included for guests, along with a children’s pool with a pirate ship and slides.
Is Wi-Fi free at Riu Aquarelle?
Yes. Riu lists free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
Is Riu Aquarelle open after Hurricane Melissa?
Yes. The Jamaica Tourist Board lists RIU Aquarelle as open as of October 2026.
Sources & updates
- Riu: Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle (hotel page and FAQ) · checked
- Riu: rooms at Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle · checked
- Riu: restaurants at Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle · checked
- TUI Group (Riu press release): RIU opens its seventh hotel in Jamaica, the Riu Palace Aquarelle (May 2024) · checked
- Jamaica Tourist Board: hotel reopening schedule · checked
Update log
- — New researched guide; facts checked against Riu and the Jamaica Tourist Board.
- — Link refresh: Swapped one alternative (Hotel Riu Ocho Rios) for Ocean Coral Spring on the same coast.
- — Moved source citations out of the text
Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.