Our favorite Destination Wedding photographer Nicholaus Haskins tells us why he likes the RIU Ocho Rios, Jamaica for Destination Weddings.
RIU Ocho Rios - A Photographers Perspective
I recently had the pleasure of spending 3 days at ROR (RIU Ocho Rios), while shooting a destination wedding for a fabulous couple from Sweden. I was really excited to see what RIU had to offer, being that they are considered a 5-Star All Inclusive Resort. I am going to give an outsiders review of the resort, as I was there by myself and had the opportunity to just be the observer.
Location - ROR is located just outside of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Its location is ideal for those who want to get a way from the hustle and bustle of Montego Bay. Ocho Rios is a little more laid back than Montego Bay, so if you're looking to do more relaxing than partying, ROR is definitely the place to be. ROR is also minutes from the beautiful Dunns River Falls, a waterfall that dumps right onto the beach! This place makes for a fantastic "Day After" Session, but you'll have to arrive early, as all of the tourists show up when they open at 8:30 AM. The start of the falls is actually a 10 minute walk, but if you run the entire distance, you'll have at least 15 minutes of the falls to yourselves!
Service - My opinion of ROR's Customer Service skills may not be the best because of the fact that I was there by myself. ROR suffers from what I like to call "forced smile syndrome." Everyone seems a bit grumpy, until they are aware of a guest's presence. In this area, Sandals Montego Bay trumps RIU Ocho Rios. I shot at Sandals a year ago, and when I was there the service was incredible. If you got caught carrying your own luggage, it almost seemed like the staff was upset, and immediately came to take your bags to your room for you.
During my stay at RIU however, I waited over 2 hours for my luggage, only to have to walk down to find it sitting by itself in the lobby. I took it up myself from there, and nobody offered to help.
Food - All-inclusive means all you can eat. The food was actually really good. There are 2 buffet-style restaurants, and a restaurant that requires reservations. All are absolutely delicious, and the gourmet restaurant doesn't hold back on those servings either. I'm not sure what it is with Gourmet restaurants in the US, but the servings are always so small. Not the case with RIU. They score perfect in this area. Ironically, the service in this area is outstanding. I did have only one complaint; there's nothing to eat after midnight anywhere. I think this is a big mistake, especially from those couple's flying in super late, or whose flights have been delayed.
Drinks - Personally, I'm a Pina Colada type of guy. Call me fruity, but it's just the way I roll. It's probably due to the fact that, while honeymooning with my wife, I lived on Pina Coladas. The Pina Colada, along with every other mixed drink you can imagine will keep you going at RIU. 5 bars and an "after hours" disco club that's open for those nocturnal folks. Each room is also stocked with Gin, Vodka, Rum, and Brandy, so there's no reason not to have a drink in one, if not both hands the entire time you're there!
Activities - Each day brought something new. The staff participation in this area is incredible. Whether it is dancing or yoga, there's sure to be something for everyone here. What impressed me the most was the nanny services that ROR offers. The interaction between the staff and kids is unbelievable. I was walking past the place and one of the male staff members was on the swing laughing and screaming with like 4 kids piled on top of him. As a parent, I would absolutely feel comfortably leaving our son with them for the day.
Room - The rooms are very nice, and definitely more than just your standard "hotel room." I stayed on the East side of the property, and did have a tiny view of the ocean. The majority of the view was the other rooms, being that the building is shaped like a "U." The nicer rooms are on the West side of the property, boasting beautiful views of the ocean. Each room has a stocked bar, with the more expensive suites hosting Jacuzzi bathtubs. The beds are not the most comfortable in the world, but at the same time I've slept on way worse. I would have to say they are "average."
Weddings -Overall, ROR completely blew me away with how they work weddings. Here there are no brides tripping over each other's dresses. I could tell that the coordinator wasn't treating this as "just another wedding." She herself was laying down flower petals on the beach down the aisle. The steel drum's we're going, the wind was blowing, and for the guests of this wedding...this day was perfect.
The couple's ceremony was held on the beach at the edge of the property. Most tourists we're keen enough on not to walk in the background, however there will be some (but at least nobody nude). Great photographers can "hide" these people behind the subjects in their photos making it "appear" to be an empty scene.
The reception was held in Mammee Bay beach restaurant. The corner of the front portion of the restaurant was reserved for the guests (probably 25-30 or so). Family was allowed to decorate this area, so it actually turned out really beautiful! The couple and their guests we're definitely having a really great time talking, soaking in the sounds from the crashing waves, with Bob Marley playing ever so softly in the background. The couple didn't have a full reception, but ROR staff did set up Tiki lamps on the beach, where everyone continued to dance the night away.
Overall, if you're looking for a laid back resort with charm then RIU Ocho Rios is absolutely the place to be. The activities will keep your blood pumping, the food will keep your body running, and before you know it you'll be uttering that phrase that Jamaicans use the most, "na problem."
©2009 Nicholaus Haskins Photographer LLC. This article may not be used without permission
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