RIU MoBay to close April for renovation - To reopen as adults-only property

Riu Montego Bay will close in April 2020 for a refurbishing exercise and reopen in September as an adults-only property, according to Niurka Garcia-Linton, director of sales for RIU Hotels in Jamaica.

The closure is similar to what took place at RIU Ocho Rios earlier this year to facilitate a US$85m upgrade. However, the amount to be spent on the Montego Bay property has not been disclosed.

“Once we close RIU Montego Bay for ­renovation next year April and open in September, we can safely say that the ­entire RIU line in Jamaica is going to be either fully renovated or brand new,” Garcia-Linton explained.

“One of the main things that will be ­happening when we close RIU Montego Bay is that up to the moment of closure that hotel has always been a family hotel; however, when it opens, it’s going to open as an adults-only.”

RIU has two main brands in Jamaica, the Classic brand and the Palace brand, which is the high-end hotel with suites and junior suites and 24-hour room service.

The Palace brand includes RIU Palace Tropical Bay in Negril and Palace Jamaica in Montego Bay. The Classic is the family brand that includes RIU Negril, RIU Ocho Rios and RIU Montego Bay. There is also the Classic adults-only property, RIU Reggae in Montego Bay.