Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay Review: Jamaica’s Best Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resort

As someone who has been fortunate enough to travel the world reviewing luxury hotels and resorts for over a decade, I’ve experienced some truly incredible properties. After reviewing Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay, I can confidently say it’s the best adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Jamaica.

This luxury resort manages to get so many things right—from the beautifully appointed accommodations and exceptional dining to the top-notch amenities and perfect location along Jamaica’s famous North Coast. 

What sets this resort apart is its capacity to create a sense of intimate paradise while providing the amenities and activities of a larger property. The tranquil atmosphere, warm staff hospitality, and the stunning natural setting immediately immerse you in a state of relaxation upon arrival.

At the same time, you’ll find an impressive array of upscale amenities and experiences on offer that cater to the expectations of even the most discerning luxury traveler. From the wide range of exceptional dining venues to the thoughtfully curated excursions and activities, there is something to delight every taste.

This is my honest review (I paid for my stay) of Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay.

Location

Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay enjoys an enviable setting hugging Jamaica’s picturesque northern coastline in the town of Runaway Bay. The resort’s beachfront is relatively compact but remains tranquil thanks to an offshore rock jetty parallel to the shore. Guests seeking a more expansive beach have easy access to the one at the neighboring Grand Bahia Principe property. While the resort’s location feels delightfully secluded, it’s conveniently situated about an hour’s drive from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. 

The famed tourist hub of Ocho Rios lies 45 minutes in the opposite direction, providing easy access to popular attractions like Dunn’s River Falls and Cool Blue Hole. However, those looking to step outside the resort will find no shops, restaurants, or sights within walking distance, necessitating taxis or shuttles to explore surrounding areas.

With an enviable address along the shores of the Caribbean Sea (Salt Coopers, Runaway Bay, Jamaica), this resort offers the perfect balance of tranquil seclusion and convenient access to top area attractions.

Click here to see a detailed map of the resort.

Restaurants

Exceptional dining is a cornerstone of the luxury experience here, with five restaurants and three bars catering to every craving. Don Pablo’s, one of the higher-end restaurants at the resort, was a personal favorite, serving innovative dishes like the “Princess and the prince” which was beef sirloin in rosemary sauce, prawns in champagne, served with potato and roasted garlic purée with a hint of tarragon. Save room for the passion fruit creme brulee for dessert. 

For an elevated experience, the signature restaurant Picasso is an absolute must. This elegant venue delivers an exquisite fusion of international and Jamaican flavors from a team of top chefs. From the attentive service to the beautifully plated dishes, every aspect exudes sophistication. The rack of lamb and strawberry cheesecake were particular standouts. 

Other dining options include two Asian restaurants (Asian Takara and Mikado), Dolce Vida (Italian), and The Knife (grilled cuisine).

Note that all of the restaurants have strictly enforced dress codes for dinner, requiring semi-formal attire including long pants for men. Most also require reservations, so be sure to book ahead.

Excursions

While the resort itself is a paradise for relaxation, Bahia Principe offers exciting adventure and cultural excursions for those looking to get off property and experience more of Jamaica. 

Thrill-seekers can get their adrenaline pumping with experiences like bobsledding through the jungle, ziplining above a forest, and four-wheeling.

For a more laidback cultural immersion, the resort arranges excursions to sites like Bob Marley’s hometown or a catamaran ride. There’s something for every interest.

One of the highlights of my vacation was the luminous lagoon tour, a trip to the bioluminescent lagoon where I was able to take a sparkling nighttime swim. I also highly recommend the Dunn’s River Falls excursion, which takes you to one of Jamacia’s most famous attractions.

Rooms

The resort’s 525 guest rooms are spread across seven floors and share an elegant yet somewhat dated aesthetic style. The decor features tiled beige floors, cream-colored wood furniture, pops of orange in the bed runners and accent pillows, wrought iron lamps, and abstract artwork adorning the walls. A standout touch is the four-poster canopied beds. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors allow ample natural light and all rooms have furnished balconies, though views vary between stunning ocean vistas and less desirable perspectives overlooking the roadway. 

Room amenities are excellent, including air conditioning, free minibars stocked with liquor, coffeemakers, work desks, sitting areas with sofas and chairs, closets equipped with bathrobes, slippers and electronic safes, and flat-screen TVs. The bathrooms are particularly lovely, showcasing dual green marble vanities, large jetted tubs, separate showers, an array of quality toiletries, and hair dryers. However, the peek-a-boo window design separating the bathroom from the bedroom was a little bit awkward, even though there are shades you can draw for privacy.

I stayed in a Junior Suite Deluxe Ocean Front, which was worth the upgrade for the incredible views. Sitting on the spacious balcony overlooking the beach while sipping a cocktail and watching the sunset quickly became my favorite nightly ritual during the trip. It’s not that much of a price difference between a room without a view and one with an ocean view (it was about a $20 per night difference when I booked). 

Amenities

The resort itself has a somewhat limited selection of amenities on its premises. The standout feature is a sizable pool area that features three lake-style pools and three Jacuzzis, along with a large sun terrace.

The ambiance around the pool fluctuates between calm and lively based on factors like the time of day, scheduled activities, and the level of music playing. Numerous lounge chairs and umbrellas line the pool deck, and additional seating can be found along the resort’s narrow beachfront. 

While I enjoyed the on-site beach, it is small and can get crowded. There is another beach just next door, but be warned that it’s a nude beach!

The on-site tennis courts are really nice if you play and it’s not too hot out (shade is non-existent.)

For most other amenities and services, you have to venture next door to the adjacent resort. The neighboring resort houses a full-service spa, well-appointed gym, water sports facilities, and a theater for entertainment. I found it easiest to use the free bikes to get around the property and to go next door. 

Pros:

• Beautiful beachfront location along Jamacia’s North Coast
• Excellent variety of restaurants and cuisines
• Spacious, well-appointed rooms and suites
• Great value for an all-inclusive luxury resort
• Kind and friendly staff

Cons

• Can feel somewhat isolated from surrounding areas
• Reservations are required for most restaurants
• Some amenities are off-site at the sister resort
• Some rooms feel dated
• App to make restaurant reservations can be buggy
• Beaches closest to the hotel are rocky
• Rooms could be better soundproofed
• Resort staff pushes timeshare sales on guests

All-Inclusive

The Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay is all-inclusive. The all-inclusive program includes: 

• WiFi
• 24-hour room service
• Parking
• 1 hour per day of kayaks, tennis, and snorkeling
• Diving lesson in the pool (subject to availability and upon request, one lesson per person per stay)
• Unlimited á la carte dinners
• 24-hour soft drinks and fast food
• Unlimited local drinks, beer, and soft drinks
• Unlimited activities including soccer, volleyball, pool, water polo, table tennis, darts
• Lounge chairs, beach umbrellas and towel service for beaches and pools

Adults-Only

Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay is adults-only and guests have to be 18 or older to stay. However, the Bahia Principe Grand is not adults-only, so you’ll encounter children if you go to use the amenities at that property.

Prices

One of the biggest advantages of an all-inclusive resort like this is the exceptional value you receive for the rates. Current pricing for a standard room starts around $400 per night for two guests, with upgrades available for ocean views, suites, and other premium categories.

These rates cover virtually all amenities—unlimited gourmet dining, alcoholic beverages, daily activities, non-motorized water sports like kayaking and snorkeling, nightly entertainment, and so much more. When you tally up everything included, it’s an incredible value for a luxury experience.

I booked my room on Booking.com for $164 per person per night, which was the best rate by far that I saw.

During my stay, I took advantage of the complimentary amenities like the pristine beach, large pools, fitness center, and yoga classes. Being able to enjoy all of that without racking up charges made the rate seem even more reasonable for the caliber of the resort.

More Stories to Read

• Paris is a city that demands a transportation experience as grand as its landmarks and as stylish as its fashion. Treat yourself to a luxury car rental in Paris from one of these six best rental shops.

• We’ve traveled to all seven continents and personally vetted hundreds of properties to find the best luxury hotels in the world, where your experience will be unparalleled from check-in to check-out. Read our full list of our 14 favorites here.

• All-inclusive, adults-only, and a beautiful beach: these were the three requirements I had when planning a romantic getaway to Mexico, and the TRS Yucatán hotel did not disappoint. Read our full review here.

• If we had to choose the best hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, it would be Villa Copenhagen. This stately hotel ticks all the boxes: location, style, luxury, and service. Read our full review here. 

• When planning my bucket list trip to the Maldives, there were a few factors that influenced my hotel choice. I wanted an adults-only resort, overwater villas, all-inclusive, and I needed it to be somewhat affordable. Read our review of the Mercure Maldives Koodoo here.

• Float among icebergs, gaze at penguins, and soak up mesmerizing views—an Antarctica cruise is a trip of a lifetime. These are the Best Antarctica Luxury Cruises. 

• A luxury train ride across Canada is the best way to see the country. These are the five most majestic trains to take.

• Famous for being one of the happiest countries in the world, a trip to Bhutan will be unlike anywhere you’ve ever visited. Read our full Bhutan travel guide here.

• Read our honest review of the Grand Hotel Europe Lucerne, and find out why we didn’t think this 4-star hotel was worth the price.
• As Las Vegas becomes more of a family-friendly destination, Circa Resort & Casino stands out for its strict adults-only policy, which is why I chose it for my Las Vegas hotel. Additionally, this was my third trip to Sin City, I wanted to explore a different area than The Strip, and Circa’s downtown location appealed to me. Read my full review here.
• Looking for adults-only luxury in Europe? Read our review of the Barcelo Playa Blanca Royal Level here.