My Family Loved The Royalton Negril, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort

Want a family vacation that feels like a vacation—and not just a trip where you parent somewhere else? We were lucky enough to travel with Sunwing to the Royalton Negril, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort in Jamaica, and left feeling refreshed instead of worn out. While I can't predict how your kids will behave, this resort has everything you need to spend stress-free quality time with your family. Here's my family's review of the flights, accommodations, food and other amenities.

Getting there

Sunwing makes all-inclusive travel easy. Simply choose your travel dates and resort, and you pay once for the whole trip. The Canadian company now flies with WestJet, offering more seat choices and fares. The Royalton Negril is a Smile resort, meaning that when booked with Sunwing, kids two to 12 eat and stay free. You just pay for their flights. Plus, your family's first checked bag is free. Additional bags are $55 each way. Keep in mind that Negril is hot, and I definitely overpacked. We could have gotten away with way less luggage than we brought.

From Toronto, the flight is about four and a half hours, and ours left very early. We had to be at the airport in the wee hours, but that meant a full day at the resort once we arrived. Do keep in mind that hotel check-in is at 3:00, so pack a bathing suit and sunscreen in your carry-on so you're not sweating by the pool while you wait for your room.

The closest airport to Negril is in Montego Bay, and instead of getting on a bus with other travellers, we took a private transfer with Nexus Tours, which you can book through Sunwing. While definitely a luxury, it's so nice to be driven directly to your resort, rather than stopping at other properties along the way. Plus, our driver was lovely and acted as a tour guide on our 1.5-hour drive, pointing out landmarks and educating us on Jamaica's culture.

First impressions

When you arrive at the Royalton Negril, you enter the hotel lobby, which sits perched one storey above the resort, offering breathtaking views of the beach and property. We loved that the resort is fairly small. You can walk from one end of the resort to another in about 10 minutes, and you can see the ocean from almost everywhere.

The Royalton is actually two resorts in one: The Royalton Negril and the Royalton Hideaway, an adults-only section on one end of the property. This doesn't affect you if you have kids. There were lots of kids at the resort, and the staff is not only friendly, but kind and encouraging of kids being kids.

There are two sections of beach, one is steps away from the lobby, and the other is a few minutes' walk. On your way to the bigger stretch of beach, where you'll find watersports equipment and lifeguards, you'll pass the small but impressive splash pad near the main pool, surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas.

Rooms and suites

Royalton Negril has a mix of rooms and suites designed for families, from “two adults and a baby” to “three kids, grandparents and a stroller.” All rooms have modern décor, rainfall showers, minibars and balconies, but here’s how they actually differ when you’re travelling with kids:

Luxury Junior Suite

We stayed in a luxury junior suite in the Diamond Club and had access to a semi-private pool right outside our door. It was roomy enough for two adults and two big kids. And we loved the giant shower with two rainfall shower heads. The beds were comfortable and the room was cleaned daily—a huge luxury in itself.

• The most common room type.
• Comes with 1 king or 2 queen beds plus a sofa bed. Great for families of four.
• Spacious bathroom and a balcony, though the view varies (garden, pool, partial ocean).
• Solid starter option if you don’t need a ton of extra space.

Luxury Family Suite

• Designed for families who prefer a little separation.
• A bedroom and a separate living area with a sofa bed.
• Good choice for babies/toddlers who sleep early, or kids who need dark, quiet spaces.

Luxury Presidential One- and Two-Bedroom Suites

• A large, upscale suite with a full, separate living room and upgraded bathroom.
• Best for multigenerational groups or families who like spreading out.
• Often come with better views and more premium touches.

Swim-Out Suites (various categories)

• Same layouts as above, but with access to a semi-private pool from your terrace.
• This is great for kids, and the sliding door seems intentionally difficult to open and close, making it feel safe for families with little kids.

The Diamond Club

We were upgraded to the Diamond Club, the Royalton's luxury tier of rooms and amenities. It includes:

Priority check-in (and a calmer arrival)

Families skip the main lobby line and check in at the private Diamond Club lounge, which is air-conditioned, quiet and stocked with snacks.

A dedicated butler

Your butler can:

• Book dinner reservations for you
• Secure pool/beach chairs
• Deliver snacks, drinks, towels or forgotten items
• Arrange birthday surprises or special touches

We had two wonderful butlers, Condley and Darron. Not only did they reserve restaurants for us and hook us up with great beach seats, they also walked with us to many of our meals, and it was lovely chatting with them and getting insider information about the resort.

Private beach and pool areas

These tend to be quieter with nicer loungers and faster drink service, which can be helpful if you've got a sleeping toddler or can't leave the poolside or beach because you're watching your kids in the water.

Access to the Diamond Club lounge

Great for grabbing snacks, juice, fruit and coffee without trekking to the buffet.

Better room locations

You’re more likely to get a central building, upgraded view or a location close to the pool/kids’ areas.

Priority restaurant reservations

A major perk for families who need to eat at very specific times.

Food and dining

We were really happy with the food at The Royalton Negril. While all of the à la carte restaurants we went to were great, we loved the flexibility and options at the buffet. No reservation needed, and a huge array of food, including all the bread your kid could ever want.

Having said that, the wait staff at every restaurant made a point of chatting up my kids. They made sure we were happy with the meal, and one staff member even brought my son an extra order of tacos without sauce because she could tell his order was a bit spicier than he was prepared for.

Room service

Room service is included at the Royalton Negril 24 hours a day. It can take up to 45 minutes to arrive, but when you're stuck in the room with a tired or napping kid, it's perfect. And it's the same food you'll find at some of the restaurants, so it's good.

Gourmet Marche (Buffet)

• The main buffet with a huge mix of international options.
• Easy for families. Fast, flexible, lots of kid-friendly choices. And you can sit indoors or out.

The Jerk Hut

• Open for lunch every day.
• Serves Jamaican fare, including Jerk chicken, rice, beans and potatoes.

Zen (Teppanyaki and sushi bar)

• Live teppanyaki tables (fun for kids who like a show) + a sushi bar.
• Reservations required.

Grazie Italian Trattoria (and Diamond Club breakfast restaurant)

• Italian basics like pasta, pizza, risotto and kid-friendly mains.
• This restaurant is also open for à la carte breakfast for those in the Diamond Club.
• The smoothies are amazing.

Hunter Steakhouse

• Classic steakhouse menu: grilled meats, seafood and salads.
• Even my pescatarian kid found something he liked.

SCORE Sports Bar & Grill

• Pub-style comfort food (burgers, wings, nachos).
• TVs everywhere — big win for teens or anyone wanting a casual vibe.

Calypso (West Indies Cuisine)

• Caribbean-inspired dishes with regional flavours.
• Good for parents wanting something a little different.

Armadillo (Tex-Mex)

• Fajitas, tacos, grilled meats and shareable plates.
• Easygoing menu families generally enjoy.

Caffè Lounge/Scoops

• Specialty coffees, pastries, desserts and grab-and-go snacks.
• Gelato and self-serve soft-serve ice cream
• Basically always open and super convenient for snacks any time of day.

Diamond Club Beach Bar

• For Diamond Club guests only
• Sandwiches, burgers and pub-style eats, but beachside.

Pools, splash pad and beach

The beach

This is one of the most beautiful beaches I've been to. Just sitting on the beach and looking out at the water was relaxing, but knowing that there were lifeguards on duty and that the water was shallow also helped lower my stress levels.

If you've got little swimmers, this resort is a dream. First and foremost, the water at the beach is calm and shallow. There's a rope with buoys showing swimmers where boats can pass, and my 10-year-old could almost stand at the deepest part next to the rope. If you've got little kids, they can sit and splash in the water without fear of big waves.

The sand is soft and easy to build sandcastles with, and there are plenty of lounge chairs around. Or you can rent a beach cabana for the day, which is a fun treat that feels very luxurious.

The pools

The main pool can be a bit of a party zone. The water isn't too deep for adults, but it can be for little kids. Luckily, just behind the pool is the splash pad, which is perfect for little kids who want to slide down or get a big splash from a bucket of water at the top of the play structure. It's adorable and conveniently located near the bar and Jerk Chicken Hut.

There's also a separate Diamond Club pool that's quieter than the main pool. Both have swim-up bars, but the Diamond Club pool sits next to the Diamond Club restaurant, which is great for sandwiches and fries if you don't want to wander too far from the beach for lunch.

Entertainment and activities

The entertainment team, called The Vibe Team, at the Royalton are fun and friendly, and while they'll encourage you to join in their daily activities, they won't pressure you. If your kids get bored easily, send them to find one of the Vibe Team members. There's also a gym at the resort and daily fitness activities. I took a yoga or pilates class every day and loved it.

After dinner, head towards the theatre where there are games, including a billiards table, foosball and air hockey. Then stick around for the kids' show and main show later in the evening. We took part in a Family game show one night that had everyone laughing.

Is the Royalton Negril worth it for families?

I would definitely recommend this resort for families. It doesn't have the always-on high-energy of a Disney vacation or a trip to a Nickelodeon resort, but that's part of its charm and the reason you'll come home actually feeling relaxed. Everything feels easy at the Royalton Negril. You're never hungry, waiting for a restaurant to open, you don't need to get up at the crack of dawn to save a seat by the pool, especially if you have a butler to help. Everyone is friendly, and they genuinely want to help you have a restful stay.