Riu Palace Aruba

We had a wonderful time during our 7th visit to the Rui Palace Aruba. The highlights were the cleanliness of the resort and the beach, the food at the buffet and most importantly the amazing staff right from the front desk to the house keeping staff. We would like to recognize the following staff in the buffet, Yolanda, Alex, and Carlos who remembered us from previous years, and Artoulo and Jefferson who were so good at their jobs and remembered our drink preferences night after night.
We did notice that many of the lounge chairs at the beach needed replacing as well as some of the dishes in the restaurants.
Overall, our holiday was everything we had hoped for, a beautiful clean, safe and friendly environment. [Details]

Very clean, very beautiful, excellent staff. [Details]

Our first visit to Aruba and won't be our last. The Riu Palace was the perfect location for us to explore the Island. The hotel is immaculately kept. A fun and inviting lobby with bar, cafe and lounge area. The main hub for access to shopping, entertainment and the sports bar. Restaurants are on the ground level, just outside of the main Buffet. Steakhouse is great, located close to the beach at the lunch buffet area. A short stroll to the village for entertainment, shopping, ice cream, delicious Tapas and The SOPRANOS piano bar (a must visit). Great beach area, with lots of palapas for shade, close to the boardwalk and pool for cold drinks. Aruba isn't a place for staying put, it is an Island to explore. My husband and I enjoyed hearty breakfasts before our excursion days (We rented a jeep). Take away lunches are available in the sports bar including pre made sandwiches, fresh cut fruit, hot dogs etc. If you plan on getting out, and want to take advantage of your all inclusive stay here, bring a soft shell cooler and yeti's for easy packed lunches and snacks. Evening entertainment at the Riu is just outside of the main lobby. If you want to continue the fun, head down to the beach where you will find "BUGALOE" at De Palm Pier for some live music or karaoke, or enjoy a safe and short walk to the village. Its always a fun time. We enjoyed our stay and look forward to returning with friends and family. Our room was on the 9th floor with amazing views up and down the shore. PS: No hogging of beach Palapas here... If you leave your belongings for more than two hours, your items will be removed to allow other visitors the space on the beach. [Details]

We had a fantastic family vacation at Riu. We traveled as a small family with our 11-month-old and had an amazing time. The staff was just top notch and helped us out with everything we needed. The servers in the restaurants were especially kind, courteous, and engaging and made our baby feel so special. The pool was great and the beaches were phenomenal. We also liked how we weren't too far from the downtown area and it was a quick taxi ride away. [Details]

We had a wonderful family vacation. Loved the swimming pools, the swim up bar was awesome with a good variety of drinks and quick service. The buffet had a good selection of different foods and everything I tried was delicious! Again the service was very good. The rooms were clean and comfortable. We took advantage of using the snorkelling equipment numerous times and loved swimming around the fish. We walked across the street and enjoyed the various shops All in all a very memorable vacation . [Details]

Very pleased at the Riu. [Details]

Beach - the beach was perfection. Nice sandy bottom and great for swimming. There was even a rocky shoal where you could snorkel and see the fish. You have to get up at 6 am if you want to reserve a palapa but it's worth it to have the shade. It would have been nice for staff to serve drinks on the beach, but it was just a short walk to the pool bar.

Rooms - the rooms are clean, if a little tired and worn. The bed and pillows were comfortable and the air conditioning worked just great. There were lots of fresh towels and plugs to charge your phone. There was also water,
pop in the mini fridge for your use, and liquor in the room - although they didn't have gin or dark rum which is what we liked, but I bet if you asked they'd give it to you. We didn't end up drinking in the room anyway.

Food - for a 4* all-inclusive, this was some of the best food I've ever had. There were a variety of theme restaurants and the buffet selection was awesome. At lunch there was a super fresh salad bar which we loved, and lots of fish to try. The kids were a bit disappointed in the ice cream selection, but there were other options to choose from. There wasn't a large wine selection but the red wasn't bad. The bar staff definitely didn't skimp on the alcohol when they poured drinks. I actually had to ask them to go easy on the pour! And the beer was good too.

Amenities - there was a spa and a nice gym. There were supposed to be free access to paddle boards and kayaks, but due to the constant breeze and waves, they wouldn't let people access them. This was a very big disappointment for us. We also would have liked access to smaller sailboats or catamaran to be included in the package. The pool was quite large and there were places for the kids to play as well as a separate swim up bar for the grown ups. It was hard to find a beach chair by the pool, so get there early. The one thing they did poorly is there didn't seem to be any way to know what activities were offered throughout the day - from yoga to pool Zumba, so we weren't able to join in to many activities. It would be nice if they found a better way to communicate this to guests without having to ask all the time.

Entertainment - there were a few different bars and a pool table and ping pong table. There was also a nightly show after dinner starting around 8 pm. The quality of the performers was mixed, but they had wonderful costumes and I'm sure that younger audiences would find it very entertaining. There was even some arobatics in the shows. We especially enjoyed the latin dancing night where they featured dancing from Columbia, Brazil, Cuba and Aruba. They also had a few days with live signers or piano players or guitar players during dinner, in the lobby or by the pool. We enjoyed that. The best performer was their nightly opening act, a guitarist/singer named Jessie/Jersey?? - he was very talented. We would have also enjoyed it if there was a disco for dancing at night, but alas, no.

Staff - the staff were all warm, friendly and very customer service oriented. They all worked very hard and should be commended generally.

The hotel is a short walk to other restaurants and some shopping in Palm Beach which was nice, and we also walked to the Butterfly Farm close by. Definitely check out Gianni's if you want a fabulous meal away from the hotel. There are also some bars and restaurants on the beach (not included in the hotel) if you're looking for another experience, some with a short cab ride. Palm Beach is THE place to stay in Aruba and we'd definitely go back. [Details]

Hotel is really nice but we stayed in the older building, needs a little bit of touch up. Food are excellent, always have a good selection. Bars are also good and beach area is beautiful. [Details]

We loved it so much!! We went for our honeymoon and were so impressed by how clean, safe and enjoyable it was. It was an all inclusive dream and pretty good value for the price you pay as it is more expensive than an all inclusive in some other places like DR, Cuba, Mexico, etc. also you'll fall in love with Arubians, so friendly! Would definitely recommend and come again. [Details]

Our initial arrival didn't go well, but they did make it right after the first night.

Upon arrival we were sent to the block of rooms on the first floor. These rooms were run down. Instead of two beds for the "kids" (age 22 and 19), there was one big bed and a cot! The rooms were directly behind the Bar that blared music from 5pm until midnight and the first morning we had to kill a cockroach in the bathroom! We immediately went to the front desk to let them know and they moved us to two rooms in the main building. (Room 513 & 514). We highly recommend these rooms. They are more updated, very clean and have great views of the pools and beach. Two separate queen beds in one room and one King plus in the other.

The restaurants are all first come, first serve, so there is never an issue getting a table. The buffet offers a wide variety of choices, the food here was very good and fresh.

The evening entertainment runs from 8pm until 11pm, and it's loud! But quiet after 11pm.

We didn't really spend any time at the pools but it looked lovely and the there is lots of seating available.

The only NEGATIVE during our stay was the seating at the beach! There are not enough umbrella huts to accommodate the number of guests, so you have to wake up by 6am to ensure you get one. They're all taken by 7am. Not really what you want to do on vacation!

Overall we would highly recommend the Riu Palace. It's very clean, the staff friendly, the food good and the beach BEAUTIFUL! [Details]

This is definitely not a 5 star hotel overall. This rating would also be dependant on ones personal standards. Service was great but hotel is in need and can use some renovations, upgrades and some additional upkeep. The Riu Palace is a Family Resort unlike the Riu Antillas located directly next door which is Adult only. One big disappointment was the lack of non designated smoking areas within the resort. I would have totally understood it was the Adult only side but this was not the case. There wasn't one designated smoking area.
People were freely smoking at all the pool areas and even by the kids pool and playground areas. I would say only about 5 .....no more than 10 percent of guest were smokers so it wouldn't have been that hard to set up a few designated areas thruout the resort. We were enjoying most days on lounge chairs when smokers suddenly set up close by and it was absolutely terrible. Some were smoking cigarettes, others were smoking cigars. Even our entire hallway to our room smelled like cigar smoke for two of the seven days we stayed. Being year 2020 this was so disrespectful and ignorant.

The service was great. We gave additional tips averaging a dollar per person during meals. $5 per day for the lady who cleaned our room. At no point during our stay did this additional tipping feel like it was expected which was really nice. Staff Service 5 stars (food and bar). Resort Property Condition 3.5 Stars. Evening Entertainment Activities 2 Stars. Buffet Food 4 Stars. Speciality Dining 3.5 Stars. [Details]

This hotel and location were beautiful. We would definitely go back except that in the future we would be very specific about which hotel tower we request. The 3 towers are not all equal in room types and quality. The room, particularly the washroom, were not what we were expecting considering the price. But Aruba is beautiful and the beaches and location of the hotel were amazing. [Details]

Great resort. Couldn't ask for a better holiday. The employees were so friendly and helpful pool and beach was great. The restaurants were amazing. Rooms were nice with fully stocked fridge and liquor dispenser will definitely go back and recommend to all my friends. [Details]

This resort had it all. Restaurants were fabulous. Rooms quite comfortable. Service was exceptional.

Enjoyed ourselves immensely. Would go again and stay. [Details]

The hotel was really nice. The food was outstanding! I would have preferred that the washroom area had either a door or a shower curtain as there was no privacy when you are travelling with children. I also was very disappointed that smoking was allowed through out the entire resort. It was not appropriate for children to be around all that smoke. Wish the rooms were updated or renovated. Pillows were very uncomfortable. Overall service of the resort was wonderful. Entertainment and music was excellent. Would definelty go back. [Details]

My friend and I travelled from Toronto for 1 week to this all inclusive resort. Beautiful beach and sunsets, food was excellent, weather was great, a little cloudy a couple days, but is was hurricane season. Our room was spacious and very clean, nice ocean view. Entertainment at night was good.
We checked out the adult only RIU next door, and we spent some time at the pool there during the day. It was nice as well, but our rooms were larger and nicer. We took a couple tours, one was the Aruba Dinner and Nightlife tour, fun bus, it went from bar-bar, had an appetizer and beverage at each and enjoyed local music and dinner. The other was a 4X4 tour, we drove our own vehicle, it was an amazing adventure.
We would certainly return again. [Details]

The island of Aruba is a paradise. The people are genuine and the daily sunshine incomparable. However the RIU Palace accommodations are terrible. We requested a junior suite with 2 beds to accommodate my spouse and I and our adult daughter. Upon arrival we found our room included 2 double beds side by side which are usually put together for a huge king to accommodate couples. When we inquired at reception about another bed housekeeping brought us a twin cot with a 4" deep mattress for our daughter. Our adult daughter is 5'9" need I say more. After another inquiry reception said our request was filled by providing 2 beds. We separated the 2 doubles so the 3 of us wouldn't be sleeping on top of each other and managed for the first night. By the second night my spouse and I were so uncomfortable in our bed we went to reception again and our travel rep in the hotel. They offered 2 alternative rooms with a sofa bed but without the 10th floor ocean view we currently had. They couldn't bring in a sofa bed to our room because it was "too much work". It took us pushing to talk to the hotel manager before we were accommodated another room on the same floor. So on day 3 of our stay we had to pack up and move to another room and finally have beds we all could feel comfortable in. So much of our vacation time was consumed with our visits to reception and our travel rep in the hotel over our accommodations. What a waste.
Wristbands must be worn at all times. Yuk - makes you feel like you're at an amusement park. Oh and don't lose it or you have to pay $100 for a replacement. Who wants a blue wristband on in photos? Pool towels are available with a towel card issued upon arrival. Don't lose your towel or you're charged $20 for it. Oh and we were allotted only 2 room keys because our daughter wasn't quite 18 and not old enough to have one. On day 3 when our new room was awarded us the manager gave us 3 keys - but on day 1 reception couldn't break policy and give us 3? We paid $13,000 CAD for this vacation and were asked to wear plastic blue bands, sleep in inadequate sized beds and be policed over key cards and pool towels....definitely not the "top all inclusive resort" we were lead to believe we booked. [Details]

Service by all hotel staff was fantastic. Awesome weather. [Details]

This is the third time at the Riu in Aruba and will continue to travel there. There has been extensive renovations through out the complex and have found it to have a fresh look. As per our previous visits the food did not disappoint and found the staff very pleasant and helpful. [Details]

The outside of the resort is beautiful. We had a great time. But for the money we paid this resort I don't feel that it is a 5 star property. The beds were hard. [Details]

Excellent hotel, great service, amazing food [Details]

Hotel was nice, hotel employees were very friendly, some noise due to renovations, great beach front , great food [Details]

Overall this is a nice hotel. The beach is really beautiful, the grounds are well maintained and the food is quite good with something for everyone. You can walk a long way on the waters edge, or use the walkway that runs between the beach and all the hotels. The only drawback to the Riu was that our room was somewhat "tired" and could use an update. The bed was extremely hard (not sure if the top mattress was really just another box spring!) [Details]

This was a great vacation! Hotel is super clean, service is great, food was plentiful! [Details]

Good food
Beach is very Nice & clean
Nice hôtel [Details]

Great trip, third time, stayed at the Holiday Inn first time, which I would not recommend - they are currently under renovations. Second time stayed at the Occidential which needs updating but would return. This time at the Riu which I think needs to be updated a bit but enjoyed the resort and would return. Street access to shops are perfect as well as the bus stop is outside to your left to get to downtown. Very safe area and would recommend Aruba to everyone. Great entertainment outside the hotels. Senior Frogs, Hardrock bands every night and totally enjoyed Sapranos Piano lounge. Great trip!!!! Can't wait to schedule my next trip. [Details]

Fourth time at this Hotel. Book Junior Room Ocean View and you will not be disappointed. [Details]

GOOD HOTEL TO STAY. CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. [Details]

everything was good. bed was way too hard but got a memory foam mattress for it. food was great. good weather and so nice to be close to everything [Details]

One word AWESOME [Details]