Riu Playa Blanca

Hotel is nice and well equipped. It was our second stay at Riu . The inconvenience was the shower.
On the forth floor we had some issues with shower's water temperature - it was changing too quickly from hot to cold while taking shower.
Hotel is nice, clean with a beautifull scenery. Excellent pools with plenty of chairs . Evening shows could be better. Every day show was really economical. [Details]

Good place to relax [Details]

The Riu Playa Blanca all-inclusive resort exceeded all expectations, offering an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The culinary delights served across its various restaurants were simply incredible, boasting an extensive array of choices that catered to every palate. From delectable local cuisine to international favorites, there was something to satisfy every craving.

The accommodations were equally impressive, with rooms that exuded comfort and style, providing a serene retreat after a day of exploration or relaxation. The attention to detail and thoughtful amenities ensured a truly comfortable stay for guests.

However, what truly set the Riu Playa Blanca apart was its exceptional staff. From the moment of arrival, their warmth, kindness, and genuine hospitality were evident. Their genuine care and dedication went above and beyond, making guests feel not only welcome but truly valued. Their infectious enthusiasm and genuine smiles created an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie, making every interaction a delight.

In summary, the Riu Playa Blanca is more than just a resort; it's a sanctuary of culinary delights, comfort, and above all, heartfelt hospitality. Thanks to its exceptional staff, our stay became an unforgettable journey filled with cherished memories. [Details]

We enjoyed our stay - the room was clean and the AC worked great. The grounds were immaculate. The food was fantastic each and every day. The weather was amazing - always hot! [Details]

The Riu Playa Blanca was fantastic. We were welcomed with open arms from the moment we stepped off the shuttle bus. The hotel is beautifully maintained, the pools were great to lounge by and the beach was fantastic! Be careful though, the sand is hot!!!

You'll be entertained for the week if you just stay at the resort, but there are also lots of opportunities available if you want to head off on an adventure. [Details]

This was a wonderful resort. Everything was within easy distance. All the staff were amazingly friendly, food was great, pools and beach were exceptional. The 10 minute ride from the airport was a bonus. [Details]

The hotel was beautiful, clean and inviting. My boyfriend and I had a wonderful stay. The staff was always very polite and helpful and we had a great experience. The only downside is that we did contract COVID-19 while staying at the resort so the latter half of our stay was less enjoyable. [Details]

Everything from the staff to the food Everything was excellent. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the disco when it let out the drunks coming out was brutal. Loud screams foul language was disgusting. I was woken up every night by this. Maybe security could be put in place to keep the people quiet. Other than that everything was awesome. Keep up the great work !! [Details]

We had a terrific vacation at the Riu Playa Blanca. The food was good, the service great. When we had an issue they were addressed in a timely manner. The staff are friendly and continually working to keep grounds looking beautiful. I would definitely recommend this resort [Details]

We've been to the hotel several times we love it we always have a good time. When we booked this time we were able to get an ocean front room on the fifth floor on the corner unit which was kind of nice. [Details]

The food, drink and absolute cleanliness of the facility were outstanding. However, what truly made the hotel into my wife's and my hom, for our stay, were the superb front line people working there.
Highly recommend!! [Details]

Pizza was awesome Pasta really good ,Buffet, food, was, never hot , mini bar only refilled every two days that's including coffee one pouch every two days beer only to every two days,.. for smokers there are absolutely nowhere on the resort or property for smoking. You have to go to the beach where it is far enough if you're not at the entrance near the walkway… it was a very long walk to our room as there was one elevator and our room was way at the other end. I didn't find the staff at the bars, friendly they also let the locals in the resort at a lower price so they take over the pools the bars and the beach.big families… overall we enjoyed our time away but won't return here [Details]

Hotel was nicer than expected [Details]

I went with a friend. I was blown away by the beauty of the resort, and the surrounding area. We did not know this until we got there, but they were going through a large COVID wave, so we were told there may be some staff shortages. There was, however the staff who were there always made sure everything was taken care of, and that everyone was enjoying themselves. The a la cartes were amazing, especially the steakhouse. However one of the buffets was not as great. Thankfully, there were more options. The beach is beautiful, with a beautiful shaded area to lounge under the palm trees. Unfortunately, we could not go in the water, as there was a red flag all week. I would definitely come back. [Details]

It was a great resort/Hotel
People were extremely helpful and very polite. Food was great, Service was great and hygiene was top notch. Mask was mandatory when going for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. Rooms were cleaned everyday.
Overall I would rate this experience 8/10 [Details]

in general was excellent [Details]

One of our best stays. Food was excellent. No real complaints whatever. Friendly staff,clean . Would recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to get away for a week or more. [Details]

Great stay. The staff were friendly and attentive. Rooms were good and clean. [Details]

Reception at check in counter was not very helpful. They were not approachable and were reluctant to offer different options although guest is aware there were options to offer.
Other service staff in the hotel were helpful around the pool areas. Alacarte restaurants just ok. No table service offered at the lobby bar or the theater area. Room 4062 was almost excellent. Sports Bar excellent service and good drinks. [Details]

I had a great stay at Riu Playa Blanca. We stayed in an oceanfront room. The bed was standard king size. I slept pretty good. Resort was super clean. The food was good, the buffet had a great selection and some different themes on different nights. The steak at the steakhouse was delicious and the Asian restaurant was a buffet as well and had a selection of sushi and tempura items as well as some different Asian dishes. There were 4 pools, a kids pool with slides, a party pool, a swim up bar pool, and another pool ppl just laid around. Beach towels are big compared to another local resort. The beach has tons of chairs with shade areas. The beach is very large and has tons of space. There are jetskis and horses to ride but there's a cost. The sand is a mix of volcanic minerals and white sand WEAR YOUR SANDALS THE SAND IS SO HOT! There is a minimarket where you can find Gatorade, beer, juice, snacks, sunscreen, lotion, Benedryl, deodorant, playing cards, and phone chargers and there is also a gift shop for souvenirs, beach bags, swimsuits, teeshirts, in the resort. There are shops on the beach too where everything is $10.There is also a grocery store 3 km down the road and cost about $10 in a taxi. The taxi will wait for you and bring you back. They have beer, liquor, wine, shampoo deodorant, diapers EVERYTHING!! [Details]

Could be a better experience. Hotel is more like a 3 stars; not the same standards as other RIUs we have been to. 6 storey complex with 573 rooms. Dark lobby; limited and old looking decors and furnitures. Has total of 4 elevators(run-down; no light inside). Room has stained furniture, curtains and bed sheets. First room we checked-in had very strong smell of insecticide. Hotel is catered to mostly Panamanians. Almost all entertainments were in Spanish. Many group games were not available as posted. Included non-motorized water activities equipments were broken. Paddle boats were not available due to “broken” per staff. All paddle boards don't have the center stabilizer. We made the most of what was available and had a good time. [Details]

The hotel is very nice. it needs more attention to upkeep and cleaning. The food was excellent [Details]

Vacation on Sept 12/2019 1 week.
Check in was great. Well organized and fast!. Hats off to Sunflight.
Hotel room was very good. Spacious and clean, Bed was comfortable. The ocean view was as advertised. The a la carte restaurants were easily accessible but so so in terms of food quality. My preferred one was the Chiriqui by the beach. Good steak! On the thin side but a good piece of meat. Buffets were also good but very repetitive. But at least you ate well. Hotel grounds were clean. I don't do pools but they ( 4 pools in all) appeared to be clean. Pool bar was so-so as they were always busy. Maybe more bartenders would help? Lobby bar and sports bar were very good with all kinds of drinks available for consumption, not just the ones listed on the menu. They also made a great cappuccino and Spanish coffee. The beach? well the beaches of Panama are definitely NOT Carribean, different water. but we had been there before so no surprise. The entertainment was OK I guess if you like that stuff. All in all, very good value for what we paid as we wanted to avoid the hurricanes, the sea weeds, the contraband booze and the dangers of some islands!
Julio from Montreal. [Details]

very nice hotel, very clean (always someone cleaning), food was very good, lots of choice, rooms clean and well done, lots of room at pools and beach, very warm and lots of sun.... staff is very nice. will go back again. [Details]

When I booked a 5star, I expected better from this hotel reasons 1)beach is dark 2) food quality and the same food everyday sucks. 3) everything you do in this hotel you have to pay even to play pool. 4) the stores inside the hotel has nothing. [Details]

It is hard to find a negative at this resort. Staff is friendly and they are always cleaning and repairing. The 4 separate pools let you choose whether to be with the kids, taking part in the various water activities, being by the swim up bar or just to take a swim. Most rooms offer at least a partial ocean view. If you like your sleep and are not a night owl, best to stay on the side away from the disco. Beach is public but vendors don't harass the guests. Food was very good, we enjoyed the buffet restaurant the most. Overall a great stay. [Details]

this hotel was was fantastic for its price , the rooms are very nice and modern , if there was a problem in the room the service would quickly come and fix it , the maids whet above and beyond everyday. the food was amazing every single day , watermelon was my favourite part and the chicken , check in and check out was very simple and fast , there is always someone cleaning at the pool , lobby , bar, everywhere , the people who worked at the hotel were so friendly , the beaches were nicer then i expected since we are on the pacific side of the ocean. The pool and beach volleyball was so much fun ! shows at night we're very entertaining! loved all of the music that they played during the day ! the steak house is very good and the italian is also very good but the asian a la carte had to be my least favourite. drinks were also very good at the bar , my personal favourites were the tropical pick me up and the dirty monkey ! if you want to get a chair by the pool in the shade , i suggest you go to the pool around 8:30 before breakfast and just put your towel down because they fill up super quick! the resort is very safe. do not ride the horses on the beach because they get abused every single day. they say there are jellyfish and stingrays in the ocean so i would sudjest you don't go to far into the ocean. In conclusion, i will be coming back to the riu playa blanca , it met all of my standards. my goal was to realax on vacation and that is what i exactly did ! [Details]

I last visited this hotel in october and since i have seen a lot of improvement. My favorite part of this resort is that smoking is not permitted anywhere in the property besides the beach! Thanks Riu for that! i cant stand sitting by the pool and inhaling someone else second hand smoke.
The food was good, specially at the steakhouse, buffet was a lot better since i went in october. This time in feb they cater more to the north american clientele and it shows in the food and services.
Entertainment was awesome, the dancers were great and i even got to participate in one of their gameshows.
The drinks are plentiful, margaritas by the theater were delicious!
My room was spacious and i had a courtyard view with partial ocean view and luckily i had a big palm tree right in front so it felt very private. My room did have a coffee machine so i am not sure what people are talking about on here. Im not a coffee drinker so it didnt make a difference.
4 pools to choose from, so if you dont like noise stay away from the kids pool or activities pool. We hung out by the wet bar and had a fab time everyday! plenty beach and pool chairs but keep in mind this is a large resort so get up early and secure your spot.
Wifi is free mostly everwhere, except your room. i was even ale to get some wifi by the beach and do a live on instagram so the speed was decent.
Overall amazing experience, and i will DEF return.Thanks Riu Playa Blanca! [Details]

The hotel had all the amenities, staff were helpful and easy to connect with. The rooms were spacious, the hotel practices savings where possible ie AC turns off when patio door open, reuse towels, glassware for drinks. It was a little plain in decorating, all white walls gave a stark feel. [Details]

Overall, we would consider this hotel as very good. Being a new hotel helps for the quality of the structure, accommodation and other facilities. The proximity, length and cleanliness of the beach make it more appealing then any other resort. Good food, quick and good service from staff. Not perfect....but close enough. [Details]