Riu Palace Aruba All Inclusive

First class from the start. Everything was done well. The food was good in the buffet as well as the specialty restaurants. Internet service was only available in the Lobby and service was kind of spotty. I would stay here again and positively recommend to friends.

Having to wake early on my vacation to run down to the beach and snag a beach chair is not my idea of a vacation. One morning another woman and I reached a chair at about the same time. She conceded I reached it first, (thank goodness) The same goes with trying to get reservations at one of the restaurants. Otherwise, you dine at the buffet which was plentiful and well staffed. The staff didn't seem to like their jobs very much, and weren't overly friendly. However, Rosa our housekeeper was a gem. The activity staff kept us in stitches with their antics, and enthusism.

What an absolutely wonderful resort. This place is amazing and by far the best place to stay in Aruba. A perfect relaxing island get away with enough activity. My wife and I were married here. We had a group of 20 along with our 5 year old daughter. Then we stayed another week alone for honeymoon. When choosing this resort I read some negative reviews by other travelers. They must really be unhappy people, because it could not be farther from the truth. Sure some if it is true.... Hard Beds... People reserving sun loungers @ 7:00A.M... Or standing in line for dinner reservations. Here’s my tips. Hard beds. Deal with it. There are more Europeans than Americans in Aruba. This is what they prefer. I read where someone was getting ice for their soar back because it hurt due to the hard bed? It is really not that bad. I slept like a baby every night. Sun loungers are “not reserve-able” according to hotel rules. Yes people put their towel down on them to reserve, then do not show up until 1:00 or 2:00 in the afternoon. There is some truly flawed thinking with the other guests about “their” sun lounger. My trick was to find a nice reserved sun lounger. Remove the reserving towel. Set it on nearby table and proceed to relax in my newly found sun lounger. Never was bothered once. I started seeing flip flops reserving the sun loungers later in the week. I proceeded to remove those too. It became a giggle for me thinking people actually act this way. Waiting in line for dinner reservations? Why? I did that once on my first day. And figured quickly. Reservations open @ 9:00 A.M. Just get there 10 minutes after 9 (after the rush) and no wait. Was able to get every reservation I wanted.

Stafff was very friendly. Hotel was clean. Room was clean. Overall a good experience.

Great, would recommend it to anyone. Weather was wonderful, and so was the staff. Food could have been of a higher quality, not cafeteria syle. Breakfast was the best. My room was fantrasitc, overlooking the pool and sea.

This hotel is "grand" on the surface but needs some freshening up. Paint was chipping badly on the ceiling in our room and was actually falling to the floor... The ledges surrounding the pool were also chipping...I realize that a lot of this is due to the sea air, but they should be constantly repainting obvious trouble spots... The food is standard fare and plentiful...It does get a little tiresome eating essentially the same food at every meal, but I suppose there was a reasonable selection... This hotel is a reasonable value for those on a budget and it is nice not to have to reach for money every time you want a drink! Overall a good trip!

Everything was exactly as described. Great staff and food options. Not a lot of activities, but I wasn't looking for that. Perfect if you want to relax on a beautiful beach!

Good food, excellent location. Do not reserve specialty restaurants, buffet is better!

The RIU is an excellent hotel with excellent food. The amenities were beautiful with the exception of having to pay for water sport/activities. Compared to Sandals in my opinion there is no contest. At Sandals it was truly all inclusive including water sports/activities. Sandals wins hand down. There was one other thing I didn't like and that was the all Spanish slant on the visit at the RIU hotel. There was no variety when it came to entertainment. It was all Spanish. At Sandals there was a variety of entertainment with no particular slant. I don't know that I'd go back to another RIU hotel knowing that it would be totally slanted towards the Spanish culture. I like variety and choices. With the RIU there was none. Aruba is a beautiful island with plenty to do. I plan to go back but I doubt if I'll go to back to the RIU hotel

Clean room, uncomfortable beds. Buffets we well stocked and cleaned, but nothing special that we found. Pool water's temp was a bit cold for the windy days and deck needs some minor repairs. Power went out after a storm and generators kicked on quickly staffer ice went on as usual (although no emergency lighting like in the US). Kids pool is 10' circle with sand--so all are in main pool. We requested crib prior to arrival, and while it wasnt in our room when we got there, it was delivered shortly after. Many shops/resturants outside hotel accross street, but many are American chains. Love Aruba--second visit to the island.