Ratings based on 1,454 Verified Reviews
4.4 Room cleanliness
4.3 Service & staff
4.0 Room comfort
4.2 Hotel condition
Expedia Verified Reviews
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler
Nice
Posted Jun 16, 2017
Pros: Beach
Cons: Availability of beach and pool umbrellas and chairs
Nice hotel, had an unfortunate incident staff wasn't very helpful, all beach cabanas were taken in very early morning and hard to find place to sit in shade
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler from Boston
Review of Aruba Trip
Posted Jun 7, 2017
Pros: The staff was friendly and very helpful. Booking restaurants and activities can be done in the main lobby of hotel. The spread of food was my favorite
Cons: I truly don't have anything negative to say. Maybe, I would have a broader selection of beer but hey that's just me.
Location: Again, ATV is a must do. can drive single or double. All around the island. Use a tour guide who knows the way. Horseback riding was a blast.
Stayed 8 days 7 nights at Riu Palace. Excellent overall experience. Transportation to/from airport is quick and easy. $25 taxi ride each way. Check in is not until 3 pm so keep that in mind when booking flights. Arrived around 1pm and had to hang around until 245 to check in to my room. Used that time to get oriented with the hotel and the general area. Room was spacious and clean. Recommend requesting a room with balcony facing pool. Room cleaning is on point everyday. Towels replaced daily and fridge (balashi beer) restocked. Room service menu is lacking but just don't miss the scheduled meals and your all set. Restaurant food is great and the spread in the main buffett is overwhelming. The staff literally caters to your service. I would always tip a few dollars each meal but that is up to you. They only have balashi (arubian) beer so don't expect Corona or anything else. You can take a walk or ride to the Super Food supermarket and purchase just about anything. Weather is incredible, along with the ocean water. Pool is huge. Cleaned daily at 7pm. Pool bar is convenient and the staff walk around and serve you drinks. I truly have nothing negative to say about my experience at the Riu Palace. The service was A+. Recommended activities :ATV is a must do (wear crappy clothing i.e mud) and horse back riding was a great experience (wear pants). Highly recommend Pinchos for dinner and Texas De Brazil, if you don't eat at hotel. Hotel attire for dinner can wear shorts and t shirt.
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler
Amazing resort with great food.
Posted May 28, 2017Was our first time to Aruba. So glad we stayed at Rui Palace. The resort is beautiful with great food. Staff were so friendly and helpful. Would visit again.
by A verified traveler from Ohio
Couples Vacation
Posted May 19, 2017We were not allowed rooms together. Our room had a broken toilet and A/C. Were moved to a worse room and no money refund for the room down grade. Buffet food was excellent. Staff need to learn manors and politeness. Smiles go along way!
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler
Posted May 16, 2017
We had a great experience at the Riu Palace! Loved the hotel room, loved the pool, loved the beach, loved the casino!
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler
Overbooked
Posted May 2, 2017
Cons: Please stop overbooking
When we went to check into our room which we were so excited about, the woman at the counter let us know that they had overbooked and that they did not have a room for us (though we had booked 2 months prior and received a confirmation email). They sent us to another hotel down the street which was decently nice, but not what not what we paid for or wanted. This new place put us in a room on the first floor facing a parking lot, though we paid extra for a beach view at the RIU. When we returned to the hotel a few days later, we were given an upgraded room which was appreciated, but we only got to enjoy it for the remaining 2 and a half days. Overall, what was meant to be a relaxing trip, turned out to be quite stressful as we were never able to fully unpack and get comfortable. Lovely resort and the staff was pleasant, just wish we had gotten to spend the full 6 days there that we paid for.
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler from Fremont
Aruba Honeymoon Vacation
Posted May 1, 2017
Pros: Location, Cleanliness, Design, the pool, beachfront.
Cons: It would have been nice to have a changing menu at the buffet restaurant. More variety at the restaurants as well.
Location: It is a beachfront resort and walking distance to a shopping plaza.
Riu Palace Aruba was a great choice. The location was perfect- beach front and within walking distance to shopping centers, restaurants and bars. The staff was helpful and friendly. The food was good- what you would expect from an all you can eat resort (not fantastic but better than ok). Be sure to bring at least one pair of pants (one restaurant is no sleeveless and no shorts). We stayed in the Jacuzzi suite- it had 2 of them, one Jacuzzi on the balcony and one inside of the room. Our wing had 2 elevators but occasionally one was out of service and that caused longer wait times at the elevator. The pool was nice and big. Be sure to wake up early to save seats at the pool and at the beach. I was unsure whether to tip or not- I saw many people that did not tip but were still given great customer service by the staff.
by A verified traveler from Las Vegas
Nightmare
Posted Apr 30, 2017
Pros: Can't say we didn't spend enough time at the Hotel to settle in and enjoy.
Cons: Sales, Booking and customer service
When we arrived they told us they were overbooked and made us go to another Hotel We were told the rooms and accommodations would be the same they were not and our vacation was a night mare from beginning to end
by A verified traveler from Las Vegas
Worst customer service ever
Posted Apr 30, 2017
Cons: Customer service
They were overbooked and we were forced to go to another hotel the Barceló this is the way we started our vacation It was a nightmare. We were promised the same accommodations however it was far from what we had paid for. We had no choice in anything that happened to us during our stay.
Recommended
for Everyoneby A verified traveler from B
Nice luxury feel and view of beach!
Posted Apr 29, 2017Upon arrival the experience wasn't as great due to overbooking. The hotel worked to provide comparable amenities at another all-inclusive nearby. The RIU itself was a beautiful hotel overlooking beach and pool with room to stretch out without overcrowding. There are plenty of activities and staff works to provide a pleasant stay. Overall I'd definitely recommend and stay again.