Riu Palace Aruba - All Inclusive

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

9438 reviews

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  Racist security guard

  I was harassed by security. I racist security guard at the rear of the hotel who does not speak english did not let me back in through the rear entrance. He made me walk around the hotel through the front even after i showed him i was staying at the resort. DO NOT COME HERE. Bad service dirty property NO Hospitality… Go anywhere else

  Nov 10, 2025
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  Disappointing Experience at Riu Palace Aruba

  I was extremely disappointed with my recent stay at Riu Palace Aruba. When I asked staff about the General Manager, I was given conflicting information and even lied to. I was told the GM had left, but I noticed someone in a suit in the back. When I asked to speak with him, I was informed that David was actually the Assistant General Manager—not the PR Manager as I had been told. Additionally, attempting to dine at the restaurant at 8:30 PM was frustrating. I was told the restaurant was at capacity, even though there were clearly open tables. They claimed they seated guests until 9 PM, which made no sense. Finally, the elevators in our tower were consistently unreliable—at one point one elevator was down for two days, and later both were out of service. Overall, the misinformation, lack of transparency, and maintenance issues made this stay very disappointing. I would not recommend this hotel unless significant improvements are made to staff training and facilities management.

  Nov 10, 2025
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  A perfect week of fun in the sun

  The Riu Palace was the perfect spot for a week of fun in the sun. The food was great, the hotel was fantastic, the grounds were meticulous and the staff were top notch. Many reviews complained about construction issues, but we didn't experience any. One minor mechanical glitch with our air conditioner that was fixed within hours of reporting it. The new American Country bar was the perfect spot to get a late night drink or an early morning coffee, and/or drink :). Pepe's grill and Tiki Taco served up perfect snacks to keep you full between meals. The pool bar was staffed so well, you hardly ever waited for a drink, and they were very good at learning your favorite drink choice, making you feel like a vip when you ordered. The buffet was always stocked well with good varieties of food and changing choices from day to day. If you never got a chance to eat at the a la carte restaurants, dining at the buffet would surely keep you satisfied. Staff in the buffet were top notch, never letting your glass become empty, or leaving a dirty plate on the table while you made your second and third trips for food. We ate Italian, Steak and Fusion at the a la carte restaurants, and enjoyed all three. Menus choices were good and service was perfect. The beach in front of the Riu Palace is huge, and can definitely get busy with the public and cruise ships sharing it some days, but it never got to the point where it was uncomfortable. Yes, you need to get up early to reserve a Palapa (covered hut), but that's no different to any resort I've visited. Our room was in the section of the hotel that hasn't been renovated, but we still found it to be comfortable and clean. We had a pool view from quite high, which was perfect. It's very spacious but only has a small balcony where two could stand, but not sit, to enjoy the view. The balconies in the renovated building are much bigger, so consider this when booking your room. The custodial staff kept the rooms and hallways clean, so no complaints. Beds are a bit firm, tv is big, but video quality is only fair. Fridge is stocked with water, soda and cold beer, always replenished daily. The pool is majestic, and the party doesn't stop there until the sun goes down. Entertainment staff seem to have endless energy, keeping the guests pumped and motivated to keep moving and shaking the days away. Good variety of music, a little something for everyone's taste. Nightly entertainment has good variety, with access to the connected Riu Antilles. Two different stages with two different shows each night, plus the casino in the Antilles when you want to hit the tables or slots. Live music, dj's, dancers, karaoke, games and more. If you get bored at the Riu, it's on you, not the hotel. I could go on, but I think you get my take. Haters will hate, but it's hard to hate on this hotel. Will definitely return after the big 2026 renovation of the main pool grounds.

  Nov 09, 2025
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  NEVER Again

  This was by far one of the worse resorts we have visited, Upon check in, our room was dirty it include feces on the toilet seat. The room was dusty throughout our stay. I requested to speak to a manager and no one ever returned my call. The palace side of the resort needs updating ASAP. The rooms are too old to sell for the amount listed. The food was mediocre and we ate in town or at Antillas for rest of our stay after an initial buffet at Palace. On two occasions, the cleaning staff enter our room unannounced. This was our anniversary trip and by far a horrible experience. Most of the workers were pleasant but the workers on the Antillas side were exceptionally polite and professional. The SPA on the Palace side was not operational. RIU definitely practiced false advertisement as it relates to the Palace side in Aruba. We travel out of country regularly and will NEVER stay at another RIU property.

  Nov 05, 2025
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  Food is Gross. Poop in halls. Pool is run down

  Food is absolutely disgusting. There are four restaurants. Every single one of them is disgusting and they make you wait and there is less than 25 capacity seated. The pool is so outdated all the tiles on the steps are missing. The wait service never comes around. The food is like prison food for lunch. Room service forget it. It’s still nachos some dry turkey sandwich and fruit. That’s all you got. There was literally poop in the hall and in the elevator, the elevators are so tiny and crammed You are better off paying for a non-all-inclusive hotel and going out to dinner because you can’t possibly eat here. God forbid you lose your wrist band they want to charge you 250 for a new one Thank you. I will never return to Aruba. Worst vacation of my life

  Nov 04, 2025