Beds are too hard, buffet is good but repetitive. People who work in the buffet are tensed up and seem under a load of pressure. The restaurants are fair at best.
The pool entertainment is also fair at best. Drinks are so watered down not worth your while to get out of your chair to get one.
The recliners at the beach need to be thrown out and get new ones. After noontime, you eill not see any guys assisting your needs;they are gone!
Front desk is manned poorly, inconsistent.
Occidental's buffet was fair but their restaurants are excellent and hav all kinds of surprises for their guests, luau night, a great barbaque by the pool on Wednesdays.
We will be back there next year. They coordinate everything so much better; better I house management.

...hmmm, where shall I start...just got back 2 days ago. The outside looks like a Palace and the inside looks like the roaring 20s...the lobby was OLD and smelled wet and old. The hotel staff was nice and pleasant. They even decorated our rooms for a birthday celebration per our request--awesome job, too! I was advised that this was a 5 star hotel...NOT!! ...more like a 3.75 star. The rooms smelled musty and old and even looked like we were at an oversized Motel 6 room in the 80s. I didn't take any pics of the room, because I was too embarrassed to come back and show my friends the tom foolery I bragged about prior to going. The beds were hard as a brick...really!!! I wasn't sure which would be more comfy, the floor or the bed...I opted for the bed, wasn't sure if there were any creepy crawlies around:) The bathrooms were totally renovated with a jacuzzi tub...but, who takes a bath in a hotel bathroom...I'm Just saying! Nonetheless, the bathrooms were updated and very nice. Back to the room...they had the old skool big butt TV. Really??? We were located in the main building on the 9th floor. Our balconies were huge and had a very nice view!!! The food was good! The buffet had good food, so if you don't get to sign up for a restaurant, no worries, you will not be disappointed in the buffet. Now, the dishes in all of the restaurants were not all that clean. There was ALWAYS something on the dishes, in the food, etc. Yep, so, make sure you bless your food before diggin' in. The activities were mediocre. The best one was the water Zumba with the instructor GLEN...OMG!!! Whew!! He blew our minds:) The worst thing was the MOSQUITOES...they were EVERYWHERE!!! Bring your repellent...they will get you!! WARNING...WARNING...MOSQUITOES WILL GET U!!! They are inside the restaurants, at the pool, beach, in the bathrooms, in your room...EVERYWHERE!!! YIKES!!!

Will never go on a vacation that is not all inclusive. What a wonderful pleasant venue. Pool beach facility staff in every part of hotel were wonderful, Although out of the country felt I was in America. The Buffett was excellent every meal, Theme changed nightly. Sushi, Mexican, Chef's special.Would not recommend Krystal Restaraunt unless you are an eclectic diner. I enjoyed ,but definitely a waste of time if meat and potatoes are your thing.Did not go to the Italian reastaraunt because I couldn't get better than I do at home. Many who ate at The Nautilus said it was the best steak house restaraunt ,but all said they were bitten up. Take bug spray. Chose not to go.. This was one awesome friendly week. Would go back in a heartbeat

Just returned from Aruba and stayed at the Riu Palace for 5 days. We initally were placed on the 2nd floor of Building B but had to request a room change because the room and entire floor smelled like mildew. We were immediately switched to a room on the 5th floor of the same building and from that point forward everything was great. Other than the rooms being very outdated (hard beds, old tv sets) and the entertainment a little dull at night, everything else was perfect. The front desk staff and customer service rep (Lis) were very friendly and helpful. We felt welcome from the moment we arrived. The waiters (Robert and Lee) were friendly and very rarely were our glasses empty. The staff in the restaurants made every meal enjoyable & the food was EXCELLENT. The room was cleaned timely, there were always additional fresh towels brought nightly and the in-room bar was kept stocked with drinks at all times. The spa was amazing and the prices reasonable. The pool was wonderfull and we never had a problem getting a spot near the poor at any time of day. Even the cab drivers were nice and always offered us a piece of Aruba history while driving us to your destinations. This resort offered us a wonderful and stress free vacation. Last but not least, Aruba is a paradise island!!!!