My stay at the Riu was a great one. My husband and I went there from June 23 - June 30 on our honeymoon. I did not give this hotel 5 stars because there were definitely a few things that this hotel can work on improving. When we arrived we noticed how friendly and concerned all of the staff was. The small problem we experienced off that bat was upon checking in. We were sent to a suite that was currently being occupied. Not a great first impression, but the problem was quickly resolved when I went to complain and was sent to another suite that was on the top floor and we were given a complimentary massage for 2. The massage would turn out to be one of the memorable parts of my trip. I do have to say that the best restaurant was the buffet, don nicholas. This restaurant was the place where it was easiest to eat as you did not need a reservation to get in to eat. The other places to eat in the hotel were not too great. The Italian restaurant, milano, was pretty good. It was the only speciality restaurant that had a buufet to start off with and then an appetizer and main course. Much more fulling and tasty. The other restaurants nautilis and Krystal were pretty bad. There is a 4th speciality place called syuri, but we decided not to try it, as we were disappointed wit h the others. Krystal was by far one of the worst places I have ever eaten in my life. They need to just get rid of it all together. The food was not only horrrible, but the portions were for maybe a 5 yr old kid. Nautilis was okay, but my husband got a steak, and he was still hungry after so we went to the buffet right after we were done there.

The beach was beautiful. Couldnt have asked for a nicer place to tan and relax. The pool was amazing as well. Me being more of a beach person, spent most of my time at the beach. They also have little cabana thingies on the beach which you have to go at around 7 am to reserver but it is well worth getting one. The sun, at times, can be very very hot!! So although i loved getting a nice tan, after about a half hour, i needed some shade. And short of having to get up and go inside, this is the only source of shade that i could see. The weather was great out last 5 days. The first 3 werent so great. Little coulds and rain on and off those days. So don't beleive when they say no rain and no hurricaines, cause they both def do happen. It is a very humid island, although there are those constant trade winds that keep the island bareable, not cool. Def not at all a crowded resort. Not at least the week that we stayed there. I did notice that the day we left, it seemed to be getting more and more crowded. I think this is because most kids up north are finished with school and they were just starting summer vacation.

The room was amazing. We paid the extra money for the suite being it was our honeymoon and all. It was woth the extra dough. We had a huge terrace with an elevated hot tub, amazing view of the ocean and pool as we were on the 10th floor, hot tub inside the room as well, huge king size bed, (bed wasn't so bad as I have heard people complain about) toilet with bidet. I'm from Brooklyn, so we don't have those here and I have never seen or used one before, it was very interesting, small living area with sofa, and a huge walk in closet which was great because I love to unpack when I get into a hotel and this held all my stuff.

Few positive points - Great beach, amazing pool, great buffet, not really any kids(not to big on children when I'm trying to relax),friendly staff, great alcoholic drinks, love the coco rosa drink!, great location on the strip, lots of casios and restaurants in the close vacinity, not to far from airport,

Few things that could use some improvement - better restaurants with better tasting food and bigger portions, hallways and elevators kinda smelled like sweat all the time, live music in the lounge was basically the same every night(snooze), they need to make like a nightclub with a dj if you ask me, you have to reserve specialty restaurants everyday btwn 9am and 12 noon, kinda annoying. The water in Aruba, which I don't think can really be improved by the hotel, was kinda gross to wash with. I didn't feel really clean clean the whole trip. My husband felt the same way. Don't really know what is up with that. Should be and all-inclusive option, rather that just being all-inclusive. Felt that since we spent all this money for all-inclusive we didn't really go out of the hotel to eat.

All in all, we had a great stay and a very memorable and relaxing honeymoon. Aruba is an amazing island with lots of outdoor acrtivities to participate in. It's a great hotel; very clean and new. The only reason I would't go back is because I love traveling to different places that I have never been and usually don't go to a counrty again once I have been there already. Well worth the money if you are interested in staying in a suite. I think there are only 6 in the whole hotel, so book early. If you like out door sports, you have to do the atv tour with a company that is huge on the island called De Palms. They are very reasonable and have great people to run their tours. I highly recommend. Def come to aruba if you are looking for a relaxing vacation experience. Don't go with kids or teenagers, as they will def be bored. Island more suited for couples, old or young.

Have just returned from a 2 week stay ay the Riu Palace in Aruba. Can I say we had a fabulous holiday. I didn't think you could beat the Riu Palace Mexico in Playacar but this came close - close, but no cigar. The Hotel is located about 20 minutes from the airport and is built in the traditional style of a Riu Palace with the main building looking out over the central swimming pool towards the beach and the sea, with 2 other buildings flanking each side of the main building. The main reception is spacious and cool with a great air conditioning system. Our room was on the 4th floor of the right flank building and had a side view to the sea from the French Balcony. The room was clean and spacious. The walk-in closet, however, can only be accessed via the bathroom, slightly awkward if that facility is being used when you want something. There was a safe within the room (no extra charge) and a large television with programmes in English, Spanish, German and French. There were also bottles of spirits (liquor) in the room and the mini bar/fridge was stocked on a daily basis with beer, water and soft drinks (soda, cola).
The Hotel has a large reception area and check in was pretty quick for us with the staff pleasant and efficient - at check in anyway - we later reprted a fault with the telephone in our room and it took 2 visits to reception plus a conversation with the Guest Liaison Representative before it was fixed.
There are 4 speciality restaraunts - Steakhouse, Japanese, Italian and Fine Dining as well as a Buffet Restaraunt. We tried them all - some on several occasions. All were good including the buffet. My favourite was the Italian.
The Hotel is located on Palm Beach - a fabulous stretch of white sand which led you into the clear, blue, warm water of the Caribbean Sea. Believe me, if you have swam in the sea in Europe - this is as warm as a bath.
Raymond and his team who provide entertainment and sports during the day were excellent. If you are fit - try the beach volleyball. If you aren't - don't - or you may end up like me and break a finger or two.
The staff in the restaraunts and bars were very friendly and efficient. A particular mention should be made of the staff at the pool bar, the staff in the Nautilus Restaraunt and the staff who tended to the breakfast tables on the Terrace.
Any negatives? - Well, a couple of slight irritations. The system for getting a drink in the evening on the terrace is that a head waiter takes your order and then gives that to another member of the waiting staff who gets your drink. This normally poses no problem. On one occasion, however, there were no waiting staff to be seen. I went to the bar on the terrace to order my drinks from the barman. As he had seen me get up from my chair and walk the 5 yards or so to the bar he was aware that I had no intention of sitting at the bar. In this case, he said, I could not be served as he only served guests who actually sat on the stools at his bar. If any managers from Riu are reading this, perhaps they should remind the barman that it is not his bar and that he is employed to serve the guests not vet them. I must say I did notice, during the 2 weeks, that this policy of his was flexible as he had no hesitation on serving other guests who had risen from a table to place an order.
The other negative was that, one evening, the Riu Palace Aruba allegedly ran dry of champagne! Can you believe this? I can't. Miraculously, the following morning normal service was resumed and champagne was available from breakfast. They must have had a special shipment during the night - or borrowed from the Westin next door.
Finally, I have seen some criticisms in other posts about the availability of the cabanas on the beach. Yes, they are all reserved from very early in the morning and yes some of those who reserve them must go back to sleep until the afternoon before actually occupying them. I found, however, if you were alert and vigilant, you could \normally find a vacant cabana around lunchtime most days. I did.
Really finally - the wind. Yes it is always windy and some days it is more windy than others and yes, sometimes the sand does blast you. For me, however, this was natures air conditioning and the breeze and wind kept me cool and able to enjoy that fabulous beach for many hours.
All in all, a great holiday at a great hotel on a great island. I would recommend it for couples, adults and those who enjoy long lazy days at the beach - just don't tell everyone or they'll all come!

I just came back from a week at Riu and I am not sure what all the fuss is about.

We had a Junior Suite and it was okay but nothing to write home about. I would not take a bath in the tub as it was pretty mildewed. Also for a 1st class hotel you would expect robes but no....and they thought I was crazy when I asked for them.

The buffets were very good for buffets a large variety of food but the specialty restaurants we so-so at best. You had to eat at either 6:30 or 9 and the servers there were no where near as nice as the ones that worked the buffet. The food at these places were okay but it seemed that a lot of the food was pre-cooked so things were either under or over cooked. Also felt like I was being rushed out.

Also no "non-smoking rooms; entertainment was really bad.

The staff was great....very friendly and helpful but I have to say I have been to MUCH better places.....again don't see what all the fuss is about. Would never go back and would not reccomend to a freind.

A very nice property in terms of architecture with all staff being very friendly and service focused. The property is very immaculate with staff constantly cleaning to keep it very appealing. Bar and table service, room service are all very good. Food quality and quantity is average or slightly above and not as highly rated as the service that is provided. Elevators are slow and at times seemed to have one of the two down for service.
Good taxi service to town with varied shopping and prices / products for everyone.
The wind is strong day and night and often prevents using the beach unless you enjoy being pelted from the sand. It is the low season so for the most part a chair could eventually be had at the pool or beach however in high season one would expect the pool/beach area to be crowded and seating a challenge.
Felt very safe and secure to go anywhere we wanted.
Snorkeling and other side tours highly recommended.