The hotel was small but clean. The staff were helpful and friendly. The pool was also quite small and not enough lounge chairs. The food was good. The hotel itself is older and the property small. But everything was very clean. The beach was amazing.

Just back from four days at Riu Palace, Paradise Island. Feels so good to finally get the wrist band off.
first, be prepared for 40 dollar taxi ride from airport (45 mins) Property is surprising small and a tad old. Doesn't help being next to deluxe Atlantis. Staff very friendly, but not especially attentive or informative. Dinner reservation process sucks. Get in line at 8am for one of two seatings at four separate restaurants. Our experience was once we got to the front of the line only two restaurants were available. I've had better sushi from Safeway supermarket, but steakhouse was decent. The fall back place was the buffet which was not bad, but got old after a few meals. coudn't do this for a week but 3 to 4 days id ok.
recommend getting a room on the west side of the hotel. Although most rooms have ocean view, the east side has loud generators whirling 24/7 so had to keep doors closed. Fridges were not particularly cold so beer was not really cold in room. shower has variable water temperatures depending on who else was using water at the time. bed was comfy, but air conditioner was uneven. Room service is nothing like a regular hotel, but ok given all inclusive. Room smelled a bit musty, but maid service good and nice decor.
Only 3 elevators so sometimes a bit slow.
Pool, small but clean. deck chairs plentiful, no need to reserve chairs. Bar service good and view of ocean spectacular. Beach is great, water fantastic. lots of annoying locals trying to get you to rent jet skis.
The best thing about Riu is that its right next door to the Atlantis. We gambled at their casino and wandered thrughout their amazing grounds. After 6pm we found that one could check out the entire property without paying. We experienced their aquarium for free as well as hammerhead shark exhibit. Although food was expensive at Atlantis (saw chicken chowmein on a menu for $27!!) since we are not big drinkers or eaters, we would have been better off staying at Atlantis.
everyone from the Riu goes there every night as the entertainment at the Riu was weak.
On o positive note, we met some great canadians here

Bottom line: DON'T USE KAYAK/EXPEDIA and don't expect any help from this hotel is you do. We stayed here 6-10 Feb. I booked this through Kayak/Expedia for $339/night which appeared to be a good value. What we didn't realize, the booking quote was for 1 person (not sure how this happen, the app/site defaults to 2) & when we discovered this upon our arrival, the hotel was unhelpful and would only offer to add a person for an additional $233/night for a total of $572/night for 2 people. Contacted Expedia customer service to determine options for changing the booking. After a $40 cell phone call (because there were no other phones at the hotel) Expedia told me they couldn't do anything, even though I later discovered I could have booked the 2 person rate on their site for the same days, same room, 2 people for $411/night. Unfortunately we were stuck, in the lobby with our bags so I decided to pay the additional fee rather than delay our vacation any longer. This place wasn't worth what we paid. A couple can easily eat & drink on Paradise Island for less than $330/day (comparing to the Atlantis rate which for these days was $240/night without food/drink but including use of Atlantis facilities, which cost $125/person/day if you are not staying there). I was fully willing to pay the $411 rate (the rate the Riu was offering on Kayak/Expedia that day) but the hotel would not offer this to us even after discussing it with the manager. In retrospect I should have cancelled, taken the 1 night Expedia penalty and stayed at Atlantis. This hotel is ok, the maid, restaurant and bar servers are very friendly. The food is decent but it's a bit of a pain to get in the restaurants, other than the buffet, as you have to make reservations between 8 and 9 AM and can only do it for that evening (often already sold out) and the next night, and only for 2 seating times 6:30 and 9:00. We noticed several empty tables in those restaurants even though there we telling people they were all booked for the night. Additionally, after returning to our room after breakfast one morning, our room had been left propped open by the maid with no maid in the area. Based on our experience, I simple can't recommend you stay here or any Riu property (according to the manager this was handled according to company policy and there was nothing he could or would do to assist us). I am frequent traveler and have visited numerous countries around the world but this was my first visit the Bahamas and unfortunately it was tainted by Riu and Expedia, neither of which I intend on ever using again.

Overall, the hotel is okay but is worth the money for an all inclusive hotel in the Bahamas

PROS: staff is friendly, buffet had a good selection of food, Japanese restaurant was good, room service is speedy, room and bathroom is clean,has actual brand name liquors, beer is good, beach is spectacular

CONS: Old hotel, the rooms have carpet(smells funky), rooms are a bit small, views aren't the best but you do get to see the ocean, pool is wayyyy toooo small, around 10pm the hotel seems to die because everyone goes next door to the Atlantis

The hotel could use some upgrades but I still had a wonderful time! But January isn't the best time to go, it was very windy while I was there.