Rating:
"The rooms at the Riu were exceptional; very spacious, clean and well maintained. The mattress was a bit too hard for my taste, but that's a personal preference. The food at all four al a carte restaurants and the one buffet was equally exceptional. Whether it was Italian, Japanese, surf n turf or gourmet, the final product was incredible. The only criticism I have is that for some reason - despite the predominantly 40+ demographic - the hotel insisted on blaring loud Caribbean music or calling out BINGO numbers endlessly right where the pool area meets the beach (so there was no escape). I suppose some may enjoy this, but for those who are there to escape noise and indulge in some peace and quiet, it is more of an irritant than an amenity. Also, for those in search of super-sunny weather, avoid going in November (we got only two days of sunshine with five days of overcast skies, which was fine for me as I burn easily). Overall, I greatly enjoyed my stay at the RIU Palace and would highly recommend it to anyone (just be sure to pack an iPod if you're not a fan of Caribbean music)."
Reviewer: reviewer8429
Date: Dec. 07, 2011

Rating:
"First time booking with Escapes.ca. I have no complaints whatsoever. First time flying with Thomas Cook - very good experience. First time staying at the Riu Palace - great hotel but we have been to Aruba many times. My husband and I, and our two friends that accompanied us were very pleased with the whole trip. We read some reviews on Trip Advisor and were a little worried about what we read regarding the Riu. I am a very picky eater, don't really care for buffet (make all my own food at home) and I'm hard to please but WOW this whole trip was great. We have travelled almost everywhere and we still love Aruba. We will definately stay at the Riu again. Staff were so friendly and very accommodating. They couldn't do enough for us. The beach was beautiful, you can walk all along the beach which connects to all the other hotels on Eagle/Palm Beach. We checked out all the other hotels while we were there this time and I would definately give Riu a 5 star. We even stayed in the old building - we must have gotten lucky because our room was very nice with no issues to have to deal with. All I can say is I think that there are just some people that will never be satisfied no matter what they get. Love escapes.ca, loved the flight with Thomas Cook (actually ate the food on the plane coming home - something I never do), Loved Riu, the beach and the shopping. Aruba we coming again!"
Reviewer: reviewer9112
Date: Jan. 28, 2011

Rating:
"the riu is not all it is cut out to be. it is only a palace because of its look. the hospitality was not all that. we had a negative experience with the reception desk right down to the bedrooms.

the buffets were always called a different name but the food variety was always the same during breakfast carried on to lunch and finishing with dinner. the club sandwiches on the room service menu were more satisfying. as a whole, the food experience was blaaaaaa!

the bar offered a wide variety of syruped drinks and there were no fresh smoothies to be had except at breakfast.

the wait staff was great. the cleaning staff need some help and the entertainment really could use some assistance. the activity board was there for good looks and the childeren activities were hardly ever performed. in order to have fun we had to organize our own fun even though the board was filled with things to do, the staff did not follow through on a schedualed basis.

the bedrooms were not that great especially the beds that felt as if you were sleeping on the floor for how hard it was. also, they sell you on two queen beds when in reality they are no bigger than double beds. the king size beds that they sell you on are two doubles pushed together.


i aswell and 9 families that we met there will no be going back"
Reviewer: mirella
Date: Mar. 18, 2009

Rating:
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jul. 22, 2007

Rating:
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Apr. 14, 2007

Rating:
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Feb. 26, 2005

Rating:
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Nov. 15, 2004

Rating:
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jul. 09, 2004