Riu Palace Paradise Island Adults Only - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

2880 reviews

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  Not the best

  I stayed in Riu Bahamas as a solo traveller in October 2024. The communication with the hotel prior to arrival was good but there was no point to download the RIU app as it didn't simplify the check in and I couldn't use it to book the a la carte restaurants. My first room had a wonderful view of Atlantis but it got flooded on the 1st night and I had to move. The communication with the reception wasn't straightforward and I had to go all the way downstairs to sort it out. The air-conditioning didn't work properly in both rooms and it felt very damp. The food was ok but nothing to rave about. I did enjoy the jerky chicken. The buffet dinner was better than the a la carte restaurants. Drinks at the outside bar were very sweet and not balanced at all. The bar and restaurant staff were nice but the reception could do with some extra customer care training. The luggage porters and door staff were lovely. I booked a trip via the hotel. The agents were helpful and my trip was enjoyable. I didn't go to the spa as it just didn't feel welcoming and I thought the treatments were rather expensive. The beach is beautiful but I didn't like the outside swim up bar and swimming pool. It felt grubby and the outside of the swim up bar smelled of sick/ dirt. The animation team worked hard and it looked like guests were having fun, especially around the pools. I didn't attend any of the evening entertainment. The overall cleanliness of the hotel was not too bad but I won't be going back.

  Sep 16, 2025
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  Relaxing

  We stayed 5 nights , disappointed that we could not get dinner reservations , but what we did have was decent . The pool and beach had plenty of empty chairs both in the sun and shade . There are plenty of sitting and lounge options throughout the hotel . We found the staff to be very friendly , Daphne at the front desk was very helpful ! I’ve stayed at much nicer all inclusive hotels , but for the price and location this was a good choice for us ! The beach is absolutely beautiful !

  Sep 14, 2025
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  Overall experience

  Food was decent, alcohol was good and beach was beautiful. The staff wasn’t very pleasant, they didn’t really seem happy and if you ever asked them a question it felt like you were bothering them. Shaddy who works in the main dining room was very nice and accommodating. The hotel itself was okay, a lot of the furniture is super old, the bathroom shower was rusty and the hallway always smelled like mold. Overall it’s a 3/5 for me.

  Sep 05, 2025
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  Heads up, solo travelers!!!! Not for you!

  As a solo traveler, I had hoped that past reviewers were off base with their criticisms. But, for the most part, they were pretty right on. The resort is nice. The check in for me was the slowest imaginable while some appeared to whiz through. Just my luck. The room, however, was nicer than most others said. Certainly not new — but it’s kinda nice. Comfy bed. Bathroom big and Clean with just a tinge of sewer smell. Didn’t use the alcohol in the room because it looked like rot gut. Also, you could easily get their other rot gut downstairs. Also, Loved my balcony with view of the pools and the sea. That part was nice!!!! Appreciated the room service delivery in the morning; pretty fast most times. But There is nothing special about the food here. It is definitely meh. But I didn’t starve and the fried fish was pretty good so I ate that most days. Also the jerk stand with chef Rodney is must do! That part was yummy! The pool situation is a bit iffy. People claim chairs that they never intend to use. But I managed to get a chair most days, though sitting so close to some of the other guests gave me pause. Just unfriendly people. The beach was closed the whole time because of Erin, but i don’t think I would have liked laying out there anyway. Just a note, I never saw anyone trying to sell anything on that beach. Paradise Island is just not where the locals hang out. There are some side patio on which to lay out and that was ok. The beach is walkable and I LOVED that part! The resort is close to Atlantis and I went there once for Junkanoo parade. Entertainment at the resort is ok if you need something to do in the evenings. Michael Jackson show was the highlight. The gym is fine, didn’t use the spa and didn’t do the restaurants. There is a little gift shoppe across the street if you need something or just want to get out of these four walls. Also, I liked the little coffee shop downstairs and the calypso bar. Not much going on but convenient to have. Which brings me to the drinks — I’m not a fan of watered down liquor. Enough said! My real problem with this place as a solo traveler is that few people, including staff, were actually friendly. They stuck to themselves and their group. They didn’t even notice others. Pity. With that said, this was an average stay but I enjoy anytime I’m on a beach! So I enjoyed it!!! Three stars!!! Would I come to Paradise Island again, maybe so. Would I come back to RIU, probably not. Would I return here solo, definitely not!

  Sep 04, 2025
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  Mixed Experience: Stunning Views, Tired Property

  The property shows clear signs of aging and is in need of substantial renovation. Several areas had peeling paint on the ceilings and walls, and the bathroom fixtures, including the faucets, were rusted. While the oceanfront view from my room (1032) was outstanding, the room furnishings were outdated and the mattress was uncomfortable. On a positive note, the buffet was very good—tasty with plenty of options. Unfortunately, the other restaurants were disappointing, with food that seemed pre-made and was often overcooked.

  Sep 02, 2025