Riu Palace Aruba - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

9458 reviews

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  Just left the Riu

  Beautiful experience. I just left this resort and the staff, food, pool, ocean were great. I booked a jr suite with ocean view and balcony. We had to change our first room, 3rd floor of the main tower. It’s the only floor not renovated, and there is no balcony. From that room I understand the other reviews of a mildewy odor and dampness. We didn’t experience any of that outside of that one floor, which is going under renovation soon. The staff was very accommodating. Renovated rooms are very comfortable and clean. The whole resort- bathrooms, lobby, restaurants, elevator…spotless. Ocean is gorgeous, plenty of chairs. I’d highly recommend a stay here for the price. It was an overall amazing trip.

  Jan 14, 2026
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  My Favorite Place Ever

  I love RIU Aruba with my whole heart. We come back every single year because of the people who work there. They’re the nicest most fun people I have ever met. I can’t wait to come back next year and see everyone again. The rooms are always nice and clean and the pool is so much fun. Very nice place with even better people

  Jan 11, 2026
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  Not Recommended At All

  Our stay at Riu Palace Aruba from December 30 through January 5 was extremely disappointing and fell far short of the standards advertised and expected from a resort carrying the “Palace” pr "Riu" branding. We traveled as a group of six adults and booked three rooms, 517, 518, and 356. From the beginning, it was clear that the resort was not operating at full capacity, yet this was not communicated prior to arrival. Two out of the three specialty restaurants were closed for the duration of our stay. This drastically reduced dining variety and led to repetitive meals, long waits, and overcrowding at the limited options that remained open. For an all-inclusive resort, dining variety is a core part of the value proposition, and that value simply was not there. In addition, both the gym and spa were closed for renovations during our stay. These are not minor amenities. They are key features many guests factor into their booking decision, especially at this price point. Had this been disclosed clearly in advance, we would have chosen a different resort. Discovering this after arrival felt misleading and removed major elements of what we were paying for. Cleanliness was another consistent problem. Public restrooms were frequently dirty, common-area surfaces were poorly maintained, and overall housekeeping standards did not align with what is expected at a resort of this category. This was not a one-time issue or limited to a single area. It was noticeable throughout the property and persisted over multiple days. Bar service was particularly frustrating. Service was slow, inconsistent, and inattentive. The quality of the drinks was equally poor. Cocktails were routinely overwhelmed with alcohol while lacking any balance or flavor. Rather than feeling like properly crafted drinks, they tasted rushed and careless, which only added to the sense that guest experience was not a priority. We raised our concerns directly with Santana at the front desk and requested to speak with a manager. Despite multiple issues affecting multiple rooms, we were never given the opportunity to escalate the matter. The absence of any meaningful management engagement was unacceptable and left us feeling dismissed rather than heard. Between the closed specialty restaurants, unavailable gym and spa, ongoing cleanliness issues, poor bar service, and lack of management response, this stay did not come close to delivering a palace-level experience. Significant operational oversight and service improvements are clearly needed. I would strongly advise RIU management to investigate this property thoroughly, as the current guest experience does not align with the brand’s positioning or pricing. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this resort to anyone. If you are considering booking a trip here, my strong advice is to research extensively and select a different property. This resort does not deliver on its promises, and the likelihood of disappointment is high.

  Jan 11, 2026
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  Bed bugs ruined our vacation

  I cannot give this hotel more than 1 star due to a very serious issue: bed bug bites all over my body. This was, by far, the worst part of the entire stay. Throughout the trip I was itching nonstop and continued getting new bites, even after we had already changed rooms once. On the first day of arrival, we were given a room with an absolutely unacceptable view (room 1145) —something you would never expect from a resort at this price point. Our room directly faced the utility/service area of RIU Antillas, with loud industrial fans running constantly, unpleasant smells, and staff moving around. I was genuinely shocked to receive this room after paying over $5200 for a one-week stay. This room clearly should have been classified as a discounted or obstructed-view room, yet it was sold in the same category as rooms overlooking the pool. In addition, this room did not have a properly running hot water and we were forced to take cold showers. Again, absolutely unacceptable. As a result, I had to spend an unreasonable amount of time at the front desk trying to get the room changed. We were only allowed to move the next day, which meant that both our first and second days were disrupted and disappointing. Instead of enjoying our vacation, we were standing in front-desk lines, explaining ourselves repeatedly, and organizing a move. Unfortunately, after finally changing rooms, I started receiving multiple bed bug bites. This happened on day three of our stay. By then, my child was begging to finally go to the beach and start enjoying the vacation after two wasted days. At that point, I had no emotional or physical energy left to go through another room change. When I reported the bed bug issue, the response from the front desk was vague and unsettling. There was no clear explanation of the bed bug protocol, no clarity on whether we would receive another room, and no transparency about whether chemical insecticides would be used. I was especially concerned about my child being exposed to chemicals. I was not offered a clear, safe, or pain-free resolution, nor any guarantees. Because of this lack of clarity and support, we felt we had no choice but to stay in the infested room, completely exhausted. While room service was changing our sheets, I noticed multiple rust-colored spots on the linens, which strongly suggests bed bug activity. Bed bug droppings contain blood and leave exactly this type of staining. Seeing this was extremely disturbing. The hotel’s newly renovated rooms have headboards permanently attached to the wall, with multiple gaps—an ideal hiding place for bed bugs and impossible for guests to inspect. Additionally we have seen several roaches. This is the primary reason for my 1-star overall rating. Other notes: Food: 3/5 overall Specialty restaurants: poor, 2/5 Buffet restaurant: acceptable, 3/5 Night shows: the best part of the hotel, 4/5. The dance team did a great job entertaining both adults and children and was genuinely enjoyable. Sadly, despite some positive entertainment, the bed bug experience and poor handling of the situation completely ruined our vacation. This is not what anyone should experience at a resort of this cost and reputation.

  Jan 09, 2026
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  Fine, but NOT for young families

  Our family of 4 (two kids, ages 2 and 5) stayed here for the Xmas break. If you are looking for a young family friendly getaway- this is NOT it! Here are some downfalls: - there are serious accessibility issues. No ramps, slippery stairs to get everywhere. Even the rooms have weird steps throughout which can be dangerous for small kids - there are no kid friendly pools, whatsoever - there are no playgrounds or activities for kids - the evening shows were just sad. As an example, one night it was a lady singing over a recorded song, with a drummer behind her. - the hunt for a palapa starts at 5am. I’m not kidding. If you show up to the beach at 6am or later you’d be lucky if you found some shade or half a palapa. But who wants to be on vacation and waking up at 5am? Not a mom with two young kids, that’s for sure. - the buffet had very little options for kids. Other than fries and pizza, chicken nuggets only made an appearance once. It was just slim pickings for picky eaters. All in all, the staff are actually really nice and the beach is beautiful. The location of the hotel is fantastic and close to the “downtown”. But I wouldn’t come back until my kids are older, or until they get more Palapas!!! Really for an all inclusive hotel that’s advertised as family friendly, it didn’t feel family friendly at all.

  Jan 07, 2026