Riu Palace Macao Adults Only - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

6710 reviews

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  VERY DISAPPOINTING

  We had been to Macao prior to COVID and its remodeling. We really enjoyed it and rated it as one of our favorites in the Caribbean. We were able to return last month after having tried twice previously and were instead sent to the Palace next door due to delays in the reopening of Macao. We really looked forward to returning. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. While normally following a remodel, things are much better we didn't find that to be the case with Macao. There are no shops in the hotel. If you forgot your toothpaste or such you are going to have to head over to another location to pick it up. Only resort we've ever seen that didn't have a shop in it for such. The room was a standard resort room and bath. I did find a bug climbing on the bathroom countertop the second day but that's part of the tropics. While taking a shower I notice some very black gunk along the drain and when I scrapped it with my nail it came off like a mold or algae (see pool comments). As I looked closer at the fixtures in the shower, I notice some black on the caulk there as well. Again, it's the tropics but not what you expect to see in what is supposed to be a top tiered resort. The food was generally good when compared to other DR hotels but not to the same level we found in our previous trip here. You can sit inside or out in the buffet, and I highly suggest you go outside because the inside dining room smells. It could be used as the location for the ad you see on TV where everyone walks in a room and says 'DAMP'. It smelled like my grandfather's dank moldy basement. Upon arrival we were shuffled quickly through check in and were told that our request could not be fulfilled for a King bed room. In fact, they weren't sure we could even get one the next day. The bellman got our bags and took off leaving us to try and follow him after initially turning into the wrong hallway. When we got to the room, he dropped our bags and left without a word which was quite a bit different than what we usually experience in the better resorts. We did eat at the Italian restaurant which wasn't bad, but the Chicken Parmesan was extremely dry having been overcooked. Pepe's grill by the pool was awesome and we had lunch there nearly every day preferring it over the buffet. Make sure and try the chow chow on your hot dog! The pool with the swim up bar was busy and while the seating is plentiful around the pool I was surprised to see black algae on some areas around the pool given, they had done so much work. It's not easy to get rid of but is worth the effort. A lot of mosaic tiles had been worked loose and were scattered around the pool. We normally go to adult only resorts and we've seen topless sunbathers, etc. but NEVER have we seen people having sex in the pool And this was in the middle of the day! It wasn't like they were doing it in a far corner they were doing it about 10 feet from the swim up bar and nothing was said or done by the employees though they were at that end of the bar talking to folks and providing drinks. Let's just say it was hard to miss. I'm not a prude but this is not a resort that sanctions such conduct.....or do they? Prior to the remodel there was a street between Macao and its neighbor next door that was lined with small shops where you could pick up souvenirs, cigars, vanilla, and more. It was very convenient to give you a break from the resort for a couple of hours. That option no longer exists, and I was told they shut it down due to some things 'going on' over there. The entertainment was standard for what you'd expect at a typical resort. It would be better if they would start a little bit earlier though. We will not be returning to Macao, and we do wish we felt different about that because we enjoyed it so much previously. We rated it 5 stars after our previous visit, but I'd go no higher than 3.5 following this visit. We know we can get the same service or better without having to pay the additional price associated with what is supposed to be a 5 star and isn't.

  Jun 11, 2025
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  Never a bad vacation at a Riu Palace

  We travel every year (past 25 yrs) and we love the Riu Palace hotel chain and this one didn't disappoint. We've stayed at 6 different ones and never had a bad experience or any issues. We also travel with at least 12 or more friends every year. No complaints. One thing I always say, you're going to a different country so don't expect all the food to taste like it's from your local grocery store. ALL of the food is delicious. I've never had an issue with the food at any of our hotels that we've stayed at. If you can't find anything good on the buffets (breakfast, lunch and dinner), just stay home and don't waste your money, you shouldn't go away. Food was plentiful and delicious as were the drinks. Even at the specialty restaurants, the food was delicious. Hotel is beautiful and clean. Bathrooms around the pool and lobby were always being cleaned. Event staff was very friendly (Carla, George, Oni Javi) were 3 that I can remember off the top of my head. Fun games around the pool. Just be careful when you walk around (more the hotel lobby/hallways) with wet feet. Make sure to always wear shoes or flip flops and hold the railings. Floors get slippery. Also around the pool area, it gets VERY HOT from the sun. Nightly shows are fun 9:30pm-10:15pm. . Only 45 mins long though. Should be an hour but whatever. DJ/band starts around 8pm till 9pm then a game using your phone 9pm-9:30pm) If you're into the pool parties, it's a short 5 min walk (still on the Riu Palace grounds) to the foam party, the jungle party, the pink party and the white party. All held at a different pool. With tipping, they say don't tip but we ALWAYS do. Each of us leaves a $1 where ever we go to eat (all meals). Even ordering drinks around pool, we always give a dollar or two, maybe not each of us every time but we're always giving a couple dollars to the waiter or bartender if you're at or sitting around the pool. If you leave them a few dollars in the beginning of the week, they'll look for you to sit in their area. A little special treatment for a couple dollars. They even remembered I drank orange soda when I sat down for lunch. Sports bar open 24/7 for food, drinks and games. The beach is just a short walk away. Plenty of chairs on the beach and under palm trees, so relaxing. I will say (and it seems like it's this time of year), the past couple years whether in Punta Cana, Jamaica, Cancun or Riviera Maya, there has been some seaweed on the beach and in the ocean. Not a lot but enough to notice it. Ocean water was beautiful though. Rooms were very nice and clean. No one complained about their room. Beautiful weather every day. My ONLY complaint is they allowed smoking IN THE pool with the pool bar. There wasn't a lot of people smoking but a few during our week stay. I think they should have a designated area for smokers outside the pool area. If you want to do any excursions, do the monkey one. We've done a lot of the excursions over the years, but we did the monkey one two years ago and we had a great time. My reviews are no bs. I don't sugarcoat anything good or bad. I tell it like it is. This is just my opinion and I go into every vacation knowing I'm not at home in the USA. Not that it ever mattered but I'm just saying. Hopefully my review will help you out. Have fun, be safe and enjoy because tomorrow is never promised. Peace out until next year............

  Jun 10, 2025
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  Good Holiday

  Very good hotel, great food and service, lovely friendly staff. The only problems we had were large groups of loud American males and large groups of American females, it would be so much better if this hotel was couples only instead of encouraging a rave culture. The swimming pools were good but far too hot, it's like bath water only hotter. The lifts require attention, one lift was out for the whole 10 days we were there, another lift we got trapped in with no lights.

  Jun 08, 2025
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  Great stay

  I recommend the elite club service. Great restaurants, delicious food, kind people and a clean beach. They did warn us of seaweed season but they would come clean the beaches of the seaweed. Very relaxing stay, Highly recommend and will be back ❤️

  Jun 08, 2025
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  Riu

  Our experience at Riu Palace Macao was absolutely amazing! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and incredible energy. The entertainment team truly made the trip unforgettable—every day and night was packed with fun activities, shows, and lively vibes. Whether it was poolside games or evening performances, they kept the energy high and everyone smiling. The resort itself was beautiful and well-maintained, with great food, drinks, and service throughout. If you’re looking for a vibrant, all-inclusive getaway with top-notch entertainment, this is the place to be. We’re already thinking about our next trip back!

  Jun 07, 2025