Riu Palace Antillas: Fabulous First Time!

The hotel was not too far from the airport and close to a few bar/resto/shops. It was a beautiful hotel everything was really close by and very clean! We loved all the dinner restos and the buffets were great too! As a picky eater I always worry a little but there was no need. From check in to check out the staff were extremely friendly and very helpful. Their English was phenomenal for an island which was so nice! The drinks were great too :) love the bartenders! The activity staff were a lot o [... read more]f fun. It's the first time we have done adult only and it was nice having no kids around...but sometimes the adults can be worse than kids, we were on our honeymoon so we steered clear of the heavy partying and rowdiness. Also, the beaches are public on the island so there were lots of kids around there (local and tourist) so if you really want kid free you'd need to stay at the pools. The pools and beach were gorgeous - very windy so the sand we blowing everywhere but in August id rather have some heavy wind than just straight heat. Overall we had an amazing time and would definitely recommend it to others looking to travel to Aruba. (Just don't venture to the Divi resort which is just down the beach as they will try to sell you on time shares)

Sol Turquesa Beach: Our best Cuba trip yet!

My family of 5 had the most fabulous time at Memories Holguin Beach Resort.... Having spent the week of August 11-18 there. Wish we were still there... Sigh! Everything about this resort is spectacular: the staff, the pools, the beach and the other guests we met and shared the most wonderful week-long vacation with! So, here goes: When we arrived at night and in the dark we were given our 4 rooms: 118, 119, 121, and 122 (top floor, not a bug in sight!). These rooms were along the road at the v [... read more]ery front of the resort and so farthest from the beach and pool. As we looked for them, we came across Elvis, who is Public Relations mgr (I believe). He was a godsend, showed us directly to our rooms and when I showed my displeasure with the location he arranged for us to move to a building in the 400's the next day. However when I sought these rooms out I found that we really had rooms in a great location and with a prettier view as we were elevated above a lot of the trees and even had a distant view of the ocean! We stayed where we were. A huge shout out to our fantastic maid, Ivonne, who kept each room pristinely clean and even made the most beautiful animal blanket and towel art for each of us! The pools are just beautiful, all 5 of them.... A great view when dining at breakfast, overlooking the pools and ocean in the distance. Loved loved loved the beach and plopped ourselves down in front of the beach bar first day and never moved from there each day until after lunch when we ended our fun in the sun at the pool bar!!! A huge shout out to Jorge at the beach bar, such a smiling and fun gentleman and Raoul the patient, quiet man who made the burgers and pizzas. Another shout out to Roberto and Mauricio at the pool bar.... Very entertaining pair and so attentive to the crowd of us that lingered right up until closing time! The food at the resort was delicious for the most part. Always enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with my huevos fricos made every day by that very nice lady whose name escapes me unfortunately! A variation on Lucy, I think?!? Sorry sweetie! And the wait staff - at breakfast, closest to the so-called windows (open air and beautifully breezy), these gals were terrific! Actually all of the wait staff and food preparers in the buffet were so helpful, pleasant and happy. I miss them! Hotel General Manager, Oliver Suarez Cronaur, was ever present and attentive to all as was Raquel, community manager... Such a doll! I can't say enough about this fantastic resort, honestly, and the staff whose English skills far out-weighed my Spanish (although I tried)! We met the most fantastic group of guests there as well... most from our plane and some who had to leave us sooner..... We are all remaining in touch and plan to get together in the near future! What wonderful memories we are all sharing together. This has never happened to our family trips before and it is such a blessing that not only was the resort, staff and weather the best EVER, so was our group of co-vacationers! We do hope to return to Memories Holguin Beach Resort in the near future... The sooner the better, for me! Thanks for the MEMORIES!!!

Riu Santa Fe: Lovely resort

I've travelled to many Riu resorts before, but this one in particular has been my favourite thus far. The rooms are dated but very clean and well kept. Food is fresh and variety is decent. The entertainment team makes this resort all that it is. They work so hard around the clock to keep all guests entertained and happy. All hotel staff are pleasant and polite. Service at Mexican restaurant is slow, but friendly. Highly recommend to take a water taxi to lovers beach, it's lovely there. We went p [... read more]arasailing and I don't recommend it, the people operating the boats have no training in first aid, and won't keep an eye on you while in the air in case you are not feeling well and need to come down. They also have no first aid kit or water or anything available on the boat. If you want to relax and enjoy the beautiful view I recommend Rui palace. But if you want to party and be entertained all day then Santa Fe is the place to be.

Riu Palace Riviera Maya: Great Stay at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya

I stayed for one week at the Riu Palace from August 7th-August 14th and it was a great vacation. The hotel is very picturesque (hence why we saw four weddings while we were there). The resort is very clean and the workers never stop in order to give you outstanding service, including beach service!! The pool was very nice with entertainment and activities but could also be a spot to relax. Despite the current seaweed issue the beach was great. It is very wide with beautiful white sand and when t [... read more]he waters were clear it was just stunning. The food was amazing, the most I have ever eaten on a vacation!! Overall, I would strongly recommend this resort!! Look no further if you want to stay in Riviera Maya!!!

Riu Palace Jamaica: Relaxing Stay

I have no complaints with Riu Palace Montego Bay. It was a smaller resort (which I prefer) with great buffet food. The (4) restaurants were reasonable, with Krystal (fusion) being our favourite. Every other restaurant seemed to duplicate choices that were available on the Buffet (surprisingly the steak at the Steakhouse restaurant was far inferior to that on the Buffet). Very clean resort catering to couples. Entertainment staff was great (the right people in the right job), and there was always [... read more] something to do should you choose. Bar service and pool/ beach service was superb and somehow unobtrusive: every time you needed a drink, someone was there. The only potential drawback was the housekeeping carts that had hard plastic wheels that you could hear rolling down the tile hallways starting at 8am, and air conditioning in some of the restaurants seemed to be on the fritz, which meant a warm atmosphere that somewhat took away from the meal (about 28 C in the restaurant - Krystal most notably). The wristbands were a bit of an inconvenience, but being able to explore the Riu next door (the one with kids) was nice. Designated smoking area at hotel entrance and back corner of the beach was enforced, though I do not know why a hotel would have a smoking area right by the main entrance. If you are looking for a kid-free relaxing resort with great food and service, I would recommend.

Riu Guanacaste: Quite nice

Hotel staff were nice and Fernando in the buffet was very accommodating and decorated the table multiple nights for our anniversary. I would definitely go back here in a heartbeat! Must book water sports in advance to avoid disappointment ! Squeezed a bunch in the last few days!

Riu Palace Paradise Island: Resort was okay

Vendors on the beach were very annoying, could not relax every second someone coming along asking you wanna do this, u wanna do this. hate the fact that smoking was allowed everywhere!! hotel was not accommodating at all our flight was delayed for 6 hours would not allow us to keep room longer

Riu Bambu: Disappointed

It was not a 4-5 star as they claim to be. The resort was dirty, it smelled like sewage , sanitation and we could smell fecies from the septic tanks. Our room was not cleaned for days meaning we had no new towels room was filled with sand n sheets really needed to change. I had to call and request someone to clean our room! Now the most disturbing part is the male staff! I felt very uncomfortable on my vacation which is unfortunate because I should be able to enjoy what I paid for! They were mak [... read more]ing cat calls and sexual comments trying to touch me and my friends at every chance they got inappropriately! Staring at us very sexually n making us feel extremely uncomfortable. It wasn't just one specific area it was all the males at the resort! As staff they should learn to respect the people who come to visit! I feel like it made my trip even worst! I was utterly disgusted by their behaviour towards me and my friend highly inappropriate! And the flights going and coming back were both delayed by 6 hrs which is ridiculous!

Riu Palace Paradise Island: Welcoming and Pleasing

Fabulous grounds, excellent service and amazing food! We were very impressed with the well kept beach and pool areas. The staff were very attentive and pleasant. The food served at the restaurants visited was delicious!

Grand Memories Varadero: Grand Memories (Varadero) - Excellent Resort!

This resort deserves a 5 star Cuba rating. BEACH: The resort has direct access to the beach and includes some water activities e.g. paddle boats, kayak. They are located on the 24th km of the 35 km beach that stretches across Varadero. POOLS: There 3 large pool areas (2 general + 1 adult only) -- all well designed to cater to an assortment of guests e.g. singles, couples, families with young children. There were shallow areas, shaded areas as well as elevated areas. The pools were very well ma [... read more]intained and clean. ACCOMMODATIONS: Better than expected! We got 3 beds for our family of 4 as well as room that had a walk out to our own little backyard where we set up lawn chairs to dry our swim gear. The washroom was spacious and the water temperature and pressure exceeded some hotel chains in Canada (e.g. Delta!) FOOD: A good selection -- even for vegetarians. Well presented and good. Bring your own ketchup for the kids (Heinz!) and be ready to shake on some salt and pepper here and there. The lack of variety near the end of the week was the weak point. And the regular fly shooing. STAFF: Friendly overall, some much more than others. Our maid was super friendly and we had brought old clothing, shoes, toys and stationary for the staff (tip from a TripAdvisor.ca reviewer -- thanks, Susan!) TRAVEL: We went with Sunwing Vacations and they did a great job on the plane and on the bus shuttle. The ones in the resort could have used a little of their other colleagues' enthusiasm. BOOKING: We booked through TripCentral.ca and we will definitely do so again ... they have THE BEST laid out site and is easiest to navigate and select.

Sol Turquesa Beach: OK resort

Beautiful location; nice beach and cascading pools with ocean view. Rooms are clean, good size. Limited food selections had to wait in line for a freshly grilled food and due to lack of AC lots of flies were dining at the same time. Nice a la carte restaurants, we chose Seafood and Romantico. Poor selection of food at the beach snack bar had to go to the main buffy each day. No lemons or limes available to add to water which has a different taste. Good value and service for the money however if  [... read more]you want to a bit extra this is not the place to go

Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas: Amazing resort

The hotel is as beautiful as when I visited 10 years ago. Impeccably maintained, excellent food and top notch service. It is very clean and the staff go above and beyond at all times. Free Wi-Fi throughout the resort is great. Love the horseback riding on the beach. Stunning view of Land's End. Can't wait to go back.

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Great vacation.

I will make this short. The hotel was good but certainly not a 5 star. The staff are simply amazing all very friendly and everyone has a smile. The wait staff is second to none especially Manolo ( # 1) Lionel and Freddy Cruz. Guest services manager Frederick was the nicest we have met. Always a good laugh with him. The rooms are very clean and also the restaurants. The food was very good and always fresh and tasty. Only complaint would be lack of hot water and air conditioning. But that was only [... read more] twice the other days were great. Also lack of shade by the pool. U have to get up pretty early to get loungers in the shade by the pool. By 8 o'clock they were all taken. But then there the beach which is beautiful. A little windy but nice.

Grand Memories Varadero: Great place to go and enjoy your vacation

Check in was easy and simple, we had our luggage taken to our room by hotel services person. Our room was nice and clean, the maids did good job. The beach and pool area were awesome and the entertainment there was the best. Resort food was good and they try to reach all the standards for four stars resort. Night entertainment was also great and it felt like it didn't stop until was time to go to the disco. The disco was great especially when someone from the entertainment stayed late to enterta [... read more]in the guests. Overall great place to spend your vacation.

Riu Ocho Rios: Fantastic Resort

My boyfriend and I enjoyed our stay at the Riu Ocho Rios. We had pre booked for a standard room but we got a free upgrade to the deluxe suite. We thought that was a very kind gesture. The room was big and spacious. The living room was partially separated from the bedroom. We had a comfortable king size bed, flat screen TV with cable, a nice couch with other modernized furnitures. We also had a good view of the ocean from our room. Each room is also equipped with a complimentary mini bar that is  [... read more]restocked every 2-3 days. Furthermore, they had a variety of Jamaican and American food which was AMAZING! There is a jerk centre on the beach. Blue clear ocean, soft white sands and tall palm trees could be seen throughout the resort. The nightly entertainment was exceptional and very interactive. The only con we can think of is that the 24h internet from our suite was down for a day or two.Overall, this resort met up to our expectations. We will be back!

Grand Memories Varadero: Amazing resort

This was our best holidays for years We've been upgraded without asking, the maid was excellent very kind and lovely, hotel personnel was very professional and helpful, even the manager was always around asking if all is ok and helping. This was our best beach ever, the kids were very happy we only stayed at the beach all the stay ( 2 weeks ). The food was ok for the taste in general but if you like fish this was the best, we've always had lot of choice and this was one of my best in Cuba Overal [... read more]l as I said this was our best holidays in years and I will return gladly.

Riu Palace Paradise Island: Great place, staff was wonderful.

Our overral experience was good. The only downside was the entertainment, it was just lacking. My teenage kids felt that the lack of a nightclub or other entertainment for the younger crowd was not great, as this left them with nothing to do at night. With so many families arriving at the hotel, there should have been more of a variety of things to do for adults, small children and older children.

Riu Palace Tropical Bay: Resort was beautiful, atmosphere is funtastic.

Hotel was great, clean, staff is friendly and hospitality is excellent. Foods ( all you can eat Buffet is delicious especially the fruits. Yum yum yum. Missed it already. A La Carte was okay except the Japanese a la carte but still edible .

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Great resort

Clean,great food and service. Staff appreciated tips but I never felt it was expected or required. Beach was not like Cuba or Punta Cana but you could enjoy the ocean . Liked that they had a band playing before and after the shows.

Riu Merengue: full of crazy locals

The resort was comfortable, outdated but that didn't bother us because it was very clean. The staff was very helpful, yet they hardly understood us. We could not go in the pool at the meringue because it was wall to wall full of locals, very, very dirty. We had no idea when we booked that locals were going to be staying at this resort. The Sunwing host Frank, was terrible, very cold. It was very intimidating, the "local" men and boys were very aggressive, especially since we had teenage daughter [... read more]s. The entire vacation the resort only spoke spanish during all shows and games. We were very disappointed not to know the truth about this resort.