Riu Palace Antillas: Disappointed

We thought the resort was totally renovated, but found it wasn't and they still need to work out some kinks. There were no labels on the food in the buffet. I understand that they were shipped to the wrong place or something, but someone could have written on a piece of paper what things were. The buffet wasn't open at lunch, even though your brochure from the hotel states that it is. We stayed Monday to Monday, and finally on Saturday they opened a lunch buffet restaurant by the pool. The pool  [... read more]bar was out of mint for 3 day, ran out of chocolate and bananas for drinks on a regular basis, and the hotel wasn't even full. The carpets in the hallway to the rooms were absolutely filthy! The new pool with the pool bar had things floating in it all the time. I know it is a windy island, but there are no skimmers in the pool and it was only scooped with a net once a day that I saw. I went to the bathroom in the lobby, a few doors had signs that said "wet paint" so I went into a stall that didn't have a sign, and I got locked in. The paint was wet and once I shut the door it stuck together. Thankfully two ladies helped me to get out. In the evening when you come off the elevator, the doors to the casino are open and all you can smell is smoke from the casino. I couldn't stay in the lobby due to the smell. When we first got to the hotel, the green outdoor carpet that is by the front entrance is covered with debris, I thought that since it is our first impression of the hotel, they could clean it up a little, even with some plants or something. Most disappointing was that when we first got to our room, it smelled very musty and damp. We went to the front desk to complain, several other people from our bus were also there complaining about one thing or another; the lady at the front desk gave us another room that had the exact same problem. We complained to our rep, and she said it was up to the hotel to help us out, she couldn't do anything. The lady at the front desk (Paula I believe) said that she would look into it and get us another. We checked back later and she said that she didn't have time yet to look into it. She said that if she found us another room, she would slip a note under our door that night, which she didn't. She also told me she was working the next day and I could come and talk to her then if she hadn't found anything yet. She was not working the next day. I understand that it is a different climate, but this is our 4th time in Aruba. Last year we stayed at the Riu Palace and loved it. I don't like that she was lying to me and just putting me off, knowing that once we settled in a room, we would not move. At the very least she could have been honest and said, all the rooms smell and I am not going to move you. Sorry for the inconvenience. On the plus side to the resort: the restaurants that have been renovated are beautiful. There are lots of elevators and they are fast. The walkway to the resort next door, was a great idea and very useful. The auditorium was nice and big (that is one thing the Palace next door was lacking last year) and the shows were really good. The food was good. The staff were all very friendly (with the exception to the lady at the front desk, who still was very polite and professional). The highlight to our trip was Regino at the pool bar. Fabulous bartender, nice man and great with people. We still love Aruba and will probably go back. I will not stay at this resort in the future, perhaps the Palace next door but not the Antillas.

Riu Palace Bavaro: Riu palac barvaro

Clean, well kept grounds Good service at front desk and at a-la-cart restaurants Maid service was inconsistent (se days they came early and did a great job, other days they didn't come until dinner and did a half fast job) Service in buffet was also inconsistent (great service some days, at some meals we were not even served water--at one of these occasions the wait staff were arguing for a tip left at a table instead of serving us) Food was good, wide selection of drinks both alcoholic and non  [... read more]alcoholic

Riu Palace Antillas: Good time

Hotel was very nice ... Lower lobby, lobby, restaurants and pool area all updated, rooms were not but still very nice. Food was good and staff very friendly. Pool is big with plenty of seating! Swim up bar had awesome seating to look out at the beach. Recommend this over riu palace - less busy and updated!

Riu Ocho Rios: Ok just ok

This resort is good for family's, me and my husband have been to jamaica 4 times first time in ocho rios. The beach was rocky needed water shoes to swim in the beach, very man made not natural beauty like negril jamaica. The food was awful I felt like I starved all week long, it's nice cause you can do dunns river and bob Marley but other than that the beauty of the beaches and scenery were not there, ocho rios is very city life not really Caribbean feel. The rooms were nice but did crack the fl [... read more]oor tile and I weigh only 125. The food was geared more for kids pizza French fries, very small portions again starved all week, it's not a adult resort more for families lots to do for kids.

Riu Vallarta: Great Trip, Awesome Staff!

Just got home from a week at the Riu Vallarta and had a wonderful time! The Grounds and public area are very clean and well kept, the rooms were very comfortable. We really enjoyed the buffet, they had a wide variety of foods to choose from, the cooks and service staff were incredible they remembered my daughter by name after the first day and always took time to say hello to her and give her a nice complement. We enjoyed the buffet so much we didn't bother booking reservations at any of the ot [... read more]her restaurants. The Entertainment and activities team was also fantastic. I was starting to wonder if they ever had a break, you would see them by the pools getting games together in the morning and afternoon, then up on stage dancing with the kids until 10pm. They always had a smile on their faces and made my 3 year old feel comfortable enough to go and dance on stage even though she is super shy normally! We went only went on one excursion which was the city tour, I really enjoyed it although bug repellant is advised as the mosquitos were our in full force. We also had access to the other two Riu hotels nearby, the Riu Jalisco was less than a 5 min walk down the beach and was very nice as well, pool area was totally different that the Vallarta so it was a nice change of scenery. Overall wonderful vacation, cannot wait until my next visit!

Riu Palace Antillas: ok resort

Nice beach, good food - the buffet is small. The buffet at the RIU next door had better selection. Terrible rooms - we were located right beside elevator which rattles non stop. Couldn't sleep the whole week.

Riu Playa Blanca: Not ready for 5 star rating yet

I won't say it is a bad resort, I would say it is not up to the RIU standard yet. The grounds are nice but the trees are small, therefore no shade. The beach area should have more unbrellas, huts or other sources of shade. The pools are not very good, the have a kids pool with slides (great for kids, bad for other quest without kids.) The activitie pool, very loud, the small pool next to the kiddy pool, which is loud for other reasons, and a small pool to the side which is not very good. The sta [... read more]ff, does not speak English, so they ignore you unless you speak Spanish. The room I was given after specifying a quiet location, was above the theatre, loud until 12:00 at night. Then the intertainment pool starting at 10:00 am. The excursions are all 2 hours away and only once a week. The excursion I wanted was only on Friday and that was the arrival/depart day so I could not take it. The airport was located close 15minutes, because I booked through Sunwinn, the only airline allowed to land there. BUT, it consists of one room, no shops, no food, NOTHING. So your stay of 3 hours is sitting and waiting. As stating this resort needs to get the customer service up to the standard you expect in the RIU resorts, and having something to do outside the resort that does not take money or time to just escape for awhile to shop or see things.

Sol Turquesa Beach: Stunning Resort

This is the first time that I had ever been away. I had never been on a plane or out of the country, this was my very first trip ever. I was super excited for this trip, nervous about getting on the plane and leaving my family behind but it was some well needed time away that I absolutely needed. On Oct 13, the night before my flight I was in a serious car accident. My family car was hit from behind from a tractor trailer leaving me pinned between the back seat and the passenger front seat. Lon [... read more]g story short, I made it out and only suffered a concussion with some back injuries. I did not want to go on this trip, I was in too much pain, I was bruised I was just not feeling well enough to go. I was informed that if I had missed the trip I would not be compensated for the funds. So, I packed my bags and went. The resort was beautiful. My eyes lite up like a kid in a candy store. My room itself was gorgeous. Aside from the few problems I had with my room, in the end the maids did wonderful things to the room that kept me cheery. I got to see some animals up close and personal that I've never seen before, like crocodiles, and big huge turtles, crabs and some weird looking lizards. It was pretty cool how we had our own Market on the resort, made my shopping a little easy. The one downfall to the resort was having to walk 73 stairs up and down everytime I wanted to go to the front desk or get something to eat. Mind you I think if I didn't have an injury it probably wouldn't have bothered me as much. The only thing I was able to do was swim in the pool or swim in the ocean, and even that was a little hard for me. I had to be treated in Cuba with injections in my back with anti inflammatorys and muscle relaxers to help me walk. I came down here for my best friend's wedding. I'm watching all the wedding party go on these exciting trips, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins, tours of the towns and cigar factory and so on, and I felt horrible because I wasn't able to enjoy any of those. I felt horrible. I felt like the party pooper of the group and I'm normally the life of the party! I wanted this trip to be the best/first exciting trip and I didn't get that. Yes I got beautiful weather and friendly service, but I deserved to have an exciting trip and that I didn't get that. I wrote this review hoping that in some way you will some how change policies when it comes to emergency cancelling. Its not like I was cancelling for no reason, it was a freak accident I was involved in, an accident that was caused by a distracted driver for texting and just so happened picked my family car to hit. All in all, if I had the chance to go back, I would. Just under better circumstances I hope.

Sol Turquesa Beach: HAD A GREAT TIME

Our rooms were very good - right next to the pool with the bar (room 452) - there was about 70 of us for a wedding and a good time was had by all. The food was very good and the fishing trip we went on was wonderful. Staff was great

Sol Turquesa Beach: Great time

Had a great experience at this hotel. Traveled with a large wedding party which was part of the fun. Rooms were large although the rooms had different amenities . Mine did not have a hair dryer while others did not have coffee ect. Staff mostly nice and acomidating - felt like a few were a little shady We probably spent most of out time in the air conditioned cigar bar - there bar tender there is amazing. Very family friendly / amazing pools. - as long as your not to far away from everything  [... read more]( property is quite large ) Food is ok as far as an all inclusive goes - I was expecting worst

Sol Turquesa Beach: Absolutely fantastic!

From the moment we stepped off our bus we fell in love. The staff, the surroundings, the nightly shows, the food all top notch. We were only a few days in stating that we would definitely be back!!!!!

Sol Turquesa Beach: Not enjoyable

Poor customer service at the front desk Air conditioning didn't work and after three calls to the front desk and two visits from technicians promising it would be fixed tomorrow it never did get fixed. Cockroaches in the rooms Prostitution very out in the open Sheets and pillows smell like stale cigarette smoke Drinks and food were not great Beach and water full of seaweed Soap dispensers in washroom lobby never had soap in it The buffet had flies and birds all over the food and tables Swim up b [... read more]ar pool had rocks and pebbles in it that never got vacuumed or cleaned

Sol Turquesa Beach: Much in need of improvement, sorry to say

The ocean is amazing, the staff amazing, they do everything possible to make your stay an enjoyable one. The food however is very much in need of improvement, the same food is served day after day. There were so many flys buzzing everywhere in the buffet and landing on the food that people were calling it the "fly buffet"

Riu Negril: The Resort is Excellent

The welcome reception is well organized. The beach entertainment is amazing with 'nice' reggae music. The dinning areas were excellent and the taste of food is "top notch". However, the nightly entertainment needs some improvement. The ground were well kept and the workers were friendly with Jamaican "ire" attitude.

Riu Guanacaste: Beautiful Resort!

Very beautiful, everything was lush and breath taking! The resort is very luxurious and grand! Service was great! Everything is in close quarters so that was nice for a change! You don't have to walk a mile to get somewhere you want to be!

Riu Flamingos: Friendly people resort

Great and friendly resort,food was great. pool was good.The waiters and serveries was just great, They new you when you came for a drink and new what drank before ordering, Food was great. different everyday and night

Riu Playa Blanca: ???

The hotel rooms, food and beach were excellent. Arriving and being assigned rooms was helter skelter with luggage seeming to be lost. Kids pool seemed to be good with one adult pool good while the other had no protection from the sun. The swim up bar left a lot a be desired, no washrooms near so people sat and drank all day without trips to the washroom, actually there was a lack of washrooms throughout the resort. Air conditioning was controlled by the patio door--closed it was on, open it was  [... read more]off. The resort was U-shaped and the entertainment area was located in one corner meaning if you were in your room you had to keep the patio door closed to shut out the loudness of the entertainment--not a problem for the rowdies but left the people in there rooms very cold. Tour options were numerous but required most of the day to participate because most were 2 hours from the resort. Staff was generally good, helpful and ready to fulfil all needs but not enough spoke English which I understand seeing as where the resort is located and the fact that most people visiting are from Spanish speaking countries. In spite of all the draw backs we enjoyed our vacation immensely. Of course you have to take into consideration we were 4 guys there to eat, drink and party.

Riu Playa Blanca: Great new hotel.

Found the hotel to be new and up to date. Grounds good, only thing was that the palm trees were not very big ( to provide shade ) as they were so recently planted. We normally would lounge by the beach, but because of this we stayed by the pool, with the canopy. Meals were good. Christian ( at the lobby bar ) was amazing. Room was great.

Riu Playa Blanca: Great time in Panama

I was part of a group of 6 people celebrating a 10 year wedding anniversary. We chose this 5 star hotel because it had only opened in April this year and we wanted impeccable service. Riu Playa Blanca was a great choice. The maid service was amazing. They always ensured our room was clean and organized. We stayed in room 521, ocean view, king bed. We couldn't complain. The room was quiet, comfortable and had great views. There are 3 a la carte restaurants (Japanese, Italian, Steakhouse) no compl [... read more]aints... Also, you can go to as many as you like, no limitations. There is a slight language barrier and if they have a hard time understanding english, they will try to find someone who can help. Even though the night time entertainment wasn't the greatest, it was a very relaxing stay with exceptional service that I could get used to, they can count me back again!

Grand Memories Varadero: Good resort - value for money

Considering you can't go anywhere in Canada or the US for $700 a week, this is great value. For example, I stayed at the Holiday Inn at the airport in Montreal (drove from Ottawa) and it cost $177 with taxes and parking for a week. The Riu is a bit dated and the food is not the best. This was our first time in Cuba so can't compare to other resorts. We wanted a beach/pool and we got it. We got really clean rooms and although the beds seemed hard, we slept really well. There are a lot of Franco [... read more]phones from Quebec at that resort and not sure that's all of Cuba! We got upgraded for free to Adult only and suspected it was because they were keeping one section of the resort closed since they were not at capacity. Adult only was so quiet and peaceful. Handful of guests there, no fighting for chairs. Really close to the beach! It was perfect. If you need internet, do not visit Cuba. Wifi is only free for 1 hr per day and it's super slow. Some food was really bad tasting and some just bland. Beef is almost always too chewy. Fish and pork were usually a good bet! Overall, value for our money! Really, what can you do for $700 each!!