No disappointments at Riu Palace Antillas

Our second visit to Riu Antillas. No disappointments again. 5 star resort all the way. The Beach is phenomenal, best beach ever and can walk long distance. The staff are superb. The manager Alex is amazing and takes the time to say hello everyday and have conversation. Big applause to the chef at the Pasta station in the Buffet. That woman is amazing and took care of our needs. We ll be back again. THE McReavy s

Great resort.

Great hotel with a great ocean view. We had a suite with a king bed. Nice firm mattress. Good housekeeping and fridge re stocked each day. Great buffet with lots of variety and different options each day. La Carte restaurants were all great with the Italian one being our favorite. Only negative about them is the same menu all week but still enough options. Do suggest to get there early as they do fill up. We never had a problem. Great service and lots of smiles. Lunch is buffet only an [... read more]d sane as breakfast. Pool and beach have the usual problem with guest claiming spots. We always went to the pool mid afternoon and never had a problem. Nightly entertainment ranged from good to excellent. Friendly staff and area is safe with lots to do in the immediate area. The lobby bar gets busy and noisy around dinner time.

Very impressive resort.

Obviously a pretty smart hotel chain that will be around for a long time. My only beef was that some people still tie up a lounge chair all day by placing their belongings there early in the am and leaving them all day - plus a few actually take more than 1 chair each and pretend it's in use by someone else. No easy way to police that, but the beach and pool staff were trying.

Good Resort but could be better

My family of 4 (2 adults, 19 and 20 year old) decided to visit the first week of January. Firstly I want to say that our agent Robyn was great and will happily use her services again. It was a sunwing package and we weren't expecting much however they proved us wrong. They were great and on time. The only part we didn't enjoy flying out of Toronto is that you have to shuttle to an alternate mini-terminal to board the plane. That is not their fault but still not great when you are coming back  [... read more]and are subject to cold in the winter time. Arrival: Great shuttle, easy to find....welcome was lovely. We asked to see if we could be upgraded as our AMEX card allows for free upgrades. We were given the run-around about their definition of upgrades, etc. Not cool. As was charging us for the extra hour past check-out despite them not needing the room that day...nickel and dime-ing. However, from then on the hotel experience was a lovely one. We had 2 rooms, 2 junior suites. We ended up on the North side of the building (odd numbers) and got a partial ocean view. My kids had the end unit which was much larger as it accommodated 3 people. The only issue I had with our room is that there was a large frosted window between the bed and the bathroom shower. There was also a motion-detector light so if one of us got up to go use the bathroom it woke the other as the light shone through. Just didn't make sense to us. Housekeeping was excellent and friendly. They do need to upgrade to having the room passes on the hotel wristbands as we had to reset our cards at least 10 times as they demagnetized despite us being careful not to have them near our phones. Which is also an inconvenience as you always have to be aware of that. The pool was lovely as is the beach. You can't beat Aruba weather and we didn't see any bugs! So far staff is great, hotel is clean, ambiance is lovely.....now the 2 reasons we would make this only a fair hotel: 1. Having to get up at 5 am in the morning to get a palapa on the beach or poolside. This is ridiculous and you would think by now resorts would have a system that would allow you to enjoy your vacation without having to stress about this. Just unbelievable. and 2. The food was just mediocre. Now some reviews have said it was great and you have to keep in mind what everyone's baseline is.....we used to work and frequent Club Med with our kids. We were always under the impression that Riu was at the same calibre....definitely not when it came to food. Us as non-drinkers (and they were generous with alcohol), this is important. Of all the restaurants we enjoyed the Krystal the best (were also disappointed to find out we could not use the restaurants at the Palace though we were told we could). We did end up eating out one night at that was fantastic...so not an Aruba issue...definitely a Riu one. The cafe was a nice spot to hang out. And again the staff was great, I can't say that enough. The issues are a systemic one. Not a reflection of the Arubians. Would I go back again? Not likely but it was a good intro to Aruba. PS one bonus: they used real coconut cream in their Pina colada's....the way it should be.

Amazing resort

Hotel is very nice and well kept. Employees are constantly cleaning. I was there with my daughter that just turned 18. Some employees I found them to be a bit unatentive because I wasn’t there with my husband. During meal time they would ask if we have a drink but they would never bring it. Beach guys weren’t nice at all. They were nice to males but not females that were alone. At least that was my experience.

Amazing Resort

The resort room was very nice with a good sized balcony. The dinning rooms where well staffed with excellent food and variations being served. No problems getting drinks with your meal. Just went to the buffets since the A-La-Carts where always full. Pool area was clean and also easy to get drinks delivered to your lounger. Had to go early to get a lounger. Beach loungers where near impossible to get unless you got up before 7am. Was a bit dissapointed in the entertainment. Music was very loud a [... read more]nd shows weren't very good. The staff was extremely friendly. We would definitely go back to this resort.

Amazing Resort

Would highly recommend RUI Antilles, staff very friendly, grounds super clean, rooms modern and maids very friendly, will over stock your fridge daily. Food amazing, buffet large variety of meats, vegetables, oh and dessert. Pools are clean, bartenders friendly and have a great sense of humor. Walking distance to town, bars are hopping at night. Nothing bad to say!

Good

My husband and I stayed at the Riu Palace Antillas from Nov. 25–Dec.2, 2023. The vacation was booked through Tripcentral earlier in the year and we travelled with Sunwing. We booked a Junior Suite. My overall impression of the hotel was a solid 7/10. The Good: Lots of staff – that are friendly and caring, speak English fluently and are attentive (Hi! Miguel at the pool bar – you are the best!). The food was great, drinks were plentiful (mix of top shelf and off-brand liquor) and strong, [... read more] and wine was readily available. The hotel was clean, and the calm pool was a good size (albeit a bit chilly – which we found strange given how warm Aruba is). The Fun Pool is lively and the afternoon Entertainment staff are a blast) prepare to get the most sun all day in this pool from 2-4 p.m.) Check-in was a breeze with no credit card given or swiped, nor did they ask to view our passports (which I also found to be different, but appreciated). The White Party on Friday night was a lot of fun and the disco afterwards was good too (although the disco is closed on Sunday and Monday I believe). The beach is perfection – white sand, turquoise water, no seaweed. We walked to the break a few times and looked at the beautiful shells that wash up (Note: you are not allowed to take shells, coral or sand off of the island). The hotel is compact and you don't need to go outside to get to dinner (good for the hair!) and the a la cart restaurants are located in the lobby where reservations are on a first come, first served, basis (they give you a vibrating disc like you'd get at The Keg to know when your table is ready based off a list they keep). The lobby bar serves an excellent espresso martini while you wait. The gift shops on the lower level are really good – you can get anything you need there – liquor, wine, beach bags, souvenirs, personal toiletries, etc. The Mediocre: People from the Rui Palace next door came over a lot (no kids though) to use the lawn chairs at the pool and beach (they had the peach coloured towels, we had blue). Beach side lawn chairs and palapas are limited in numbers and claimed VERY early in the morning by guests (as early as 6 a.m.) who often don't show up until later in the day. There were many days we needed assistance from the Pool & Beach staff to help us setup a makeshift place to sit (although they were very helpful in doing so). The room service menu is very limited (sandwiches and ceasar salad, plus a fruit plate – no burgers or fries or pizza) although there is a 24/7 café that has a cappuccino machine and tuna/ham sandwiches (made fresh daily) along with desserts, nachos and a fountain pop station in the main lobby that you can go to. The room itself was average at best. Small with a view of the connecting rooftop below us and just a glimpse of the ocean. The show at the Palace next door went until after 10 p.m. each night and was loud!!! Also, the buffet was so noisy with service and clearance stations in plain view beside patrons. The clacking of cutlery was so noisy I felt like I was in a high school cafeteria (but in fairness the servers were attentive – bringing you your drinks and clearing plates promptly) and seating was plentiful. Overall, I would say that if you have been eyeballing this property for a while (like I did) it's worth checking out. Aruba itself is nice although far (5 hours from Toronto YYZ) but the resort is only 20-minutes from this airport and the transfer was easy. I can see why this resort draws a mostly older (55+ crowd) because it's pricy, but the food and beach are very good – so you do get what you pay for. If we return to Aruba we might go to a different resort to get a more luxurious room or upgrade our room at the Antillas (maybe). We felt very safe there (both the resort and in Aruba overall), and used our time in Aruba to relax (forgoing all day trips, excursions and not even going into town – which I do which we had done) choosing to lounge, read and sleep.

Amazing vacation

Loved this resort. Newly renovated rooms are very well done and comfortable. Excellent service all around from front desk to restaurants and bars and all other areas. Beach is beautiful and lots of chairs for everyone. We will be back. One area of improvement I would suggest that they have hand sanitizer available in the restaurants especially the buffet areas.

Paradise

This was one of the best vacations I have ever had!!! Absolutely no complainants…. Hotel was extremely clean, professional friendly staff in all areas of the hotel Food was amazing at buffets and all alacartes Pool area was beautiful and clean Beach was amazing lounge chairs n palapa available ocean was always warm

Excellent location!

Resort was very clean, check in was easy & room was updated and well kept. Grounds were also very clean & staff were exceptional. Buffet was excellent with many options daily, catered to all diets! Lunch buffet was my favourite! Snack bar/cafe open 24 hrs, you won’t go hungry. Endless options for cocktails & delicious! Beach was phenomenal! Did not spend any time at the pool as there was construction on the neighbouring site, eye sore to look at, be sure to not have a room on this side! Did no [... read more]t like that you needed towel cards, resort does NOT have unlimited towels for the day, was told I could not get more than 3 towels per day? A little ridiculous. Also, getting a palapa in the morning wasn’t easy, signs say “No reserving” yet there was multiple chairs with towels sitting for 3-4 plus hours with no people using!!!! Workers on the beach were being bribed to keep your spot on the beach…Overall had a wonderful trip, will be back, resort just needs to step up the game with removing towel cards, room cards & the whole “reserving” of the palapa situation! Love the island & would stay at this resort again, just needs minor changes to keep up with the times! :)

Great Fun

We had a great time. Rooms and resort were very clean. Staff was very helpful and accommodating. The only negative was the food. We at one if the specialty restaurants and the food wS cold when it arrived. The buffet was good but often had repeat items.

Wonderful in every Way!

Sept 3-Oct2/23 wonderful experience, ROOM 1014, couldn’t have asked for more, maid service and fridge stocking was great. ($5 a day and) always had towel swans, 3 facecloths, clean towels and beer and pop in fridge. Didn’t even use booze dispenser. BEACH AND POOL both great, yes had to get towels on beds at ocean early but staff always there to help. Ocean had small dip getting in for us older folks on one windy day. Pool and every chair cleaned every am. Every bathroom always spotless. Nev [... read more]er saw such cleanliness. STAFF wonderful especially Allen at pool was the best!!! FOOD, ate at Buffett, can’t go wrong, lots of variety. (Went to one Al la carte, Italian, not very good Lasagna,, but some meals looked ok, not much to choose from. We got soup for starter, but it was SALAD OR SOUP, make sure you pick salad bar cause the salad bar had tons of stuff (should not be one or other) we left hungry. DRINKS WERE very good, sure had lots of variety! If I had to say one negative it would be that there is no bar service AT THE BEACH and for us older folks the walk was not easy.lol Elevators worked, always got clean beach towels from a very friendly lady. If you need room service, not much variety. We were MORE THAN EMPRESSSED!! Love to go back but flight seemed long in “sunwing sardine can” with no movies, snacks, one glass of water and no movies, one window per 2 rows.

No medics on site

I got a nasty cut to my arm on the first day. When elevator door closed on my arm and I was surprised at lack of medical attention available. But up and above it was a beautiful resort and the staff were tremendous 🥰🥰🥰

Beautiful Aruba Amazing Resort

Thank you O’Neil Graham of Tripcentral for arranging this special holiday and suggesting this fabulous hotel. Celebrating our 45 Anniversary and making this mild stone very memorable. The hotel and the rooms are very clean and service was excellent. The food was delicious in the speciality restaurants and the buffet. They say Aruba is a windy island but the breeze was welcoming allowing you to spend the entire day on the most beautiful beach. Cant wait to go back!

Amazing Trip

Best experience I've ever had, friendly, great service, amazing food, Aruba is beautiful. We had the time of our lives, the ocean is gorgeous, nothing bad to say what do ever. I'd go back to this hotel again in a heartbeat.

Excellent choice!

The food was fabulous..we did not get the room we requested but other than that th resort was pretty clean...food was amazing..service was great...we would recommend this resort to others, Thank you, Jelena

Amazing Resort

We stayed at the Riu for a glorious week vacation with my 83 year old mom and a friend. I can honestly say we wanted for nothing. Right from the time we arrived the staff were out of this world. They went on and beyond to make sure all our needs as guests were taken care of. The food at this resort was amazing and there isn't anything you would want for. The steakhouse and Italian at night were our favorite. The constant cleaning was ongoing throughout the hotel. It was spotless. Hats off  [... read more]to management at this hotel for running such a well run chain. Oh and the beach and water. Absolutely stunning. A huge thank you to our agent O'Neil Graham. His service is always over and above the call of duty.

Fantastic Resort

The location on Palm Beach was perfect. Room clean & beds most comfortable. Staff accomodating with requests for extra bedding/toiletries etc. Food available in 4 themed restaurants along with buffet. Great variety Casino ( especially for craps players) - only one table , but always action from 9 30 pm onwards The general atmosphere inside as well as great daily entertainment around the pool.( Adult oriented.... not for kids ) Nothing negative to say about our stay.

Fantastic resort

We had a great time the Riu Antillas. The hotel was clean inside and out we had no issues with the accommodations. The staff were extremely friendly and were always there to help us out. The food was excellent at all of the restaurants and buffets. We would highly recommend the Aruba Antillas as a destination for anyone looking for an awesome Caribbean get away