This hotel was top notch. The staff was so pleasant and obliging. Always greeting with a smile and “Ola”. Their hard work did not go unnoticed, especially the outside workers. Our rooms were so clean. The ground’s immaculate. Pools well looked after, all bar service amazing . Beautiful resort. Been to many resorts but by far the best food at this resort. A fantastic vacation for sure.

This hotel was top notch. The staff was so pleasant and obliging. Always greeting with a smile and “Ola”. Their hard work did not go unnoticed, especially the outside workers. Our rooms were so clean. The ground’s immaculate. Pools well looked after, all bar service amazing . Beautiful resort. Been to many resorts but by far the best food at this resort. A fantastic vacation for sure.

Booked through Air Transat and stayed a week. Arrival at the small airport was a welcome convenience compared with Panama City. The hotel is built on a hill — expect to climb 66 steps between the lobby and the beach/food areas. The room was basic with nothing spectacular; the bathroom had a small window to the outside that let bugs in. Food was best at the a‑la‑carte restaurants (seafood and Mediterranean stood out). Drinks were mostly local; Smirnoff was treated as top‑shelf. There’s no late‑night food, and after 11pm drinks are only available in the nightclub, which is always a zoo. The beach is coarse with broken shells. Staff were friendly and professional with no issues. Property was well maintained but big, location overall quiet expect when there was in influx of people on the weekend. Overall the hotel was not worth what I paid$$$$.

The hotel and staff were very good. That being said, there are 2 things I would improve: 1. Mention that the pool table in the Sports bar is an extra cost of $5 per hour. 2. The quality of the steak at the steakhouse. The steak was delicious, and sizeable, but very thin. A thicker cut would have been nice. That's about it. All in all, it was a great hotel!

We visited the Riu from April 13 to April 20th and had a fantastic time. The rooms were cleaned and tidy. The buffet food was very good. The beach was clean and pools were amazing. The staff were friendly but most of them will speak Spanish and did not speak English . I will rate this resort as a *****.

Very clean resort and rooms All the workers do amazing job.keep up excellent work I will most certainly be back to Stay again absolutely no complaints I will recommend to other people. Food was fabulous loved it very much

The resort was fantastic; I realized I wasn’t an all inclusive person; but the service was outstanding even with one elevator down. I went on one excursion and it wasn’t the best; really a waste of time and money. The food was great!!

The staff were amazing very friendly and helpful throughout our stay. My room was kept clean every day, which I really appreciated. The resort is quite large, so be prepared for a lot of walking, including hills and stairs but it’s a great way to stay active! The food was excellent with plenty of options, and as a vegetarian, I was really happy with the variety available. I loved the location and was very happy being on the beachside then Panama city Overall, a great experience. Would I go back? Yes, I would definitely return.

Overall the resort was good. We enjoyed the restaurants and pools. However breakfast should start at 6 am. Pool side bar opens too late in the morning. Scuba Caribe was not a good choice. You should not promote them. Extreme was far better. On resort entertainment was good.

Hated people saving chairs at 6am Otherwise Awesome Hotel Liked the tours we went on Staff was friendly - great mini bar service, very clean - maid did excellent job liked the easy, fast check-in thank you

We found the hotel to be very clean and the staff was very friendly. On a down side they did not fill the bar fridge often enough leaving us short on water and pop. Overall a very nice experience. Very nice well taken care of grounds.

We found the hotel to be very clean and the staff was very friendly. On a down side they did not fill the bar fridge often enough leaving us short on water and pop. Overall a very nice experience. Very nice well taken care of grounds.

Me and my family had an amazing time at the Grand Decameron resort. There was lots of options with the à la cartes, the buffets has a good variety. Everyone was very nice and everything was very clean. I would recommend bringing your own cups because the ones provided are very small. I would also definitely recommend upgrading to plus. People who didn’t I overheard had trouble booking à la cartes restaurants. Being on the plus side was nice and quiet and we had a great room location. Couldn’t have asked for a better vacation!

The property is large, lush, and beautifully designed, with multiple pools, restaurants, and entertainment areas. However, if you have mobility issues, be aware that the resort has many steps and hills, which can make getting around challenging. The beach was one of the highlights—clean, wide, and perfect for long walks or relaxing under the sun. We visited during March Break, but the ocean was red‑flagged for most of the week, so we spent our days by the pool instead, relaxing and having fun with our son. We expected to see lots of Canadian kids, but only came across a few; most of the children were Spanish. The restaurants were good overall, and there was always something for everyone, though after a week I was ready to return home to familiar food. The à la carte options were mixed: the Asian restaurant was the best, the Italian was solid, and the Mexican was a bit of a letdown. My biggest frustration was the reservation system—you need to wake up early, get a number, and wait to be called to book. The resort really needs to modernize this process with technology, as many other resorts have done. I also wish the buffets had self‑serve coffee machines instead of having to wait for staff. The rooms are dated, but clean and comfortable, with essentials like air conditioning, satellite TV, private balconies, and daily housekeeping. The staff provided great service and worked very hard, especially considering how busy the buffet restaurants can get. The airport is small with a small store, there's no meals that you could purchase, just snacks and drinks, so be prepared for the flight home. Overall, the resort was great!

My friends and I came to Panama for a week of relaxation. The RIU did not disappoint. The food was incredible, the Italian restaurant was mouth watering(I am still thinking about the buns from dinner) the cocktails were delicious especially the Spanish coffees. Service was great, never had to wait too long. We only had 2 complaints 1. We called down to the lobby to ask maintenance to look at our tub as it wasn’t draining properly. It wasn’t fixed. 2. The pillows in the room were tiny and uncomfortable.

The resort is very clean and well kept. The rooms were nice and comfortable. The staff were very friendly and worked very hard. The food was very good, from the buffet to the there Alacart restaurants. All the pools were nice and clean. The beach was nice. There were always loungers available but you have to get it there at around 630 even though they said you weren't allowed to do that. The only complaint i have is they didn't give you enough water in your room, when i asked for extra water one day, i was told by the manager that he would give me some this time but your only allowed a water restock of for bottles every other day. Had a great time!!

Very clean, comfortable rooms, very friendly staff, workers and waiters. Always ready to help. Smiling and very polite. Lots of good food and drinks. The swimming pools are clean. Workers clean the pools a few times a day. The entrance and lobby very elegant. Nice comfortable furniture. Just a pleasure to be there. Beautiful view from the windows. Thank you ? Thank you ?

The resort has a lot going on with two pools by the water slides for families and a huge pool by the buffet where the swim up bar is located. The food was good and plentiful, the staff was amazing and so friendly. One important note: if you have mobility issues, consider very carefully that the steps into the pool, the a la carte, etc are not like ours with the first step down a good 12" high. Also, the resort requires a lot of walking and needs consideration if that is an issue for you. The lagoon pool access was much easier but bring a sandwich frim the buffet if you stay there all day as there is bar access but you may or may not be able to buy food there. They were set up for a tour when we were there so it was not possible to buy anything.

Hotel and staff are great! Beautiful beaches and food is delicious! I've traveled to a number of places and resorts, this was one of my favorites for food! Drinks are tasty too. Would highly recommend!

The resort has a tired, dated feel overall, and it would really benefit from some updates and repairs. The food was good—not exceptional, but enjoyable enough. The pool area itself was quite nice, though it was far busier than I prefer, with more kids than expected. The pool bars were consistently understaffed, and it wasn’t unusual to wait 15 minutes or more just to get a drink. My biggest concern, though, was the customer service. Much of the wait staff came across as indifferent, and the level of attentiveness just wasn’t where it should be.

I fell in love with Panama the second we landed. The resort was ok. I dont really like to stay in the resort. I like to explore. Car rental is right outside the resort so that was easy. Food was ok. Hard to get coffee for early risers. Not much English spoken but didnt bother me.

The hotel is clean and very nice. The À la carte restaurants very very good especially the Asian. The buffet is not great with not much variety and is very small to accommodate the early morning rush seemed disorganized. No one really comes to serve coffee etc during breakfast. It’s really a help yourself situation. The hotel advertises 2 buffet areas but there was only ever one open. The pool area was great and there was never an issue getting lounge chairs or towels. BUT keep in mind d this is a hotel and conference center. So there is a mix of vacationers and people attending meetings. We found they do not cater to the all inclusive guests compared to other resort as there seemed to be a bit of mix communication with what is included as example coffee bar - you can get a coffee but the cakes and treats are not included? The over all hotel was nice and clean but again it is not a typical resort style being a Westin conference center. Also this resort is 90+ minutes from the airport and could be much longer with traffic. The location of the hotel was great to grab an uber and head into Panama City which we did a couple times and was amazing!

Dreams Playa Bonita Panama was a great choice for our first visit to Panama. Its location close to Panama City allowed for quick and easy access to the local attractions. The resort staff are friendly and do everything possible to make your stay enjoyable. Rooms are tired and in need of renovation but were kept clean. Beds are very comfortable. Food was excellent. Pools look to be new and kept at a perfect temperature. We would suggest that more shade is needed around the pool and ocean. Music is played quite loud around the pool and would likely book “preferred” next time to access the quieter pool area. We saw sloths on the property and tiny monkeys at the end of the beach in the trees - so great! Note … Just be aware that you will have to travel almost 2 hours from the airport to this resort. The bus does stop for a short break and we were able to get cold drinks for the drive to the resort. We would return but hope that they are able to do some room updates.

The hotel is approx 10 mins from the rio halto airport which is fantastic. Transfer to hotel was simple and quick. Check in was smooth with plenty of people to help. Grounds are immaculate and clean. Pools are great. Very difficult to get loungers unless you are down there at 7:30. Beach is very nice with black sand. Food was plenty and very good with lots of choices. 1 thing I didn’t really like after being to many resorts in many countries was the à la carte restaurant process. You are required to wait in line and is on a first come first serve basis.

This place is awesome:) Lots of food 24/7 :) Cocktails 24/7 :) Riu app was awesome, super quick to fill your needs, ie more water & beer in room :) Adult pool was wonderful:) Live music daily:) Super clean inside & out :) Friendly staff :) Felt safe on beach & off resort :) Panama & Riu was wonderful:)

Wish we stayed longer, only 4 days 3 nights. Resort was expansive itself. We paid extra for the plus and were grateful we did. Amenities were great, food was plentiful with options. Beach loungers were still scarce even in the plus section at the pool and beach which was disappointing. Had to walk around quite of bit time before we could find one not in the plus side of things. We stayed in a garden view room which was at the top of the hill. Going up and down to access most of the amenities would def be an issue with anyone with mobility issues. Beach was clean and beautiful, 2 of 3 days red flag so we couldn't go in the water for swimming or other sports which was disappointing but understandable. Very hot and humid so be preparedg. Disco could be promoted more so people knew there was something to do after the animation show which was mainly in Spanish, sucked if you weren't or didn't understand. No mosquitoes and bugs. Checkin was okay, but didn't get our room until after 1.5 hour later after the advertised checkin time so take clothes to change into while you wait. Can't book a la carte restaurant the date of arrival, too late need to be done first thing preferrably in the morning so if you arrive late no chances but plenty of buffet and other options though. A bit of time at the bars to get drinks but once you did they were great and not watered down and great options especially in the plus side.

Overall, the resort was very clean and well maintained and the night time entertainment was excellent. The food was decent quality but the buffets didn’t provide much variety throughout the week. The ala cart restaurants did not allow for reservations, was a first come first serve basis and was lined up at opening time with lots of “golden age” guest who you would assume had proper manner and etiquette, but sadly did not. They also followed the same social behaviours with the pool lounge chairs. At the guest orientation, we were told that the lounge chairs were not to be reserved before 7am. Two out of three pool lounge chairs were “sold out” well before 6am all seven days of our stay and said “golden agers” occupied these loungers the entire day. This is not the resorts fault, but they could have enforced these rules a bit better. It seemed to be over populated for the amenities they provided. I would happily go back to the Grand DeCameron, Panama over the Riu.

I had contacted the hotel direct before arriving to insure everthing would be in English and a request for room locations as I had been here before When we arrived our rooms were exactly as requested but the air conditioner had to be repaired and the safe did not work There was no English orientation just French no English from activity staff no times for restaurants or days open no information on events or entertainment Snack bar only open spraticly and not at all for late night,sports bar is now a kids zone no Olympic or super bowl coverage no bar stools at any bar Long lines at bars limited staff poor operation of restaurant booking no information. About features at the buffets Lost power fir 8 hr one day lost internet for 3 days and constantly being disconnected Day trips didn't tell you that some features were not included on scheduled days There was good parts most ot the restaurants were good and drinks were done well by most of the bartenders This place should have been a 5 star hotel for the price but it would be a stretch to give it a good 3 star I tried to contact the hotel higher ups while there but with no avail

Only 3 à la carte restaurants. Food too salty in all 3. No reservation system in place so long line ups. Quiet pool (adult) was impossible to get lounges. Despite there being a rule of no reserving before 7 a.m., they were reserved by 5:30 a.m. No poolside bar service or wait staff in lobby bar. Hit and miss getting Chardonnay in any of bars/restaurants and no Pinot Grigio at all. Adult entertainment started after children’s entertainment at 9 p.m. Only one area designated for entertainment (other than beach) so no music or entertainment in lobby bar. Only one bank of elevators so in a hotel that is shaped like a U, if your at one of the end sections, you have to either go up/down multiple floors of stairs or walk along endless hallways to get to elevators so wouldn’t recommend for anyone with mobility issues.

This hotel is a great spot for a beach vacation. The food is amazing, the staff is perfect and everything is very clean. The only complaint is that the rooms, especially the bathrooms could really use an upgrade, but it is kept very clean. Overall, I would return as it checks all the boxes for us for beach, food, drinks, pool and location.

The grounds are nice but VERY big. And you can’t avoid huge staircases. I actually liked this because it helped me rack up about 13,000 steps per day without even trying. Never did we take the van anywhere on the property. And the grounds really are lovely—especially at night. There are many beautiful pools and a long, walkable beach. Unfortunately, to get a Palapa on the beach or around the pool, one needs to be up and mark their territory by 6:45 AM. Seriously. By 7 AM, almost all of the chairs are taken, some never to be revisited again until noon. This chair game is played at many resorts we have been to, but it seems to be really bad here. I’m not sure what the answer is, but for late risers it was very frustrating. The food is also, in my opinion, “meh”. We weren’t really even impressed with most of the à la cartes—IF you can get them! You need to come to the lobby EARLY to book (might as well scope out your lounge chair at the same time!). My husband went down to book once at 6:45 a.m. and was number 28 in line. By the time they called his number, the only spot available for dinner was 8:30 pm. And, to be honest, the only food that I thought was exceptional was the burger at Cowboy Restaurant. It really is all it’s cracked up to be! But nothing else really “wowed“ me. And I’m really the furthest thing from a foodie. But I was just often disappointed. I found the steak grizzly and almost inedible. I had salmon once and it was dry and overcooked. The starters in most of the à la cartes were buffet, which kind of negates the purpose of an à la carte. Also, cats and dogs roam through the restaurant. While this is something that I don’t really mind because I love animals, I really don’t think it’s appropriate. Now for the amenities. The rooms are very sparse. Toilet paper is single ply and scratchy.They do not provide body cream or shower gel or a shower cap. And we had to fight to get more than two towels (for both of us—only two are provided). And there are no face cloths. But these are all things you can just bring yourself so not a big deal but worth mentioning for those planning what to bring. The staff are very nice but many don’t speak English at all. I can speak a little Spanish and a little French so I got by, but if you are relying solely on English, you may have a bit of a problem. But when we did have an issue (for example, with the air-conditioning and our balcony door), it was fixed within the hour! Great service! It’s definitely not a bad place. It’s just you need to manage your expectations. I wouldn’t recommend it to any of my friends who like ‘upscale’ luxury trips. But on a budget, it’s definitely better than Cuba. But I think the standards are better in most resort destinations I have visited in Mexico. But, to be fair, Mexico has become much pricier since Covid. It’s also not the turquoise water of the Caribbean. But the water was calm and they have lifeguards on the beach which is definitely reassuring. The pools are wonderful for the kids though and, of course, the water slides are great fun. If we had to rate it out of 10, my husband and I both agree it’s about a 6.5.

Beautiful resort, very clean grounds, food was great with a lot of variety, service was great but could be better if the staff spoke English. The staff did not speak English at all which was a bit disappointing, I asked for a glass of wine and the girl just took everything from my table. Even the entertainment staff very few spoke English. Otherwise we had a wonderful time

This was our 4th visit to RIU Playa Blanca. We have always requested ocean view. We requested a room change which we were able to do on our second night of a 7-night stay. We got the full ocean view after the room change. The first room was partial ocean view. When you looked out the window of the first room you do not see the ocean. Only the rooms across the other side of the U shape of the hotel. You only saw the ocean when you were on the right side of the balcony Food is always good at the buffets and specialty restaurants. Cocktails are amazing and you can request your favourite drink that is not on the cocktail menu. Hotel is very clean and staff very friendly. We will go back for sure! Good value for money.

Very pleasant and well run resort. Nice beach , guaranteed weather and warm ocean water. Polite and very friendly crew. Great food with a lot of selections. The varieties of the evening shows with professional performers.

Upon arrival we did not get balcony room. The first room was dirty, shower was not clean, safe was not operational, The next day at finally 3pm we got our new room with balcony. Found the water temperature in the room Luke warm, after alerting staff a day later we had hot water. Remote control for air condition did not work. Next day it was replaced.. Resort states on web site there is 9 restaurants, actually only 3. Food at the the buffet breakfast and lunch were fairly good but nothing was hot. Feral dogs wandered in and out of restaurants and the buffet area. Restaurant food other than fish was tough and generally barely warm. This was a all inclusive trip however at the three on site restaurants wine had to be paid for.. Beach area was quite good, however a lack of beachchairs and over head cabanas were lacking. On site washrooms often did not have running water or sporadically . This resort is listed as 4 star.. it was barely a one star and I think I am being generous

We were prepared for dated rooms, but found most of the resort "tired" and in need of a facelift, from the lobby/lobby bar to the buffet restaurants to the rooms and some pools. We have travelled to many places and don't stay anywhere fancy but this resort was by far the most in need of work. Room was smaller than many resorts we've been to and we found it dark and a bit dingy. We wouldn't care, it's somewhere to sleep but there was visible dirt on the floor, things left behind by previous guests and a patio door that only my husband could open by lifting and shimmy-ing it over - I couldn't move it at all. We also had an "incident" with housekeeping, which was a first for us (and again, we travel a lot). Adjoining rooms can be loud (heard every word from our neighbors). Very poor service (absolutely none our first night, had to clean our own table to sit and weren't offered a drink at all and usually had to get up and go ask for tea and coffee in the mornings) at the buffets. Minimal selection of food. The beach is beautiful, no rocks or weeds in the water. However when we were there, if you weren't down to get a chair by about 7-7:30am, you might not find anything. Could use more palapas for shade and lots more chairs. Our room was closest to the middle pool and it was very crowded for the size of it, and could also use more shade. We felt that had we been able to book or upgrade to Plus, we would have had a vastly different experience, with a few more pools (and nicer looking pools) and restaurants to choose from. Bartenders were great, beach snack bar had good food and service, proximity to the airport is a big plus. We made the most of our time but I don't think this is a resort that we would return to.

Resort is very poorly operated they basically have no rules. Drinking in pool with open glasses and empty glasses floating around the pool. They also allow people to eat in pool with garbage everywhere. Kids are allowed in pool bar area . Kids diving jumping in pool . This resort allows day passes and billiards. Of people come in creating very long lineups for food or food service and these people leave and create quite a mess.A/C in our room did not work very well. Would never consider going back to this resort. Also this resort allowed stray dogs in the restaurants-very dirty

We were quite disappointed with the resort. My two brothers and their wives had to ask for another room as their rooms were dirty! A lot of things did not work well..air conditioning, patio doors, tv. Our shower just dribbled and it took two days to get it fixed. Towels, etc not there when you needed them. The restaurants were not as advertised..basically only two a la carte restaurants and they were open only every other day. Wine was not included at the a la carte restaurant..we would take it along with us from the bar in our plastic cups. The grounds and buildings were run down and unkept. The entertainment was incredibly loud and disturbed us till 2:00 am. We would definitely not go back and would not recommend!!

Very attentive staff. Rooms are very clean. Communication through resort app very helpful; avoids having to call or go to front desk. Only complaint would be the lounger saving, however, this redorts removes towels or whatever placed before 7am.

The resort was clean ,the room was good location had to have shower fixed and hairdryer (done very quickly),buffet good,al a cartes could do with upgrade in menu,would recommend. Adult pool bar was very busy more staff definitely needed,

My thoughts on this place was there for 7 days my fridge was never refilled never received new clean towels only thing I continued to get was face clothes.Also was 1 place very tiny outdoors to buy survivors no shops.Grounds were very well kept and meals were great but would not go back.And one thing that I did not like is in the Japanese restaurant was not even recognized as the cook could not speak English but asked everyone questions.

My thoughts on this place was there for 7 days my fridge was never refilled never received new clean towels only thing I continued to get was face clothes.Also was 1 place very tiny outdoors to buy survivors no shops.Grounds were very well kept and meals were great but would not go back.And one thing that I did not like is in the Japanese restaurant was not even recognized as the cook could not speak English but asked everyone questions.

The resort facilities were clean and the rooms comfortable. There are many pools to enjoy. Some pools had activities and others were quiet ones which were great for lounging. The beach is large and sandy. Some parts of the sand are a bit rough, from new shells and the water gets deep (waist level) with only a few steps in. The selection at buffet varied and tasted good. A la carte restaurants were good,but reservations were not possible every night. The coffee bar was delicious and a wide selection of both alocholic and non-alcoholic drinks were available at all bars, including frappaccino. The resort is very close to the airport (less than 10 minutes drive) but doesn't have anything else around. This resort has quite a lot of stairs (to buffet, lobbies, pool and rooms) so not ideal for persons with mobility challenges.

The resort facilities were clean and the rooms comfortable. There are many pools to enjoy. Some pools had activities and others were quiet ones which were great for lounging. The beach is large and sandy. Some parts of the sand are a bit rough, from new shells and the water gets deep (waist level) with only a few steps in. The selection at buffet varied and tasted good. A la carte restaurants were good,but reservations were not possible every night. The coffee bar was delicious and a wide selection of both alocholic and non-alcoholic drinks were available at all bars, including frappaccino. The resort is very close to the airport (less than 10 minutes drive) but doesn't have anything else around. This resort has quite a lot of stairs (to buffet, lobbies, pool and rooms) so not ideal for persons with mobility challenges.

The rooms, service and food was amazing however the nightly entertainment was lacking. Every night they had the same dancers with different costumes lip sincing and dancing. They could do with some local musicians playing live music to allow the guests to see some culture and msic of the Panama people where we could dance and sing to the music. The tours were 2 hours away in Panama City. A long bus ride which was only offered on certain days. According to the people who went to the Panama Canal tour, there was no room to sit or stand to see the boats or the canal and they only had access to the movie theater. This hotel due to its location to all of tours ONLY available 2 hours away needs to find local activies, tours to local towns where there are bars and restarauntswe could visit. Maybe a local catermaran boat ride to snorkling, maybe para sailing from the beach. In summary a wonderful hotel close to the airport but nothing to do locally unless you are willing to give up 4 hours of your day to be on a long bus ride.

This is our second time at this location. The hotel itself was very clean and beautifully decorated for Christmas. The staff was very pleasant and accommodating. The food selection was great. We definitely enjoyed our week stay. The only issue we had was that the floors were very slippery, it had a high gloss. In this case a porcelain tile with a Matt finish would have been more practical. We will definitely be back again.

Grounds were beautiful, manicured every day and beach was raked daily. Abundant staff. We had a ground level room, which we requested for easier mobility, and easy access to all amenities. The room could use a refresh, however, it was very spacious, full bar, and a/c worked well. We did however encounter a cockroach twice in the 2 weeks we were there. Big plus is proximity to airport..15 min.

Myself as well as some family and friends (10 people in total/total of 5 rooms) booked a week stay at this resort. Really my only complaint is that we were told our rooms would be located together - however rooms were located on different and different sides of the resort which was a bit inconvenient. Otherwise the food was good, staff were nice, grounds were lovely.

We stayed at this resort for the second time this year and we loved it both times. The rooms are spacious and clean, the resort is beautiful and always clean. We had wonderful service and we can't wait to return again next year;)

The hotel is good. Has a lot of positive such as the pool and the beach are fantastic. The rooms are somewhat dated and lack items such as irons and coffee machines. The food is very good and the Asian, Italian and the Cowboy à la carte restaurant are excellent. The buffets are good and have plenty of selection. It’s was interesting that the staff were very friendly and attentive in the à la carte restaurants however not so much in the buffets. Staff did not seem informed about the resort. We were incorrectly directed several times during our stay. It’s is important to know that the resort is quite large and requires a lot of walking. There are a lot of stairs and steep hills to get to a good part of the resort’s accommodations. This wasn’t a problem for us however important to note if guest have ambulatory issues. There are shuttle available to be arranged if needed. Overall I would rate the resort as a three star but pleasant.

I was very disappointed in my recent trip to the Riu Playa Blanca. I felt overlooked as a tourist compared to the locals. There was segregation within the pool and bar area which I don’t agree with. One pool had locals and one had tourists. The music was also different at each pool. The third floor is under construction and the rooms are dated. The garden view is of a construction site where workers work 6 days a week from 7:00am until sunset. The cleaning is subpar which leads to tourists getting very sick. There is no new glassware provided even when a former vacationers toothpaste remnants are left in the glass. The staff just rinses the glassware in the bathroom water. The sheets had stains on them and the pillows were terrible. If you got sick, like most of the tourists did, you get 2 bottles of water every 2 days. If you are truly sick and have to go down to the hotel lobby at 2:00am, they will request you get more water at 10:30am which will be 6:00pm after calling 4 times. I was overlooked at the bar since I was a sober tourist. The food was amazing but because the cleaning was subpar I believe there was some sort of cross contamination which results in getting very sick or at least traveller’s diarrhea (even when taking Dukoral). I found it odd there was no option to get a cappuccino until after 10:00am. There’s no option to get any water before 10 or 11am if you are at the beach/pool. I will not be telling friends and family to come here. If you want top tier beaches, customer service and cleanliness I do suggest going to the Grand Aston or Iberostar in Cayo Coco, Cuba.

The hotel is ok. Too many rules to mention. You can't smoke or vape any where only the beach area. Can't listen to music by the pool. Only beach area. Can't drink by the pool with a cup the provide only closed containers. Food was good.

I stayed here Nov 8-15 2025 and wanted to share my experience. First off the hotel has a grand entrance and looks fabulous. Front desk staff were good at getting me checked in with little time wasted. Room was good until I saw the mold in my shower and either mold or dirty around the AC vent. Not typical of Westin hotels. I paid for an all inclusive but not everything was included. Seemed like they had different levels of all Inclusive. Only 2 restaurants to use my Al la carte coupons for. The other ones I had to pay out of pocket. Also the desserts at the coffee shop were not included so if you wanted that you had to pay out of pocket aswell. Buffet had little choices and not very flavourful. This is not your typical all inclusive resort. Swim up bar was open twice my whole week and staff around the pool to order drinks from were never around. Nice looking hotel but definitely not a regular all Inclusive resort.

The resort is nice and super close to the airport, which makes getting there easy. It is a bit far from everything else though, so if you plan to explore more of Panama, I’d suggest staying closer to Panama City or the Caribbean side. The black sand beach is beautiful with lots of lounge chairs available. It’s a public beach, so there are a few local vendors, but they’re respectful and leave you alone once you decline. Our room was spacious, clean, and comfortable. The in-room bar was a great touch, and the cleaning staff did an amazing job every day. The food was a highlight — the buffet was hands down the best! Each day had a different theme with plenty of variety. The pool area was well maintained, and there was always a lifeguard on duty. The bartenders were friendly, hardworking, and kept the drinks flowing all day. The DJ at the disco was awesome! It was a fun, mature crowd, and the music mix was perfect. Overall, a great spot for a relaxing and fun sister getaway!

I have enjoyed RIUs but this one didn't live up to its name Room for my husband and I was great, nice king bed and decent size bathroom. Room for my 3 teens was not. Third bed was a little leather sofa bed that folded out to the floor. My kids aged 16, 19 and 21 fought over who didn't need to sleep there. When you are given an Oceanview room you should be able to see the Ocean, don't wait the extra money, Courtyard is just as nice and better location to elevators/lobby and restaurants Beach was absolutely beautiful, shells everywhere, a highlight Rooms and food and pool all close together, wifi was spotty at the pool but good in the rooms and restaurants Food was okay. Lots of salads, burger and fries, ice cream, turkey dinner and taco nights were the highlights. Deserts terrible and would have been nice to have bagels or muffins or waffles or non runny eggs for breakfast. Pools were good, nice benches along edges to sit on. Didn't open til 8am and we were already feeling the heat at 7am so it would have been nice to use earlier All in all it's an okay family resort but again doesn't live up to RIU in other countries.

Our first visit to Panama was disappointing. The hotel advertisement lied. Pool our over crowded with kids no separate pool for adults. And definitely no swim up bar unless your VIP. Garden view rooms have no view of a garden just dirt. Food has no variety. Same thing everyday. All excursions were booked up before we got there so didn’t get to go off resort to view. And the biggest thing is the stairs for people that can’t walk a lot there is 74 step to climb for anything. We’re not very picky just wanted a nice place and this wasn’t it very disappointing from the minute we got off the bus. Needs to improve a lot.

The Bonaventure Golf and Beach Resort has everything you need for a short, relaxing getaway. It’s a comfortable, moderately sized hotel set in lush, garden-like surroundings, featuring spacious, cozy rooms and a host of thoughtful amenities. The staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful, the food is excellent, and the location is great—just 15 minutes from the local airport and only 3 minutes from the beach. The beach itself is beautiful, safe, and perfect for long walks. However, the ocean can be quite powerful at times. Swimming didn’t always feel safe due to strong currents and crashing waves, but each day we found calmer moments to enjoy the water. Several nice swimming pools and hot tubs offered a safe and relaxing alternative when the ocean was rough. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the resort and would gladly return

This resort is one of the best maintained and cleanest. Dining rooms, grounds and many pool areas are immaculate. Staff, service and food are excellent. Entertainment could be improved and a minor disappointment was the beach. It is not really maintained or set up with chairs, umbrellas etc for sunbathing. There are loungers under the trees further inland. The ocean is very rough, the sand is course.

Great deal at this price point. Large room with nice bathroom. Nothing fancy but nothing wrong with it either.Aircon was great. Buffet was excellent for a buffet and a la cartes were ok to good. Drinks were good all around but better in the sports bar and best in the lobby bar where they blended the drinks. Four pools including a great kids pool with slides. Beach was great for walks but not pretty white sand and the water was a little cold in April ( ok I am a wuss) compared to the pools which were quickly warmed up in the hot sun. Entertainment shows were ok . One set of four elevators but they were very quick and hardly any waiting. We were close to the elevators ( no noise) and that was great. I could see it being a bit of a pain if you had a long walk from your room to the single set of elevators. The staff was always very helpful.

Grounds are very well kept. Always cleaning going on by staff. Food was good but Steak House needs work. Not bad but not good. Italian place was good. Buffet was also good you cannot go hungry. Pools were good and beaches were nice. They indicate any issues on the beaches with flags either watch out for jelly fish or stingrays. All in all nice staff and a good resort.

This beautiful resort exceeded our expectations The staff were helpful and kind, the food was excellent and the resort was really clean. There was an adult only area that we really enjoyed Panama is a beautiful country We will be back to explore further

This beautiful resort exceeded our expectations The staff were helpful and kind, the food was excellent and the resort was really clean. There was an adult only area that we really enjoyed Panama is a beautiful country We will be back to explore further

First thing about this hotel is the cleanliness. The staff worked constantly to clean floors, around the pools and rooms. Food was excellent, so much variety. Drinks were very good. Very friendly resort

Travelled March 2025 with my husband, two kids ages 8 & 10 (one has autism) and my parents. Overall we had a great vacation. The resort is literally 5 minutes away from the airport, which was really good for the kids!! The big two negatives: Friday to Sunday the resort is overcrowded with locals. Pool is packed, buffet is packed and the staff cater to the locals, not the tourists. The other big thing is the lack of English speaking staff at this resort. I know we are in their country, but generally resorts know basic English. This resort had a handful of staff that understood us. Majority didn’t even understand basic stuff like requesting water. Kids evening show was only Spanish as well. My autistic child only eats fries, and they were only served here at breakfast. After finding someone who spoke English they were very helpful and made him fries at every meal. The beach and sand is beautiful! The water is dark, but very sandy when you walk out. We had ocean view in building 700. It is in a perfect location. Steps to the pool and beach. Finally a shout out to Jose at the sports bar - he is fantastic!

Great stay at the RiU. The cleanliness of this resort was beyond fabulous. The staff went above and beyond to ensure the guests were well taken care of. The dining experience was also very good. The food was plentiful, flavourful and the variety was awesome. When speaking of the A la cartes, the Italian restaurant was my favorite restaurant followed by the steak house and lastly the Asian. I totally enjoyed the adult pool with the swim up bar, however the beach did not leave alot to be desired. The sand was very hot, the water appeared murky and unswimmable. The red flag was posted the majority of the entire week and very few people opted to swim in the ocean. With that said, the beach is walkable for distance in either direction. The activities offered during the day were fun to watch and staff gathered guests for participation in each activity. Shout out to Gabby who led the aquafit classes. She was fantastic. The evening entertainment was amateur at best but the staff's effort put forth was much appreciated. Great vacation overall and would recommend friends and family to visit Riu Playa Blanca.

This resort was a good place to get away from it all. The food, room, and service were all very good. The theme was definitely simplicity. Activity staff (especially Ruben and Gabby) worked tirelessly to make sure everyone had a great time. The bartenders, (especially Bobby), were friendly and attentive. Our room was very large and our view was lovely. The infinity pool was perfect for all. The downside to this resort is the location to Panama City. It’s a two hour bus ride if you want to visit the Panama Canal, old Panama City or new Panama City. If you are a beach person, this may not be the resort for you. The sand was very coarse and extremely hot, the water was murky, and the waves and undertone were worrisome.

Grounds well kept, pools dirty, air conditioning not good, food very poor selection and cold, very dated resort, very hard working people, same music everyday buy the pool, entertainment bad, to many locals who are very rude, worst resort I have ever visited

Grounds well kept, pools dirty, air conditioning not good, food very poor selection and cold, very dated resort, very hard working people, same music everyday buy the pool, entertainment bad, to many locals who are very rude, worst resort I have ever visited

Just recently returned from this resort. We had a good time, the resort is huge, lots of uphills, stairs, lots of walking for sure. The landscape was beautiful! Ocean was very warm, beach is nice and very long. Great for walking! Food was good, cocktails, coffee are perfect. Lots of Spanish speaking guests, even the staff don’t speak much English so brush up on your Spanish skills. Room ( garden view) was okay, a bit outdated. No issues with towels, or finding lawn chairs at the beach and poolside. Overall it was a great vacation!

We loved our stay at the grand Decameron resort! Food was excellent great service amazing pools and beach! Free wifi in lobby and most restaurant's. the villas are cute and big with a couch which is more of a bed! Great place for family with kids! Also the night shows are fun and entertaining!

This hotel is dated and in need of upgrading. The grounds are nice but not stellar like some resorts. We arrived a bit late but the check-in process went smoothly. The staff at the desk struggle with English but we made it through. On the whole, there is VERY little English spoken or even attempted. A few staff would try to speak English but they were few and far between. The rooms are dated and in need of upgrading. We had a full balcony with 2 chairs. It would have been nice to have a table; however some balconies had tables and no chairs, one chair or nothing at all, so I guess we were better off than some! The closet had 5 hangers - not quite enough for 2 people for 10 days!! Housekeeping was inconsistent - some days you got 3 facecloths and 2 bath towels, some days 4 bath towels and 1 facecloth. There are no towel bars in the bathroom so you are left with your towels on the counter, over the shower or on the back of the door. There is no hair dryer - luckily I bring mine everywhere or else I would have had many bad hair days - apparently, from another review I read, you could ask for one - not sure how that would go for you! There is a mini-fridge in the room - day of arrival we had 4 cans of pop, 2 cans of beer and 4 bottles of water. Once the pop and beer were consumed, they were never replaced. Number of bottles of water left was never consistent. You can't drink the water in the bathroom so we went through alot of water and never knew if we would have enough. There is also a Keurig in the room - some people's didn't work but it wouldn't matter anyway because they never replaced the coffee pods. We used 2 the first morning and never got more until 3 days before we left and then we got 1. Anywhere else we have stayed that had a balcony, it was swept daily - ours was not swept once - the same pile of dirt from the beginning of the stay was still there when we left. Even the hallways on our floor were seldom, if ever, swept. One bonus was the water and water pressure was great - didn't matter when you had a shower you had hot water. The hotel has 2 elevators which was a nice feature and there was never any issue with them not running. Food is fairly good - lots of choice at the buffet. There is alot of pork on the menu. There is beef as well but it was very tough. Sometimes the food was not hot enough. The one big thing, and this applies to the whole resort, is the majority of signage is in Spanish. Extremely frustrating at the buffet was the Spanish signs for what the chefs were cooking on the grills - unless you could visually see what the food was, you wouldn't know, unless you spoke Spanish. Other signs on the buffet did have English on them. The dining room has the tendency to be quite loud, especially on weekends - I'll get to that later! There are 3 ala carte restaurants but we did not go to them - we did not hear anything good about any of them. Reservations for them are made on a daily basis and I understand the lines to do so are quite long. There is a snack bar by the pool that opens at 10am - serves burgers, hot dogs, fries, nachos, fresh fruit. It would appear that there has been little in the way of customer service training for the staff in the diningroom. Some days you waited for your coffee in the morning, other days they were right there with it. You may or may not get a second cup. There is little to no attention to detail. There are plenty of staff milling around (some on their phones, some in groups chatting amongst themselves, some making themselves look busy) but they don't know how to read the room and know to offer another coffee, or drink at dinner etc. But they are quick to take away your empty plates - sometimes it seemed like the goal was to get you in and out as fast as possible. Of course, there are some staff who genuinely try to do their best job. There are a number of pools, with the main one having the bar. The other pools are shallower but there is not much shade at them. There are adequate chairs by the pool and on the beach. The pool bar is good - the bartenders are good and the drinks are not watered down. We had several days where we couldn't swim in the ocean because of rough water. The lifeguards are plentiful and seem quite competent. There were many issues with jellyfish stings when the water was rough - we wouldn't have known this except the Sunwing rep told us. The beach is a public beach but local traffic seems minimal. And the sand is brutally hot - on some days it could burn your feet - after about 10am you have to wear your shoes when walking on it, or run! Probably one of the biggest issues I had with the resort was the fact that they don't seem to cater to their tourists, but to the locals who can buy day/weekend passes. When they are there, it is extremely loud in the diningroom, the pool is overcrowded, you can't get near the bar....it is intimidating and overwhelming. We dreaded the second weekend of our stay for this reason. Unfortunately during our stay, we heard of many people who became sick, with some requiring hospital treatment. I, myself, became ill and didn't know if it was food poisoning or a result of the minor jellyfish sting I received. Either way, I lost a day of my trip having to stay in my room but others fared out much worse. Speaking to a fellow passenger on our flight who needed hospital treatment, it seemed the hospital had had many people from this resort there for treatment over the last couple of weeks. Since this is second hand information to me, I cannot confirm the validity, however I did speak to a number of people who had become sick during their stay so I'll just leave that there. While the resort did have some pros, the cons far outweigh. To give it a 3 star rating is what I feel is fair but it certainly deserves no more. Thankfully the food was quite good, and the beach was good, or else it might be a different rating.

Great food, beautiful rooms, grounds very well kept. Pools are amazing. Golf course is absolutely stunning. Service is over the top. Beach is very nice but not always great for swimming. Highly recommend Buenaventura Golf and Beach Resort.

Beautiful resort. Highly recommended the "plus" option. Restaurants were awesome. Staff was friendly. Host "Alex" was informative. Went on 2 excursions. A day in Panama city and a day in Anton. Totally enjoyed our 10 day stay ?

The grounds to the Royal Decameron were well taken care of. The a la carte restaurants were fabulous. The buffet restaurants were bountiful and readily available. Our room would be a 3 star. It was clean and comfortable. It lacked in lighting..no lamps at all, not even bedside lamps. The patio door was very difficult to maneuver..it definitely needed repairs. The entertainment during the day at the activities pool needed to tone down their sound system..it was incredibly loud!!! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. The staff were great. The weather was perfect..and we would recommend.it is great value for the money! Close to the airport too!

The hotel rooms could do with upgrades to fixtures and fittings, tv could do with more channels as there was only one in English, maybe an upgrade to satellite. The pools. Bar pool could do with a good scrub under the middle island, you can see black mold also the kiddie Pool could do with a coat of paint to make it look better as it is well worn . The restaurants, Italian, Asian, and Buffet were excellent but the Steak house was disappointing. Our waiter Rey was the best in the buffet, he was very professional and remembered drinks, names etc, very attentive. On our last full day we had a bit disappointment, everyone was reserving seats at the bar pool and the security came a took our cups, towels and clips for the towels. When going to the reception in the lobby to retrieve them we were told they didn’t have them and then when asked to see Manager the cups appeared but nothing else. If they are going to do this it should be all guests things and not just a certain few, also they should leave a card in English saying where they can be picked up, personal items should not be taken. I don’t care about the towels they are the resort but personal items (stealing) should not be taken.

The RIU Playa Blanca resort, although showing it's age a little still made up for it with it's amazing restaurants, great pools and a friendly atmosphere. But the true value at the resort is the staff who were amazing and willing to do anything for you. I only wish I could give them a higher rating than 5 star.

The resort and room was very clean.Was impressed with the buffet an poolside offerings.Service was excellent at the lobby bar.Deep sea fishing trip booked at resort was awsome. I would definitely recommend this resort to a friend.

Second time at this resort. Four of us went last year. We were very impressed so took a group of 14 this year! Rooms are adequate, service is very good, food is amazing as there is something for everyone. Beach not the greatest so we stay and enjoy one of the 4 pools. Staff we found is very friendly. The grounds are very well kept! Looking to return again next year!

This resort is beautiful. The grounds are well maintained. Staff are constantly cutting grass and trimming trees and bushes. The dining room is beautiful. It’s very clean and staff are constantly setting up for new diners. The staff are very helpful and very friendly. Food is very good too with lots of selection. Great pools and sports bar. The shows are fine if you’ve seen them the first time, but they are the same shows for a number of years and if you’ve been there more than once, you will have seen them before.

Great value for money with excellent staff, immaculate facility and beautiful setting. Beach access is easy and beach is clean. Food choices are far ranging and there is something for even the most picky eater. We will book again

This was our 3rd time at Riu Playa Blanca in Rio Hato The room was lovely with a king size bed and large bathroom with shower The entertainment was the same for the last 3 years, except they now added a lip sync and dancing show including Bruno Mars, Marc Anthony, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, as well as an Abba show. Both of these were a welcome addition and very well received.

I'm not sure of the full facilities of this hotel, but notwithstanding the hotel rates five star. I do have one complaint and I'll get to that, but first let me tell you why I think this is a five star hotel. The hotel management is first class and this shows everywhere. The hotel is super clean. Public spaces, gardens and beach are immaculate. Everything works. We did have a problem with our room safe but maintenance was in the room and the problem fixed within minutes of the issue being reported to the hotel switchboard. Without exception staff were well turned out, polite, friendly and helpful. Our room was large, bright and airy, with no sign of mildew, so common in the tropics. The air-conditioning worked well and was quiet, as was the ceiling fan. The hotel is located only about 7 minutes from the airport, and travel between the airport and hotel was well organized, as was our reception at the hotel. There is no portering service but this isn't an issue as there are four small elevators in the main building and room signage and directions are good. During our visit the elevators were in service all the time, to the best of my knowledge. We did not use any of the pools, so I'm not going to comment on them. We swam in the blue sea which was very warm and completely safe, but not really suitable for snorkeling as the ocean is murky. The hotel is located on a beach about 4 kms long. The beach is deep and shallow, and while we were at the hotel there was no surf and only wavelet. The sand is very hard below high water and great for walking, but grey in colour and not particularly attractive. We had all but three meals in the main dining area. This large space is divided into a core air-conditioned area, where the food is self service, and an outer area which is covered but open to the gardens. We preferred to eat in this latter area, but there a couple of cats around, and various mynah birds, intent on stealing food, particularly fruit and packets of sugar. The quality and variety of the food was excellent at all times, and there were several different items each day. My only regret was that it wasn't mango season, but the pineapple was the best I have ever had. Salads, mains, veggies were all great. Desserts were sometimes quite gaudy [some had gold leaf] but all were very tasty. The four house wines were all very pleasant. Bar drinks were very nice, and the staff were very smart in keeping the amount of alcohol in the drinks low, unless you wished for more, in which case it was freely given. My only complaint relates to the three specialty restaurants, my partner didn’t really have any issues with her food but I did. At the Italian Restaurant the minestrone soup was so salty it was inedible. There was a major problem with noise on the evening we attended the Italian Restaurant, two large groups of a certain ethnicity were shouting and screaming at one another across the room – we got up and left it was so bad. At the Asian Restaurant the soggy heavy “tempura” bore no resemblance to light super crispy tempura batter. At the steak house, the Caesar salad was very poor and so were the pork ribs, which was surprising as the pork was excellent in the main dining room. I suggest that Hotel management take a close look at these restaurants as, in my opinion, the food is not up to the standards of the main dining room, and the staff in the Italian restaurant made no attempt to control the rowdy diners . We traveled on a Sunwing holiday, and the local staff were very friendly and helpful. We only had one 5 hour excursion to the local town of Penonome, which at USD $ 20 per person was great value for money and led by a very informative helpful guide. This was an excellent vacation, good flights, transportation and a five star hotel, what more could you ask for.

Nice hotel, room had minor issues. No working bathroom fan, no hot water in shower AC made a lot of noise but worked great. Hotel provided complementary toiletries but if not used taken away and not replaced. Issue getting bottled water. Rooms only allotted 2 small bottles a day. Not enough staff to accommodate the number of people, but the staff were great. Only 2 bars at times on resort other than the pool bar which was always full . And long waits to get drinks. Sometimes no tables available at the buffet. The size of resort was perfect. Getting change for tips on resort was an issue , especially money to leave country.

Very disappointing. Food was disgusting, rooms had mold in the washrooms. No live music entertainment other than only spanish(no interpreters) for one nightly show which was not worth going to. It would be nice to have options for different age groups and at least a small amount of staff or people to provide french and english to some others that paid a large sum to be there. No water sports at all. Pools we being cleaned during our stay so shut down rather than at night. One pool closed at 530pm. Sunwing was not available. Fly air transat if you go they have a live person. Take the public bus not offered to town and hire a private driver to canal etc so your not disappointed when sunwing cancels for off resort trips 3 days in a row.

Grounds are beautiful and the water slides are a lot of fun. They could use more bars. Buffet area is very hot. À la carts are very good! Staff is very friendly! The beach is beautiful just a few steps to get down there.

I was really concerned with all the negative reviews and even contemplated changing locations. I am glad I decided to give it a try. The resort is over an hour from the airport. The ride was okay and the driver even stopped for us to get some beers and go to the washroom. The check-in was easy. We had preferred club, and stayed at the adult only pool. It was easy getting a spot by the pool. Walked the beach and swam in the ocean. It was amazing seeing the tide going in and out. The food was good. You will not starve. We had room service 3 times and ate at each of the specialty restaurants. The omelet station is only there on certain days, so make sure you get one while you can. The staff are friendly, the resort is dated but well cared for. My husband had trouble sleeping on the bed, but I found it okay. A vacation is what you make it. I am glad I didn't listen to all the negative reviews. One truth that must be stressed is the "Can't see ums". They have mosquito like bugs that are almost invisible and bite. I didn't get my first bite until days three. The bites are really itchy. Bring an after-bite cream or Benadryl for the itching. The resort does fumigate and provide little repellant wipes. I brought bug spray and spayed the sun beds. Overall, 7/10. Happy vacationing.

A family group of 17 went, all ages, all different wants and needs. No major concerns, the food excellent, staff great. Our travel agent Wendy Harrington met all of our needs, kept us up to date and was great to work with. We would recommend Bijao Beach resort in Panama.

The best part of this trip was the weather which the resort had nothing to do with. There was a major language barrier and not good signage for English speaking people. Not many activities , the entertainment was not good,spoken almost entirely in Spanish and the food was not very appetizing. Staff was generally unhelpful once a major language barrier.

Language is a problem here. Spanish is preferred and treated with priority. Rooms are ok but dated, there are no coffee machines in room have to go to lobby if you want in room. Food is not that great but eatable if you don’t mind lukewarm and small selection same six things on both sides of buffet table. Alacart food is ok but not fantastic. Servers kind of serve Spanish better. We were ignored several times. Beach is big need to be there early to get umbrella even pool looked like taken quickly. For the price there are all inclusive resorts all over Caribbean priced same or less with better quality food and rooms. On the hillside gets kinda tired walking up and down they lied to us about shuttle. It’s there but common to wait 45 min

I was extremely disappointed with our trip to the Royal Decameron this time. We have booked there 3 times previously and enjoyed the resort. This time we found a rusted mini fridge in our room that was completely empty. It was advertised in you web site that there was a mini fridge in each room. It was fully stocked in our previous visits. Also there was no coffee making machines in the rooms. This was also a first. The site itself was very good and the staff very friendly. We won't be back here.

The hotel, rated five stars, does not truly meet expectations; at best, it deserves a four-star rating. The location is good, situated right on the beach. However, cleanliness is a concern: plastic caps, cans, and other trash are scattered around, indicating the beach is not cleaned regularly. The swimming pool also appeared dirty due to debris brought in from the patchy grassy areas surrounding it. The all-inclusive option does not cover all restaurants. At the coffee shop, we were told on the first day that only coffee and ice cream were included—not pastries. Two days later, ice cream was no longer included, and on the third day, we were informed that the coffee shop wasn’t part of the all-inclusive package at all. This inconsistent information was both confusing and frustrating. At the Starfish Grill à la carte restaurant, we reserved a table for dinner, but the manager insisted we had to pay. The front desk confirmed that the restaurant was included in our package, but we got the impression the manager was trying to take advantage of us. It’s hard to believe he didn’t know the restaurant was part of the all-inclusive plan. The TV in our room didn’t work, and we repeatedly asked the front desk to have it fixed over six days. Initially, they neglected to mention that we needed to be present when maintenance came. Even when we stayed in the room waiting, no one showed up. The bathroom sink was another issue; it took four days of daily complaints before maintenance finally resolved the problem. Although the hotel has some redeeming qualities, the overall experience was disappointing and far from what one expects from a five-star establishment.

Enjoyed the resort. Food was very well presented and lots of selections. My only negative comment would be their lack of English, especially at the reception desk. The staff was pleasant and most helpful even though language barriers were evident.

Grounds well maintained. Daily room service. Wi-fi / internet is intermittent. Al a carte restaurants are a nice change from the buffet. Beach is nice and we had a spot every day. Overall would recommend

It can be a great experience if u choose this resort with more than 95 % Latino people....All the neighbors of Panama are there...Nothing to worry but my experience start on the wrong foot...37 degrees filling like 43, after 6 hours of pleasant flight, my room ready @ 3PM sharp...not like others before...NO towels in the room! After 45 minutes & a lot of effort on my part, problem solved... The villa I've been, with ocean view , is situated on the hill. The access to the restaurants, buffet & beach : 95 steps up & down! Stair to heaven... 4.5 stars resort? Not even close...Room with basic furniture , no iron board & iron, no toiletries to impress , nothing like this... The only good point was the Dehumidifier in the room! Worth all the money we spend for upgrading to Plus. Actually that was not the only Plus... We have had access to everywhere...Ocean ,amazing! Kind of rough in first 2 days, but worth it ! Food...amazing @ Cowboy, Ramon having all sort out every evening. Very dedicated guy! The other restaurants...food specific Latino... Swimming pools well maintained but with no washrooms around & a lot of people spending hours @ the swim up bar, I wonder if they even realize the issue!!? Housekeeping working hard after being tipped...Bell boys doing the hard work with the luggage to the third floor ... Trip to Panama city & Canal- AMAZING! All together , another nice experience.

Had a great time. Close to airport after a 5 1/2 hour flight. ✈️ Four pools so none of them were over crowded. No air conditioning in restaurants. The resort grounds are very well kept. The sand on the beach is black so bring water shoes as very hot.

The RIU staff are fantastic. Always cleaning and servicing you with a smile and respect. The food was great at the buffet and especially the restaurants. Fruit, breads, salads, desserts are always in abundance and fresh. The variety of food is insane and there's something for everyone. The beach was great but water is not blue or aqua but still very clean. The Wellness Center (SPA) is great however it's located at the far end of the pool and you can hear the booming pool music rather than the zen sounds of the spa. Nonetheless, fantastic hidden gem of a resort.

Hotel as a whole is very clean. There is always someone around cleaning every area, as an example around the pool area, there is always someone ensuring the floor is free of water thus avoiding someone from slipping. Staff in general are very friendly & polite & are always willing to help. Management are also present at all times to ensure that everything is running smoothly. Two things that could be improved to my opinion are: location of the massage center. It would be better to locate in a more quiet area to maximize relaxation ambiance. The other one is, having some hut/shade in the beach areas. They will provide coverage from the sweltering heat & will entice people to stay around that area much longer.

The Hotel area is amazing with its spotless walkways and gardens. The staff were just courteous and friendly. There were a lot of choices when it came to dining and they were all fantastic. It was a great overall experience for us and my family and if I were to name a few to improve on, I'd say the entertainment and the beach area could be a bit more pleasant as there were no huts nor shades near the beach. But I would still recommend this resort to anyone.

We were at Riu Playa Blanca Aug 5-12 and have only good things to say. Beautiful resort, super clean, there is always a cleaning crew everywhere it seems at all times, even the outdoor grounds and pool areas. Food is amazing. Staff is friendly and hard working. The beaches are not like Cuba but resort is top notch.

Cleanliness is A1, fantastic and friendliness of staff, and an abundance choices of food. Pool setup is also great. Visibility and hands on care of hotel management is quite impressive. I would definitely recommend Riu Playa Blanca to many others. We’ll definitely go back.