Paradise Found: Riu Palace Aruba All-Inclusive Luxury Awaits!
Paradise Found (and Slightly Overpriced): A Riu Palace Aruba Review – Straight from the Beach (and My Brain)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the sand from my sandals all over this review of the Riu Palace Aruba. They call it “Paradise Found,” and well… they're not entirely wrong. But let's just say my version of paradise comes with a side of "Where's the ketchup?"
SEO & Metadata First (Ugh, Adulting):
- Keywords: Riu Palace Aruba, all-inclusive, luxury, Aruba, beach, reviews, accessibility, spa, dining, wifi, family friendly, wheelchair accessible, hotel review.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest and in-depth review of the Riu Palace Aruba. We dive deep into the good (gorgeous beach!) and the, let's say, slightly flawed (buffet roulette!), with a focus on accessibility, dining, activities, cleanliness, and making sure you know what to expect.
Now, Let’s Get Messy:
I've always wanted to go to Aruba. Shiny white sands, turquoise water, the whole shebang. Riu Palace seemed like the ticket. All-inclusive, right? Sounds easy. Sounds… lazy. And that's what I needed. But first, a disclaimer: I'm not a travel blogger. I'm a real person who overpacked, forgot sunscreen the first day, and nearly face-planted in a puddle of piña colada.
Accessibility: The Good, The Bad, and the "Could Be Better"
Okay, let's get the serious stuff out of the way first. My Aunt Carol, bless her heart, uses a wheelchair. So, accessibility was a BIG factor in choosing the Riu. Overall? It's mostly good. Wheelchair accessible and elevator - check, check. Ramps were available, wide walkways meant easy navigation to the stunning beach and general resort areas. There were even accessible rooms (we requested one). HOWEVER – and this is a big “however” – the beach access itself was… tricky. Think soft sand, people. Soft, glorious sand. Aunt Carol needed assistance getting closer to the water. The hotel could definitely work on more beach access, for a true paradise.
The "For the Kids" wasn't a huge focus for us. But I did see kids clubs and plenty of family friendly areas.
Rooms: My Sanctuary (And My Obsessive Cleaning Habits)
Okay, the rooms are what you’d expect in a luxury resort: a bit of over-the-top. The air conditioning was a lifesaver! Seriously, the moment you step in from the Aruban sun, it's like a giant, icy hug. The bathrobes, slippers, and free bottled water are a nice touch (especially after a few too many cocktails). Blackout curtains are a MUST, trust me. I loved the mini bar stocked with what I needed to stay hydrated, and the in-room safe box. I always test it! And I do appreciate daily housekeeping. My obsessive, germphobic self needs it. Our room wasn't perfect, there was a bit of wear and tear. The bed was comfortable, too. No complaints about the room's general safety/security - which included a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors.
Internet and Internet Access: Connected, Then Disconnected (But Mostly Okay, I Guess)
Wi-Fi access? Free! Yay! Well done, Riu! You nailed the basic requirement of the modern world, and the signal was pretty reliable in the rooms. The only complaint: I found myself trying to use the LAN internet access when the Wi-Fi was spotty (maybe just in my room?).
The Stuff You Do To “Relax”: Spa Day! (Mostly… Relaxed)
Look, let’s be honest, I need a vacation. I work too hard! So, I spent a good chunk of time lounging and enjoying the sun.
The swimming pools were beautiful. Big! There were often things going on.
The spa was the other side of the deal. I would say the best massage I have ever had. The facilities… well, they were nice, but busy! There was a sauna, steam room, and a pool with a view, too.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Buffet-Induced Rollercoaster
Okay, the food situation. Buckle up, because this is a ride.
- The Buffet: Ah, the buffet. The heart of the all-inclusive experience. The sheer volume of food available is… overwhelming. My advice? Pace yourself. You can find everything from Asian cuisine to Western cuisine, deserts that could kill a small child and soups. While the breakfast was fantastic, be warned: the quality isn’t consistent. Some dishes are amazing. Some… not so much. I always went for the salad, and I loved the coffee. And a bottle of water never hurt! The vegetarian restaurant was a lifesaver.
- A La Carte Restaurants: These are where things get interesting. The food is cooked specifically for your order! I went for the Asian cuisine. But it's a good idea to make reservations early!
- Bars and Drinks: The poolside bar is your friend. The cocktails are generous, and the bartenders are friendly. The happy hour lasts… well, as long as you want it to. I’m not judging. I’m just saying… pacing yourself is key.
Cleanliness and "Safe Dining Setup": Sanitization Station
I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I was paying close attention to this. Overall, Riu seems to be doing a good job. I saw staff constantly cleaning and sanitizing common areas. There was hand sanitizer everywhere. The individually-wrapped food options in the buffet were a nice touch (especially for someone like me). The dining setup felt safe and the staff really knew the hygiene protocol.
Services and Conveniences: From Concierge to Convenience Store (and Everything In Between)
I appreciated the 24-hour room service. The daily housekeeping, The concierge was super helpful with booking tours. There’s a small convenience store if you need snacks or essentials. Cash withdrawal was easy.
The Little Gripes and Glorious Wins (Because Nothing is Perfect)
- The "Resort Atmosphere": I'm not sure I'm entirely comfortable calling the Riu Palace a “luxury” resort. While it's certainly nice, it's also… big. It can feel a bit like a cruise ship on land.
- The Beach: Pure Bliss: The beach, though? Absolutely stunning. The sand is like powder, and the water is that impossibly turquoise color you see in postcards. Spend as much time there as possible.
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (Except for the Occasional Taxi Scam)
Airport transfer was included, which was a huge plus. There is a free car park. We used taxis some of the time, but learned quickly to negotiate prices.
The Emotional Verdict:
Was it paradise? Parts of it, absolutely. I certainly relaxed. Would I go back? Maybe. There are definitely a few rough edges, but the good outweighs the bad. If you’re looking for a reliable, fun, and mostly accessible experience in a beautiful location, the Riu Palace Aruba is definitely worth considering.
Final Grade: B+ (Room for Improvement, but Mostly Worth It)
Saigon Royal Hostel: Your Luxurious District 12 Escape (Ho Chi Minh City)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, highlight-reel Aruba trip itinerary. This is the real deal, the messy, sunburnt, rum-soaked truth of what it's like to try and have a relaxing vacation at the Riu Palace Aruba. Warning: May contain excessive exclamation points and questionable decisions.
Day 1: Arrival, Delusions of Grandeur, and the Sand Problem (AKA, "Why Did I Bring So Many Shoes?!")
- 8:00 AM: Wake up in my actual bed, not the luxurious one I'm supposed to be sleeping in in a few hours. Ugh. Plane. Anxiety. Did I pack enough sunscreen? (Spoiler: No. Never enough.)
- 12:00 PM (Aruba Time): Touchdown! Immigration? Smooth as butter. Baggage claim? Slightly less so. My suitcase (bless its cotton socks) arrives mostly unscathed. But wait… I've got a ton of shoes. Why. Why did I bring so many shoes?! The first crisis of the trip.
- 1:00 PM: Taxi ride to the Riu Palace. The air is thick with heat and the scent of the ocean, and I feel a momentary surge of… happiness. Arriving at a bright, pristine hotel lobby? Ugh, YES. I get a drink to drown out the pre-trip jitters.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in. Struggle with the all-inclusive wristband, nearly breaking it. I am, apparently, not coordinated.
- 2:30 PM: Room. Yay! Ocean view! Tiny balcony! Okay, the balcony is tiny, and the view is partially obscured by a palm tree that's clearly seen better days. I'm already picturing myself sipping a cocktail on that balcony, a perfect, bronzed specimen. This will happen, I assure you.
- 3:00 PM: The dreaded sand problem begins. I step onto the beach, and within minutes, sand is everywhere. In my shoes, in my swimsuit, in my hair, in places I didn't even know sand could get.
- 3:30 PM: Poolside. Attempt to find a chaise lounge. This is akin to the Hunger Games. Eventually, I snag one, but it's in the direct sun. Fine. I will get a tan. I will.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Sunbathing. Reading. Cocktails. The first official cocktail: too strong. Start feeling loopy, which I think is the point.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Steakhouse. Ordered the steak 'medium-rare.' It arrives… somewhere between 'well-done' and 'charred.' Am I too drunk to complain? Maybe. Enjoy it anyway. Then I think about the shoes again.
- 9:00 PM: Casino. Nope. Not my thing.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Sand everywhere.
- 10:05 PM: Decide to take a bath.
- 10:30 PM: Fall asleep, dreaming of sand-free existence.
Day 2: The Buffet Battle, Unsuccessful Snorkeling, and the Mysterious Case of the Missing Ice Cream
- 7:00 AM: Wake up before my alarm (a sign of the vacation gods smiling upon me)
- 8:00 AM: The Buffet. This is where the battle begins. Finding a table is an athletic event. I end up sharing a table with a family of five, but hey, I'm making friends! (Note: This will be the only time I talk to them) Food? Overwhelming selection. I go full 'tourist': Eggs, bacon, pancakes, fruit, and a pastry of questionable origin.
- 9:30 AM: Attempt snorkeling. The hotel offers tours to the Antilla shipwreck. So I signed up. Sea is rough, visibility is, shall we say, limited. I spend most of the time swallowing seawater and wondering if I have a phobia of fish. Nope. Just not a fan of murky, aggressive fish that think my toes are food. (Anxiety level: 7/10)
- 11:30 AM: Post-snorkel recovery: more cocktails.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Back to the buffet. This time, I attack the pasta station with the ferocity of a starved wolf. I’m convinced I will need to be rolled out of this place by the end of the week.
- 2:00 PM: Poolside again. This time I take the liberty of getting a drink from the swim-up bar. This is when I discover the true meaning of "all-inclusive."
- 3:00 PM: The ice cream mystery. There was ice cream at lunch, I swear. Where did it go? Did they run out of ice cream? Is this a sign of impending doom? The existential dread sets in.
- 4:00 PM: More sun soaking.
- 7:00 PM: Another restaurant: Japanese. It's actually pretty good! Though, I'm a bit over the performance of the chef with the onion volcano, I might add.
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to win at the casino. Failed.
- 9:00 PM: Try the lobby bar. I feel like the main character in a bad 90s rom-com.
- 10:00 PM: Pass out.
Day 3: The Aloe Vera Revelation, Beach Bliss, and Attempted Romance (Spoiler: It Doesn't Work)
- 8:00 AM: Decided to sleep in.
- 9:00 AM: Aloe Vera experience. My skin is screaming. I'm now a walking, talking advertisement for aloe vera. I visit a local vendor and buy so much, I look like the aloe vera equivalent of the crazy cat lady.
- 11:00 AM: Finally, Beach day! The waves are calmer, the sun is glorious, and for a fleeting moment, I achieve peak relaxation. I actually read a book. I achieve enlightenment.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. More buffet. I’m starting to develop a deep and abiding love for those little mini-burgers.
- 2:00 PM: Attempted romance. I meet a guy at the swim-up bar. He's cute, he’s chatty, he's apparently also on vacation. We chat for a bit, and the possibilities seem… intoxicating.
- 3:00 PM: We decide to check out the pool. Unfortunately, he turns out to be a truly terrible swimmer. My dreams of a beach rendezvous are dashed as I watch him cling to the side of the pool. Also, he's just too chatty. I make my excuses and retreat.
- 4:00 PM: Back to beach.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Italian restaurant. It's pasta, it's carbs, it's perfection.
- 9:00 PM: Attempt to dance at the lobby bar. I feel like a toddler at a rave.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep
Day 4: Renaissance Island, Flamingos, and the Ultimate Regret
- 9:00 AM: Make a decision to go to Renaissance Island. Get a taxi to the ferry, which means more time away from the beach.
- 10:00 AM: Renaissance Island. The flamingos. Oh, the flamingos. I have never seen anything so pink, so photogenic, so feathery. This is absolutely worth the extra time. I get approximately 500 pictures of the flamingos, all of which are probably indistinguishable from each other. The island is beautiful.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the island on the buffet. Get bit by a mosquito.
- 2:00 PM: Beach again, but this time back at the hotel.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the restaurant again.
- 9:00 PM: Casino again. Try and win…failed.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. And dream of a flamingo-filled future.
Day 5: Departure Looming, Last-Minute Panic, and the Sand's Final Victory
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. The sun is shining, and I swear I can feel the sand clinging on to me. Is it just me? The end is drawing near.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Attempt to eat everything in sight, as if to store up energy for the long flight home.
- 9:00 AM: I spend my last hours on the beach. Finally, finally, I get the tan I came for.
- 11:00 AM: It's time. Pack, check out, taxi, airport. The dreaded airport.
- 1:00 PM: The flight is
Paradise Found: Riu Palace Aruba - FAQ... or More Likely, My Rambling Diary After a Week of Sunstroke (Maybe)
Okay, so, is this place actually *paradise*? Because, let's be honest, the brochure always lies.
Paradise? *Sigh*. Look, it's *Riu Palace*. They know their audience. They know we *want* paradise. So, yeah, it's pretty darn close. The beach? Unreal. That turquoise water? You'll swear someone photoshopped it. I spent a solid two days just wandering around, completely mesmerized. Then, I got a sunburn. So, yeah, paradise with a side of aloe vera. And maybe a slight existential crisis brought on by too much sun and unlimited piña coladas.
But, there's *humidity*. Oh, the humidity. My hair, usually a dignified cascade of shoulder-length waves, became a frizzy, untamed jungle after like, five minutes outside. I looked like a confused poodle. And yes, *some* of the drinks are watered down, at least early on. But frankly, after the third, who cares? You're in Aruba, dammit!
It *feels* like paradise. It's more like a curated version of it, but still. I'll take it.
Let's talk food! Is the all-inclusive buffet a war zone? And is it actually *good*?
Okay, the buffet. Okay, I'm a buffet veteran. I've battled for a croissant in Vegas, I've dodged toddlers wielding juice boxes in Orlando... I’m not usually easily phased. But the *sheer volume* of food at the Riu? Astounding. It's… a LOT. And yes, sometimes it does feel like a war zone, especially around the omelet station at breakfast. Prepare to elbow your way to culinary success.
Is it GOOD? Look, it's buffet food. But the *variety* is bonkers. You've got everything from fresh fruit (seriously, the pineapple was divine) to, well, let's just say "questionable" mystery meats. The breakfast omelets are actually quite good once you've fought your way to the front of the queue. The themed dinners were usually a win (the Italian night was a highlight, pizza was pretty genuine!), but the general "everything and the kitchen sink" approach can get… overwhelming.
My advice? Explore. Try everything. And when you find the thing you really like, go back again and again. I, for instance, was *obsessed* with the little mini-quiches. They were my lifeline.
The Restaurants! Are the specialty restaurants worth ditching the buffet for?
YES! ABSOLUTELY YES! (Mostly). The steakhouse? *Worth it*. Juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection (medium-rare, naturally). The Japanese place? Fun, with the hibachi show and the (slightly over-salted but still delicious) fried rice. I even attempted to catch a shrimp in my mouth. Failed spectacularly. But that’s part of the fun, right?
Then there's the Italian and the fusion restaurant. The Italian was solid, nothing earth-shattering, but a pleasant, comforting meal. The fusion? A bit of a mixed bag. Some dishes were amazing, others were… well, adventurous. But hey, that’s what makes a good story, right?
Booking them is a pain, by the way. Make sure you do that ASAP. And be aware that “reservations” are a suggestion, not a guarantee. We waited for our last meal, a solid hour even with a booking... so, bring a book. Or, you know, another piña colada, depending on your tolerance levels
The Drinks! Tell me about the drinks! (Because let's be honest, this is crucial.)
Drinks, glorious drinks. First things first, **the swim-up bar is both a blessing and a curse.** Blessing because you can literally wade over and order a cocktail. Curse because eventually you find yourself trying to remember if you've *actually* talked to everyone, or just dreamt the bartender (who, by the way, was amazing). Pina Coladas? They flow like the Caribbean Sea itself. I'm pretty sure I developed a slight pineapple-induced obsession.
The other bars are all well-stocked, but sometimes you get the feeling that the bartenders are playing a game: "How many drinks can we mix before the guest stumbles?" The answer? More than you think. They have international brands and the local Balashi beer is a crisp, refreshing delight – perfect for the beach. And if you're feeling adventurous, try the Aruba Ariba. It will hit you like a tropical tidal wave (in a good way!).
Pro Tip: Tip the bartenders. They work HARD. And your drinks will magically get better, faster. Just saying.
Beach or Pool? Or Both? (Because I have to make a choice, right?)
Both. Obviously! But the *beach*, oh the beach. Powdery white sand, crystal-clear water, and those iconic turquoise hues… it's the stuff of postcards. I'm not even a huge beach person, usually, but this place converted me. I spent hours just lounging on a sunbed, listening to the waves and pretending I had no responsibilities in the world. (Highly recommended, by the way).
The pools are great too – clean, well-maintained, and with a swim-up bar (as mentioned, a slippery slope). The infinity pool overlooking the ocean is particularly beautiful, especially at sunset. But for me, the beach had the edge. Unless you needed to escape the relentless aruba sun, then you go back to the pool. It gives you a good choice.
What about the rooms? Are they actually luxurious?
Luxurious? Yeah, they are. Modern, spacious, and well-appointed. The beds are comfy, the air conditioning *actually* works (a huge plus!). The balconies? Perfect for sipping your pre-dinner cocktails while watching the sunset. I upgraded to an ocean view room. Best. Decision. Ever. Waking up every morning to that view was just… *chef's kiss*. It's like the ocean delivers a fresh dose of peace (and maybe a slightly nauseous feeling from the night before's drink menu, but still…). But I did hear from some other guests that their standard rooms were a little bit dated, but even they were happy. So, depends on your budget.
Is it kid-friendly? I'm traveling with the spawn of Satan… I mean, children.
Erm… yes and no. There were kids. Lots of them. They seemed to be having a blast. There’s a kids’ club, and dedicated pools. However, The clientele definitely leans towards the couples and older adults, or, couples with kids. I'm not exactlySearchotel
