Riu Palace Resort - Aruba

I had the privilege of spending a one week vacation at the Riu Palace Resort in Aruba in June/2008.

I would like to tell you about the resort, and would certainly define it as the most beautiful palatial 5+ star hotel in Aruba.

We arrived at the hotel around 9:30 p.m. with about 100 other people from our plane. The organized and courteous, staff got us through check in -within 15 minutes, with a cool refreshing drink in hand.  They arranged to have the dining room remain open for an extra hour, anticipating that the plane load of passengers might be hungry and appreciate a sit down dinner after their travels.   

The rooms were lovely, clean and modern.  The air conditioning andceiling fan provided a cool breeze, although you could keep your terrace door open and enjoy the cooling breezes from the trade winds that are always refreshingly blowing.  The room has been equipped with a dispensary bar, and mini

fridge which is constantly being replenished with water, soft drinks, and beer.  The room also has a large safe, and hair blower.

The Property is laid out beautifully.  The main pool is located in the centre of the property, complete

with swim up bar, and eternity pool and waterfall.  It is the perfect place to swim some laps at the beginning or end of the day .The main dining room is also located in the centre of the hotel with four lovely a-la-carte restaurants attached to the main building.  The Crystal dining room is visually beautiful, and delectably gourmet. I would recommend having a dinner there. We also enjoyed the Japanese a-la-carte restaurant, although I felt that there are Japanese restaurants in Toronto which are much better. You book your a-la-carte dinners with the concierge, the morning you want to go, and you have a choice of two seatings. -6:00 or 9:00.

The main dining room is large and elegant.  You can either eat in the dining room or outside on the terrace.  The meals are all so wonderful.  Great Breakfast- great lunch and wonderful dinner!!   There is always a large selection of beautifully prepared fresh platters, which are always replenished.  There is everything imaginable offered-always with a carving station, pasta station, and specialty of the day selection.  There is always fresh fish, as well as shrimp, crab, smoked salmon, calamari etc. There is always a huge selection of fresh vegetables, and beautiful carved fruit.  The desserts are all home made, and are always accompanied by domestic and imported cheese, chocolate fountains, and ice cream sundae stations always compliment the end of the meal. If you are traveling with kids, there is always food offered that is recognizable to a child, and a variety that a child would enjoy pizza, hot dogs, burgers, pasta etc. I never had a bad meal there, and always walked awayfrom the dining room being very contented and impressed.

The beach is large with lovely white sand.  There are many cabana huts situated on the property, although unless you wake up at 6:00 to unofficially reserve a hut, it is a problem to find one vacant when you arrive at the beach at a normal time.  There is only one hotel bar, near the beach, and unfortunately the bar and everything outside closes down at 6:00.  If you intend to watch an amazing nightly sunset around 7:00- you must bring your own beverage to the beach if you want to sip on a drink

The hotel also hosts a small casino, gift shop and sports bar, where you can help yourself to snacks and pre-package sandwiches to take out.  The hotel also offers 24 hour room service- if you want anything brought to your room, as well as turn down service at night.  There is no scheduled entertainment offered in the evening, although you can go into the town and have a great time.

I would go back to this beautiful hotel over and over again, and would sincerely recommend it