There is so much to love about JOIA Aruba. The hotel is clean, new and well laid out, with spacious rooms, comfortable beds and lovely amenities, including quality shampoo and conditioner. Housekeeping and turndown service were excellent. The pool area is beautiful, with amazing views, comfortable loungers, cabanas and daybeds. Service was excellent, and we appreciated the towels, sunscreen and water provided. The beach beds and beach service were equally wonderful—and Eagle Beach is hard to beat! The breakfast buffet was another highlight, with an amazing selection. There were, however, two significant disappointments. The spa was under renovation, and construction around the pool brought noise and fencing that obstructed the views. None of this was disclosed when we booked, which would have helped us make an informed decision. During our stay, a private wedding also closed the entire adults-only pool section, including the bar and lounge, for the full day and evening. We were relocated to the family pool and offered an ice cream for the inconvenience. Our beach day was also shortened as we were asked to leave our chairs so they could set up for the wedding. We’ve stayed at many resorts that host weddings, and this was a much greater disruption than we’ve experienced elsewhere. I would still recommend JOIA Aruba—it’s a beautiful resort with excellent service and many thoughtful touches. But management needs to give more consideration to paying guests when planning construction and private events. Advance notice, reasonable access to amenities and a more meaningful gesture when guests are displaced would make a real difference.

this was a nice family resort. the best part was the location and being able to walk to restaurants and shopping. arriving at the airport there was no transportation there to get us to the hotel when it was supposed to be included. it cost me $50 for a cab and i was given a hard time to get the bus back to the airport. my biggest issue was being placed beside a night club that played pounding awful music every night until 2 am so loud my room shook. when asked to move i was told they didn't have anything else available. i didn't sleep at all and came home exhausted.

The resort was amazing, as Secrets Resorts always are! However, I am posting an example of their exceptional customer care. On my final day, I suffered a medical emergency and the care that I received from the Conceirge was incredible. Berleane, from Conceirge, came with us to the hospital, arranged the visit to the pharmacy as well as the taxi back to the resort. As a result, we missed our scheduled flight and Berleane helped us through the entire process of rebooking and all of the ridiculous run around and lack of customer support that the airline was giving us. It was such a terrifying and stressful situation and Berleane's care and kindness, made this situation so much less stressful. In fact, Secrets went above and beyond to make it as easy as possible for us to remain in the same room for the additional 2 days that we were required to stay. That kind of compassion does not go unnoticed and for it, we are so very grateful. We will continue to choose to visit Secrets Resorts.

Very nice hotel! Clean,Great location, friendly staff. We enjoyed our stay at Privada Stays. It’s all ground level and very convenient for bringing stuff in and out. Close to Eagle Beach and grocery shopping.

We want to thank you to all the staff to eagle Aruba for very good service very patient and very professional very knowledgeable and helpful and very nice people Very clean hotel very beautiful view and very close to beach All the best for all of you and see you next year

2nd time at this hotel and again it did not disappoint. We were close to downtown, restaurants and the best beach with designated chairs and palapas.Large suites and full kitchen. We love the supermarket close by and the drinking water is second to none. The slide at the pool is fun for all ages. The staff are very friendly. A plus is free laundry services. We can't wait to return.

Rooms are great, grounds are beautiful and well keep,the food is so good,we ate at every restaurant and never had a bad meal,beach is a 2 minute walk and is gorgeous, snorkeling was great,gotta walk down to the boat and float down the chute,so many fish,pools are huge and no problem getting loungers.The staff is so good from the maids to the bartenders,all super friendly. I will be back very soon,cheers!!

Very dissapointing experience for a 5 * location. I would say it's a 3* facility for service & food selection and quality. Service by front desk leaves a lot to be desired. Unhelpful overall. Never met or saw a Manager meeting customers or asking opnions the entire stay. The decor inside and outdoors were not inspiring. Especially the ala carte locations. The food selection and preparation not upto 5* level. The checkin and checkout process was a disgrace for a 5 * hotel. It felt like a college checkin. Guests are hearded like cattle to be seat for breakfast. No one walks you to your table. It was a never to be repeated experience!

Well kept hotel Buffet and restaurants served awesome food Nightly entertainment was awesome, although did not care for the Karaoke night. Nor did the other guests given attendance was minimal. Easy access to downtown Walking distance to shops to the west.

Grounds, public spaces, restaurants,food, bars, and rooms are ok nothing special . We were booked into Preffered Club Ocean View but were put in a regular room with garden View. When we brought it to their attention they said our rooms were not available. We booked in December and Secrets said they notified Sunwing on March 3rd. Not acceptable. We didn’t get into our correct rooms until our 4th day at the resort. No upgraded minibar or amenities as advertised. Zero drawer space for clothing and only 3 coat hangers per person. Our restaurant reservation was canceled due to a bigger party needing the space. Leaving us no time to get into the restaurant of our choice. Sports bar doesn’t open until 5pm, disappointing. Some people like to watch sports during the day, especially if raining outside. Preferred Club food served at pool was basic burgers or hotdogs etc. Preferred Club not worth the upgrade in my opinion. Staff were great and very pleasant.

Grounds, public spaces, restaurants,food, bars, and rooms are ok nothing special . We were booked into Preffered Club Ocean View but were put in a regular room with garden View. When we brought it to their attention they said our rooms were not available. We booked in December and Secrets said they notified Sunwing on March 3rd. Not acceptable. We didn’t get into our correct rooms until our 4th day at the resort. No upgraded minibar or amenities as advertised. Zero drawer space for clothing and only 3 coat hangers per person. Our restaurant reservation was canceled due to a bigger party needing the space. Leaving us no time to get into the restaurant of our choice. Sports bar doesn’t open until 5pm, disappointing. Some people like to watch sports during the day, especially if raining outside. Preferred Club food served at pool was basic burgers or hotdogs etc. Preferred Club not worth the upgrade in my opinion. Staff were great and very pleasant.

the staff were lovely, food amazing, the pools lacked shade and chair space the evening entertainment was disappointing, 1. same two employees and no big shows, and 2. we are old. it was overwhelming loud in the room so we left. we would stay again

Hotel was beautiful, helpful staff, food was incredible, lots of variety, very safe and friendly environment, fabulous beach ! Offering lots of excursions. Would absolutely recommend this resort to Family & Friends.

This hotel was fantastic. The rooms were very clean, the kitchenette was perfect to have some meals at the room. The location was great, just a short jaunt through another resort to the beach. The walk to the grocery store was so quick with the path nearby. We got 2 double beds instead of King size bed. They were a little small for my 6'5" spouse. Plenty of options for dinner nearby. Lots of parking if you rent a car. Enough loungers for everyone to snag. Common hotel bathrooms were super clean as was the rest of the resort. All staff were super friendly. Didn't have any trouble at check-in or check-out.

The hotel is updated and cleaner than before. However.., the service is not as I remembered. The cost is about 12% higher and the service about 14% lower than before. This I’d S our 4th trip to the Divi Beach all inclusive . Some of the bar staff were difficult for no reason . This was quite concerning as we only visited them once or twice per day. Room cleaners were excellent

Overall a great resort. It’s a little further out of the typical “hotel district” which for some is a plus or a negative. The pools were very nice. The two restaurants on the resort were mediocre but there’s a fair amount of options walking distance. The beds weren’t overly comfortable and they didn’t give us the type of room promised, but overall the room was pretty good. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Great location, great food and service. Friendly staff, very clean, close to shopping and water sports. Casino on site, local buses ran directly to downtown, very safe. Taxis readily available. All in all a great place.

Awesome resort - everything perfect and first class except for dinner reservations at the a la carte restaurants. Riu needs to revamp their process for dining in their restaurants and avoid the 5:00 pm lineups for non-elite guests.

Beautiful grounds, pool and room. Friendly staff but reluctant and nervous management, liability averse when we let them know of a food poisoning incident (these things happen). Tried to persuade us that we had a virus which it wasn’t. Four days later they sent crackers and Gatorade to our room, presumably as some sort of regretful acknowledgment. Totally missed the mark. Food otherwise was of good quality. Pool room etc very good.

We loved Privada Stays as it has only 49 rooms. It would be great to have a car but we chose to use taxis. The service was great and all so very friendly at the resort. We will definitely return again.

Wonderful,Safe,Helpful Private paradise Clean, Most comforted Beautiful Pool Excellence Close to eagle beach Great place to Vacation!!!! Compfy bed Best sleep! 100% great place to stay Fantastic vacation

My husband and I spent a week at the Marriott Hotel and Casino and had a great time. The property is clean, spacious and has amazing staff! The beach is beautiful, minimal waves, great spot! The chairs go quick in the morning, actually standing in line at 7:00am…The beach palapa can be rented for $30.00, or sign on at 5:00pm for free, (towel staff helped me).We were pleased with the meals and selection. We would recommend this fresh property.

Wonderful,Safe,Helpful Private paradise Clean, Most comforted Beautiful Pool Excellence Close to eagle beach Great place to Vacation!!!! Compfy bed Best sleep! 100% great place to stay Fantastic vacation

We recently stayed at the Riu Palace in Aruba and overall had a very enjoyable experience. We were in the newly renovated building, and the room was absolutely stunning — modern, spacious, and beautifully designed. Because one of the resort’s buildings was closed for remodeling, the property felt relaxed and never overly crowded, which we really appreciated. The beach area is one of the highlights — wide, pristine, and perfect for long walks. We loved the boardwalk that runs along the strip, making it easy to stroll and take in the scenery. The location is also fantastic, with plenty of restaurants and shops just a few minutes’ walk away. We also walked to Eagle Beach, which also has beautiful views. While the resort itself was lovely, the food at the à la carte restaurants was somewhat underwhelming and a bit bland for our taste. By the end of our trip, we found ourselves sticking mostly to the buffet, which had more consistent options. That said, the staff were excellent — always friendly, attentive, and eager to help, which really added to our overall stay.

Loved the grounds, always lots of loungers available, good shade everywhere. Food always great, good variety, plentiful. Loved the pot of coffee at breakfast, hot, but coffee on weak side. Staff very accommodating, keep rooms immaculately clean. Elevators breaking down daily. Are old, need to be replaced. Hallways are dirty, carpets should be replaced.

Definitely need a dinner buffet wait time to get in restaurants was way to long. Everything was excellent about the resort , the service was excellent and staff was wonderful.Could use a few chairs around the pool.

Beautiful beach , lovely staff, close to airport , good food . Can safely walk to town at night . Need to wake up early for beach chairs if you need shade. The island is a dessert so not a lot to see. Good snorkeling nearby .

Fun, Sun and a Constant Ocean Breeze...everywhere on Palm Beach. However, It is most definitely all the staff that keeps everyone wanting to come back again. The awesome STAFF who make the vib, drinks, pool activities and the fantastic food call happy, fulfilled folks back for a "Cant wait for a RE-DO at the RIU Palace Antillas Aruba!"

It is hard to go wrong at the Riu Palace Aruba. It has a great location on Palm Beach, close to the friendly restaurant-lined street outside, and we found the food and rooms typical of the Riu Palace franchise. The lobby does look tired and I hope Riu uses a different interior designer in the upcoming remodel instead of the purple Miami Vice situation that currently exists. Staff were very accommodating and overall we had one of our best vacations ever!

Grounds well kept, pool was very clean as well as all outdoor patios and etc. Food was good, hotel was clean and staff friendly and attentive. Walking distance to Noord.Not far from Orangestad and the market at the port.

Great room 30 steps from beach chair, no issue with chairs always got them without waking up at 6am and marking as in other resorts , fantastic food , even the buffet had a electronic beeper system so no lines anywhere for food choices , long sandy beach , the winds kept the sand cool so no issues with 2pm feet burn, etc just overall 10

I am satisfied with everything, we had a nice week of rest. We are planning our next visit to the RIU Antillas. I regret that we cannot make reservations in the restaurants and it is inconvenient when you want to relax and have to stand in line for at least 1 hour. I have been to several similar resorts and you could make reservations in advance. I think this caused problems for several guests.

First time at a Riu ??? fabulous time. Food was incredible at every meal. Buffet outstanding. Massive pool. Staff beyond friendly and helpful. Awesome sports bar. Great evening entertainment. Beach and water the best. White sand clear wonderful salt waters with staff constantly cleaning and attentive. One safe happy island for sure ??. We will be back ✈️

Rooms were clean. The food was top notch! The air-conditioning was great. We went during Halloween and the decoration of the main buffet was over the top! If you have trouble with stairs, this is not the resort for you! One wing of the resort is finished being renovated. The middle section was under construction while we were there. The third wing will be addressed in the new year.

Resort was very clean and well looked after. Room was ready and always cleaned/stocked. Enjoyed all of the al la carte restaurants. Booking in the Royal level made restaurant reservations easy. Only issue we really had was the shortage of pool/beach loungers and shade. The pool was especially bad with all chairs taken with towels very early in the morning. I was hoping there would be a separate area for royal level, but there wasn't really.

Aruba Ariba! I could go on and on but the highlights - the place was spotless.. the one staff member laughed at me every morning because as much as I tried I couldn’t avoid always catching her mopping and walking on her wet floors.. IYKYK lol Our room was spotless and well serviced every day. The food was good but with only 2 A la carte a night they were pressed for spaces (off season maybe), staff in the Buffet seemed a little light - they looked to be run off their feet but always were polite and had smiles on. Perfect beach - one gentleman raked and picked up after people all day. My husband started cleaning the beach because it was hard to watch - that was a criticism of the guests not the staff. Pool life was hoppin’ and they didn’t hold back on the liquor either! My husband had a bit of a medical emergency and the front desk handled it great - had a doctor to our room in 2 hours. The entertainment staff were amazing too. Lovely Island filled with lovely people!

Stayed there 2 years ago, clean, friendly, great staff. Not a 4 star. Carpets, lifting in hallways Our room 823 had mold in bathroom Sliding door curtains dirty Food same thing everyday Nightly entertainment very poor not many people went it was so bad

Hotel is nice rooms are a little small and a bit tired looking, but very clean. Food is good, but the buffet was not good. Restaurants are nicely themed and food was good. Grounds were kept very nice and tidy, pool was very clean could use a bit of updating, and room service is not included , which is unheard of in an all inclusive. Beach was gorgeous, but definately not enough towels. Overall I give it a seven out of ten

Had a great time, staff are friendly and helpful. Always clean. Was expecting more from the food, most of the food was OK, nothing to write home about. The buffet was the best option as it had a variety and changes daily. We ate there all the time as we tried several of the restaurants, either the wait was too long, or the food was not up to par (Italian restaurant is the worst). Location is great not too far from the airport. Depending on where your room is located, it can be very loud. Unfortunately, our room near the disco so there were some nights we did not get much sleep.

Rooms have recently been redone, all views of ocean, super friendly and super clean and fresh - no damp smells. Great pool area and most amazing beach - 4 kms of white sand and crystal clear water. Food choices between Riu Antillas and Riu Palace are plentiful . Fresh fruit choices every day, steak, chicken, fish, pork, lamb, vegetarian, fresh vegetables and salads and best desserts. Wait staff is attentive and super friendly. Good house wine choices. The gym could use an overhaul - a few missing free weights and often there was no paper towels for wiping equipment and no towels - so a disappointment - not maintained properly. TV's in gym did not work. but we will go back next year.

I highly recommend the Divi Golf. Everything was top notch from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. We had to change rooms due to one of the party, not being able to do the stairs and they moved us immediately to the ground floor. We were able to make unlimited reservations at the À la carte restaurants. Again, no complaints here as the food was amazing. Every morning we tried a new breakfast and we both found the Sea breeze on our resort. Site was the best. We definitely will be returning soon to the Divi Golf Aruba.

We went to this resort in early September and everything was fantastic except the weather was hot . We like smaller resorts because the access to the beach , pools and restaurants was great especially during super hot weather Staff was very friendly ,grounds exceptionally clean including the rooms , food great ( lots of fresh sea food), the elevators were fast . Great night life 15 minutes walk behind the hotel and some shopping as well There is a wonderful reef for snorkeling with so many different fish to be seen and free snorkeling gear from the resort The only 2 negative things : In order to get a palapa( for proper shade we had to wake up at 5:30/6 am ) In order to eat in the AlaCarta restaurants (4) you had to line up at 5:30/6 pm because they don’t allow booking so I fill we lost beach time when the weather was the best

Resort and the whole Aruba experience were very good. Hotel layout, grounds, pools and the beach area were very good. Food and meals and dining options were exceptional including access to the adjoining hotel. Room with partial ocean view was average. Only othercomplaint was not being able to reserve at restaurants.

Very nice resort. The service was exceptional. Our room was spacious and clean, although a bit tired. The construction noise was a bit much at times. The daytime music was blasting, im guessing to compensate making it less than restful. I would have like some food service closer to the pool and beach. And would have preferred to make dinner reservations at the a la carte rather then first come, first served.

The whole experience was excellent. 4th time there. Only one bad experience . We left behind an item in the hotel by accident. The Nexus agent at the airport told us that they located it and it would be delivered to the airport within the hour. Unfortunately 3 hours later ( due to a plane delay) the item was never delivered. Riu hotel and Nexus staff never contacted us . Sad.

The hotel room seemed updated. Very large bathroom, comfortable bed. Good view of ocean even though we didn’t have an ocean view room. Shower pressure not very good. Lobby is dark and very dated. Needs an upgrade. Food was good. Buffet had lots of options and many theme nights. Riu should change the “lining up” system for the a la carte restaurants and move to bookings with their app. It’s silly to have to line up if you want to eat at a specialty restaurant. I highly recommend the steakhouse. Get the filet mignon. Beach was beautiful. Water is clear. Pet peeve: having to wake up at 6:00 am to reserve a palapa. I’m not sure what the resort can do about this, though. Loved the water activities like water aerobics and riumba. Staff works very hard and I notice they don’t get many tips. The entertainment on Palace side is just ok. I didn’t typically stay past 9:10 pm to watch. I highly recommend!

The Riu Palace is never a disappointment!!! However it is under partial construction but overall, the service, people were amazing and super friendly. Most importantly, a very very clean hotel. Third time visiting and definitely NOT MY LAST!!!?

The hotel and amenities were amazing. We’ve been to the Riu now 10 times. Food is Great. Accommodations were great and the beach was beautiful. Staff was absolutely wonderful. I would recommend Aruba to Anyone Considering a vacation there.

The rooms were big (we had a king with kitchenette and full size refrigerator). The beach was very good. The food was good. Much better than the last time we went ten years ago. Huge improvement. We preferred the breakfast buffet and lunch buffet. Dinner buffet was mediocre. The restaurants are mixed, some are great. Margot is tapas. Its amazing. We liked Pure Lime for Mexican. The italian is not great. They do have great service, beautiful ambience and are stylish. The pools were beautiful. There are three at Tamarijn which you use while at Divi Dutch. The service was excellent. Staff really went above and beyond. They work hard and are all so kind.

at our pool bar ask for a mix drink no machine to mix , i go next door at the pool bar they had all the drinks that i ask for, all the mixers and great service so i tip them , we had our 10 year old with us so we had to stay at the palace, next door the food was better the resort was cleaner it had washrooms at the pool area not at the palace we have been to Aruba 4 times now all we have stay at both one more the kids rui land had times on monday and tuesday not open it was open on wed thur and fri only Riu i think it time to change.

Stayed here for our honeymoon in June 2025 and loved it. - Beach was beautiful and the resort's best feature. Pools were nice, although we didn't use them as they were usually quite crowded. - Drinks and food were great too - liked the restaurants and buffets always had fresh food and were consistent (although we were not a fan of the desserts). We especially liked the 24 hr cafe, was very convenient. - Room was modern, nice bed and the hotel and bathrooms were always clean. - There is not too much entertainment but there was lots to do on the strip and the immediate area - 15 / 20 min walk from the resort - was safe and fun. - Staff were mostly nice, kind, respectful and service was always great. They appreciate tips but not necessary. - Resort had a good crowd of people, not very rowdy but still fun - notably, its an older crowd of 35 - 55+ yr olds. Was a great experience overall and we would love to go back some day.

We've been to Aruba many times but this was our first time at the Riu Palace. The accommodations were somewhat disappointing. We had booked a junior suite and the first one we were given was on the ground floor with a 'garden view' which turned out to be a construction site for the neighboring resort. We asked to be moved and the following day we had a suite on the 7th floor overlooking the pool. It was just okay - very dated and extremely noisy. Turns out one of the Riu Palace towers was also under construction and they played the music at a volume loud enough to drown out the jackhammering all day. It would have been nice to have somewhere quiet to relax. Most resorts I've been to have had quiet pools and/or library areas for reading. Even the lobby was very noisy. On the positive side, the meals in the buffet and the alacarte restaurants were outstanding as was the service. Aruba is still our favorite island.

The staff at the Riu Antillas is excellent in all areas. From the check in to the check out ,was all seemless. Beach ,Restaurants and Our room service was very good.! Theme nights were great ,Medireraean was my favourite.

40% of the resort is closed. A major building is under construction and all we heard was jack hammering all day. We ended up leaving the resort and going to Joia Iberostar. We should have been notified of this when booking. Horrible experience and what a hassle to switch resorts! One elevator was closed down, and on our first day there the other elevator also wasn’t working. We walked from the seventh floor just to leave to get breakfast. Food selection was also very limited. Brutal!

We were very pleased with the hotel services and the food was excellent. Staff was also very helpful and friendly. We enjoyed the daily pool entertainments. I would not hesitate to go back again or recommend it to friends and family. This was recommended to me by my sister and very happy that we went.

Staff are amazing! The room was ok. Getting in and out of the tub/shower was a nightmare. I kind of fell the first time I went in. I heard this complaint from several other guests. Apparently, there are walk in showers available but I was unaware of them until a later date. I expected better because of the Royal upgrade we purchased. We stayed at Barcelo Bavaro in Punta Cana, at the Premium level 2X and the views, hotel and room at Bavaro were much better. All premium level rooms, have ocean front views and a hot tub on your balcony. In Aruba, I had to ask for a room overlooking the pool and ocean. I was lucky enough to get that as some Royal level guests are overlooking the parking lot with a partial ocean view. Food was ok. Be aware, if you want a pool or beach chair, you have to get up between 5:30am and 6:30am to claim one with your beach towels. Outside of our hotel was a strip full of shops, restaurants and bars. Sun to Thu the music is blaring until 1am. Fri & Sat until 3am. Because of the way the hotel is situated, the music is caught right in the middle of the buildings. I did speak to the concierge when checking out and she informed us that they are in court and trying to stop the music from blaring so late. It was extremely loud. Aruba is beautiful, but very expensive and commercialized. I'm glad I experienced Aruba but if I were to go back, I would probably stay at the other end of the island where it's quieter. Although, I think I will try somewhere else next time.

Our room was not clean at all you had to leave your shoes on or else your feet would be black, rooms, floor were really dirty. The rooms definitely need to be upgraded,I wouldn’t stay at this resort again.

We thought the hotel was good. It is in need of some updates. The elevators were troublesome most days only two or three out of five were working. The carpeting is wearing and the lobby area had a leak from the ceiling.

This is a perfect resort on a budget for Aruba. Has a two burner stove, toaster oven and full refrigerator/freezer. Great homebase to explore the island or to just sit by one of their three pools. Great location to the beach and grocery store. We had a fantastic time there and would highly recommend it.

We had a fantastic week! The hotel grounds and interior are very well taken care of and staff were friendly! Beautiful pools and gorgeous beach property with beach chairs and palapas. The hotel activities were fun for the whole family and included some activity rentals such as kayaking. The food quality and choices were amazing! Great location for walking to other hotels/shops and taking the bus to downtown.

We had a fantastic stay because of wonderful staff, amazing food, local entertainment, ambience and such a beautiful part of the island! We enjoyed the long beach but even longer boardwalk connecting sister resorts. We saw many birds, geckos, iguanas and fish while swimming. We enjoyed a full island tour but enjoyed our time at this resort even more!

Hotel was great. Clean, up-to-date, great staff, beautiful beach front, great food. Seven minute walk from town where there's additional restaurants, shops, and bars. No solicitors on the beach or in town. Very safe island. Beautiful soft sand beaches and ocean water with no seaweed etc. I'd recommend it.

My wife and I stayed at this resort Feb. 9 to 16, 2025 This hotel is located on Palm Beach. Palm Beach is a 5 out of 5. The food and beverage options and quality are very good 4.5 out of 5 The steakhouse was a 3.5, the Japanese and Italian was a 4, Krystal (fusion) was a 4.5 and the Buffet was a 4.5. The rooms are functional but dated. The could use an uplift/reno. The rooms in the main building had a musty odour. Overall I would rate the rooms 3.5 out of 5 The hotel was generally kept very clean. The rooms were generally clean. I would rate cleanliness 4 out of 5. The entertainment at night was good. I would rate that a 4 out of 5. The entertainment by the pool was good. I would rate that 4 out of 5. The grounds were very nice. I would rate them 4.5 out of 5. The service was very good. 4 out of 5. We would go back to this hotel

Review of Riu Antillas Adult only(February 3 – February 11, 2025) I recently spent a week at the Riu Antillas adult Aruba, and overall, it was a very enjoyable stay with some standout positives and a few areas that could use improvement. Here’s a breakdown of my experience: Food & Dining Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ The buffet was impressive, offering a great selection of food that exceeded the standard for most all-inclusive resorts I’ve been to. There was a variety of options to satisfy different tastes, and aside from one off-night, the quality and selection were consistently good. However, the à la carte restaurants were a hassle. They operated on a first-come, first-serve basis, meaning long wait times and the possibility of standing in line for an hour just to get a reservation. We found this frustrating and ultimately chose to stick with the buffet, which turned out to be a solid choice. Hotel & Grounds: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ The hotel itself has a bit of wear and tear, but nothing that significantly impacted our stay. While I tend to be detail-oriented and noticed small deficiencies here and there, the staff was incredibly attentive and worked hard to maintain the property. The grounds were spotless, which speaks to their dedication. Beach & Pool Area: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ The beach is one of the biggest draws of the resort, and while the ocean was beautiful, the beach itself was very crowded. If you wanted a palapa (shade hut), you had to wake up at 5:30 AM to reserve one, which was frustrating. Unfortunately, beach cleanliness wasn’t great, not due to staff negligence but simply because of how busy the area was. The staff was constantly working hard to maintain things, but with the high volume of guests, keeping the beach pristine was a challenge. Service & Staff: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If there’s one thing that truly stood out, it was the service. The staff was exceptionally hardworking and attentive. From housekeeping to the restaurant staff, everyone went above and beyond to ensure guests were comfortable and well taken care of. Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Would I return? Possibly, but I would mentally prepare for the beach crowding and the restaurant reservation challenges. The food, service, and cleanliness were all positives, while the crowded beach and dated areas of the hotel were the main drawbacks. Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a good all-inclusive with great food, excellent service, and a prime location in Aruba, this is a solid option. Just be ready to wake up early for a palapa and stick to the buffet unless you’re willing to wait for à la carte dining.

Check in was short but confusing. Room was stocked well and clean. Beach was close, beautiful sand and warm waters. Staff was most helpful and pleasant. Can not say enough about the restaurants, staff and quality of food. Entertainment was pleasantly exciting.

We are returning quests to this resort. We flew Westjet Premium and it was fine. Luggage did not get priority off load in Toronto but since they couldn't figure out what carousel to offload the baggage, it hardly mattered. Rooms are basic & clean. If you are looking for direct access to the beach, request building 1400 or 2000 - 2500 as rocks ,make entry difficult elsewhere. We always request ground floor rooms and each time we have sent a request for a room in a particular section, while not guaranteed, our wishes were fulfilled. Buffet for breakfast & lunch was OK & we were always able to find something to eat and staff were great. Dinners at the a la carte were pretty good for an AI. Our favorite was Ginger, then Red Parrot & Paparazzi. Make reservations as far out as you can usually for 3 nites. You can either go to the concierge @ 8:00 or use the APP..when it works. Club Margot is new this year and as a result, there is no dinner buffet @ the TAM. If you want a dinner buffet, you need to go to the DIVI. We didn't like Club Margot - just not for us however the dessert is outstanding...lol. We also rented a car from Wheels2Go as in previous years - pickup & drop off at hotel. No issues & highly recommend them. Went to the Donkey Sanctuary for our annual visit & fed them several bags of carrots that we picked up at Super Foods. Went out to eat for dinner a few times. P F Changs was good. Wilhelmina was also good as was El Goucho.

We had an awesome two weeks time!!!! Saw and did everything, plus had LOTS of time to relax. VERY clean and GREAT a la carts. Would we go back, no. We have other places to explore, but this is another check off our bucket list.

I have been to the RIU in Bahamas, and the Catalonia in Costa Mujeres. The food at Aruba Palace is similar to the Bahamas, very good. But the service falls short. It appears that the Palace, restaurants and buffet areas are understaffed. Beach papayas are difficult to secure, you need to be up at 7 AM to secure one.

We decided to try the elite club and it was worth it in our opinion, even though it was quite a bit extra We loved our room on the 16th floor. It had three sliding glass doors to a corner balcony. You could see from one end to the beach to the other. The sunsets were amazing. I think the best part of the elite was that you were able to make reservations at the specialty restaurants. We saw people lining up as early as 5 PM for the specialty restaurants that open at 6 PM. That’s not my kind of vacation. The specialty restaurants are definitely worth it. You can get lobster tail and fillet mignon or just a massive lobster tail among other wonderful dishes. The Arubian, steakhouse, and Krystal restaurants were fantastic. We didn’t try the Italian. You definitely have to get up BEFORE 6 AM to get a shaded sun lounger closest to the water on the beach. If you’re not picky to be close to the water, you can get there around 7:30 no later. The pool loungers also are taken very early The food at the buffet is fantastic breakfast lunch, and dinner At lunch, there’s usually three different types of fish. They also have hamburgers and hotdogs. The staff are so friendly and attentive special shout out to our elite bartender at the pool ( yismel) and Davidson at the elite lounge The staff are constantly cleaning everything!

The hotel was smaller and spread out so it never felt crowded . The shuttle service to and from the Divi was great but it was a very easy walk too. The ocean was beautiful and the beaches really nice. The a la cart restaurants were great! Great vacation !

We had for the most part a nice time however we had a few situations that were uncomfortable Starting with when we checked in we were told we could not have ground level ,,, I can’t do stairs then was told there was only 2 double beds availible and we booked king Then we get to the room to take a shower and it is plugged with hair Had reservations at paparazzi for new years and food was terrible, then went to the lobby bar a couldn’t get anyone’s attention until we pulled out money Lastly we went to the spa to book a massage on the beach and was told that the phoenix was the only spot. Went to the front desk to ask if the shuttle was able to take us and was told absolutely. Booked the spa went out to dinner and came back and felt I should make sure they could take us and was told by another employee that yes indeed the shuttle could take us. Woke up the next morning went to the front desk and was told that no one would have told us this I was upset with the person who spoke to me like that Asked for the manager and all she could say was who was the ppl that told us that. I then said it was not our error but the hotels and that they should pay for a taxi for the hotels error and the manager said to us no they would not and that it was only 10 dollars both ways to go. I am an ex hotelier and found it all very u comfortable and surprising

The staff were very friendly and gracious. The hotel rooms are dated and the north building is not in good shape. Daniel was incredibly helpful in accommodating our room needs and making our stay enjoyable.

The hotel staff was great. The rooms are a bit outdated. The dinner dining options need an upgrade. The buffet dining restaurant was great. Love that the beach area is so close. The hotel needs more beach palapas to service the hotel guests.

Antillas resort was quite nice and well kept. Staff were constantly cleaning the floors whether inside or outside. I didn't venture over to the Palace at all as I didn't need to. Rooms were well kept, however, I had to call the front desk to have housekeeping change the glass in the washroom and change all the towels, not just one set for one person. There was no ironing board in the room and when I asked for one, I was given a second iron. The beds were comfortable and there was always hot water. The AC always worked. The shower gel, shampoo and conditioner was a welcomed treat. The food at the buffet was amazing. Breakfast for royalty, including non-dairy and gluten free options. The a la carte restaurants: Rimini (Italian) and the Steakhouse served delicious food. The lunch buffet at Malmok was always full of interesting options. Waking up at 5:15 a.m. every day to reserve chairs by the ocean front was a bit much. There were more chairs available by the pool up until around 9 a.m. I would suggest that the resort allow for online reservations instead of having to leave a towel on a chair to mark your territory. I didn't find the water by the beach to be particularly clear. It was quite murky with sand at times but not much seaweed. I went snorkelling to see sea turtles and fish at Tres Trapi. It was a fantastic trip. The evening entertainment was fairly subdued and ended around 9:45 p.m. except for the white party on Friday night. That was fantastic, if you like dancing. The entertainment team worked hard to keep clients involved and amused. Overall, I would return to this resort for the food, sun, cleanliness and atmosphere.

I would recommend this hotel … it’s very clean the hotel staff exceptional .. I recommend queen size beds … do away with the double a must … the pool beautiful but way too many reserve seats and never use them very frustrating as a hotel that size only has one pool … doesn’t give everyone the opportunity to enjoy all aspects of the outdoor area … the pool for me brings rating down & dbl beds

The hotel staff were amazing, helpful friendly..The rooms were really clean and beds were very comfortable..the swim up bar in pool was fun .. short walk to beach, where you’re greeted with helpful staff to locate a ( free) palapa for you or there is a golf cart that can take you.. we will definitely be staying here again when we go back to the beautiful island of Aruba!!

The hotel is very conveniently located some pros are shops, restaurants, night life and the beach - all are within walking distance. Recently renovated, nicely done. Front desk staff are helpful and pleasant. Breakfast daily was appreciate. Cons: Older building, some issues with housekeeping, substandard cleaning. I had to change rooms three times on the day of arrival. Issues with water pressure in shower and sink, sometimes no cold water in shower (noting the hotel is undergoing renovations) and sometimes no water from sink tap. Breakfast was boring, same thing everyday but you can go to other restaurants.

Amazing place:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything was good or excellent................................................................................................................................................................................

After 2 travel disappointments (CUBA & PUNTA CANA) this was an amazing trip. Excellent service, staff were nice all smiles and seemed happy, food exceptional, premium quality and tasty with a lot of variety. The beach unbelievable... white soft sand, calm ocean waters, SWIMMABLE, fantastic weather, quality drinks, the list goes on and on. We are planning our return vacation already. I would recommend Riu Palace Antillas anytime.

I don't even know where to begin on what I have to say about this resort. Pure paradise. I have never been away to any resort where I did not find something to give feedback on. Not now. There is nothing I can say that is negative nor can I say that improvement is needed. The people are amazing and friendly and genuinely care about their guests. I have been recommending this resort to everyone I work with and my family. Thank you for making my stay absolutely enjoyable.

This resort is a rare gem, and tourists are taken care of from the moment they arrive, until they leave. The premises and the rooms are very clean, throughout the resort there is a lot of attention to details and everyone is friendly. We really felt welcome. The menu at "Aquarius" exceeded expectations, with healthy food items, as well as indulgent sweets, to make everyone feel good. This was our second trip to Renaissance Aruba and we will go back.

We stayed at the Riu Antillas 5 years ago and it was one of the best Carribbean vacations we have ever had so we decided to go back this year. It has been renovated and I can tell you, we never had an issue the first time. This time we were so very Impressed. Our room was lovely .. clean, well stocked with towels, drinks, alcohol, beautifully comfortable bed and extra blankets. The patio was nice. Out of our room, the entire hotel did not disappoint. Well taken care of, clean, staff were all helpful. There was always a Sunwing rep there to help us when we needed advice. The pool area was awesome. We have no complaints. The beach was clean. The water very blue and clear. The restaurants were amazing. The food was great. The buffets had lots for everyone. I loved my stay there. Everyone was attentive. I hope one day we can return

First time to Aruba and was everything I've read about it,the resort was amazing, clean rooms,awesome food,friendly staff and great nightly shows,will definitely return to this resort, Went off the resort to Baby beach and it was great,water is crystal clear and clean,also went snorkeling and saw an octopus and many tropical fish and sea turtles.

My wife and I spent a week in April at the Riu Palace Antillas and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The resort is in a great location with amazing oceanfront views and the town right out the front entrance. The room was immaculate and I can’t say enough about the service. From the maids to the waiters to the bartenders everyone was phenomenal, very impressed. My only negative would be that the food isn’t up to par in my opinion. There’s a lot of it but it’s average at best with some of it being downright inedible.

Everything was second to none. The grounds were immaculate. The service was outstanding. They were always on top of everything. The food was so good at the buffet that we went there most of the week instead of the a la carte. The beach , what can I say , perfect !! Thanks Riu for everything. You truly are worth coming back for. Thank you tripcentral for organizing everything perfect.

We spent 1 week at Riu Antilles in 2023 and just returned from a 2 week stay there this year. Pros: - STAFF EXCELLENT! Everyone goes out of their way to make guests happy! - Overall the food is good (4 restaurants, 1 Buffet) - Numerous bars with quick and friendly service - We feel very safe here - Hotel, rooms, restaurants, grounds, washrooms and pool areas are kept very clean - Adults only, which is strictly enforced. Cons: Beach area - Not well maintained - many cigarette and cigar butts - Palapas require maintenance or replacing - many are in poor condition - Guests that reserve Palapas at 6 AM then leave chairs vacant for hours (rules are not enforced) - Loud telephone calls on speaker phone - Numerous speakers playing various music genres - Smoking - cigarettes, cigars and occasionally marijuana Pool area: - Pool area does not have enough umbrellas to provide shade for all the chairs - Cigar smoking in the swim up pool - Washrooms need updating Misc: - Loud guests in the hallways late at night (after disco closes) We will be looking at alternative resorts for next year. Our main concerns are the inability to secure a Palapas without waking up before the sun rises and the lack of umbrellas around the pool. We head south for beach and pool enjoyment but consider shade to be an essential element that Riu Antilles does not adequately provide. While the staff are phenomenal, we have witnessed, on both visits, a number of guests that are totally inconsiderate of the enjoyment of others.

Eagle is different from the "typical" resorts I am used to staying at when traveling. More quiet, not as much going on, more evening entertainment would be nice, but overall it was well worth it. Having a full kitchenette and "apartment style" accommodation made for such a great experience. The space was very much appreciated, the grounds were beautifully kept, and the proximity to Eagle Beach and Super Foods was fantastic (I think it was a shorter walk to the beach than some of the very large resorts I have stayed at on other vacations). Laundry facilities was a plus for me. I still overpacked not knowing what to expect weather wise since it was my first time to Aruba but now that I know, I can pack lighter next time and make use of the facilities again. The pools were clean and enjoyable, we even took a shot at the waterslide as two adult women :) We tried Double Down Sports Bar the first day but I didn't care for it. The burger was huge but undercooked for my liking and it and the fries were only mildly warm, not hot. My friend had a platter which she seemed to enjoy. I had the chicken wrap at Uncle Tony's which was pretty good. The mixed drinks and banana daiquiri's were always very good! Overall, Eagle Aruba made for a fantastic first trip to Aruba and I for sure plan to return!

The hotel resort was a good clean stay the bedroom where decent and bathrooms was not bad . But room service is okay. We asked for extra towels and we never got any! The beach sunbeds where only available from 8.40am to before 5pm. That is not acceptable!

We loved this resort. The staff was amazing, the food great and the rooms very clean. The highlight was all the live music. We loved the boardwalk for morning walks. A market place is only a five minute walk from the Riu with lots of fun restaurants. We had a great vacation.

If you are looking for a beach holiday the hotel rooms / staff are great with great food and drink ! The beach and water are also most accommodating. Also a very safe resort to vacation too ! A true 5 star resort !

Everything was wonderful, very good from the housekeeping, front desk staff, towel lady, pool staff (drinks, beach, pool). The steakhouse food was dellicious. Staff very courteous. Like a manager coming by at our table, to make sure everything was good. Really enjoyed the AV tour around the island. Highly recommend. Aruba is very expensive, but it is worth it. Planning to come back next year - will be our 3rd time to the island. The only complaint is when we went shopping in town and ordered a small beer and a diet coke...she charged us $15.00 US.....the only sour thing that stayed in our mouth. We felf ripped off. But that has nothing to do with the hotel. Next time when we are away from the hotel we will ask first the price, before we order. We are very happy, all in all with the resort.

The rooms are ok need some renovation. The AC woudnt stop working which was very loud. The food was good and many varieties. Need more umbrellas and shade on the beach and the pool. Service is amazing

Riu is top notch. Staff very friendly and helpful. Food is excellent, best we’ve had at any resort. Immaculate rooms and grounds. Close to airport. Weather perfect. Expect and prepare for wind. Not a drop of rain. Highly recommend.

Beach ?Food ? / Service ? / Room? Entertainment ? and safety of Aruba outside the resort ? Water and sand was beautiful , You can take a long walk on the beach or there’s a cement walk way that runs along the other resorts next to the beach. Aruba is Fabulous!! Not a drop of rain the week we were there! ?

The room was very nice. This is our second trip to this location. We booked a garden view room each time but still had a view of the Caribbean Sea which was a bonus. Food was good. Resort was clean. Most staff were very friendly. Beaches were great. The drinks were watered down and of poor quality. That was okay because the wine (Argentinian) was very good.

The entire place was amazing. The alacarte restaurant system was crap but the choices at the buffet made up for it. The people and service were outstanding and make this place a 5 star. Trying to find a seat at the ocean or poolside is hard because people mark their spots early but the staff are quick to find you a spot.

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

The hotel was beautiful and very clean. The speciality restaurants were very good, but the notice that they are first come first served was not the case for the Steak Restaurant. For this restaurant you had to go to the restaurant shortly after 5:00 and stand in line waiting to see if you could get a reservation. The wait was worth it as the meal was delicious with quite a few options. However, it was misleading in the material on how to visit this restaurant. I did find the food in the buffet sometimes a little cool when it should be hot. The bar tenders were very nice and friendly.

We can’t recommend the Eagle Aruba Resort enough! We had a fantastic week here. The accommodations were perfect with the apartment type atmosphere. We were able to enjoy our own breakfast and lunches and then go out to eat anywhere locally for a delicious meal. Tony’s restaurant had amazing pasta! The pools were lovely and the entertainment was always happening! Cabana night was filled with beautiful costumes and lively dancing. We rented bikes for the week from Tri Bike Aruba and used them every day. The bike/ running/ walking path was definitely a reason why we chose Aruba! We would definitely recommend this fun but simple and clean resort to everyone!