Hotel Riu Palace Aruba

The Riu Palace dominates the skyline of the High-Rise District, its distinctive domes and turrets providing a marked contrast to the neighboring buildings, which are universally massive resorts. The bold design continues in the hotel’s lobby, which features crystal chandeliers and stained-glass ceilings, as well as pops of fuchsia and zebra prints. A prominent, tree-lined path leads to the pool, evoking a grand entranceway to some extravagant palace. It’s all undeniably eye-catching, though it can border on tacky depending on your tastes. Guest room decor is noticeably more restrained and classic.
With a casino, liquor dispensers in each room, and unlimited drinks 24/7 provided by numerous on-site bars, the Riu is set-up with partying in mind. We spotted a few families during our visit, most of whom took advantage of the hotel’s kids’ club; but overall, most guests are revel-ready couples, ranging in age from young honeymooners to older retirees.

The Riu

Palace is set along one of Aruba’s main beachfront roads in Palm Beach’s

Rooms at the Riu Palace are attractive enough, with tile floors and dark wood

furniture lending a classically modern look to the spaces. However, dated elements detract from the atmosphere, including curtains and dusty rose linens on the beds that aren't the most contemporary design choice we've seen. Large closets hold safes and irons, while flat-screen TVs are set on glossy dressers. All

Beige-colored bathrooms feature pretty border tiles and crown

Junior Suites offer balconies or terraces, as well as

The hotel backs onto a beautiful stretch of Palm Beach. Palapas are interspersed between palm trees. Palapas and loungers are first-come-first-serve, and generally fill up early in the morning. During peak season, the beach can get downright crowded.
The hotel's casino offers 211 gaming machines and eleven table games. Keep in mind that drinks in the casino are not included in the hotel's all-inclusive rates.
There’s a large fitness center with a good range of cardio equipment and free weights. The hotel’s Vita Novus Spa includes an appealing whirlpool set in a quiet, low-lit room. The spa offers a variety of beauty and therapeutic treatments. There’s also a modest kids’ club, Riuland, which provides supervised activities. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there are two conference rooms on-site. The hotel also provides wedding planning services.

The hotel’s

massive main pool features an adjoining whirlpool bath set on an elevated

A second rectangular pool is

The Riu Palace’s all-inclusive package includes meals, drinks, snacks, and room service 24 hours a day. The hotel’s main restaurant, Don Nicolas, is a sprawling buffet. It’s quite attractive, with kiwi wall art and matching lime green chairs. The a la carte restaurants go heavy on themes: Pictures of wine bottles decorate the brick walls of Milano Italian restaurant, while portraits of Asian women and rising sun artwork dominate Sayuri Japanese restaurant. Reservations are required for the a la carte restaurants, and most guests report that the food is uninspiring overall.
For drinks, open-air Barry’s Bar offers great views over the pool. Lobby Bar picks up the lobby’s eclectic decor with its bright red cushions and zebra stripe patterns. It includes a counter serving ice cream and pastries. Sports Bar also hits guests over the head with its theme, as it's decorated with photos of various athletes. It offers light sandwiches, hot dogs, and nachos. Oddly, the business center is located within this bar, with a row of PCs found along one wall. The all-inclusive package includes entry to the hotel’s busy casino, but drinks come at an additional cost there.