Have just returned from a 2 week stay ay the Riu Palace in Aruba. Can I say we had a fabulous holiday. I didn't think you could beat the Riu Palace Mexico in Playacar but this came close - close, but no cigar. The Hotel is located about 20 minutes from the airport and is built in the traditional style of a Riu Palace with the main building looking out over the central swimming pool towards the beach and the sea, with 2 other buildings flanking each side of the main building. The main reception is spacious and cool with a great air conditioning system. Our room was on the 4th floor of the right flank building and had a side view to the sea from the French Balcony. The room was clean and spacious. The walk-in closet, however, can only be accessed via the bathroom, slightly awkward if that facility is being used when you want something. There was a safe within the room (no extra charge) and a large television with programmes in English, Spanish, German and French. There were also bottles of spirits (liquor) in the room and the mini bar/fridge was stocked on a daily basis with beer, water and soft drinks (soda, cola).
The Hotel has a large reception area and check in was pretty quick for us with the staff pleasant and efficient - at check in anyway - we later reprted a fault with the telephone in our room and it took 2 visits to reception plus a conversation with the Guest Liaison Representative before it was fixed.
There are 4 speciality restaraunts - Steakhouse, Japanese, Italian and Fine Dining as well as a Buffet Restaraunt. We tried them all - some on several occasions. All were good including the buffet. My favourite was the Italian.
The Hotel is located on Palm Beach - a fabulous stretch of white sand which led you into the clear, blue, warm water of the Caribbean Sea. Believe me, if you have swam in the sea in Europe - this is as warm as a bath.
Raymond and his team who provide entertainment and sports during the day were excellent. If you are fit - try the beach volleyball. If you aren't - don't - or you may end up like me and break a finger or two.
The staff in the restaraunts and bars were very friendly and efficient. A particular mention should be made of the staff at the pool bar, the staff in the Nautilus Restaraunt and the staff who tended to the breakfast tables on the Terrace.
Any negatives? - Well, a couple of slight irritations. The system for getting a drink in the evening on the terrace is that a head waiter takes your order and then gives that to another member of the waiting staff who gets your drink. This normally poses no problem. On one occasion, however, there were no waiting staff to be seen. I went to the bar on the terrace to order my drinks from the barman. As he had seen me get up from my chair and walk the 5 yards or so to the bar he was aware that I had no intention of sitting at the bar. In this case, he said, I could not be served as he only served guests who actually sat on the stools at his bar. If any managers from Riu are reading this, perhaps they should remind the barman that it is not his bar and that he is employed to serve the guests not vet them. I must say I did notice, during the 2 weeks, that this policy of his was flexible as he had no hesitation on serving other guests who had risen from a table to place an order.
The other negative was that, one evening, the Riu Palace Aruba allegedly ran dry of champagne! Can you believe this? I can't. Miraculously, the following morning normal service was resumed and champagne was available from breakfast. They must have had a special shipment during the night - or borrowed from the Westin next door.
Finally, I have seen some criticisms in other posts about the availability of the cabanas on the beach. Yes, they are all reserved from very early in the morning and yes some of those who reserve them must go back to sleep until the afternoon before actually occupying them. I found, however, if you were alert and vigilant, you could \normally find a vacant cabana around lunchtime most days. I did.
Really finally - the wind. Yes it is always windy and some days it is more windy than others and yes, sometimes the sand does blast you. For me, however, this was natures air conditioning and the breeze and wind kept me cool and able to enjoy that fabulous beach for many hours.
All in all, a great holiday at a great hotel on a great island. I would recommend it for couples, adults and those who enjoy long lazy days at the beach - just don't tell everyone or they'll all come!

I just came back from a week at Riu and I am not sure what all the fuss is about.

We had a Junior Suite and it was okay but nothing to write home about. I would not take a bath in the tub as it was pretty mildewed. Also for a 1st class hotel you would expect robes but no....and they thought I was crazy when I asked for them.

The buffets were very good for buffets a large variety of food but the specialty restaurants we so-so at best. You had to eat at either 6:30 or 9 and the servers there were no where near as nice as the ones that worked the buffet. The food at these places were okay but it seemed that a lot of the food was pre-cooked so things were either under or over cooked. Also felt like I was being rushed out.

Also no "non-smoking rooms; entertainment was really bad.

The staff was great....very friendly and helpful but I have to say I have been to MUCH better places.....again don't see what all the fuss is about. Would never go back and would not reccomend to a freind.

A very nice property in terms of architecture with all staff being very friendly and service focused. The property is very immaculate with staff constantly cleaning to keep it very appealing. Bar and table service, room service are all very good. Food quality and quantity is average or slightly above and not as highly rated as the service that is provided. Elevators are slow and at times seemed to have one of the two down for service.
Good taxi service to town with varied shopping and prices / products for everyone.
The wind is strong day and night and often prevents using the beach unless you enjoy being pelted from the sand. It is the low season so for the most part a chair could eventually be had at the pool or beach however in high season one would expect the pool/beach area to be crowded and seating a challenge.
Felt very safe and secure to go anywhere we wanted.
Snorkeling and other side tours highly recommended.

Our first trip to Aruba, 3rd trip to RIU hotel-

Hotel was clean- staff and just about everyone on the island was very friendly. Room was nice, except the bed was very firm/hard. The RIU has 4 reservation restaurants- We ate at the steak house 2nights. Lobster tail and Filet was very good. Other restaurants were fine- Breakfast was probably best meal- but they have station to have fresh italian dish made with your choice of ingredients. Also had a night with Stir Fry made fresh with choice.

The Beach was awesome and the water just beautiful. The pool was nice and was mainly older crowd. The water temperature seemed a little cooler than expected, just took a bit to get used to. It was a bit windy- at times if on the beach was not so nice with sand flying at you.

The De Palms Tour Rep on site of the hotel- SUCKED...We tried to book on 2 seperate occasions tours and were told to come back and then was booked solid.

Overall we had a great time- Minus the wind and had bed I would have rated this trip much higher.