Riu Palace Aruba review - re-editedwith lots of pics (pics also added to album)

DH and I just got back from the Riu Palace in Aruba (all inclusive resort). It was our first time in Aruba and we had a great time. We already cant wait to go back. To start, the Riu is a beautiful property. It is huge, the pool is awesome (it has a swim up bar), and the service was outstanding. There are 2 buffets for breakfast and lunch, Don Nichols and Nautilus. They also have 4 restaurants for dinner that all require reservations. Don Nichols is also open for a buffet dinner. We ordered room service for breakfast which is pretty much the same food as the buffet except with a smaller selection. We had
dinner at Don Nichols the first night, which was just ok (DH and I are just not big fans of buffets). But they did offer a large selection of different foods. The only cons of this resort are that the bed was so firm it was uncomfortable, the only 2 channels we had in English were CNN and TNT, and the drinks were very watered down. Other than that, our trip was perfect. We felt like we were back on our honeymoon.






We went to El Gaucho for dinner the second night. I don't normally eat steak but this is the best steak I have had, so delicious. DH loved it also. it was by far our favorite restaurant.




The third night we ate at Papiamento. This restaurant used to be a house. It is mostly outdoor seating with tables around a swimming pool. It was beautiful and ten food was really good.


On our forth night we ate at Japengo, a Japanese restaurant in the Hyatt. The food was really good and the service was great. We were seating in a private area for 2. We walked through double doors at the back of the restaurant where there was only one table for 2. We were outside and just inches away from there "Lake", surrounded by waterfalls, fish and I think a goose.



Our last night we went to Aqua Grill for dinner. The food was just ok, the restaurant was pretty and the service great.

We had lunch in the downtown area one afternoon at a restaurant called "La Petit Cafe" which was a great place for burgers and chicken sandwiches. It was also a really nice are to buy souvenirs and shop.

The Hyatt was definitely our favorite resort. We hung out there and had drinks at their outdoor bars on 2 nights. We had a great time. We will definitely stay at the Hyatt the next time we go to Aruba.

Message edited 6/25/2008 4:52:21 PM.

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - with lots of pics.

Just about to post that DH JUST surprised me w/ a trip here and came on to do a search and here you were

You have me so excited!!!

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - with lots of pics.

I don't see any pictures....just red boxes

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - with lots of pics.

Posted by Mssissy

I don't see any pictures....just red boxes

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - with lots of pics.

No pics :(

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - re-editedwith lots of pics (pics also added to album)

Looks fantastic. I can't wait to go next year!!!

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - re-editedwith lots of pics (pics also added to album)

OH WOW...that looks soooooooo inviting. I wish I was there right now!!

thanks for sharing.

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - re-editedwith lots of pics (pics also added to album)

great pictures and thanks for the review! when I heard that RIU was renovating the property in Aruba, I was curious if it was any good... glad you had fun

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - re-editedwith lots of pics (pics also added to album)

The pics of that pool alone make me want to go!

Re: Riu Place Aruba review - re-editedwith lots of pics (pics also added to album)

OMG we are definitely going back soon. I want to go every year around our anniversary time. (Sept.) We didn't go last year, tho which was our 1st anniv. We went for HM.