Riu

[kbdiadora]

Hello everyone - it's been some time since I've read up on what is going on...but my now husband and I just booked our trip back to the best place on earth for October! We are going to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and to put a rough year we had behind us. We have been to Aruba 3 years in a row and took a break and ventured to another island for our honeymoon and now we are returning - we normally stay at the Occidental but we are going to try to Riu and wanted to get feedback from anyone that has stayed there! Truly cannot wait to go back and enjoy every minute of the people/island!

[Arubalisa]

Some info
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/riu.html

More info
http://www.aruba.com/forum/f22/staying-riu-palace-may-7th-what-do-expect-38712/

[Andrea J.]

october is somewhat a slow season.
you will have no problems getting good shade huts and lounges on the beach at the riu.

the big complaint i hear of the riu is that there is very little shady area at the pool.

i think the riu is a magnificent property.
out of place? YES
very ornate? YES
would i stay there? YES

i even like their casino (they serve their martinis in the appropriate glasses)

but, the whole place is a little too formal for my style.
i have "Neiman Marcus taste and Walmart finances".

Hello everyone - it's been some time since I've read up on what is going on...but my now husband and I just booked our trip back to the best place on earth for October! We are going to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and to put a rough year we had behind us. We have been to Aruba 3 years in a row and took a break and ventured to another island for our honeymoon and now we are returning - we normally stay at the Occidental but we are going to try to Riu and wanted to get feedback from anyone that has stayed there! Truly cannot wait to go back and enjoy every minute of the people/island!

[kbdiadora]

thank you so much! i noticed the lack of shade by the pool the last time we were down there checking it out, but the pool bar seems to have shade

[Andrea J.]

yes indeed.......isn't the pool bar's name SPF 50?
make sure that you load up on "sunblock".

[purpleangel]

I've stayed at the Holiday Inn, the Occidental, and the Riu. So far, I prefer the Riu. For AI, the food was awesome. If you are a pool person (I prefer the beach), there is no shade. But, plenty of shade at the pool bar!

The housekeeping staff was very attentive and I never saw anyone. Very discreet in and out of the rooms. You walk down a little hallway to get to your room door. This little hallway is shared by a neighboring room. The balconies are spacious and private.