- Mr Plane Guy
- Jan 1, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 9
Riu Palace Aruba Review 2026: Renovations, Reopening & What to Expect
My Honest Review of the RIU Palace Aruba
By Travel Blogger Mr Plane Guy
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Updated Opening Section (Replace Your Intro)
Luxury Escapes for Less: Riu Palace Aruba (2026 Update)
The Riu Palace Aruba, one of Palm Beach’s most iconic all-inclusive resorts, is getting a full makeover. Renovations are already underway in phases, with brand-new rooms emerging in 2025 and a complete closure from May 7 to September 7 2026 to finish the final stage. Once the dust settles, guests can expect refreshed rooms, re-imagined restaurants, and an upgraded pool area, all designed to bring this classic Caribbean resort up to modern luxury standards.
🗓️ Renovation Timeline
Phase | Dates | What’s Happening |
Phase 1 | Until late 2025 | Buildings A & B renovations; some new rooms opening. |
Phase 2 | Aug 22 – Dec 21 2025 | Further room upgrades & landscaping. |
Holiday Pause | Dec 21 2025 – Jan 7 2026 | Work stops for festive period. |
Phase 3 | Jan 7 – Apr 2026 | Final room interiors and corridor refresh. |
Phase 4 (Full Closure) | May 7 – Sep 7 2026 | Pool & restaurants renovated; hotel closed. |
Reopening | Sep 2026 | Full resort reopening expected. |
Plane Tip: If you’re planning an Aruba escape in 2026, aim for late-season stays (Nov–Dec) you’ll catch the newly renovated rooms before peak-season prices return. And remember, renovation rates often mean luxury-for-less if you don’t mind a bit of background work.
Why It Still Deserves a Spot in Plane Luxury Escapes
Even mid-renovation, Riu Palace Aruba offers what many travellers crave: beachfront views, unlimited cocktails, and that effortless Plane Luxury Escapes blend of indulgence without the price tag. Once the refurb is complete in 2026, expect an even higher-end look, likely at higher prices.
Hotel Name: Riu Palace Aruba
Hotel Class ****
Hotel Size: 450 rooms
Location: J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 79, Palm - Eagle Beach Aruba
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Facilities at the Riu Palace Aruba
24 hour reception
Gym
Free wifi
Spa
5 Restaurants- Italian, Japanese, modern, steak/lobster, a sports bar (popcorn, hot dogs)
2 outdoor pools, 1 children's pool.
Day and evening entertainment,
5 bars
'Capuchino' (thats how it was spelt BTW) patisserie & ice cream parlour
If you're arriving on the island, check my Aruba Airport Guide (AUA) covering terminals, transfers and travel tips.
The Rooms at the Riu Palace
The room was OK, it was spacious and very clean and the twin sinks were great, it came with a fridge, iron and even 4 bottles of spirits! Now we booked a Garden View room, as that was all that seemed to be available, however we did get direct sea views so I was very pleased with that! The problem with the room was the balcony was tiny and you couldn't sit out on it and enjoy the views and sea air!
Riu hotels have a app for your phone, you can check in, see what's on the menus etc and it also has a messaging service, like an online concierge.
So I thought I would give it a try and order a couple more pillows for my bed, but they didn't arrive unfortunately :(
If you're arriving after a long flight, my Aruba Airport VIP Service guide explains how to book meet-and-greet hosting and private transfers from the airport.
The various restaurants have to be booked (except the main dining hall), it would be good perhaps if you could have booked using the app, but this wasn't possible. They are on a first come first serve basis, so if you want to dine in one of them you have to queue up at 6pm when they open.
The Best Bits at the Riu Palace Aruba
The staff and service by almost all of them was excellent, they really went out of their way to deliver great service,
Imagine being brought cocktails by the pool without even asking! “come on your on holiday, try this”
However I had an issue with my room (more about that shortly) and unfortunately reception were terrible, sometimes it's not what you say, its the way you say it!
Here are some amazing tours and things to do in Aruba! Check them out! They are all with Get your guide who are so good at organising trips, I love the Get your guide App, you can see all your bookings, tickets, where to meet etc all on your app!
I did the Happy Hour Sunset Cruise, this is a must do!
The Food at the Riu Palace Aruba, was it fit for a Queen?
The food choice in the main restaurant was excellent, a really vast choice to suit everyone! Even me, a lactose intolerant flexitarian!
Buffet style concepts can be so bad, but this was all super fresh with lots of choice, with lots of counters where the food was being freshly prepared and served.
A Mimosa and Bloody Mary Station?! Yes!
If I was being really picky then it was quite catered towards the American market, lots of caesar salads, pizza, burgers. I mean I love American culture, and food, but I would have preferred more Caribbean influence in the food served. Maybe even some Dutch influence, like a slab of edam etc
A tiny selection of local food to try
The staff really going for it when it was someones birthday! The Service at Riu Palace Aruba was mostly top knotch!
The Bad Bits at the Riu Palace Aruba
My first impressions were not good! After we checked in after a long flight we wanted a little swim in the Caribbean sea and walking through the main pool area where the sound system was pumping out “shot shot shot” , was it Spring Break? Are we in Vegas? I wanted tranquility and rest and I chose the wrong place for that! That was apparent, immediately!
I went to the little cabana for a towel and they had no towels left!! What kind of place was this?
Not a great first impression!
Throughout my 7 night stay the room key system to my room was broken, almost every time we left the hotel room it would require the key card replacing as it wouldn't work. So on average I was changing the hotel key 3 times a day.
Maintenance came to check the door and this seemed to rectify it for 1 out of the 7 days!
I talked to reception about it several times and it seemed to be a common problem here at the Riu Palace Aruba! I was promised a call from a manager, but that never happened. Luckily we got to know the cleaner and she would let us in as well.
If you’re into resort life with an eco-twist, check out my full review of Eco Sensation Resort Zanzibar.
Entertained at the Riu Palace? Erm No
Moving on to the entertainment! Well it was terrible here, awful, in fact more like torture!
One day it consisted of 4 American guys competing in games such as downing a pint of larger, drinking style games, musical chairs etc. A couple of nights later when passing the bar (I wasn't staying thats for sure) they had a really naff Bruce Springsteen style rock singer.
I'm in the Caribbean, it should be steel bands and calypso! I don't want to listen to Chuck from New Jersey singing out “New York New York” at 4pm by the pool, with an impromptu awkward karaoke performance prompted by the animation team, not ok Chuck.
Purely based on the entertainment I would never return to this hotel! EVER!
Riu Palace Hotel style, or lack of!
Moving on to the decor of this hotel, well it looked like it hadn’t been updated since 1997 it was really tacky and to be quite frank downmarket and not the 4 star "palace" I was expecting! Perhaps my review has prompted the whole 2025-2026 renovation? I hope they invite me back? Hey, how yall doin?
Someone was on a tight budget! Hopefully the transformation in 2026 will be amazing!
🌴 Check out the latest Aruba holiday deals on Lastminute.com from all-inclusive getaways to boutique beachfront escapes.
Luckily we had a day out to the Renaissance Wind Creek hotel and its private flamingo Island, now this was stunning! I instantly regretted not booking this hotel for the week, its was luxurious, polished, tranquil and exotic and I felt like I was in a luxury Caribbean resort and not a spring break in Reno.
Hotels in Aruba
Compare prices on Expedia to find the best deal.
A summary of, My Honest Review of the RIU Palace Aruba
Great food and plenty of choices
Mostly great service
Terrible entertainment
This is a dated mainstream loud hotel
If you want all inclusive in a spring break style party vibe, then this is your place!
Looking back, I’m still glad I experienced Riu Palace Aruba before its big 2026 glow-up it had great service, chaotic energy, and a location you can’t beat. Even mid-renovation, Riu Palace Aruba offers what many travellers crave: beachfront views, unlimited cocktails, and that effortless Plane Luxury Escapes blend of indulgence without the price tag. Once the refurb is complete in 2026, expect an even higher-end look, likely at higher prices.
Plane Aruba Related Links
If you’re into resort life with an eco-twist, check out my full review of Eco Sensation Resort Zanzibar
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Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
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