Hotel Riu Palace Aruba Review: 24-Hour All Inclusive on Palm Beach

Considering a stay at Hotel Riu Palace Aruba on Palm Beach? This review examines real guest feedback and official property data to help you decide if this 24-hour all-inclusive resort matches your expectations. The property, part of RIU’s Palace category, sits directly on Palm Beach and offers a 24-hour all-inclusive plan covering meals, drinks, and activities (Riu Palace Aruba official site). We weigh guest scores, renovation timelines, and the family-friendly experience against nearby options so you can book with confidence.

Last checked: 2026-07-04

Property name: Hotel Riu Palace Aruba · Location: Palm Beach, Aruba · All-inclusive: Yes, 24-hour · Contact phone: +297 586 3900

Is Riu Palace Aruba all-inclusive?

Yes. The Riu Palace Aruba official website confirms a 24-hour All Inclusive plan that covers all meals, snacks, premium drinks, land and water activities, and even free Wi-Fi in all guestrooms and public areas. The property does not operate on a pay-per-extra model — the price includes everything from morning coffee to late-night cocktails.

What is included in the 24-hour All Inclusive plan

Guests have access to a main buffet restaurant, themed à-la-carte restaurants, and a snack bar. The 24-hour aspect means you can eat or drink at any hour — the all-inclusive never shuts down. Beyond food and drinks, the plan includes use of non-motorized water sports, tennis courts, and daily entertainment. TripAdvisor listings note that the all-inclusive is a central reason guests book, especially given the high cost of dining separately on Palm Beach.

Restaurants and dining options at Hotel Riu Palace Aruba

The resort offers multiple dining venues: an international buffet (Krystal), an Italian à-la-carte (La Toscana), an Asian fusion restaurant (Sakura), and a steakhouse. The steakhouse is a new culinary concept introduced as part of the 2025–2026 renovation (Vacation Express). Room service is not included in the standard all-inclusive, but the 24-hour snack bar in the lobby provides sandwiches, fruit, and pastries at any hour.

The bottom line: The all-inclusive is genuinely round‑the‑clock and covers nearly every on-site need, making budget planning simple.

Which RIU hotel in Aruba is best?

RIU operates two properties on Palm Beach: Hotel Riu Palace Aruba (the subject of this review) and the adjacent Hotel Riu Palace Antillas. Which one suits you depends primarily on whether you are traveling as a couple seeking an adults-only retreat or as a family needing child-friendly facilities.

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba vs Hotel Riu Palace Antillas

Travel Week magazine frames Riu Palace Aruba as a five‑star, 24‑hour all‑inclusive where families can enjoy beach, pool, and activities without distractions. The sister property, Riu Palace Antillas, is explicitly adults-only (minimum age 18). Both are on Palm Beach and share proximity to nightlife, but the guest profiles differ sharply. TripAdvisor user reviews for Riu Palace Aruba frequently mention children’s activities and a lively pool atmosphere, while Antillas reviews emphasize quiet, romance-focused stays.

Key differences: family vs adults-only

Riu Palace Aruba has a children’s pool, a kids’ club (for ages 4–12), and babysitting services — the latter allows parents to use Antillas’ facilities next door while the children stay supervised. Riu Palace Antillas offers no children’s facilities and tends to attract couples and solo adults. The official RIU website clearly categorises the two properties, with Palace Aruba listed under “family-friendly” and Palace Antillas under “adults-only.”

The trade-off: If you want a quiet, romantic escape, choose Antillas. If you need space for kids or want the flexibility of a family resort next to an adults-only property, Palace Aruba gives you both within walking distance.

What is there to do at Riu Palace Aruba?

Beyond the beach and pool, the resort packs several entertainment options into its grounds. Most are included in the all-inclusive price, easing the need to spend extra money on excursions.

On-site amenities: casino, nightclub, entertainment shows

The resort houses an on-site casino open until late, a nightclub, and a theatre that stages live shows (typically music, dance, and comedy) every evening. Expedia’s property description confirms these amenities, and Booking.com guests note the casino as a popular evening activity. The hotel also runs themed “Riu Party” events with live DJs and foam parties, though these are suspended during the 2026 renovation closure and will restart on 7 August 2026 (United Vacations).

Beach and pool activities

The resort sits directly on Palm Beach, one of Aruba’s most photographed stretches of white sand. Sun loungers and palapas (shade umbrellas) are plentiful. On the property, two outdoor swimming pools — including a swim‑up bar and a separate children’s pool — anchor daytime activity. Booking.com guests frequently praise the main pool size, the friendliness of pool‑bar staff, and the organized games such as water aerobics and volleyball. Non-motorized water sports (e.g., kayaking, snorkelling) are complimentary via the all-inclusive plan.

What to watch: If you visit during the renovation period (check closure dates), pool and beach access may be affected; post‑reopening, the facilities will be fully modernised.

Is the Riu Palace in Aruba closed?

The hotel is not permanently closed, but it is undergoing a major renovation that has resulted in a full closure between 10 April 2026 and 1 August 2026. Vacation Express states that the property entered “Phase 4” full closure on 10 April 2026, with a scheduled reopening on 1 August 2026. The renovation programme includes new room décor, upgraded common areas, and new culinary concepts like the steakhouse. United Vacations corroborates this timeline and notes that the popular Riu Party events are suspended until 7 August 2026.

For travel dates outside these closure windows, the hotel is open and accepting bookings. The official RIU website continues to list the property as operational, and TripAdvisor reviews remain active with recent submissions from early 2026. No permanent closure announcement has been made.

The implication: If you plan to stay in mid‑2026, verify your dates against the August 1 reopening. After that date, you will benefit from the upgraded facilities without construction disruption.