"Great Trip Overall, But Definitely Dated"
Posting this for anyone who is still wondering if they should stay at RIU Palace Antillas! I read SO many mixed reviews before our trip, so hopefully this helps someone who is still trying to decide. Overall, we had an excellent time, and while there are definitely some things that could be improved, they did not ruin our vacation.
Food: I thought the food was pretty good! We tried one specialty restaurant and didn’t love it—the buffet was actually better to us. There were SO many options that I think most people should be able to find something they like. We talked to another guest who said she hated the food except for breakfast, and our whole group was confused. 😂 But food is subjective! I personally couldn’t call it anywhere near inedible.
The 24-hour café was a lifesaver. The food was very basic—gas station/convenience-store level to me 😂—but it served its purpose! We went every day, sometimes multiple times, for cappuccinos, coffee, a hot dog, or a quick snack.
Rooms: Comfortable and mostly clean, but definitely dated. Not luxury, but also nowhere near a “roach motel.” We were given the wrong room the first night, which was inconvenient because we had to move the next day, but the staff made it right. We actually liked our second room and view much better.
Now my BIGGEST issue: THAT HALLWAY CARPET. 😩 I saw people mention it in reviews and still wasn’t prepared. It desperately needs to be replaced. There’s also a strange smell in the hallways—not necessarily stinky, just not pleasant. It sounds minor, but the carpet was honestly THAT bad to me. 😂 The Antillas side definitely shows its age.
Pools/grounds: I didn’t care for the Antillas pool. It looked dingy because the pool itself is older and has noticeable wear and tear, which made the water less appealing to me. We swam on the Palace side instead, and it was beautiful and clean. The outdoor areas overall were lively and fun with plenty of places to eat, sit, drink, and hang out.
Drinks: Not very strong, but drink enough and they’ll eventually do their job. 😂 We spotted a couple people who definitely figured that out! The pool bartenders were fun.
Entertainment: Pretty blah to me, but it didn’t hurt our trip. We had plenty of fun at the beach, doing excursions, and exploring Aruba.
Location & staff: HUGE positives. You’re within walking distance of so much in Palm Beach, and the staff were helpful and attentive throughout our stay.
Would I stay again? Maybe—but probably not on the Antillas side unless they replace that carpet. 😂 I would stay on the Palace side based on what we experienced over there.
Overall, Antillas isn’t luxury and definitely needs some updating, but I also don’t think it’s nearly as terrible as some reviews make it sound. We ate well, were comfortable, enjoyed the atmosphere and location, were treated well by the staff, and most importantly, we had an amazing vacation and made some great memories.
