RIU Aruba reviews.......

I'm -----><------ this close to booking..

I keep hearing mixed reviews on it. Anyone here have any?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

DH and I went there this past June. We loved it and had a great time. The service was great, the pool and beach area are really nice and the rooms are a nice size and very clean.

There are only 2 things we did not like about this resort and would make us choose another one when we go back. First, the bed was so uncomfortable. It was hard and just plain uncomfortable. Our backs bothered us.

The second thing is the food. DH and I did not like the food and the drinks. The drinks were very watered down. Every night we went out for dinner at a restaurant in the town or in other hotels. We also went 3 nights in a row to the Hyatt (3 hotels down) for drinks. They have a great bar with really good drinks.

Next time we go back to Aruba, we are definitely not doing an all inclusive. We will stay at the Marriott or the Hyatt.

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

Thank you so much - I had those exact concerns.

My DH wants to do all inclusive but for me, I just feel like Aruba has so much to offer foodwise that its not worth it. I'm not a huge eater/drinker....my DH is a HUGE eater but not a drinker so I feel like its a waste for us. We're only going for 4 days, 3 nights so really, how much could we possibly eat???? It can't be any more expensive than Vegas.

I'm all over the place with this - I need to decide in the next few days.

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

Don't know much about the resorts but I do know that food is very expensive there.

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

I dont think doing an all-inclusive in Aruba is nesessary. There area ton of resturants and you can find food in whatever price range you are looking.

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

a friend of mine who goes every year and stays at the Marriot stayed at the RIU just thls past week.. she said she much prefers the Marriot. the food at the RIU was terrible except for one restaurant.

she said next time she will stay at the Radisson


i wanted to add that i wouldn't do all inclusive because there are awesome restaurant choices in Aruba!

Message edited 1/25/2009 8:51:47 PM.

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

I went to Aruba last year and stayed in the WEstin next door, which I would not recommend. Just from walking around in there, the Rui looked really nice and the pools looked really cool I would not do an all inclusive in Aruba because they have great restaurants there. I would look at the Radisson though - it is SO nice hter.e Ot the Hyatt.

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

i happened to LOVE the all inclusive feature.. all the drinks and food!

i agree with all the restaurants.. but they are WAY overpriced and expensive..

we stayed at the Divi AI and the food was amazingly good! we enjoyed every dinner!! and it wasn't so-so restaurants either.. they are great!!

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

Message edited 1/27/2009 11:50:05 AM.

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

Here's a review I came across on LI weddings

RIU- Aruba

Very clean! Very pretty! Very romantic!! Food was decent, however you have to be downstairs by 9AM to make dinner reservations unless you want to eat at the Buffet (great food there).
The pool closed at 6:30 PM...sort of a drawback, however, it gets cool because of the wind, so IDK how much swimming would be done after that time anyway.
The restaurants were great for the most part, dining times are 6:30 or 9:00. Casino was good, the lady next to me (of course) won over $2K on a $1 slot lol.....
The Spa was good. We got a couples massage and wrap with added reflexology. It was very relaxing.....
There was no hot tub, this was a problem. Aruba gets kind of chilly....the pool water was freezing...if you were outside of the pool, you baked if there was no breeze...if you were in the pool, you froze bc the water was so cold and your skin was so hot....if there was a hot tub, it would be perfect.
We had the Master suite Oceanview. We had a huge balcony, jacuzzi inside and outside. Great room. I wasn’t a fan of the bed ( a little too firm for me, DH loved it though).
There were about 5 weddings or so while we were there, and it was neat to be able to watch the ceremonies.....It was really nice...done at sunset. We rented a Jeep for 3 days and drove around Aruba. It was pretty cool, we went off-roading on the beach, down to other beaches and went shopping.
We missed Flying Fishbone, but went to La Trattoria el faro Blanco www.aruba-latrattoria.com It was awesome.
At La Trattoria el Faro Banco
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb104/oreonemma/100_0690.jpg
If you are going to Aruba, I suggest renting a Jeep so that you can get around easier. Go to the California Lighthouse, def. check out La Trattoria, Baby Beach, Shopping, and the little church. Def. FM me if you want more info on RIU. The nightlife was not all that great, but very relaxing!! We needed it

Re: RIU Aruba reviews.......

I stayed at the radisson, but the RIU is beautiful!!!!!!!! that being said, Aruba has so much to offer food wise, I would hesitate to do an all inclusive