RIU PALACE ANTILLAS

Riu Palace Antillas occupies one of the oldest buildings on Palm Beach: the former Aruba Concorde Hotel, opened in 1977, completely reworked and reopened by RIU in 2014 in its current form. The property holds 482 rooms reserved for adults eighteen and over, on a 24-hour all-inclusive plan. Five restaurants, half a dozen bars, two pools, a casino and the Pacha nightclub share the site, linked by a bridge to the neighbouring Riu Palace Aruba.

Riu Palace Antillas at a glance

The building has a history. Opened in 1977 as the Aruba Concorde Hotel, it belonged to Palm Beach's first generation of resorts. RIU took it over, reworked it completely and reopened it in 2014 as Riu Palace Antillas, in an adults-only format.

Four hundred and eighty-two rooms, an all-inclusive plan running twenty-four hours a day, five restaurants, half a dozen bars, two pools including one with a swim-up bar, a casino and a nightclub. All of it stands directly on the sand at Palm Beach, with no road to cross.

Adults-only: what that changes

The minimum age is eighteen, without exception. No children's facilities, no club, no slide. The consequence shows mostly around the pools and in the dining rooms: the noise level stays that of an adult hotel, even in the middle of school holidays.

The formula draws couples, groups of friends and travellers looking for the relative calm of an adult clientele while still enjoying the energy of Palm Beach. The bridge to the neighbouring Riu Palace Aruba opens up that property's facilities, and the reverse is true as well.

The RIU all-inclusive

The plan covers meals and snacks at any hour, unlimited drinks, entertainment, sports, the gym, the nightclub, room service and a restocked in-room minibar with a liquor dispenser. Entry to the casino is free for guests, with drinks there charged separately.

That generosity built the brand's reputation. It has a flip side: the à la carte restaurants often work without reservations, which creates queues at peak hours. Arriving early or late solves much of the problem. An AquaTerra advisor will explain how it actually works before you leave. Call 1 866 628-6241.

Which room to choose

Categories run from the standard Jr. Suite to the ocean-view Jr. Suite, then into the Elite Club range: Superior Jr. Suite sea view, Jr. Suite ocean front and Suite ocean front. Elite Club is RIU's upper tier and opens up additional services.

The building dates from 1977 and its 2014 rebuild. Higher categories and upper floors give the clearest step up, particularly for view and quiet. That is the kind of choice an advisor handles better than a booking engine.

Where you eat on site

Five restaurants share the menu. Atlantis handles the main buffet, with a terrace. Krystal works fusion, Rimini Italian. Two venues operate at the pool: Palm Beach for the grill and Malmok for Aruban cooking.

On the bar side, Wayaka occupies the lobby, Carnaval serves as a lounge, Chiquito animates the plaza, and Aqua serves the pool as a swim-up. A chill-out bar and Lounge 24 round things out, the latter letting you eat and drink at any hour of the night.

The pools, the spa and the casino

Two outdoor pools, one of 786 square metres and the other of 228, the smaller carrying a swim-up bar. They look onto Palm Beach, and the palapas and loungers run out onto the sand.

Renova Spa, RIU's in-house brand, handles massages, hairdressing and beauty as paid extras. The casino sits on the property, with free entry for guests. The Pacha nightclub closes the loop, and drinks there are covered by the all-inclusive plan.

What travellers say

The property's average sits around 4 out of 5 across more than 6 500 TripAdvisor reviews, which places it mid-table rather than at the top of the strip. Recurring comments concern waits at the à la carte restaurants and décor that has aged since the 2014 rebuild.

The picture is not negative for all that: the beachfront position, the volume of what is included and the adults-only format remain real assets. This is an address that suits one kind of traveller perfectly and another much less. Our advisors will tell you honestly which side you fall on.

Who this resort suits

It fits couples and groups of friends who want a generous all-inclusive, child-free, directly on Palm Beach, with a casino and a nightclub inside the complex. It fits anyone who appreciates the RIU formula and the way it runs around the clock.

Families with children cannot stay. Anyone looking for a recent property, contemporary décor or a reservation-based dining service will be better served elsewhere on the island, and our advisors will point you there directly.

What to know before you book

Allow fifteen to twenty minutes by road between Queen Beatrix International Airport and Palm Beach. Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt and the trade winds blow year-round: they hold the humidity down, keep seaweed away from this coast and mask how strong the sun is, so sunscreen goes on more often than you would think.

The Aruban florin is the official currency, though US dollars circulate everywhere and outlets follow the North American standard. The Pacha nightclub is restricted to guests eighteen and over. For entry requirements, consult travel.gc.ca before departure.

Booking Riu Palace Antillas with an advisor

Room category, floor and the Elite Club tier change the experience markedly in a property of this size. An advisor who knows the house places you in the right spot and explains how the restaurants work before you arrive.

Reach a Voyages AquaTerra advisor at 1 866 628-6241, or explore our Aruba packages, our Aruba travel guide and the full range of southern all-inclusive vacations.