Hotel details

Save your money!!

Experienced traveler Dec 13, 2009

We traveled with 3 other couples. Waited 3 days for a working phone in our room- then had workers in the room for a 1/2 day ... ripping out & then fixing the sheet rock holes. The A/C people had apparently cut phones lines all over the place and used them to tie up their duct work! Sheet rock dust all over the hotel from renovation. Paint drips and blobs of sheet rock mud everywhere. Foyer to main dining room was roped off 3 days due to water pouring in thru the light fixtures in ceilings. Plumbing produced only hot water from sink in our bathroom. Plumbing produced NO water at all 3 different times- they had to shut it off due to leaks elsewhere. We did not have a working dead bolt on our door or chain. Propped a chair under the door to keep the staff from walking in. 3 different staff came in one afternoon- all wanting to stock the room bar. Unfortunately NO ONE walked in with towels- we were very undersupplied and had none on one day. "problems in the laundry" we were told. Our friends had to be moved- too much renovation noise. Other friends had no lampshades in room, same plumbing problems. These people went for a fast, cheap renovation with bad contractors and reopened long before they had their ducks in order. My recommendation? Go to Atlantis.

We had a great time

I now believe in All Inclusive Dec 13, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The hotel was great, they had only been operating for a couple weeks after a major renervation, and some minir work was still ... in progress, but that did not take away from the enjoyment we had - and our room was fantastic. All but a few rooms have ocean views. We selected the resort because it was All Inclusive - can't beat that and it was next to Alatas - a 5 minute walk away. We went to Alatntas twice - it was nice, but not cheap. My only complaint was the entertainment. Maybe it needs a little more time to get settled, but the evening entertainment is somewhat lacking, maybe more live music would be great. Nassua is a $15 cab ride and aslo worth a quick visit. Overall we had a great time, may have had something to do with the great food and the unlimited booze.

Riu Palace Grand-Reopening

surveillance Dec 9, 2009

11/28 did not get to check in till 9pm & workers were still applying caulking to our toilet (i have the pics to prove it) ... then 10 mins aft an employee of the Riu chain came to our door & advsd we were in the wrong room-we packed up & moved to another rm on the same floor-not very happy 11/29 ran out of hot water approx 9am so no shower 11/30 upgraded to a beautiful suite-that same nite at approx 6pm the hydro went out for 2-3 hrs--had to walk down 10 flights of stairs to get to the restaurant--not very happy 12/1 9pm no water--entire property had no water--restaurants were closed down--water back on approx 10pm 12/2 keys not working 3 times that day--visited the front desk to get them re-coded 3 times--water in bathroom in a.m. a slight trickle---went to Japanese restaurant hydro went off 3 times during our meal 12/3 NOTHING WENT WRONG!! 12/4 all 3 elevators were out of service for about 15 mins 12/5 thank God we were going home

weekend getaway

bahama mama Dec 9, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

excellent food, great location because its next door to Atlantis. Hotel had friendly staff. Rooms had new construction but ... poorly done, paint and plaster on floor. we had to wait pretty long to check in even though we arrived way after the 4pm check in time. Overall I had a great time.

Wait to Go

cable1 Dec 6, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

They had just reopened after a renovation, but they were not ready. Not all rooms were complete, there were water leaks in ... the lobbies, we lost electricity, got stuck in the elevator, lost water, had to wait 2 hours to check in to our room, carpets were dirty from plaster, pool was very cold. Lounge area around the pool was not clean. However, the employees were very nice, the rooms were nicely redone, the beach was great, and the food was excellent. Once they complete their renovation, it will be excellent!

Room for improvement

Michael, Sandra & Julian Dec 2, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The Hotel had a reopening on 11/26/2009 but they weren't ready to do so. Through the ceilings water run in the lobby 2 days. ... The toilette flush didn't work for 1.5 days. They were working on lots of things. AC didn't work properly. Other persons had no hot shower, didn't get the room like booked ..they weren't ready for opening. But this is a spanish chain (RUI) and the Spanish are not Germans or Swiss! Also the rooms were not cleaned really after the remodelling. Before you can reopen, everything needs to be fixed. All rooms need to be checked by a supervisor. This you cannot do while guest are in a Hotel! This they need to learn. After 2 days our room at least was ok. Not very clean, but ok. The junior suites are small. With a baby crib in the room, its too small. The side view on the right is not so pretty, because you look on the roofs of the restaurants. Also the AC is there and not very calm. The rooms itself were very calm. All the families with children were in one floor but it was really calm. You didnt hear anything from another room. That was positive. Finally for us the hotel was ok, but when you go for vacation you think you get that already from the first minute and not 1.5 days later. I would recommend this hotel from January 2010 on, then they should be ready...finally.

Re-opening too soon was a big mistake

NC Brown Eyed Girl Nov 30, 2009

First let me say the issues we experienced with the RIU Hotel were due to the fact they re-opened after their renovations TOO ... EARLY. They were not ready. And the hotel staff/management agreed. We came in on the day of the "re-opening" and didn't get our room til after 7pm. They didn't have enough rooms ready and some people got sent to another hotel for the first night. Our room was suppose to have 2 double beds (there were three of us) and these were super twins at best. We asked for a bigger room and an additional bed but they were unable to accomodate. We slept three to two pushed together super twin beds for four nights. On top of that, we did not have working A/C or hot water for the first 24 hours in our room. Plus a leak over the toilet...which turns out came from a plumbing issue we experienced in the man-made waterfall in the lobby the next morning. Toilets didn't work 3 or 4 times over the first couple days (back to the plumbing issues). Our room was cleaned one time over the 4 nights we were there. We would go to the housekeeping room and switch out for fresh towels. Compensation for the problems? Our compensation was 25 minute massages. We will be pursuing additional compensation as 2 out of 4 days were spent back in forth with the front desk/ GM dealing with check in and room issues. If they provide a satisfactory compensation, I will be happy to write a more positive review. On a positive note: the staff is wonderful and the food is fabulous! Being right on the beach of Paradise Island beside the Atlantis Resort is a great location. This hotel has an opportunity to be an amazing vacation spot...just wasn't up to par when we were there. I was disappointed they opened early to take advantage of the US Thanksgiving weekend crowd when they were clearly not ready. Now they have unsatisfied guests that will write reviews like this one.

Only one problem.....

N Oct 16, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The Riu and it's staff provide everything a vacationing couple or family could ever desire. The prices are very fair and the ... rooms are nice and clean and cozy. The restaurants are wonderful, bars are lively and friendly and the beach is simply perfect. My only complaint would be not with the Riu, but with those who stay there! With the drinking age of the Bahamas being 18, loads of teenagers swarm in on the weekends only to get drunk legally. Getting a seat at the bar is next to impossible on weekends and kids are falling-down intoxicated around every corner. They disrupt mature guests and get combative with the hotel staff. I'm sure ALL Bahama hotels have this same problem, and it's a shame that they don't raise the drinking age to 21 before the reputation of the Bahamas is ruined. Otherwise, the Riu is one Hotel to experience for yourself!

Great deal

Cass Aug 22, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The hotel is having a facial now and it is needed. The very nice thing about the hotel is the staff and the resturants. You ... will like the fact that Atlantis is next door for some other entertainment and the beach is just magnificent.

riu hotel stay

lytia wight Aug 21, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

the hotel was in a great location,orbitz should have notified travelers that it was closing,there where not alot of in the ... hotel, which seemed weird at first, but it was because it was closing . the food was great but the carpet in rooms and hallways seem soiled when it was dry, other than that i cant wait to return to see what it going to look like when it reopens in december,the staff was great and friendly

NOT BAD FOR THE MONEY

COOLCAT Aug 18, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

THE FOOD IS OK. EXPECTED MORE ISLANDY FOOD. BREAKFAST IS THE SAME EVERYDAY. IF YOU LIKE TO EAT AND EAT YOU WILL LOVE IT. THE ... MOST IMPORTANT PART THEY DO NOT TELL YOU IS YOU NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION BETWEEN 10-11 AM ONLY EACH DAY FOR THE "FANCY RESTAURANTS" HOWEVER THE LINE BEGINS TO FORM AROUND 9:15..BUT IT IS WORTH THE WAIT BECAUSE THE BUFFET GET BORING AFTER A WHILE. THE STAFF I WILL SAY IS ATTENTIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND EXTREMELY POLITE. THIS WAS THE HOTELS BEST ASSET. THE ROOMS ARE IN DIRE NEED OF RENOVATIONS -MOLD,RUST, NON WORK FRIDGE AND A BATHTUB THATS NOT GROUTED YUK AND YOU MUST USE THE BATHMAT OR FLIPFLOPS. OK OTHERWISE NICE VIEWS..HOTEL NEEDS MORE ACTIVITIES - NOT A PLACE REALLY TO KEEP KIDS ENTERTAINED... OTHER THAN SWIMMING AND PLAYING IN THE SAND..PLENTY OF WATER ACTIVITIES AT A HANDSOME PRICE. THE WEATHER WAS GREAT AND THE WATER AMAZING! THE POOL NEEDS WORK TOO...BUT THE BUILT IN LOUNGERS ARE A GREAT FEATURE.. NOW JUST TO INFORM YOU THE ALCOHOL IS NOT TOP SHELF ITS A LESS THAN AVERAGE BRAND- IN FACT HEADACHES FOLLOW SOON! SO BUT SOME BETTER BOTTLES AT DUTY FREE IF YOU PLAN TO DRINK! LOCATION WAS NICE AND I WOULD GO BACK MAYBE NOT TO THE SAME HOTEL. I WOULD SAVE A LITTLE MORE MONEY AND RESEARCH ANOTHER HOTEL.

No Value for your Money

Sam Aug 17, 2009

The spectacular white sand beach, prime location and stunning sea view, are true to its description. Please do not add ... insult to your service and take out the phrase "elegantly decorated room" The furnishings were falling apart and carpeting worn. Most of the staff moral is gone due to lack of communication from Management and their job uncertainty. No passion for what they do, it is only a job. Poor coordination and lack of enthusiasm in the day time activities. In our week's stay the only day time activity was "water balloon" These views were shared by many guests, who were very disappointed and it was a topic of discussion every day. This was our first experience at RIU and sadly, it services cannot be compared to Beaches Resort.

Great Vacation!

Cristi Aug 13, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

It was a great Deal for the Money! Friendly people! Great Service!Food and Drinks were Awesome! Rooms were bad but they are ... closing the Hotel at the end of August for updating! I think the resort will be great to go to after the remodel! We would go back again!!

Honeymoon Getaway

Tati Aug 12, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Overall, it was good. The lobby is beautiful, and the personnel was courteous. I hated to wait in line to make reservations ... for the restaurants, though the food was great. And waiting for drinks at the bar, its just too much. I've never had to wait so long for a beer or ice water. They are already in the process of upgrading the rooms, they new ones look beautiful, we got a chance to see it. And I think they're best asset is, the beach is beautiful and very short walking distance. Just watch out for the jelly fish. During the day they don't have any good activities, the people in charge were so boring, except for one guy, he was the life, but wasn't around too much. And at night, they don't have any activities for kids. They start at 9pm while people are still eating by the time you're done the show is almost over, and again , they don't do anything for the kids, they should start with activities for the kids and then start with adults activities. Oh My God, the smoking was driving me crazy. Specially in the lobby and the night club. They should have some area for those that smoke. There were many children in the hotel and people didn't care, come on , what's going on? Fine, I am an adult and I had stuffy nose the whole time I was there, due to the smoke, imagine the poor children. Its a bad habit, so for the protection of the kids and those of us that are allergic or asthmatic, the hotel should have some area for those that smoke. In the club area you could see all the smoke on the ceiling of the room, at least they can set up the area at the balcony as the smoke area so that the people sitting by the main floor are free of all the smoke, specially because the children were sitting in the front of the room while the activities where going on. I am not just speaking for myself and my husband. Most of the people we spoke with, had the same comments and that also includes some of those comments that I overheard while at the beach, pool, or waiting in line to make reservations for a restaurant or waiting for a drink LIke I said, overall, I had a great time, and yes, after they make the renovations and upgrade the drinks, I'll probably go back if its not too expensive.

Great Location - needs updating

40th surprize Aug 11, 2009

This was a surprize trip for my husband's 40th birthday. We were very disappointed to find out that the hotel was closing ... for renovations the following week. We felt like they were cleaning out everything like food and alcohol and so the choices were very limited. The rooms were very basic and in bad need of a face lift. The pool had a layer of sludge on it which made us not want to get in. It is however a great location gorgeous beach and ocean. I was frustrated with Orbitz for not telling me about the condition of the hotel ahead of time.

Great place to stay

Young married couple Aug 8, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

It was our first time to the bahamas, the staff at the Riu was outstanding. Everyone was willing to go above and beyond. ... Great location next to the Atlantis. Great price for the "all-inclusive". Make sure to visit the specialty resturants "well worth the effort". The only downfall is that there is only 1 pool, and it is very small. Would stay there again.

Excellent Escape

Grant Aug 4, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

My husband and I visited the Riu for a few days to simply escape the chaos of reality. We were a little reluctant upon ... arrival due to reading other reviews. We were, however, pleasantly surprised. Yes, the hotel is a bit dated; renovations are already planned, however, and in progress. The staff and service provided were excellent. We didn't adventure outside of the resort due to time limitations. Our time was spent relaxing on the beach or sharing drinks at the pool bar. Overall the experience was well worth the money!

Perfect resort

OBI-ONE Aug 4, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

we enjoyed having an all-inclusive, but able to walk over the Atlantis and experience a really great hotel as well! ...

"Can't wait to go back!"

GRANDMAP Aug 3, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

OUR TRIP WAS GREAT! WE WOULD LIKE TO RETURN NEXT YEAR. ...

Relaxing Vacation Getaway

Amit and Nivedita Shenoy Aug 1, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

We stayed at RIU Paradise Resort for 6 nights (last week of July 2009). This was our first experience staying in an ... all-incliusive resort and was completely worth it especially in Bahamas. RIU is conveniently located right by one of the finest beaches with fine white sand and turquoise clear water with calm waves making in ideal and fairly safe for swimming and even snorkeling in 4-5 ft deep shallow waters close to shore. RIU All inclusive resort offered a fine choice for breakfast,lunch,dinner and drinks menu with a cheerful staff. RIU might be renovating their facility later this year. That would make it a better place. RIU also conducted a daily entertainment program making it fun for couples and families with kids.