Riu Palace Costa Rica - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

10592 reviews

• 

  Stay

  The rooms were clean and spacious on the new hotel side, the grounds were beautiful, the food was good but some could use more seasoning. My only complaint at this time is that the ac unit wasn't cold enough to handle the scorching heat there and would only allow the lowest setting to 23 degrees celsius.

  Apr 13, 2025
• 

  A week with friends

  Nice hotel, great service with very friendly staff. Too bad they will close the new building while the old building is being remodeled. I have been there many times. It is my favorite resort in Cost Rica.

  Apr 13, 2025
• 

  family vacation

  overall we had a great stay. The staff were phenomenal from the front desk, waiters, bartenders, to the housekeepers. The food was great except desserts was subpar. We had to switch rooms as the air conditioning wasn't working. in the new room the AC was subpar and the fan could not be adjusted. The bathtub was rounded but could be a serious fall risk for some and the beds were super hard- non of which ruined our stay but worth mentioning.

  Apr 12, 2025
• 

  Holiday for two

  Mu husband and I have just had two weeks at this hotel, although it was ok , it is not one I would go back to, the rooms were clean but the whole place was very dated and tired, the pool bar staff were only interested in people that were tipping ie Americans, Canadian, Costa Rica, I did spend at least 10 min trying to get served but it seems I was invisible as I had no money in my hand

  Apr 12, 2025
• 

  Go Elsewhere

  We stayed for 8 nights , to celebrate my 45th birthday . From March 28-April 5 . upon arrival our first room didn’t have ac , the lights didn’t work in hallway , the elevator was out of service , the phone in room didn’t work to call front desk for help! . Next room (1526) on side of front desk clerks had terrible ac as well had to have staff come twice to check and try to get it flowing better . Only one elevator worked most of our stay . Bathroom shower was a death trap ,tub was sloped so made for a very slippery dangerous shower experience . Plus the water temp would fluctuate from one extreme to next . The light in shower alcove didn’t work either so had to shower in the dark . We were told by multiple staff that hotel was being closed at end of April for major overhaul . Was saddened to hear this for it really showed on the level of service and quality of Hotel . If we would have known this before going would have definitely went somewhere else . Beds were very firm , room attendants were hit and miss on level of care . No continuity even after tipping well .This place is definitely not 5 star and def not worth what we paid, $3200 CDN plus flights plus excursions for the two of us for 8 nights . The beach is dirty lots of empty drink containers / broken chaise loungers ,doesn’t feel safe . Total ambiance killer . No way lounging here felt comfortable or inviting .The horses that were on beach that tourists could rent was a horrific state of affairs . Poor animals were emaciated had terrible if no farrier care and were starving , tied to trees all days waiting for some tourists to pay to ride these poor animals. There should be some accountability / regulation and better animal husbandry . Was quite enraging . The buffets were good , something for everyone but booking one of their restaurants was a total pain in the ass . Was hit or miss if/ when they were going to be open when they did open at 6pm you had to be lined up for it was first come first serve, majority were booked for the night by 6:20 pm . Place is in private rural location spent a lot on excursions to get away . Overall this place was very disappointing a Real Riu disappointment.

  Apr 10, 2025