Overall, my experience at Riu Antillas was just okay. On the very first day, the pipes burst, leaving us without running water for about 14 hours. Instead of being upfront about the issue, the front desk repeatedly told us that someone was coming to fix it and then hung up the phone. After waiting for hours, I went down to the front desk and was finally told the truth. When I asked if there was a place to shower, they mentioned a courtesy shower at their sister property next door—but only after I complained.
The resort has four restaurants, but they fill up very quickly. You can’t make reservations, and they only hand out about 20 buzzers per restaurant before they run out. The portions are very small, and you’re only allowed one entrée per visit. The buffet food was unseasoned and just okay. If you want a great dining experience, I highly recommend visiting the local restaurants in Aruba—they were spectacular.
Additionally, for what is supposed to be a five-star luxury resort, the staff could benefit from a course in hospitality. The lack of communication and service was disappointing.
Overall, I loved my trip to Aruba because the locals were wonderful, the island is beautiful and safe, and the shopping was great. However, I would not stay at another Riu property. I previously stayed at one in Costa Rica and had a similar experience.