Riu Palace Punta Cana

RIU Palace is Punta Cana's newest resort and it is beautiful. The RIU complex consists of 5 hotels of varying ambience appealing to different clientele. The PALACE is at the top of the chain and also the most expensive. Guests at the PALACE have access to all facilities at all of the hotels - but why leave - it has the best of everything.

Seven four-story buildings in a horse-shoe shape sit back about 100 yards from a beautiful soft sandy two mile cove of a beach. Most rooms have some oceanview but none are oceanfront since the beach is lined with lots of palm trees and the resort is built perpendicular to it. The main lobby is quite ornate and formal. Check-in for groups (Apple Vacations) takes place in the piano bar seated at cocktail tables. A cool drink of your choice is offered. Rooms are pre-assigned and you are given ONE bulky metal key for the room and a big metal lock for the safe. A little old-fashioned in this age of technology. We were enjoying the beach by noontime.

The main lobby building is two stories - the entrance level has a couple of shops - sundries and jewelry - a car rental, excursion desk. The sports bar with 15 to 20 TVs has Internet access for $8 an hour, pool tables and 24 hour self-serve snacks. From the ornate piano bar, a curved stairway takes you to the outdoor fountains, five restaurants, a showroom and an outdoor plaza used for early evening entertainment.

Fountains, manicured lawns and tiled walkways lead you toward the pools and beach beyond. All rooms have balconies, Jacuzzi tubs and a step-down living area. The minibar is replenished daily with sodas and beer and liquor dispensers have Brugal Rum, Gordon's Gin, Stoli Vodka and Brandy.

The pool and beach area have daily planned activities, a swim-up bar, regular bar with wrought-iron tables and a buffet restaurant beachside that becomes a Steak House at night.

The beachside Spa is adjacent to "Colonial Village" a small shopping area. A gym, beauty salon, massage rooms and a thalassotherapy room surround an open-air fountain area. Separate men and women's shower, steam and sauna rooms merge to a co-ed relaxing area with lounges, Jacuzzi pools with fountains and open window areas to catch the ocean breezes and sounds. Treatments are moderately priced for a resort - $60 for a 50-minute massage - $40 for a facial.

The staff are pleasant, speak some English and are eager to please. The resort is very clean, the pools immaculate, the beach beautiful, and the water warm. RIU focuses on catering to Europeans. Americans can enjoy this resort if they are not expecting "Four Season's" type service. Meals are served at a fast pace, cuts of meat different than we are accustomed to - no room service - beds comfortable but not "plush". Think of RIU as comparable to a moderate, mass market cruise ship rather than a 5-star resort and you'll enjoy your vacation.

All rooms at the RIU Palace Punta Cana are junior suites - the resort has 7 four-story buildings in the shape of a horseshoe overlooking pools and fountains. The architecture is "palatial" - All rooms have balconies with padded chairs, a small table and a built-in clothes drying rack. The marble bathrooms have a deep Jacuzzi tub, double sinks, a powerful hair dryer and magnifying make-up mirror. The double closet houses a safe with a heavy old-fashioned lock and the key is on a rope chain. The one and only key to the room is also bulky to carry around. More storage is available in the living room dresser that also doubles as the TV stand.

The king size bed is comfortable but not "plush" as has been the trend for the past few years in name brand hotels throughout the US. The carved black wood furniture adds formality to the decor. A small bar area has a mini fridge stocked daily with sodas, beer and a gallon size water jug. A liquor dispenser has bottles of Stoli Vodka, Gordon's Gin, Brugal Rum and Brandy.

Plenty of towels but no face cloths - a dispenser of generic soap/shampoo in the shower and small bottles of lotion are replaced as needed during the twice daily room service - but no air conditioner. All is kept very clean - even the balcony is washed down daily - and the maids decorate your bed or bathroom with towel art and flowers daily. We did leave tips and small gifts and they were appreciative.

If you can afford to splurge, there are a few minisuites available - these are corner rooms located on each floor in the turrets. They are very spacious with an oversized living room, walk-in closet, small bar area - step up to a king size bed and a very large bathroom with separate shower - a large Jacuzzi tub - like a small pool that opens into the bedroom from the bathroom and is framed with marble pillars. The wrap around deck is very large and is accessed trough the sliding door in the living room.

For a really special occasion - reserve the minisuite on the 4th floor of the turrets and you'll find a winding staircase on your balcony leading up to a gazebo area with your own outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking the lush grounds and fountains... Really, really special!

The beach and pools at RIU Palace are spectacular. As you walk from the main building toward the beach - the tiled walkway lined with tall palms and manicured lawns leads you past five fountain pools - the sound from the splashing water is calming and the occasional mist that falls on you if caught by a breeze is refreshing.

The first circular pool is elevated and overlooks the main pool and swim up bar - everyone seems to hang over the infinity edge to watch the action. The pools are 3 feet deep throughout. In addition to the usual bar stools and in-water loungers, there are about 10 semi-circles with seats along the edge of the pool. Some have strong Jacuzzi jets for your back and feet others are designed with a cocktail table to set down your drinks - jets in these are softer and more soothing.

Lounge chairs and umbrellas are plentiful and palm trees also provide shade. Planned activities by the pool – piped in music, dance lessons, ceramic painting, hair braiding, water aerobics and friendly bartenders make it exciting – no quiet pool here. Wear flip-flops or beach shoes, the tiles get really hot and burn your feet. The water is very clear and clean, no slime or gritty sand in the bottom.

The pool bar does not have all the top shelf liquors – the lobby bar does. The pool bar closes at 6pm and the pool is off limits after 7pm.

If you prefer a quiet spot with more breeze, head on down a few hundred feet to the beach. This is what Punta Cana is all about, beach, beach, beach! Talcum powder sand and warm blue-green water!!! No thatched huts here. I love this beach, it’s unstructured – by that I mean that chairs are not lined up row upon row. Hundreds of palm trees of all sizes provide your shade, and so a few chairs here and more there and they keep moving to chase the shade. In some spots you can hear the music from the pool area and if you move closer to the spa building, you’ll hear the quiet calming music from there.

The rolling waves make this beach fun, good rides on boogie boards or beyond the breakers you can use a floaty or bounce around on a noodle (bring these from home, there are none at the hotel, they easily fit around the edge of your suitcase before you fill it with clothes).

An interesting looking half-sunken ship wreck off shore attracts everyone on hobbies, kayaks or pedal boats. All these are complimentary. Watch for special pricing on a daily basis for snorkeling tour, parasailing and 2-for-1 Banana Boat rides. A constant parade of walkers of all ages and sizes and in all modes of dress or undress make for interesting conversations.

The sand along the water’s edge is firmer making for easy walking. As with all resorts in Punta Cana – topless sunbathing at the beach is common – much less so by the pool.

Dining at Riu Palace does not fit into the 5* category. The food is not bad or inedible, it's just that the preparation and presentation are not appealing especially to Americans. Food is plentiful but repetitious. Cuts of meat are not as in the US - steaks are thin, chops are fatty, no large shrimp or lobster were served in any restaurant all week. Small shrimp are presented with shells and heads still on - fruit and salads are delicious and so is the soup. Desserts are kept on a refrigerated table - good in the hot temperatures - but they soon appear "sweaty" and buffet food sits on the steam table too long. Hot dogs and hamburgers are all cooked ahead and left to sit although it is a "grill station". If you get to the station at the time the meat or fish is being grilled, you will find it moist and flavorful - a few minutes later it is cold and dry. Fresh made pasta is great, but it soon get cold sitting under a warming lamp.

RIU Palace serves breakfast and lunch buffet style and has five specialty - à la carte - restaurants that require reservations. Two sittings - 6:30pm and 9pm. These are made on a daily basis between 10am and 1pm. There is no room service but we did see morning coffee being delivered to a few rooms by waiters. Restaurants are extremely well staffed and waiters are eager to please, but a request for cappuccino, ice water, or a cocktail necessitates a trip to other kitchen or a bar in another building - so it does take time.

A themed buffet is served each night. It would help to know ahead of time if it will be Mexican, Italian, or Asian, so that you could make reservations accordingly at other restaurants. You learn of the theme as you enter the dining room by observing the decor or the dress of the waiters. The "Gala" Buffet on Thursday night was the most elaborate - It featured dishes from each of the à la carte restaurants. Food in the buffet is of the same quality as the restaurants but it is very brightly lit, and of course very busy feeling because of the self serving.

Long pants are required for men each evening - even at the buffet. Ladies wore everything from pants to short skirts, sundresses and formal evening wear with jewels, sequins, and chiffon. The Europeans were more formally dressed than Americans.

I don't consider myself a food "snob". We consider dining an experience - not just "eating". We expect freshly prepared food, served appealingly at the proper temperature whether it be a sandwich, pizza, or a gourmet meal. Ambience, pacing of the meal and conversation are all a major part of our enjoyment. We looked forward to meals at two other high end resorts in Punta Cana in the past. The RIU Palace will not be our choice again because of the food unless we read of improvements in future reports.

We love Punta Cana for its beaches and all inclusive is the "way to go" because this area was developed for tourists - there is no quaint colonial town or small fishing village to spend your days shopping or evenings exploring.

Arrival in Punta Cana is great... lovely small airport with thatched huts; very Caribbean feeling, music playing, pay your $10 per person for the tourist card, quickly go through customs and immigration and your vacation has begun!

Apple Vacations is very efficient both at the airport and at the resort. Representatives speak English and are very friendly, knowledgeable, and also have 7 hours a day of presence in the lobby to help with tours, questions, or problems.

I've seen RIU Palaces and this one is typical, brand new, clean lines, large, and ornate as a "palace" should be. Check-in was pleasant - seated in a cocktail lounge, beverages available. Even with an early arrival - 10am - our rooms were ready and luggage promptly delivered.

Rooms... A king size bed, step down living area with pull out sofa - good sized bathroom - balcony with two padded chairs - a minibar area with very tiny glasses, fully stocked and replenished even with liquor dispensers - rum, vodka, brandy, and gin.

Onto the pools and beach... lots of fountains, a very large Jacuzzi, and a pool with swim-up bar. The water is too warm, so on to the beach... Oh my gosh - as beautiful as I remembered Punta Cana, but this one is "picture perfect" with a half sunken wreck in the distance, framed by the palm trees on the beach... just gorgeous! Sand is tan and soft as talcum. I love this "unstructured" beach - no line up of chairs and umbrellas and no palapas. Natural shade is provided by lots of palm trees of all sizes. Water... 84F - 88F degrees. There are a few waves, and at times strong enough that we both lost our sunglasses! But fun.

Lunch time at the beachside restaurant was our first disappointment. Dried out overcooked food on steam tables. We took a few mussels that seemed plump since they were soaking in broth. Two bites and we left - there must be an alternative. The buffet dining room was a bit better - roast chicken, salad bar, and air-conditioning.

Dinnertime - the five à la carte restaurants require reservations. We attempted to arrive at 8:30 for our 9pm reservation - no success. They clear everyone from the early seating - reset all the table and start a new at 9pm. Food again was only fair - service quite good - lights too bright. We liked the Italian best - Asian sounded good but the tempura was soggy (frialator probably not hot enough).

Entertainment - Bingo on the plaza at 8pm - a piano player in the lounge that was quite good and later a show with dancers from the resort - OK, if you care to walk to one of the other RIU (all adjoining) there is a casino but it was very quiet all week - no excitement.

The resort is brand new and quite European in style, that is large metal key for the door - deep step-in tub, hard bedding, stiff sheets. We were told it was built to cater to Americans, but I don't think they hired any Americans as consultants. Most of the guests were German or Spanish. All in all, a great location, beautiful beach, and friendly staff make for an enjoyable vacation, but we won't gain weight on the food.