Riu Palace Maldivas - All Inclusive

The rooms were super clean and the water was purely amazing. Food had great variety and it was super tasty

Nothing

The food was really tasty. I generally do not like Riu resorts as I believe them to be more entry level and budget friendly more than they are luxury. But Riu Palace Maldives was the exception. The food was good, the rooms were very nice and well maintained. The furniture was more sturdy and durable than what I've experienced at other Riu properties in the Caribbean. All of the employees were very personable and friendly. I had an overall wonderful experience at this resort.

More activities on the palace side would have been appreciated. I spent 90% of my time on the Atoll side due to the availability of activities.

Beaches were magnificent, staff was very kind.

All facilities apart of Sports Bar were closing on 00:00.

The staff were absolutely the best part of the experience—friendly, professional, and always helpful, which made the stay particularly enjoyable. The hotel was spotlessly clean and very well maintained. The location was also excellent, making it convenient to get around and enjoy the surrounding area.

Overall, the hotel does not really give a five-star impression. In my experience, it feels closer to a four-star property, or even below that by the standards of a mainstream European destination. It is quite far from what I would expect from a five-star tropical island resort. In the room, several details feel rather basic: the hair dryer is very basic, the shower water pressure is low, and the toiletries (soap and shampoo) are of standard quality. The minibar has a limited selection, with very few non-alcoholic options, basic instant coffee and only a small choice of infusions. Some of the furniture is also showing its age, particularly the sofa. The architecture is quite brutalist and, in my opinion, lacks character and a genuine local or Maldivian touch. The walkway between the islands is another concern, as some of the concrete tiles feel unstable and could potentially be a safety issue. The hotel is particularly disappointing during rainy weather. There are very few covered areas where guests can sit, meaning that when it rains, there is very little to do and the overall atmosphere becomes extremely dull and restrictive. The food and dining experience also falls short of five-star expectations. Small details are missing: toothpicks are not provided at the tables, and there is no salt or pepper on the tables during lunch and dinner. The buffet has a poor selection of juices, fruits and desserts. The desserts in particular feel very basic, with an excessive use of brightly coloured buttercream, while some items, such as the macarons, were extremely dry. The selection of local food is limited and does not feel particularly well presented or promoted. During my stay, there was only one themed buffet evening. The à la carte/reservation restaurants do not offer much of an advantage compared with the buffet, with rather uninspiring choices.