Riu Palace Macao Adults Only - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

6710 reviews

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  great stay will return -hopefully management pay more attention to their guests.

  3rd visit to this location, still nice, only issue was we requested a room change and the lady at the front desk was very rude 'Shaysta'. Our first room was dirty with bird crap all over the balcony . The staff , Roosevelt, Adony, Danny are great but the check in needs work. With being a repeat guest , less attitude.

  Jun 15, 2025
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  Sorry long review unfortunately won’t be back

  We returned back from holiday yesterday after 2 weeks .we always stay with Riu as we never usually have a problem . Okay so there’s a lot of good reviews about this hotel but I am going to be totally honest .. arrived at hotel husband had already checked in online receptionist was polite and gave us a little ornament thing we also got a welcome drink which was sparkling wine bellboy took our luggage then we had the task of finding our room . Whenever we have stayed with Riu we have been taken to our room we have been taken by a bellboy on this occasion we didn’t and after about 20 minutes we finally found our room . We had to walk through the entertainment and restaurant and finally found it . Husband had emailed the hotel beforehand and requested a high floor with good view we are gold riu class members and you can do this . So we got our room first floor no upgrade so was a bit disappointed but room looked nice although we had been given a twin room we wanted a double bed but and had a big balcony on a corner anyway we decided we would go and have a walk round but our Patio door wouldn’t lock . We were on ground floor and it would have been very easy for someone to climb in our room was pitch black outside so didn’t want to leave all our things in new country went on the app and called maintenance man came right away left and came back with his tools and set about fixing the door . He couldn’t fix it so we couldn’t leave our room and our stuff . I went back to reception told them I wasn’t happy with the room and wanted another after an inquisition why we wanted to move he agreed but said it would only be for 1 night only as they needed the room .so again got our bags again ourselves no bell boy and began trying to find the next room . Walked through the entertainment and found it .we had had a long journey from home to the airport then the flight from Manchester . Our room was right above entertainment which was very loud . It was a disabled room we think. it was very grotty there was a shower curtain which looked filthy and we were thankful we would only be in it for one night . Bed was comfy and we slept (after the entertainment finished) Went back to reception in the morning told to go back at 3 pm for our different room I then said we were riu gold members and asked if we would be getting an upgrade . Reception said it didn’t work like that !! but HE would give us a nice room with nice view . 3rd floor room overlooking the sea but directly above entertainment which we already knew was loud .room looked nice a bit grotty in places but clean went to see tui rep told her was not happy we hadn’t been upgraded found hotel staff a bit rude in general but first time in Dominican we usually go to Mexico . It was very hot and humid which we knew it would be everything was in the room fridge mini bar etc and we had a better view Went to the buffet for breakfast was lovely the food I cannot complain about although we usually had to find our own seats . .after a few days I asked maintenance to look at the air con as room felt damp and had a funny smell got a message back to say it was sorted . Next day bed felt wet pillows and felt our clothes smelled like wet dog and was horrified to find mould had grown on some clothes in wardrobe and on my makeup bag that had just been on the table we had been in this room about 5 days by then .I went back to reception was helped by someone called Laura she listened to me and came to the room . We were moved again same floor but now we were on the left hand side so it was much quieter and you could instantly tell there had been a massive problem with our other room if we had only been given this room to start with we would have had a better stay in the hotel . The entertainment team were brilliant though yefrie got us involved in all poolside games he was such a lovely funny person and Richard and Karla always remembered our names if it wasn’t for the entertainment team making us feel special we wouldn’t have enjoyed our 14 nights stay as much . The riu party’s are very good The man in the coffe bar and two of the waitresses on the main bar were lovely alahandrou especially ..we were ignored most nights and had to ask for drinks .pool bar service was hit and miss I will never stay in a resort that has elite class again as I feel it took the shine off the other guests riu is supposed to make everyone feel special this is not the case in this hotel .the Americans who were elite class got much better experiences if we were elite it would have cost us another 1000 each we had already paid 5 thousand for this holiday . After staying with riu over 60 nights in the last 2 years I am absolutely devastated by our experience this hotel isn’t a palace we have stayed in much better 4 star I’d rate it 3 star it’s beautiful to look at on the photos but it has a serious damp problem our friends also had to move rooms 3 times . We still had a good holiday despite all this the food and drinks were brilliant some staff was amazing some weren’t but you don’t expect this in a riu palace will stick to Mexico in future

  Jun 14, 2025
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  VERY DISAPPOINTING

  We had been to Macao prior to COVID and its remodeling. We really enjoyed it and rated it as one of our favorites in the Caribbean. We were able to return last month after having tried twice previously and were instead sent to the Palace next door due to delays in the reopening of Macao. We really looked forward to returning. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. While normally following a remodel, things are much better we didn't find that to be the case with Macao. There are no shops in the hotel. If you forgot your toothpaste or such you are going to have to head over to another location to pick it up. Only resort we've ever seen that didn't have a shop in it for such. The room was a standard resort room and bath. I did find a bug climbing on the bathroom countertop the second day but that's part of the tropics. While taking a shower I notice some very black gunk along the drain and when I scrapped it with my nail it came off like a mold or algae (see pool comments). As I looked closer at the fixtures in the shower, I notice some black on the caulk there as well. Again, it's the tropics but not what you expect to see in what is supposed to be a top tiered resort. The food was generally good when compared to other DR hotels but not to the same level we found in our previous trip here. You can sit inside or out in the buffet, and I highly suggest you go outside because the inside dining room smells. It could be used as the location for the ad you see on TV where everyone walks in a room and says 'DAMP'. It smelled like my grandfather's dank moldy basement. Upon arrival we were shuffled quickly through check in and were told that our request could not be fulfilled for a King bed room. In fact, they weren't sure we could even get one the next day. The bellman got our bags and took off leaving us to try and follow him after initially turning into the wrong hallway. When we got to the room, he dropped our bags and left without a word which was quite a bit different than what we usually experience in the better resorts. We did eat at the Italian restaurant which wasn't bad, but the Chicken Parmesan was extremely dry having been overcooked. Pepe's grill by the pool was awesome and we had lunch there nearly every day preferring it over the buffet. Make sure and try the chow chow on your hot dog! The pool with the swim up bar was busy and while the seating is plentiful around the pool I was surprised to see black algae on some areas around the pool given, they had done so much work. It's not easy to get rid of but is worth the effort. A lot of mosaic tiles had been worked loose and were scattered around the pool. We normally go to adult only resorts and we've seen topless sunbathers, etc. but NEVER have we seen people having sex in the pool And this was in the middle of the day! It wasn't like they were doing it in a far corner they were doing it about 10 feet from the swim up bar and nothing was said or done by the employees though they were at that end of the bar talking to folks and providing drinks. Let's just say it was hard to miss. I'm not a prude but this is not a resort that sanctions such conduct.....or do they? Prior to the remodel there was a street between Macao and its neighbor next door that was lined with small shops where you could pick up souvenirs, cigars, vanilla, and more. It was very convenient to give you a break from the resort for a couple of hours. That option no longer exists, and I was told they shut it down due to some things 'going on' over there. The entertainment was standard for what you'd expect at a typical resort. It would be better if they would start a little bit earlier though. We will not be returning to Macao, and we do wish we felt different about that because we enjoyed it so much previously. We rated it 5 stars after our previous visit, but I'd go no higher than 3.5 following this visit. We know we can get the same service or better without having to pay the additional price associated with what is supposed to be a 5 star and isn't.

  Jun 11, 2025
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  Never a bad vacation at a Riu Palace

  We travel every year (past 25 yrs) and we love the Riu Palace hotel chain and this one didn't disappoint. We've stayed at 6 different ones and never had a bad experience or any issues. We also travel with at least 12 or more friends every year. No complaints. One thing I always say, you're going to a different country so don't expect all the food to taste like it's from your local grocery store. ALL of the food is delicious. I've never had an issue with the food at any of our hotels that we've stayed at. If you can't find anything good on the buffets (breakfast, lunch and dinner), just stay home and don't waste your money, you shouldn't go away. Food was plentiful and delicious as were the drinks. Even at the specialty restaurants, the food was delicious. Hotel is beautiful and clean. Bathrooms around the pool and lobby were always being cleaned. Event staff was very friendly (Carla, George, Oni Javi) were 3 that I can remember off the top of my head. Fun games around the pool. Just be careful when you walk around (more the hotel lobby/hallways) with wet feet. Make sure to always wear shoes or flip flops and hold the railings. Floors get slippery. Also around the pool area, it gets VERY HOT from the sun. Nightly shows are fun 9:30pm-10:15pm. . Only 45 mins long though. Should be an hour but whatever. DJ/band starts around 8pm till 9pm then a game using your phone 9pm-9:30pm) If you're into the pool parties, it's a short 5 min walk (still on the Riu Palace grounds) to the foam party, the jungle party, the pink party and the white party. All held at a different pool. With tipping, they say don't tip but we ALWAYS do. Each of us leaves a $1 where ever we go to eat (all meals). Even ordering drinks around pool, we always give a dollar or two, maybe not each of us every time but we're always giving a couple dollars to the waiter or bartender if you're at or sitting around the pool. If you leave them a few dollars in the beginning of the week, they'll look for you to sit in their area. A little special treatment for a couple dollars. They even remembered I drank orange soda when I sat down for lunch. Sports bar open 24/7 for food, drinks and games. The beach is just a short walk away. Plenty of chairs on the beach and under palm trees, so relaxing. I will say (and it seems like it's this time of year), the past couple years whether in Punta Cana, Jamaica, Cancun or Riviera Maya, there has been some seaweed on the beach and in the ocean. Not a lot but enough to notice it. Ocean water was beautiful though. Rooms were very nice and clean. No one complained about their room. Beautiful weather every day. My ONLY complaint is they allowed smoking IN THE pool with the pool bar. There wasn't a lot of people smoking but a few during our week stay. I think they should have a designated area for smokers outside the pool area. If you want to do any excursions, do the monkey one. We've done a lot of the excursions over the years, but we did the monkey one two years ago and we had a great time. My reviews are no bs. I don't sugarcoat anything good or bad. I tell it like it is. This is just my opinion and I go into every vacation knowing I'm not at home in the USA. Not that it ever mattered but I'm just saying. Hopefully my review will help you out. Have fun, be safe and enjoy because tomorrow is never promised. Peace out until next year............

  Jun 10, 2025
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  Good Holiday

  Very good hotel, great food and service, lovely friendly staff. The only problems we had were large groups of loud American males and large groups of American females, it would be so much better if this hotel was couples only instead of encouraging a rave culture. The swimming pools were good but far too hot, it's like bath water only hotter. The lifts require attention, one lift was out for the whole 10 days we were there, another lift we got trapped in with no lights.

  Jun 08, 2025