Scores at a Glance
Hotel Riu Palace AntillasJOIA Aruba by Iberostar
Overall
8.0
8.6
Beach
8.7
8.9
Food
7.7
8.4
Service
8.0
8.3
Rooms
7.6
8.9
Value
7.6
7.7
Romance
8.1
·
Scores out of 10 · higher is better
Quick Stats
| Hotel Riu Palace Antillas | Measure | JOIA Aruba by Iberostar |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | Overall Score | 8.6 (better) |
| 5-star | Star Rating | 5-star |
| 4.3 (4,710) | Google Rating | 4.8 (2,056) (better) |
| (better)From $254 | Price / Night (pp) | From $315 |
| Yes | Adults Only | No |
| – | Kids' Club | – |
| Near coast | Beachfront | Near coast |
| Mid-size | Resort Size | Mid-size |
| 20 min | Airport Transfer | 15 min (better) |
All Scores
| Hotel Riu Palace Antillas | Measure | JOIA Aruba by Iberostar |
|---|---|---|
| 8.7 | Beach | 8.9 (better) |
| 7.7 | Food | 8.4 (better) |
| 8.0 | Service | 8.3 (better) |
| 7.6 | Rooms | 8.9 (better) |
| 8.2 | Pools | 8.8 (better) |
| 7.6 | Value | 7.7 (better) |
| 8.1 | Romance | – |
| 8.2 | Nightlife | – |
| 7.3 | Remote work | – |
Of the 10 measures we call, Hotel Riu Palace Antillas leads on 1 and JOIA Aruba by Iberostar leads on 9.
Vibes
| Hotel Riu Palace Antillas | Measure | JOIA Aruba by Iberostar |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Romance | – |
| Yes | Lively | – |
Activities
| Hotel Riu Palace Antillas | Measure | JOIA Aruba by Iberostar |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Spa | Yes |
| Yes | Water sports | Yes |
| Yes | Nightlife | – |
| – | Golf | Yes |
| – | Kids | Yes |
Hotel Riu Palace Antillas
- Adults-only all-inclusive
- 2 pools
- 4 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- 20 min from AUA
JOIA Aruba by Iberostar
- 3 pools
- 3 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- Swim-up suites
- 15 min from AUA
Pros · Hotel Riu Palace Antillas
- Adults-only all-inclusive on Palm Beach.
- Very walkable resort-zone location.
- Strong beach and ocean access.
- Multiple specialty restaurants and 24-hour all-inclusive format.
- Good fit for travelers who want beach plus nightlife access.
Pros · JOIA Aruba by Iberostar
- New 5-star resort steps from Eagle Beach.
- Modern spacious rooms and pool areas.
- Optional all-inclusive package gives flexibility.
- Official site lists free Wi-Fi and free private transfers for eligible online bookings.
Cons · Hotel Riu Palace Antillas
- Chair availability can be stressful during peak periods.
- Food and room quality feedback is mixed.
- Elevator and maintenance complaints appear in guest sources.
- Palm Beach is lively and public, not secluded.
Cons · JOIA Aruba by Iberostar
- All-inclusive is optional and may not be the best value for travelers who dine around Aruba.
- Not directly beachfront despite being very close to Eagle Beach.
- Recent guests mention housekeeping inconsistency.
- Sales-pitch reports are a meaningful caution.
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