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Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasvsPunta Cana Princess

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Five-Star·4.7
Punta Cana Princess
Punta Cana Princess
Five-Star·4.7·Adults Only
OverallBeachFoodServiceRoomsLuxuryValueRomance
Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasPunta Cana Princess

Quick Stats

8.9
Overall Score
8.0
5-star
Star Rating
5-star
4.7 (1,147)
Google Rating
4.7 (12,143)
Price / Night
No
Adults Only
Yes
Near coast
Beachfront
Near coast
Mid-size
Resort Size
Mid-size
60 min
Airport Transfer
25 min

All Scores

8.9
Beach
8.6
8.8
Food
7.0
9.0
Service
7.8
8.7
Rooms
7.1
8.4
Pools
8.1
8.8
Value
7.8
8.3
Family
8.7
Romance
8.6
7.9
Nightlife
7.2
Quiet
8.0
Remote work
6.2
Accessibility
6.5

Vibes

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
RomanceLively
Punta Cana Princess
RomanceLivelyQuiet

Activities

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
SpaWater sportsNightlifeKids
Punta Cana Princess
SpaGolfWater sportsNightlife

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas

  • 1 pools
  • 3 restaurants & bars
  • Full-service spa
  • Overwater bungalows
  • 60 min from MLE

Punta Cana Princess

  • Adults-only all-inclusive
  • 1 pools
  • 5 restaurants & bars
  • Full-service spa
  • 25 min from PUJ

Pros — Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas

  • Strong guest ratings across TripAdvisor, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Booking.com.
  • 24-hour all-inclusive model is straightforward and value-oriented for the Maldives.
  • Modern rooms, including overwater suite categories.
  • Guests repeatedly praise food, cleanliness, and friendly staff.
  • Access to neighboring RIU Atoll adds activity and dining flexibility.

Pros — Punta Cana Princess

  • Direct beachfront location on Bávaro Beach.
  • Adults-only 18+ positioning with a compact, easy-to-navigate layout.
  • Five restaurants, swim-up bar, beach bar, spa, tennis, water sports, and casino shuttle access.
  • Access to Caribe Deluxe Princess and Tropical Deluxe Princess expands available facilities.

Cons — Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas

  • The modern built environment may feel less natural or boutique than older-style Maldives islands.
  • Transfer logistics and inclusions need careful verification.
  • Some activities are located on or shared with the RIU Atoll side.
  • Not ideal for travelers seeking an ultra-secluded, high-design luxury resort.

Cons — Punta Cana Princess

  • Rooms are commonly described as dated or in need of refurbishment.
  • Food feedback is inconsistent, especially around buffet quality.
  • Wi-Fi is mixed: official free basic Wi-Fi is available, but guest sources report reliability issues.
  • Nightlife is limited on-site; the disco is accessed through Avalon Casino rather than inside the hotel.
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