J.E. Irausquin Blvd 79, Noord, Aruba
resort comparison guide

Riu Palace Aruba vs Tamarijn Aruba

Choosing between Hotel Riu Palace Aruba and Tamarijn Aruba? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which resort is the best fit for your next all-inclusive getaway.

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba resort
Hotel Riu Palace Aruba
All-Ages • Palm Beach • 24-Hour All-Inclusive

Best for families and couples who want a polished 24-hour all-inclusive directly on Palm Beach with multiple restaurants, lively resort amenities, and a classic high-rise Aruba beach setting.

Tamarijn Aruba resort
Tamarijn Aruba
Oceanfront • Casual • All-Inclusive

Better for travelers who want a more casual, low-rise oceanfront all-inclusive where the beach is the main event and rooms sit close to the sand.

Quick Verdict: Hotel Riu Palace Aruba vs Tamarijn Aruba

If you want a more polished all-inclusive with a broad dining lineup, swim-up bar, kids' facilities, a casino, and a prime Palm Beach address, Hotel Riu Palace Aruba is the stronger pick.

If your priority is a relaxed, beach-forward Aruba stay with a simpler low-rise feel and easygoing all-inclusive atmosphere, Tamarijn Aruba will likely feel more your speed.

Bottom line: choose Hotel Riu Palace Aruba for a livelier, more full-service Palm Beach resort experience; choose Tamarijn Aruba for a more casual, toes-in-the-sand Aruba vacation.

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba vs Tamarijn Aruba – At a Glance

Category Hotel Riu Palace Aruba Tamarijn Aruba
Overall Vibe Polished all-ages 24-hour all-inclusive with a Palm Beach high-rise setting, multiple restaurants, bars, pools, family facilities, and evening entertainment. Casual oceanfront all-inclusive with a more laid-back, beach-first feel and a lower-key Aruba resort atmosphere.
Location Directly on Palm Beach in Noord, one of Aruba's most established resort areas, with calm water, a long sandy strip, and a walkable hotel-zone setting. Set along Aruba's west-coast beach area, better suited to travelers who want a quieter-feeling oceanfront base than the Palm Beach high-rise strip.
Rooms & Suites Air-conditioned guestrooms with balconies or terraces, minibar, satellite TV, in-room safe, and a more traditional full-service resort style. More casual beachfront accommodations that appeal most to travelers who care less about polish and more about being close to the ocean.
Dining Stronger variety, with 8 restaurants, buffet and à la carte options, 24-hour snacks, and bars ranging from lobby and plaza bars to a sports bar and swim-up bar. All-inclusive dining in a more relaxed resort style, better for guests who prefer convenience and beach time over a larger specialty-restaurant lineup.
Pools & Beach Two outdoor freshwater pools, a swim-up pool bar, children's pool/splash area, and direct access to Palm Beach's calm, resort-lined shoreline. A more beach-centered scene where the oceanfront setting is the main draw, especially for travelers who want an easygoing sand-and-sea vacation.
Kids & Family All-ages resort with RIU Land kids' club, children's pool facilities, and activities that make it work well for families as well as couples. Family-friendly in feel, with a casual all-inclusive setup that suits beach-loving families and groups who want a simpler resort rhythm.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who will use the fuller resort package: wider dining choice, pools, family facilities, casino, included activities, and Palm Beach location. Best value for travelers who want an Aruba all-inclusive focused on oceanfront simplicity rather than a more polished resort campus.

Rooms & Suites: Polished Palm Beach Comfort vs Casual Beachfront Simplicity

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba – Room Style

Rooms at Hotel Riu Palace Aruba are designed for a full-service all-inclusive stay, with practical in-room comforts and outdoor space in the form of balconies or terraces.

  • Air-conditioned guestrooms with balconies or terraces
  • Minibar, satellite TV, WiFi, and in-room safe included
  • Best for travelers who want a more polished resort-room experience on Palm Beach

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba is the better pick if room comfort, resort services, and a livelier high-rise setting matter more than a stripped-back beach bungalow feel.

Tamarijn Aruba – Room Style

Tamarijn Aruba leans more casual and beach-focused, appealing to travelers who want an easy oceanfront stay without needing the grander feel of a larger Palace-style resort.

  • Casual accommodations with a relaxed Aruba beach-resort feel
  • Best for travelers who expect to spend most of the day outside by the water
  • A stronger fit if proximity to the beach matters more than upscale room polish

If you want the more refined room and resort experience, choose Hotel Riu Palace Aruba; if you want a simpler beach-first stay, Tamarijn Aruba has the edge.

Dining & Drinks: Bigger Restaurant Lineup vs Easygoing All-Inclusive Convenience

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba – Restaurants & Bars

Dining is one of Hotel Riu Palace Aruba's clearer advantages, especially after its renovation expanded the resort's restaurant lineup and refreshed its all-inclusive offering.

Expect:

  • 8 restaurants, including buffet, steakhouse, Asian, Italian, gourmet/fusion, grill, and taqueria-style options
  • 24-hour all-inclusive meals, snacks, and beverages, with 24-hour snacks available
  • 5 bars, including a lobby bar, sports bar, plaza bar, patisserie/ice cream venue, and poolside swim-up bar

Tamarijn Aruba – Restaurants & Bars

Tamarijn Aruba is better viewed as a relaxed, convenient all-inclusive dining experience rather than a resort chosen mainly for a large specialty-restaurant roster.

  • Simple all-inclusive convenience for beach-focused days
  • Better for travelers who prefer a casual meal-and-drinks rhythm
  • Less of a dining-variety play than Hotel Riu Palace Aruba

If restaurant variety, bar choice, and a more developed dining program matter most, Hotel Riu Palace Aruba is the stronger option.

Pools & Beach: Palm Beach Resort Energy vs Oceanfront Beach Focus

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba – Pool & Beach Scene

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba combines direct Palm Beach access with a more built-out pool scene, making it a good fit for travelers who like switching between beach, pool, and bar.

  • Two outdoor freshwater pools plus a children's pool and splash area
  • One pool includes a swim-up pool bar
  • Directly on Palm Beach, known for calm water and a long sandy resort strip

Tamarijn Aruba – Pool & Beach Scene

Tamarijn Aruba is the more beach-forward choice, with a casual oceanfront feel that suits guests who want the shoreline to be the centerpiece of the trip.

  • Best for travelers who plan to prioritize beach time over pool-hopping
  • A lower-key alternative to the busier Palm Beach resort atmosphere
  • Better for guests who want a simple, relaxed Aruba beach vacation

If you want more pool amenities and Palm Beach energy, choose Hotel Riu Palace Aruba; if you want a more casual oceanfront focus, choose Tamarijn Aruba.

Kids & Family: Full Resort Facilities vs Casual Family Beach Time

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba – Family Programming

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba is an all-ages resort and includes specific facilities for children, making it a stronger fit for families who want more than just beach access.

  • RIU Land kids' club for younger guests
  • Children's pool and dedicated splash area
  • All-inclusive activities such as aquagym and beach volleyball, plus entertainment for a livelier stay

Tamarijn Aruba – Family Programming

Tamarijn Aruba works well for families who prefer a casual beach vacation, especially when the goal is relaxed days by the water rather than a resort packed with programmed amenities.

  • Easygoing all-inclusive setting for families and groups
  • Better for beach-loving families who want a simpler resort pace
  • A good fit when low-key oceanfront time is the priority

If your family wants a fuller resort setup with kids' facilities and more dining choice, Hotel Riu Palace Aruba is the safer pick; for laid-back beach time, Tamarijn Aruba fits well.

Price & Value: Which Aruba All-Inclusive Feels More Worth It?

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba – Value Snapshot

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba delivers the most value when you will actually use the wider all-inclusive package: restaurants, bars, pools, kids' facilities, entertainment, and Palm Beach access.

  • Best for travelers who want a polished, full-service all-inclusive
  • Strong for families and couples who want more on-property variety
  • Worth it if Palm Beach location, dining choice, pools, and entertainment are priorities

Tamarijn Aruba – Value Snapshot

Tamarijn Aruba is the better value if your ideal Aruba vacation is less about resort polish and more about an easy, casual, oceanfront all-inclusive base.

  • Best for travelers who want a relaxed beach-first stay
  • Strong for guests who prefer a lower-key atmosphere
  • Worth it if you value oceanfront simplicity over a larger restaurant and amenities lineup

Who Wins? Best Aruba All-Inclusive by Travel Style

Best for Full-Service Palm Beach Amenities
Hotel Riu Palace Aruba resort

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba

Choose Hotel Riu Palace Aruba if you want a polished Palm Beach all-inclusive with more restaurants, more bars, pools, a kids' club, a casino, and a lively resort feel.

Best for Casual Beach-First Stays
Tamarijn Aruba resort

Tamarijn Aruba

Tamarijn Aruba is the better pick for travelers who want a casual oceanfront vacation where the beach is the centerpiece and the resort rhythm feels simpler.

Best for Families Wanting Kids' Facilities
Hotel Riu Palace Aruba resort

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba

For families who want dedicated children's facilities, a fuller dining program, and a more amenity-rich all-inclusive stay, Hotel Riu Palace Aruba has the advantage.

Best for Relaxed Oceanfront Simplicity
Tamarijn Aruba resort

Tamarijn Aruba

If you want an easiergoing Aruba stay with less emphasis on resort scale and more emphasis on relaxed beach time, Tamarijn Aruba is the better fit.

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Hotel Riu Palace Aruba

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