Direct Palm Beach access — calm water and white sand without reef or wave complications.
Five specialty restaurants covering fusion, Japanese, Italian, steakhouse, and American — one of the broadest lineups in Aruba all-inclusives.
RiuLand kids' club provides genuine supervised programming for families, not just a babysitting room.
Exchange privileges at adjacent Riu Palace Antillas double the poolside bar access.
Cons
A major closure-level renovation is scheduled from April 2025 to August 2026 — verify exact dates and operational status before booking.
Specialty restaurant reservation process has been described as cumbersome in reviews — book on arrival day as a first priority.
The 2015 renovation, while significant, means some common areas are approaching a decade of use.
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Cons
The Sandals app reservation system is unreliable — restaurants show as fully booked while tables are available, and closures go unannounced.
"Partial ocean view" and even some "ocean view" rooms deliver disappointing sightlines — verify the specific building and floor before booking.
Butler Elite categories represent a meaningful price jump; the value is clearest for guests who actually use 24-hour room service and prefer to delegate planning.
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Aruba is the larger property, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa offers more activities.
