Hotel Riu Paradise Island

, Paradise Island, Bahamas
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Hotel Riu Paradise Island

5 star

Rooms: 380

6307 Casino Drive - Paradise Island - 63578 - Bahamas Hotel Website | | 242-363-3500
1949 Traveller

Reviews - Hotel Riu Paradise Island

10/10
Excellent Hotel 5 Stars
Submitted by: Kenneth in 24/12/10
  • Age Group: 5160
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Relaxation Seeker
We just returned from a four night stay at your hotel in Paradise Island. We want to thank you for a wonderful stay. Your food, staff and service was excellent. We would definitely stay again and recommend you hotel to our friends.
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1/10
IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE DO NOT STAY AT THE HOTEL RIU IN THE BAHAMAS
Submitted by: Charlene in 27/05/10
  • Age Group: 60plus
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Relaxation Seeker
Do not stay at the Hotel Riu in the Bahamas. It is a disaster waiting to happen. My husband had a massive heart attack several years ago and I had my two knees replaced several months ago. If you MUST, do not go on the 15th floor. You have to step (2 inches)up out of the elevator and then slide down to your room. I'm not kidding there is a ramp to go down to the rooms. The rooms are not what they show on the internet. We were on the 15th floor and the balcony is concrete and you can not see anything. We were suppose to get a junior suite with an ocean view. We DID NOT GET THAT. When we arrived I asked to speak to the manager of the hotel, left several message. No response from him, but I did get to see and speak to the assistant manager, Mr. Miguel. The only reason why we got to see him was we went to the main lobby and waited for him. He informed us that "WE GOT WHAT WE PAID FOR." Then he was going to show us another room. He told us to have a seat and he would be right back. We waited 45 minutes for him and then we left. He never came back, but I did see him take the key from the front desk to show us a room. The whole week he avoid us as if we had the plague. He could not look at us. Never did the general manager call us at all. Room service was another mess. They never had anything that they offered on the menu. We asked for coffee, they brought it to us and no milk or sugar. So we had to call again and wait and wait and wait. My husband wanted a piece of cheese cake, guess what no cheese cake. Once I called three times within 1/2 hour for soft drinks. We had to call every night for soft drinks. I just want to say the hotel took some chance by sticking us on the 15th floor. There was a newly wed couple on our floor and she said she was waiting for them to bring up champagne for days. I told her to go and get some from the bar. Terrible all around and no one give a damn. Don't go by the pictures on the interest, they are deceiving. No California bed, No sitting room etc. We were very disquested all around.
1/10
The Worst Room & Service
Submitted by: Paulette in 10/08/09
  • Age Group: 51 - 60
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Mature Couple
We will NEVER return to the Bahamas after experiencing a horrible stay at the RIU. Not only were rooms horrible. We were to be given Deluxe Rooms, however, they gave us rooms overlooking the air conditioning units and the noise was horrible and loud. When asking for water, soda, assistance with our luggage, we we told "shortly". We waited and eventually had to retrieve our own drinks and my husband being on a cane due to hip surgery, had to take our large pieces of luggage to and from our rooms without any help. To go to the restaurants, either steak or Japan food, one had to wait on a line over 1/2 an hour. We travel often, and this hotel was the worst experience we have ever had.
1 out of 1 reader found this review helpful
10/10
Fantastic Place!
Submitted by: Sheila in 14/06/08
  • Age Group: 26 - 30
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Young Couple
I had read so many reviews before we went to stay at the Riu and i must say i was very dubious. Our personnal experience was fantastic. I thought the food the service & the location were all perfect. I agree with the rooms being a little dated but they were cleaned every day religiously. We had fresh towels and bed linen and our fridge was stocked up every second day. We had nothing to complain about with the hotel and service. After all, when do you travel to the Bahamas and sit in your room??? The entertainment was ok, could have been better but we used to sit at the bar and get to know people and share our experiences with them. I found the staff treated you as you treated them. We were always polite and friendly and we received the same treatment. A few people were rude and so got treated the same way.

Excursions
Robinson Crusoe - which was a boat trip to a gorgeous island where you can go snorkling. It cost around £25 and that was for the whole day plus lunch and wine/soft drinks. I would recommend this as it was great value for money and you get to experience another whit sandy beach with water so clear and warm. Snorkling here we spotted an octopus. Brill!!

Power Boats - Wow! Well the boat trip is a little uncomfortable especially if you are sitting in the front. This trip takes you to an island where you can feed Iguanas. They were all wild and so cute. You stay here for around 15 mins and then back on the boat to another fantastic island. Here you see a wild Hog that lives on the island - be careful of your towels, he loves to sit on them!! You get the oportunity to feed huge sting rays and even sharks! Yep, Nursing sharks, Lemon sharks and Reef sharks. They come about 1 metre away from you in the water. Adrenaline was pumping as you can imagine. Also here you have a lovely lunch and get to go snorkeling in the sea with the sharks. Everyone we had spoken to thought this was a great experience and i would recommend 100%.

Atlantis - Just a must do. Where in the world do you see such a fantastic place? You couldn't get bored here it is just amazing.

Well, i hope this helps in you desision to go to the Bahamas & to the RIU. I have mentioned my favourite times we had there but all in all we had such a great time & I would return to the same place.
1/10
Riu Bahamas
Submitted by: Nikki in 27/08/07
  • Age Group: 26 - 30
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Young Couple
I stayed at Riu cabo in April and enjoyed it a lot. I just got back from Riu Bahamas and it was awful. The water kept turning off, mini bar not filled with water or drinks, staff were so unhelpful, it took 4 phone calls and my boyfriend to go downstairs to get the water, the staff were so unfriendly and just stood there basically helpless when you asked for there help. It was awful, the food also sucked, the staff wouldn't pick up the phone downstairs, ants in the room, promised king bed and was told it was king when we went upstairs then found out it was actually two doubles.
GO ELSEWHERE.
10/10
Fantastic Honeymoon
Submitted by: Paul in 03/10/06
  • Age Group: 26 - 30
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Honeymooners
I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of my wife and myself to let potential visitors know what a fantastic resort RIU Paradise Island is. The hotel is lovely with big clean and well kept rooms. The staff are some of the friendliest people you could hope to meet and the bars and restaurants are fantastic. For all the reviews you will review from moaning Yanks, IGNORE THEM. This is an excellent holiday destination.
10/10
Excellent
Submitted by: Caitlin in 28/03/06
  • Age Group: 18 - 25
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Family Traveller
Me and my family absolutly lovee your hotel and we'll be returning in June. You guys have to get soft serve fat free frozen yogurt...it would be a huge hit!
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Hotel Riu Paradise Island

Stayed at the Sheraton Grand Resort

from A TripAdvisor Member
We chose to stay at the Sheraton rather than the Atlantis, since there was about $300/day difference in the rates. Not a bad decision, since the Sheraton is literally only steps from one of the entrances to the Atlantis, so we walked over several times a day to eat, shop, gamble, etc. The Sheraton itself is not much--especially in comparison to the Atlantis--but we found our room to be satisfactory, service was generally very good, staff was friendly and helpful, etc. The pool is a big nothing, but so what--the biggest positive is the beach and water--they are beautiful and we didn't want to swim in the pool, anyway. The beach all along the Sheraton-Atlantis strip is fairly narrow, which makes them seem crowded at the peak of the day. The beach vendors mentioned in other reviews did get somewhat tiring, but they willingly move on when you tell them you're not interested--they don't try to badger you. If you want to do things like rent a jetski or ride a parasail, they are the only choice--the hotel doesn't provide any of that. Overall, the Sheraton is fine if you don't mind feeling like a second class citizen because you didn't stay at the Atlantis! We found everything to be very expensive in Nassau (especially food in any restaurant, either at the hotels or elsewhere) and at the end of the day were glad we saved what we did on the hotel.

Good Value

from A TripAdvisor Member
This was our first time to stay on the island, although we had visited it on a cruise. We had planned to stay at Atlantis because we had visited it on our shore excursion, but it was just too expensive. The Sheraton is right next door. It was clean, comfortable, and staff couldn't have been more pleasant. Unless its Atlantis's pools and waterslides you're after, everything else is open to visitors. We did pay $25 each to tour the aquariums or "The Dig", as it is called, but still came out ahead on price. Save your money and stay at The Sheraton.One note, if you eat at this or any hotel, expect to spend more than usual. The hefty gratuity tacked on to everything is a killer. I'm not sure if not having to work for it slows service or if it's just an island attitude, but no one seemed to be in any hurry. If you don't want to venture too far from the hotel on your own, there is a strip mall with a restaurant just past Atlantis on the left. I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was good and reasonably priced. The strip mall also has a shop where we picked up soft drinks and other items at a lower price than was offered by the hotel.

Do Not Stay Here

from A TripAdvisor Member
We just returned from a long weekend at the Sheraton Grand. The hotel is a dump with no atmosphere, it is dirty, the rooms are very partial ocean view, there were ants and spiders in the bed, we had no water one entire night, the service was VERY slow, the food was bad, the management was not helpful, they ran out of towels at the pool and beach every day, they ran out of beach chairs every day, there are natives bugging you on the beach every five seconds to rent a jet ski, braid your hair or sell you something you told them 10 times you don't want. DO NOT STAY at the Sheraton Grand!!!!

Low Price, Mediocre service

from A TripAdvisor Member
I spent 3 nights at Sheraton Grand June 2003. I paid $129/night which was a good rate for Paradise Island. I chose it with intent to go next door to Atlantis, which is 100 feet away. By category: ROOMS: Basic, clean (few stains), small bathroom, good ocean view from most rooms, no frills. $2/day charge for safe unnecessary. FOOD: I ate lunch by pool once. Hamburger OK, unimpressed by conch soup. I ate all other meals at Atlantis resort. Just call over and make reservations. For a special meal $100/person, try the Ocean Club rest. SERVICE: Serious service issues. First, my keys didn't work after check-in. Then, 2 days in a row no beach towels at pool-side kiosk. Staff unhelpful, told me to go to desk or get towels from my room! Desk staff ambivalent to problem, finally got towels from laundry after I became more insistent. Lack of functioning beach chairs. I complained to Director of Operations and got a free nights stay. ACTIVITIES: Nil. Beach vendors pestered you to jet-sky, parasail, braid hair, or buy trinkets. Hotel must be getting a kickback to allow this annoyance. Beach is same as Atlantis so no benefit to go to their beach. Night-life big at Atlantis, go over there.Pool unimpressive for a resort, small, no slides or vegetation around it. I absolutely recommend daytrip to Harbour Island ($150), it is a beautiful out island. TRANSPORTATION: A tip, get cabs at airport that are cars with A/C, the beat-up vans are uncomfortable, hot, & smelly. Also, get duty-free liquor at airport BEFORE getting ticketed as no shops after you go past desk. SUMMARY: Cheap price tolerable with access to Atlantis next door.No excuse for poor service, but complain if it occurs. Visit Harbour Island for a day.

Stay elsewhere if you can!

from A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed at the Sheraton in April 2003 (only because the Atlantis was booked). The only positive I can relate is that it's quiet. Service and food was terrible. Phone system was antiquated - string and two cans would work better. The shower took 30 minutes to drain - and the BOAT PEOPLE. The Saturday we were there there appeared to be a exodus of people streaming over the dunes to the SMALL beach. Took chairs, used the outdoor showers, etc. One of them actually layed under my chair to be sheltered from the sun (but not for long). If you travel to the Bahamas pay strict attention to the airport requirements. We were there almost three hours in advance and finally had to be called to the front of the line to complete checking in. SLOW does not describe the service.

Love the Sheraton!

from A TripAdvisor Member
Been staying at the Sheraton for 6 yrs and will be going back next Feb..It's great...........

I loved the Bahamas - hated the Sheraton

from A TripAdvisor Member
My husband and I visited the Bahamas for our 6th anniversay in May. We were there for 10 days and while we loved the island and everything it had to offer the same could not be said for the Sheraton Grand. The only good thing about our stay at this hotel is that on check in they told us that we had a choice of a regular room or a junior suite. We took the junior suite although we were told the view as not great and in fact we had no problems with the room. That was just about all the hospitalitiy we were shown except for our housekeeper who was very nice. The first morning there we ordered room service it took them closer to an hour rather than the 30 minutes they touted to get breakfast to us and when they came they only brought one serving. I called them and 15 minutes later they appeared with the other plate. That though was not even what bothered me the most. The people at the front desk were as helpful as a brick wall. Whenever my husband or I asked a question we were met with shrugging of shoulders, fake smiles and basically I don't know you can ask the cab driver or some other non-commital response. We did not let this have an impact on our time though as we figured we were there to celebrate and have a good time so we would. Then came the day we were checking out. I had noticed in my confirmation email that there was a 12% government tax and a $3.50 maid service charge per person per night and I mentioned to my husband that it was going to add up to a chunk of change in taxes but we figured no problem we will deal. Well not only did those taxes appear on our bill but there was also an $8 charge per night for "energy surchage" that turned out to be $80 more and when I questioned the people at the front desk they told me it is a charge everybody pays and there was nothing they could do about it and of course the manager was no where to be found. Needless to say I was FURIOUS!! I thought about screaming, cussing and creating a scene but instead I handed over the credit card and decl vowed to spread the world to the world. So listen up world by all means go to the Bahamas it is a great place but do not stay at the Sheraton Grand I would suggest a place like Sandals Royal - we were there on a day pass on the day of our anniversary and they treated us great which is the least I expect for my money. Sheraton needs to take a serious look at their customer service and billing policies. This is also a much milder version of the letter I sent to the Sheraton just thinking about our experience has me hopping mad all over again.

Phone system circa 1920

from TorontoInOntario
We just came back from a week at the Sheraton Grand. I have been to Nassau many times but not for a number of years. We changed rooms 3 times the first time I have done this at a hotel. The first room we had faced away from the Atlantis and was on the side of the bldg. with large air conditioning units that hummed 24 x 7. Though the view was good in that room, both phones were dead. No way of calling out. And we could not stand the constant buzz-whir of the large A/C units on the ground below. So we switched rooms a higher room on the same side of the bldg. This was a mistake: we could still hear the industrial A/C unit noise and of the 2 rooms phones one was dead. Finally we were moved to a room on the top floor on the Atlantis side of the bldg. This room was fine and there was (not as much) machinery etc. below as there had been on the opposite side of the bldg. And both phones worked in this last unit. However, on the last day of our stay when I had an urgent need to call home long distance, the all the hotel phones went dead for 3 hours. When they finally came back on, the hotel operator said: Yes, thats right. Our phones always go dead when it rains. As though there was nothing unusual about this. Another hotel operator told me: The phone system in this hotel is really bad. They need to get a new system and a new service provider. I dont know why they dont do it. The phone service here is terrible. The beach is nice, but someone drowned in the strong surf outside the hotel the 2nd day we were there. As a result, they closed the beach for 2 more days, which obviously detracted from our vacation. The best time we had during our 1 week stay was the day we took the ferry to Eleuthera. This is a very beautiful island. We spent the day on the amazing beach at the Pinks Sands resort. We would go back to Eleuthera in a moment. But we will never go back to the Sheraton Grand, Paradise Island.N Nielsen

Convenient and Clean

from A TripAdvisor Member
I just got back from Paradise Island in the Bahamas. We stayed at the Sheraton which is located right next door to Atlantis. Although there is nothing to compare to the Atlantis, the Sheraton was beautifully maintained and the employees were extremely helpful and always had a smile. The Atlantis is a 3 minute walk from the Sheraton and the Sheraton is much more relaxed, so if you are looking to relax, avoid the Atlantis and head to the Sheraton. They provide towels for the beach and a concierge who is amazing and will go out of her way to see that you have whatever you need. The only downside is that they charge for the in room safes, which I think, should always be complimentary. The food was excellent. If you get a chance head to the restaurant by the pool for the conch salad. You have to be there by noon otherwise they are sold out by 1:00. Seriously, it's delicious. FYI if you want to go to Atlantis to sit by their pool then you have to buy a ticket at $25 for the day but that includes a tour of the aquariums. The Sheraton was a good value if you are looking to keep things simple.

A decent budget beach hotel

from WahooVA
This is not the place to spend your honeymoon or a week-long vacation, but for a quick getaway to the Bahamas, it certainly does the trick. I would wait for a rate of no more than $100/night, because otherwise you'll be disappointed. Service is average. The rooms are average. The restaurants are average -- much cheaper than the many restaurants in Atlantis, but the food is generally not as good.Like every place in Nassau, the hotel adds gratuities to room charges and bar tabs. Plan accordingly.The beach is small, but nice. The same goes for the pool. The pool area is somewhat bird-infested, but they're not as bad as some reviewers might suggest.The service is adequate, nothing more.Don't overpay. Don't expect the world. And you'll be happy with the Sheraton Grand.

Top Local Tips for Paradise Island

Pirate Museum Check out the pirate museum in downtown Nassau its about $20 for two people, and its cute. Its not very busy, and it's air conditioned! but it gives you a more cultural history on pirates than Pirates of the Caribbean does. :) Check out the Dig, in the Atlantis, at night its free. Lots of fishies to look at in there. try to see the "Junkaroo" in Marina Village it is a beautiful Bohemian culture festival, awesome. If you decide to take the Ferry anywhere, be careful, if you see too many people loading onto the boat, get off, your safety comes first. We rode the Ferry back from downtown and it started to sink in the middle of the ride, due to the weight load being too much. They had to have another boat come out and transfer us off, as we were riding away, the boat started to go down...just made it! we were close enough to swim to shore, but if you're not a good swimmer...watch out, and of course we had digital cameras and such with us that would be a significant bummer.

Take a taxi to town Do not take the ferry. It will be only a little cheaper than taxi but you have to walk to the ferry and it is a long walk.

Don't drink or brush teeth with the hotel water!!! The hotel water is not safe for drinking / brushing your teeth. They do provide free gallon bottles of water at the front desk.

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Other names for Hotel Riu Paradise Island

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  • riu paradise island bahamas
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  • paradise island sheraton
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  • Address: 6307 Casino Drive - Paradise Island - 63578 - Bahamas
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