Hi, thanks for reading our review and taking the time to comment! So far, we’ve only stayed at the RIU Palace in Cape Verde, but before booking, we did a lot of research and spoke to friends who had stayed at the other RIU hotels.

The Palace hotels offer a more luxurious experience with a few extra perks—international branded drinks, poolside service, premium WiFi, and a more refined decor throughout the rooms and common areas. A big advantage of staying at the Palace is that you can also use the facilities, eat, and join in the entertainment/parties at the neighbouring RIU classic hotels. However, if you stay in a classic RIU hotel, you can’t access the Palace.

From what we’ve heard, the food quality is quite similar across the hotels. The Palace does have specialty restaurants, but they’re probably not worth paying double the price for. What you’re really paying for is the overall luxury feel, a slightly better beachfront location, and a more relaxed atmosphere.

If those things aren’t your top priorities, the classic RIU hotels are still a fantastic choice and offer a fun, lively experience! Hope that helps, and let me know if you have any other questions. 😊