mybeep1

I am getting ready for a late March 2005 family trip to Riu Palace. If anyone has been there, can you give some advice as to what room location I should ask for. There seems to be lots of choices--north side vs. south side, courtyard view or not, top floor (3rd) or not, railing or full wall on the balcony, etc.?? Also, what is the cost of a cab for 4 people from Cancun airport to the Riu Palace in Playa? Any other things to consider? Hear the water in the pools at most of the hotels in this area is very cold?

Thanks.---Jeff

kellemail

Jeff, I'm sorry I cant answer your questions, but I just wanted to say that I stayed there 2 years ago and we thought it was a great resort. If I remember the water in the pool was cold, but the beach was beautiful. We've done many all-inclusives, and have found the that food is good but average. The food at Riu Palace was the best we've had buffet-wise. Very fresh and a huge variety. The location is great for trips into Playa del Carmen, it's walkable, but we chose to take a cab. Sorry I couldn't be of more help to your specific questions.

mybeep1

Thanks. What do you remember about your room location and was there anything you learned after you arrived that you wish were different about the room location that you had?

Cerlaurie

mybeep, not sure if you already took your trip but we stayed at the Riu Palace twice. I would request a courtyard/fountain view on a higher floor closest to the pool. It is a little bit of a hike from the pool to beach so you are better off if you are closer. Last time, we could not get a courtyard view (they said they no longer put Funjet people in the rooms?) but we still had a beautiful room. They are all suites with good size balcony.

mzambo

2 years ago, we were originally booked at the Riu Playacar, upon arrival were told due to severe rains they had flooding problems and they had no room available, they were going to upgrade us to the Yucatan for a night and the rest of our trip would be at the Riu Palace, well.... I had done my research and I KNEW what that meant, HUGE upgrade.... 2 couples next to us were having a fit having to move 2ce, I politely looked at them and said "trust me" this is a HUGE upgrade....

The Palace is an incredible resort, the lobby is stunning, the staff excellent, we made real friends of the staff, my 16 year old daughter made such a friend of one of the staff members, she cried when we left......

The food and drinks were great, the pool was very nice, and I don't remember it being cold. The rooms are impecably clean, and nice, with a step down to a loveseat area.... Your room is stocked with liquor although it was not premium liquor as I recall.

The beach is very very nice, and you will have access to the other 4 Riu resorts..... the Tequila across the street, the Playacar and the Yucatan, you can visit there, and drink there, although they prefer you eat at your own resort, you can attend the shows at any of the resorts as well.

The buildings are "set back" from the beach. There were very few rooms that had a view of the beach, trust me it did not matter...........Our room was among the best I have ever stayed in.

It was a wonderful vacation you will have tons of fun. Get to know the staff.