Riu Palace Mexico

Always enjoy our stays at Riu resorts…this time the beach was exceptionally beautiful and seaweed free! [Details]

I look forward to visiting Riu Palace Mexico every year, super location, clean and very friendly staff, beautiful beaches. I was disappointed that there was no seafood gala this year, plus the food quality is not as high as my first visit in 2017, I will still come next year. [Details]

It was a good experience. Rooms are very old need to be upgraded. The bath, and showers doors never closes . Overall was good. [Details]

We stayed at this hotel several years ago and were very happy that we went back this year. The service was excellent. The buffet and the a la carte restaurants gave us plenty of options for dining.

There was always someone bringing drinks on the beach.

The hotel was close to the other Riu hotels to drop in for drinks, etc. It was a short cab ride to Playa del Carmen.

The staff was friendly and helpful if you had any questions. [Details]

My husband and I were joined by two couples at the Hotel Riu Palace Mexico for a wonderful 2 week vacation. We had requested an upper floor and a King size bed, which were not guaranteed. Upon check in, we were given a ground floor room with two double beds. My husband went to the front desk and asked if there was any chance we could be moved. In less time that it took him to ask the question, we were given a room on the top (2nd) floor with a king size bed and a view of the court yard. As a group, we were spread across the resort, but it was easy to connect and meet up when we wanted to. There was quite a bit of seaweed washing up on the beach, but the grounds crew worked incessantly to clean it up. There was only one day during our two week stay that the seaweed seemed to be winning. All in all, we would be happy to stay at this resort, should we venture back to this area. The staff were unfailingly pleasant, service was prompt and efficient. [Details]

Beautiful hotel probably back years ago was rated 5 star, for sure remember better days but not anymore. Outside and on the picture looks perfect, garden and building, lounge rooms but guests rooms definitely need major improvements. Walls and moldings at least new paint, bathrooms updates, bathroom fans not working and that's bad considering that's basically one open space with bedroom. People that work there, from reception desk to servers in the restaurants, cleaning stuff , bartenders, beach service all 10 out of 10. Package is too overpriced for what you get. Beach is I guess nice but not in the time when we stayed there because it was a see weed season and water and send close to the water was covered with that. Was quite difficult to get in the water. I wouldn't definitely come to that hotel again [Details]

Had a lovely week here! Wish a few things were better, but still had an enjoyable time. [Details]

This was not our first time in Riu Palace & for sure not the last time. [Details]

This was our 3rd visit here in the past 11 months. The service here is the best of any RIU Palace. Besides the fantastic buffet, you can go to all the restaurants as many times as you like and reservations are not required. The beach is really nice and raked every morning, including around all loungers and right to the waters edge. We love the location as Playacar feels very safe and you can walk into 5th Avenue or taxi ride is only $8. The resort grounds are beautiful and clean, there is always staff cleaning and grooming. The rooms are very nice, some people may want more privacy in the bathroom, but that is not a concern for us. Overall, this is a fantastic place to go if you want a low key, quality vacation in Mexico. If you want a hopping place, go next door to the Yucatan or across the street to the Tequila. [Details]

This hotel is all about service. The quality of the food is top notch on the buffet and the restaurants. They have top quality drinks as well. Everyone here is very friendly and they go out of their way to make sure you have a good time. No standing in line for a drink, just sit down somewhere and you will be immediately served. The entertainment was great as well, we love live music and there was plenty to satisfy our tastes. For anyone who complains about the few minor things here, they may be hard to please. [Details]

Although the review is about the Riu Palace Mexico, the picture on the left is that of the Riu Palace Riviera Maya which is one km to the North far enough that we did not visit it. Both hotels are on the same wide sandy beach. The Riu Playacar is a few minutes away in between the two. The Palace has very attractive clean look although nothing Mexican about it. The alley leading to the wide sandy beach is wide and well maintained. You do not feel closed in. One day we walked to the modern shopping mall in Playa Del Carmen. It was a nice pleasant walk past hotels (including the Riu Palace Riviera Maya) and villas and into the shopping district and the ferry dock to Cozumel passing by a small historic church and a nearby park with local bands playing. We spent Christmas at the Riu Palace Mexico. The food was great. The hotel grounds, rooms and public spaces, bars, restaurants are all very attractive if you did not mind the bright white and modern look. It initially did not appeal to my wife but she ended loving its elegance. Great coffee everywhere. As mentioned in the strong points the food and evening entertainment was very much to our liking. Access to the nearby Riu properties was a real plus. After the second day, the winds picked up and it became challenging to swim distance in the ocean (playing in the wave was always fine). Scuba diving outings were cancelled. The Palace has many pools but none are ideals for length swimming. However the nearby Riu Playacar has two large pools where we ended up going each morning the last few days of our stay and where we also went for aquafitness. It is just a few minutes walk along the beach. But we came back to our beach with many lawn chairs and enough palm trees to have some shade. The winds brought seaweed unto the beach but staff collected it and it was not a major issue. Entertainment during the day was just enough to give us daily yoga and zumba classes. [Details]

Hotel definitely deserves a 5 Star rating. Staff from front desk to maintenance worker, bar personnel etc. all friendly and available. [Details]

Truly a very nice property.
Nicely located in Playacar and not far from lively 5th Ave.in Playa Del Carmen.
Very clean, from the lobby to the beach.
Landscaping and water fountains are very well maintained.
Check-in was very quick and the staff were very friendly..
Food choices were good.Drinks at the bars were very adequate.
House keeping and room service were excellent.
But above all, the staff everywhere were great. Very friendly and hardworking to help your stay a great one. [Details]

Great hotel, amazing restaurants , food , fantastic beach - entertainment not so much fun, not much too do in the evenings as in most of Riu Palace hotels [Details]

Beautiful resort.Nice room.Good landscaping. Very good beach. Clear blue water. Hats off to all the hard working men and women who help to make your stay a very good one.
However, this resort lack some five star elements.Quality of wine.Choice of beer.Food was average.
Not sure if you pay less you get less.
High season vs low season prices.
However, this was definitely good value for the money we paid and would still recommend this resort. [Details]

The cons:

This hotel felt like a 3-star hotel to me. So, prepare your mind and expect a 3-star hotel. I was in utter shock when I got into my room and there was a very strong moldy smell, and the room was so damp. My clothes were damp, and paper was damp.
When I went to reception to request another room, the Front desk clerk was rude. I believe that as a valued guest I must be treated with respect.
Eventually I got another room, but it was not the best room. Lucky for me I was with family so I could stay in their room and we spent time in another hotel too. I was not here the full seven days.
A note to the traveller: Shampoo and soap is terrible. Best if you bring your own.

The Pros:

The service at the restaurant was excellent and the food was so delicious, and I'm a picky eater, yet everything was perfect. The servers were very polite and always had a beautiful smile on their face. Every dinning room was perfect and the best was the 24-hour snack bar.
The people cleaning your room were very nice too, and did everything with a smile.
The grounds of the hotel are fantastic and the beach is perfect.

Note: If you have breathing problems, be careful. On two different days I woke up in the middle of the night and could not breathe. Luckily I had my inhaler with me. Something in the air blocked my airways, it was kind of scary.

Stayed April 2016, travelled with family [Details]

Great vacation. Beautiful hotel. Food and drinks were awesome. Staff could not do enough. [Details]

This hotel was incredible and we would recommend it to anyone. The service was excellent and the staff were always pleasant and wanted to please. Very clean facilities. The food at the buffet was so good that we did not feel the need to try an ala carte although we heard they were excellent as well. When you getting prime rib or lobster on the buffet we were always anxious to see what was on the menu each evening.

The pool area is removed from the suites so that it was always quiet at bedtime. Excellent idea.

Lounge chairs were always available on the beach. No need to be on the beach before sunrise to get a chair and we were there in February during peak season. Very nice!! [Details]

Beautiful new modern resort, very clean and typical of the new RIU look (modern, efficient, pink & purple colors). The hotel does not have that old-world charm, character or personality of some other Caribbean hotels. The beach and food are excellent. Wine options disappointing. [Details]

Hotel was nice and clean, food was the best I have ever had in all inclusive! Beach is very impressive. Not the best place if you have young children, activities are non existent for them! [Details]

The hotel was beautiful and very clean. Liked the contemporary look of the hotel as well. There was every amenity that one would require for the week. Service, food and drinks were exceptional and always available. The 24 hour lounge in the lobby was an added bonus for getting an early morning coffee or late night glass of wine. Would like to try other Riu Palace hotels now after visiting the Riu Palace Mexico. [Details]

We had a nice week at the Palace but bringing teenagers here is a mistake. There is nothing geared for them. This is for couples and adults, not that there is anything wrong with it but we went on march break with teens and it was an expensive mistake. [Details]

Riu palace mexico was a wonderful hotel. The staff were friendly the moment we arrived. They take care of their hotel grounds, from early in the morning until the sun goes down at night.
Food was great, the buffet had something different every night, the a la carte were good but would of like more interaction with the staff.
Nighty entertainment was average, live music every night for 2 hrs was good to sit, have a couple of drinks to relax. [Details]

Please take note that we had changed our reservations from Palace Mexico to the Palace Riviera Maya and couldn't have been more pleased. All our expectations were met and in most cases surpassed. The one thing that was a little off putting was that there was no minimum dress code for the dinner meal. I don't think that it would be too much to expect that guests wear appropriate clothing e.g. men to wear pants and not shorts and t-shirts and not appear that they have just returned from a day at the beach.
The hotel and all the staff that we had encountered were top flight and friendly. We tend to travel frequently and intend to return for another stay in the not too distant future. [Details]

Just returned from a week at the Riu Palace Mexico .... and what a great week it was. The hotel is beautiful and the location is amazing. This is by far the best hotel in Playacar (way better than the other Riu's). Playacar is a gorgeous gated community that is very safe. You can walk from the hotel into Playa Del Carmen in 20 mins down a pretty street or along the beach. The food was great & we never got sick. The beach is stunning and goes on for miles. The hotel is spotless & the staff are fantastic ... always smiling and will get you anything you need. I would highly reccomend this hotel & would go back in a heart beat. [Details]

very modern, excellent friendly staff,
food is fresh but a bit boring
small resort with limited entertainment but you are allowed to go to all other Riu resorts in the area.
overall we had a great time and I am an ocean loverin that regard it was perfect for me. the hotel itself lacks the mexcican spirit at keast for me.
I found the bed quite comfortable the blankets were horrible though.
Everything is extremely clean.
Our toilet, shower and bathtub were plugged but half an hour soneone came and fixed it so no big deal.things do happen its how they are taken care off thats important . [Details]

All round a fantastic resort. From the service staff to the rooms and the amazing food, we had a wonderful vacation. Thank you Riu:) [Details]

As we drove into the driveway of the Rui Mexico we liked what we saw. Once we came in contact with the staff we became immediately impressed. They were friendly not phony and very efficient and well-trained. The hotel itself is excellent clean well-kept and easy to like. The beach or what can you say it's absolutely exceptional and was enjoyed for many hours. It was a pleasurable experience to stay at the Rui Mexico [Details]

The Resort was wonderful. Staff, beach, food was fantastic. Constantly cleaning and doing all the little things to make your stay exceptional. Rooms were clean and spacious. Some people complain about the humidity - go to Arizona not the tropics if you want dry. [Details]

Great resort. Loved the new style of this property.
Was realy nice to have the option to use other Riu resorts in the area. It gave us good variety.
The food was excellent!!! All meals.
Good friendly service all over.
We appriciatted the acknowledgement from the front desk as repeat guest and for our special occasion. They were always reminding us what they could do to make our vacation the best it could be.
AMAZING beach. One of the best we have ever seen.
Another big plus is that Playa Del Carmen is so close. Its within walking distance of this resort.
We loved Riu Palace Mexico. Four thumbs up!
We would love to return. Enjoy! We did. [Details]