Riu Playa del Carmen - An Honest Review

The Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is an all-inclusive resort located in the Playacar area, south of downtown Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The resort is surrounded by palm trees and offers various amenities such as four pools, six restaurants, a spa, and a kids program called RiuLand. Its location also makes it convenient to visit its sister property, the Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya.

The Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is situated very close to an 18-hole golf course and the Caribbean Sea.

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The Location Riu Palace Mexico

The Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is an all-inclusive resort located in the Playacar district of Playa del Carmen. It is situated on a white sand beach and is close to several sister properties, including Hotel Riu Playacar, Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Hotel Riu Yucatan, and Hotel Riu Tequila, which offer shared amenities. The resort is 3 miles away from Quinta Avenida, which is downtown Playa del Carmen and has various shops, restaurants, and bars.

You can visit the ruins of Tulum and El Rey Zona Arqueológica located within 43 miles from here. The Cancun International Airport is less than 37 miles away towards the south. You can arrange for airport transfers and car hires at an additional cost. Free parking is available on-site.Playa del Carmen airport is small and does not have international flights.

• View the hotel map of Playa del Carmen and watch live beach cameras. Also, explore Cenote Cristalino, Cenote Chaak Tun, Cenote Azul, and Cenote Jardin del Eden.

The Rooms Riu Playcar

The resort’s exterior is designed to look like a Spanish hacienda, but inside all 434 suites have modern decor with white walls and furniture, tile floors, and purple and pink decor accents.Each room in the resort comes with its own shower and bathtub, dual sinks, a stocked minibar, a liquor dispenser, and a flat-screen satellite TV. Moreover, all rooms offer balcony or terrace views of the resort or ocean. Additionally, guests have access to free Wi-Fi throughout the premises. The standard room size for all rooms is 420 square feet.

The Pool

We have four swimming pools available, including a wading pool and a children’s pool. One of our pools has lap lanes, while another is only for adults and features a swim-up pool bar and built-in lounge chairs. Each pool deck provides seating and umbrellas. In addition, our guests can enjoy beach activities such as a sand volleyball court and free water sports equipment such as kayaks, paddleboards, catamarans, and snorkeling gear.

Also, please note that all room rates include a scuba-diving lesson in the pool area, and we offer free pool towels. For families with kids, we have pool toys available at the kids’ pool.

Restaurants and Dining

The resort offers six restaurants and four bars/lounges which are included in the all-inclusive rates. The restaurants specialize in Italian, Mexican, and Japanese cuisine, as well as steak, fusion, and buffet options. The bars include a swim-up pool bar with cold beer and a lobby bar. Room service is available at all hours, but most restaurants require dress codes and reservations.

There are six restaurants available that offer a variety of cuisine types, including Buffet, Asian, Italian, American, Mexican, and Latin American. The dining options include fine dining, casual dining, quick service cafes, coffee shops, and marketplaces, as well as a bar and lounge. In addition, room service is available, including 24-hour room service, and free breakfast is provided.

The Spa

The Renova Spa located on-site has numerous facilities including treatment rooms, a sauna, two whirlpools, a fitness center, and a beauty salon. Guests can choose among various services such as massages, facials, body wraps, waxing, and nail services. Couples can also enjoy a massage together. Please note that the spa services are not included in the all-inclusive rates. Additionally, there are beachside massages available. Other features include an outdoor treatment area, a steam room, and a sauna.

The Fitness Center

The fitness center of the property is situated in the spa area and has large windows from floor to ceiling. The decor of the fitness center is a combination of purple and white. It is equipped with various fitness equipment such as weight-training machines and cardio machines. Inside the fitness center, you can find exercise balls, yoga mats, water, and towels. Additionally, there are outdoor facilities like tennis and volleyball courts, as well as water sports equipment such as kayaks and paddleboards. Fitness classes such as yoga, Zumba, and water aerobics are covered under all-inclusive rates. If interested in tennis lessons, they can be arranged for a fee. The fitness center also includes weight and cardio equipment.

Things to Do

Guests can also enjoy on-site activities such as table tennis, volleyball, and tennis. For those who love water sports, free equipment like kayaks, catamarans, and snorkeling gear is available.

Kids

At the property, there is a RiuLand Playa del Carmen kids club that provides age-appropriate activities for two groups: children ages 4 to 7 and kids aged 8 to 12. Activities offered include arts and crafts, outdoor games, video games, and an evening show. Additionally, there is a playground and a shallow pool available for younger guests outside the kids club. There is a daily evening show for kids from 8 to 9 p.m.

What we Loved:

• There are many excellent amenities available for children.

What we didnt Love:

• The rooms were reported as musty by some of the previous guests.

Bottom Line: Riu Playa del Carmen

The Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is an all-inclusive resort situated in the Playacar region, south of downtown Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It is enveloped by palm trees and provides a range of amenities including four pools, six restaurants, a spa, and a kids program called RiuLand. Moreover, it is conveniently located near its sister property, the Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya. The resort is also in close proximity to an 18-hole golf course and the Caribbean Sea.