Trip Report Riu Playacar

paullyester · 11-23-2004

GOT BACK FROM THE RIU PLAYACAR A FEW DAYS AGO. THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS ABOUT THE PLAYACAR MUST BE BY PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY PICKY OR SIMPLY HAD AN ODD BAD EXPERIENCE. I LOVED EVERY ASPECT OF THE RESORT. THE STAFF IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE LOBBY WE WERE IMMEDIATELY GREETED WITH A WELCOME DRINK. THE ROOMS DO HAVE A TROPICAL JUNGLE SMELL NOT A MUSTY SMELL!!!!!! HOWEVER WE FOUND ALL ROOMS IN THE AREA TO HAVE THIS SMELL. THE BEACH AT THE PLAYACAR IS AWESOME AND THE FOOD CONTRARY TO OTHER POSTS WAS AMAZING. WE WENT FOR LUNCH AT THE RIU TEQUILLA FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT ONE DAY AND THEIR FOOD WAS VERY GOOD AS WELL JUST A DIFFERENT VARIETY.WE VISITED XCARET ONE DAY AND WOW!!!!THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY!!!

WILL POST PICTURES SOON AND IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RESORT OR XCARET FEEL FREE TO MESSAGE ME.

I LOVED PLAYA

paullyester · 11-23-2004

My Pics Are Up As Well!!!

emmalaw45 · 11-23-2004

Paul - where can we see your pics? I take it that you mean they are up on a website somewhere?

Emma.

lovetheheat · 11-23-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmalaw45

Paul - where can we see your pics? I take it that you mean they are up on a website somewhere? Emma.

Check the Multimedia section above. In the member galleries, look for the persons forum user name..

Cheers.. Mark..

keith5919 · 11-23-2004

Great review - matches my five times experiences at the Riu Playacar. I think you either love the Rius or hate them. There seems to be no in-between.

K and P · 11-23-2004

Glad you had a great trip, thanks for the report I am now going to look for the pictures. We are the in between people we kinda thought the RIU's were just ok, but we didnt hate them. We are Barcelo people LOL. As long as one has a great holiday thats all that matters. Cheers to holidays everyone!!! I am counting down my time till April not sure where im trying this April but im sure I will find somewere. Thinking of Club Maeva Tulum or Sandels Cuba.

OkieB · 11-23-2004

K and P, We love the Barcelo also - but want to try something different this year. I know you have researched a lot because I've seen you post in several different places. We are going with a few other families and want a great beach as well. We have looked at the XPU-HA & Palladium. I am a little confused about the beach the XPU-HA is located on. Is it shared with another resort? I know I saw it from the Barcelo when were there last year and thought it looked kind of neat. If you are anyone else can help me out, please do. The more I research, the more confused I get. Also, I always thought the beaches were better the further South you went, but I saw someone post on another sight that they love the Palladium, but just wished the water was as beautiful as Cancun. I am so confused! Thanks!

lovetheheat · 11-23-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkieB

I am a little confused about the beach the XPU-HA is located on. Is it shared with another resort?

Hey Okie.. Not quite sure what you mean by shared.. The Xpu-Ha Palace is on a beautiful stretch of beach which I believe is referred to as the Xpu-Ha beach.. If you walk along the beach far enough (south if I recall), you come to the Copacabana resort which is the resort next to the Xpu-Ha Palace. They each have a pretty big stretch of beach on their property, but not sure I would consider it shared as the actual resorts are quite a ways apart.. If you do a search on Xpu-Ha or Copacabana and beach, that should get you some more info.. Hope that helps..

Mark...

keith5919 · 11-24-2004

The Xpu-Ha Palace "shares" the same beach with the Copacabana and the Club Maeva. We stayed at the Copacabana & the Club Maeva and walked up to the Xpu-Ha Palace. It's a beautiful beach. The only thing we thought was Xpu-Ha Palace's beach is pretty small for the size of the resort.

keith5919 · 11-24-2004

And I'm happy I finally found a Riu In-Betweener!!!!!!! We are Riu People. We've been to a Barcelo once in Costa Rica and it was not great - service lacking, food not very good. But, when we stayed at the Copacabana we met people from the Barcelo Maya and they liked it. We may try it some day.

K and P · 11-24-2004

HI everyone, I think Barcelo has one of the best beachs around. Club Meava Tulum is supposed to have a great beach too, as it is also protected by where it is. I really want to try it out. Palladium is on our list too. Looks like a great resort.
No worries about food at Barcelo Maya its great, they really put out some great quality. XPUha is right past Barcelo and goes right to CMT.
For anyone looking for information on Barcelo Maya, go to www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com and go to the discussion board, it has everything and check out the photo tread on the discussion board. Shammys trip report is also on there. Have fun.

OkieB · 11-24-2004

Thanks - That info helps. When we were there last year, I didn't see an entrance to XPU-HA, so I didn't know what the deal was. I am concerned about the size of the resort and the beach being small as you mentioned. One of the ladies that's going with us is "all about the beach" as she puts it. I thought about the Club Maeva, but I read some reviews that said they had a sinking feeling when they drove up, but got better when they saw the beach. Oh, what to do!! Keith5919, what did you think of the Maeva?

Char&Nel · 11-24-2004

The pictures are great! I will be lying on that beach in 2 days, and believe me I can't wait.

Haven't stayed at the Plyacar, but have stayed at the Yucatan 5 times. We love the beach and think the Riu's do an excellent job! Thanks for making my day!

Charlene

K and P · 11-24-2004

OkieB I really want to give it a try the Club Maeva. We might do it in April for a change from Barcelo. Food rates really high and great beach,with reasonable prices.
http://www.texaspepper.net/maeva/cm_resort.htm There is a great website with some reviews of people who have been to Barcelo and Iberostar that are quite happy with the Maeva. Some good pictures, my pictures are on there too of The Riu and Barcelo under guest. Its a good little site to reserch the property. He has a link under the dining area where you can actually got to the Meava official web site. Take a look, check out the discussion board. The site is new, and the quy who started it has also been to Barcelo Maya. Have fun, and who know maybe we will see ya there in the spring. Pam

keith5919 · 11-25-2004

When we stayed at the Copa, the Robinson Club had just been purchased and was in the middle of its conversion to the Club Maeva. We took a look around (there were only 20 guests at that time there). We decided on another trip to try it with two other couples. We had also heard about the food being rated very high. When we subsequently went with the other two couples, we checked in and were given our rooms (we got an oceanview) and were a little disappointed, but the other two couples were very disappointed. They both had mold in their showers and we asked Apple to move us to the Copa. The Copa, unfortuantely, was totally booked at that time, but we were moved to the Riu Playacar the next day. So, we did spend one day at the Club Maeva and the food was very, very good. I think the beach at the Copa is better than the Club Maeva because there are no rocky areas behind the Copa, but there were behind the Club Maeva. Also, when we were there, the beach had obviously shifted and half of their palapas were under water. Not very inviting. On our earlier trip to the Copa, we toured the Xpu-Ha Palace and it's interesting, but they only have a small beach - the rest is very rocky.

11-23-2004	#1 (permalink)
paullyester toe in water Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Victoria, B.C. Posts: 50	Trip Report Riu Playacar GOT BACK FROM THE RIU PLAYACAR A FEW DAYS AGO. THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS ABOUT THE PLAYACAR MUST BE BY PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY PICKY OR SIMPLY HAD AN ODD BAD EXPERIENCE. I LOVED EVERY ASPECT OF THE RESORT. THE STAFF IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE LOBBY WE WERE IMMEDIATELY GREETED WITH A WELCOME DRINK. THE ROOMS DO HAVE A TROPICAL JUNGLE SMELL NOT A MUSTY SMELL!!!!!! HOWEVER WE FOUND ALL ROOMS IN THE AREA TO HAVE THIS SMELL. THE BEACH AT THE PLAYACAR IS AWESOME AND THE FOOD CONTRARY TO OTHER POSTS WAS AMAZING. WE WENT FOR LUNCH AT THE RIU TEQUILLA FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT ONE DAY AND THEIR FOOD WAS VERY GOOD AS WELL JUST A DIFFERENT VARIETY.WE VISITED XCARET ONE DAY AND WOW!!!!THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY!!! WILL POST PICTURES SOON AND IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RESORT OR XCARET FEEL FREE TO MESSAGE ME. I LOVED PLAYA

11-23-2004	#2 (permalink)
paullyester toe in water Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Victoria, B.C. Posts: 50	Pics My Pics Are Up As Well!!!

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11-23-2004	#3 (permalink)
emmalaw45 way into it Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 132	Paul - where can we see your pics? I take it that you mean they are up on a website somewhere? Emma.

11-23-2004	#5 (permalink)
keith5919 ruined Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Posts: 89	Great review - matches my five times experiences at the Riu Playacar. I think you either love the Rius or hate them. There seems to be no in-between.

11-23-2004	#6 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	Glad you had a great trip, thanks for the report I am now going to look for the pictures. We are the in between people we kinda thought the RIU's were just ok, but we didnt hate them. We are Barcelo people LOL. As long as one has a great holiday thats all that matters. Cheers to holidays everyone!!! I am counting down my time till April not sure where im trying this April but im sure I will find somewere. Thinking of Club Maeva Tulum or Sandels Cuba.

11-23-2004	#7 (permalink)
OkieB toe in water Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 40	K and P, We love the Barcelo also - but want to try something different this year. I know you have researched a lot because I've seen you post in several different places. We are going with a few other families and want a great beach as well. We have looked at the XPU-HA & Palladium. I am a little confused about the beach the XPU-HA is located on. Is it shared with another resort? I know I saw it from the Barcelo when were there last year and thought it looked kind of neat. If you are anyone else can help me out, please do. The more I research, the more confused I get. Also, I always thought the beaches were better the further South you went, but I saw someone post on another sight that they love the Palladium, but just wished the water was as beautiful as Cancun. I am so confused! Thanks!

11-24-2004	#9 (permalink)
keith5919 ruined Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Posts: 89	The Xpu-Ha Palace "shares" the same beach with the Copacabana and the Club Maeva. We stayed at the Copacabana & the Club Maeva and walked up to the Xpu-Ha Palace. It's a beautiful beach. The only thing we thought was Xpu-Ha Palace's beach is pretty small for the size of the resort.

11-24-2004	#10 (permalink)
keith5919 ruined Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Posts: 89	And I'm happy I finally found a Riu In-Betweener!!!!!!! We are Riu People. We've been to a Barcelo once in Costa Rica and it was not great - service lacking, food not very good. But, when we stayed at the Copacabana we met people from the Barcelo Maya and they liked it. We may try it some day.

11-24-2004	#11 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	HI everyone, I think Barcelo has one of the best beachs around. Club Meava Tulum is supposed to have a great beach too, as it is also protected by where it is. I really want to try it out. Palladium is on our list too. Looks like a great resort. No worries about food at Barcelo Maya its great, they really put out some great quality. XPUha is right past Barcelo and goes right to CMT. For anyone looking for information on Barcelo Maya, go to www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com and go to the discussion board, it has everything and check out the photo tread on the discussion board. Shammys trip report is also on there. Have fun.

11-24-2004	#12 (permalink)
OkieB toe in water Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 40	Thanks - That info helps. When we were there last year, I didn't see an entrance to XPU-HA, so I didn't know what the deal was. I am concerned about the size of the resort and the beach being small as you mentioned. One of the ladies that's going with us is "all about the beach" as she puts it. I thought about the Club Maeva, but I read some reviews that said they had a sinking feeling when they drove up, but got better when they saw the beach. Oh, what to do!! Keith5919, what did you think of the Maeva?

11-24-2004	#13 (permalink)
Char&Nel sandflea Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 4	The pictures are great! I will be lying on that beach in 2 days, and believe me I can't wait. Haven't stayed at the Plyacar, but have stayed at the Yucatan 5 times. We love the beach and think the Riu's do an excellent job! Thanks for making my day! Charlene

11-24-2004	#14 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	OkieB I really want to give it a try the Club Maeva. We might do it in April for a change from Barcelo. Food rates really high and great beach,with reasonable prices. http://www.texaspepper.net/maeva/cm_resort.htm There is a great website with some reviews of people who have been to Barcelo and Iberostar that are quite happy with the Maeva. Some good pictures, my pictures are on there too of The Riu and Barcelo under guest. Its a good little site to reserch the property. He has a link under the dining area where you can actually got to the Meava official web site. Take a look, check out the discussion board. The site is new, and the quy who started it has also been to Barcelo Maya. Have fun, and who know maybe we will see ya there in the spring. Pam

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11-25-2004	#15 (permalink)
keith5919 ruined Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Posts: 89	When we stayed at the Copa, the Robinson Club had just been purchased and was in the middle of its conversion to the Club Maeva. We took a look around (there were only 20 guests at that time there). We decided on another trip to try it with two other couples. We had also heard about the food being rated very high. When we subsequently went with the other two couples, we checked in and were given our rooms (we got an oceanview) and were a little disappointed, but the other two couples were very disappointed. They both had mold in their showers and we asked Apple to move us to the Copa. The Copa, unfortuantely, was totally booked at that time, but we were moved to the Riu Playacar the next day. So, we did spend one day at the Club Maeva and the food was very, very good. I think the beach at the Copa is better than the Club Maeva because there are no rocky areas behind the Copa, but there were behind the Club Maeva. Also, when we were there, the beach had obviously shifted and half of their palapas were under water. Not very inviting. On our earlier trip to the Copa, we toured the Xpu-Ha Palace and it's interesting, but they only have a small beach - the rest is very rocky.