Kids Activities at Riu Palace

04-30-2005

Newbie introduction: Hi, my name is Shredman and I'm a beachaholic. This is my first visit here. Thanks for allowing me in. Like Groucho, I usually wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member. However, this seems like a nice place with nice people.

We are going to stay at the Riu Palace Mexico July 19. We have three children - girls ages 15 and 8 and boy 13. This is our first trip to Playa and the trip was recommended by our travel agent. From the posts now that we have made reservations it looks like the Riu Palace is a nice place but not necessarily kid friendly. Am I reading this right? It's too late to change at this point and I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time although it looks a little high brow for our taste. What advice can you give me so the kids can make some friends and do some kid stuff while there?

Also, we apparently have to get two rooms and my agent is not certain that she can get them together. What can be done to ensure the rooms are together?

Thanks in advance. Shredman.

Howard · 04-30-2005

I agree with Cuffed. I've heard great things about Riu Palace. Regardless, you can't go wrong just being anywhere along the coast. You and your kids will have a great time. Just be sure to get out and enjoy the surrounding area. This site is a great resource. Definitely visit some cenotes.

Your kids may or may not be interested in ruins. I know my 9-year-old was too young to be interested. It was just a bunch of big stones to her, and way too hot to hang around looking at them. All she wanted to do was get in the water.

cuffedlinks · 04-30-2005

I'd say that if you book a tour through this Playa.Info website...It more than likely will be the most memorable day of your entire trip - and a day that would be set apart in the memories of everyone....

...plus we get reports time and again on how much the kiddos enjoy them...

04-30-2005

The Palace is a great place to stay. Got home from there in april. They have a great pool! Beach is close by. Food is awsome. And there are some shops closer to the hotel than 5th ave. But 5th ave is a fun place to visit! We didn't have our kids but plan on taking them hopefully in 2006. They have boogie boards they can get to play in the ocean. And an activities board to check out! Xel-Ha is a fun place to go also! And not to far away.

jobob · 05-01-2005

Shredman, while there are no organized kids activities at the Palace the kids are always invited to join in the adult ones like bocce, dancing, darts, Spanish lessons etc. The younger ones might not be able to participate in beach or pool volleyball, only because of their size. In the evening at 8:30 they have activities in the theatre for the younger ones, your 8 year old could participate, doubt the 13 or 15 years olds would though but they can certainly watch. Also there's lots of kid stuff happening at the Yucutan next door (it should be re-opened by then) or Tequila across the street. Then, of course, there's the beach. So, I really don't think you'll have a problem.
The Palace's animacion team love the kids.
Email the resort at palace.mexico@riu.com about a week before you leave and ask for adjoining rooms. There won't be a door between them though.
As Cuffedlinks says visit that "other" site and you might just find the odd post from me there.
Bob

Megw2 · 05-01-2005

The Riu Palace is AMAZING!!! I just got back from my Honeymoon last week. That being said, there were a few kids at the Resort (it was April vacation here in the states) but there really weren't any activities for Children. I think your best bet would be to see what the Riu Tequila and Yucatan have to offer. The Palace has a very small playground. While we were walking around the Tequila we saw a larger playground and some sort of kids arts and crafts area: Tables, easels, etc. There also seemed to be more children on the tequila's grounds. So they may have more a structured activity program for Children.
If your kids enjoy the beach, they should be okay. They can go on Banana boat rides or use the boogie board & paddle boats through the hotel.
As for the rooms being together...I'm not sure that any of the rooms at the Palace are ajoining...but I'm not sure.
You will love this resort! The specialty restaurants may not suit the kid's tastes but they will always be able to find something they like to eat at Don Julian's. Remember to try the coconut ice cream...it's amazing!

Megw2 · 05-01-2005

OKay...I just pulled out my handy Riu Properties book and looked up the Palace, Yucatan & Tequila. No kids activities listed for the Palace. But under both the Yucatan and Tequila it says:
"Kids Program includes pool and beach games, arts & crafts and talent shows."

jobob · 05-01-2005

Megw2, kids programs at the Rius are for ages 4 - 12 so only the 8 yr old would really fit in. The older ones, from my observations both times at the Palace, will fit into most but not all the adult activities. And you're right about eating, Don Julian food is fantastic and varied and IMHO better than the ala cartes.
Bob

cuffedlinks · 05-01-2005

Megw2...

We found that across the street at the Riu Tequila (and you'll find out what that means easily enough) the LARGE Palapa at their pool area are some VERY fine tasting burgers and fries if the kiddos are interested...we didn't really see them as readily available at the Palace, not that they aren't available at the Palace, but we may have missed them there...

Megw2 · 05-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobob

Don Julian food is fantastic and varied and IMHO better than the ala cartes.
Bob

Yes! We love trying new things and there was always something new to us at Don Julian's as well as our old favorites. And it's just so pretty too...you don't feel like you're at a cafeteria buffet or anything like that.
Ooohhh.....I miss my coconut ice cream. Did I mention that you should try that???

delsue · 05-01-2005

At The Palace, we noticed burgers and fries available daily for lunch at El Patio. Can't comment on the taste of the burgers however, but the fries were good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

Megw2...

We found that across the street at the Riu Tequila (and you'll find out what that means easily enough) the LARGE Palapa at their pool area are some VERY fine tasting burgers and fries if the kiddos are interested...we didn't really see them as readily available at the Palace, not that they aren't available at the Palace, but we may have missed them there...

cuffedlinks · 05-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by delsue

At The Palace, we noticed burgers and fries available daily for lunch at El Patio. Can't comment on the taste of the burgers however, but the fries were good.

Ah yes...we kept forgetting about El Patio...which is the restaurant closest to the beach entrance and beach bar...think they had twist cones as well...

05-01-2005

Thanks for the tips. We got the younger one excited about the Club Med Xtapa with the circus club and all that. But as we checked it out online it looked pretty spartan and we decided for more comfort. The travel agent appears to have gone on the other end of the spectrum as the Riu Palace looks pretty high brow. Not that we mind, but we're pretty casual. I checked their website and didn't see anything about a dress code. Other than the obvious (no swimming suits at the dinner table), is there a formal or informal dress code? Are nice shorts and a shirt appropriate for all the restaurants? I'll try the search and see what I find too. Thanks again.

jobob · 05-01-2005

Hi again Shredman. Bathing suits or shorts are ok for breakfast and lunch so long as top is covered. For dinner though there is a dress code for men for all restaurants (including the buffet) - long pants and collared shirt. They don't have to be dress trousers. Dockers type is fine. Don't know if you're aware of it or not, you also choose one of two seatings for dinner (buffet) 6:30ish/8:30ish depending on time of year, and you get the same table and waiter(s) throughout your stay. You don't have to start eating exactly when the restaurant opens so you can go in a bit later. If you choose early and you're late getting back to the resort after say, a day trip, you can always go to the later sitting. Just ask the maitre 'd (Francisco) for a table.

capecodann · 05-01-2005

We have stayed at Riu Playacar with a child. Riu palace is very nice but not necessarily kid friendly. You can walk next door to Riu Playacar and get them involved in kid activities. The best activity that the kids love is the kids show at 8pm on stage at the Riu Playacar.

04-30-2005	#1 (permalink)
Shredman Posts: n/a	Kids Activities at Riu Palace Newbie introduction: Hi, my name is Shredman and I'm a beachaholic. This is my first visit here. Thanks for allowing me in. Like Groucho, I usually wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member. However, this seems like a nice place with nice people. We are going to stay at the Riu Palace Mexico July 19. We have three children - girls ages 15 and 8 and boy 13. This is our first trip to Playa and the trip was recommended by our travel agent. From the posts now that we have made reservations it looks like the Riu Palace is a nice place but not necessarily kid friendly. Am I reading this right? It's too late to change at this point and I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time although it looks a little high brow for our taste. What advice can you give me so the kids can make some friends and do some kid stuff while there? Also, we apparently have to get two rooms and my agent is not certain that she can get them together. What can be done to ensure the rooms are together? Thanks in advance. Shredman.

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04-30-2005	#2 (permalink)
Howard way into it Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 152	I agree with Cuffed. I've heard great things about Riu Palace. Regardless, you can't go wrong just being anywhere along the coast. You and your kids will have a great time. Just be sure to get out and enjoy the surrounding area. This site is a great resource. Definitely visit some cenotes. Your kids may or may not be interested in ruins. I know my 9-year-old was too young to be interested. It was just a bunch of big stones to her, and way too hot to hang around looking at them. All she wanted to do was get in the water.

04-30-2005	#3 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 16,003	I'd say that if you book a tour through this Playa.Info website...It more than likely will be the most memorable day of your entire trip - and a day that would be set apart in the memories of everyone.... ...plus we get reports time and again on how much the kiddos enjoy them...

04-30-2005	#4 (permalink)
jflattracker Posts: n/a	The Palace is a great place to stay. Got home from there in april. They have a great pool! Beach is close by. Food is awsome. And there are some shops closer to the hotel than 5th ave. But 5th ave is a fun place to visit! We didn't have our kids but plan on taking them hopefully in 2006. They have boogie boards they can get to play in the ocean. And an activities board to check out! Xel-Ha is a fun place to go also! And not to far away.

05-01-2005	#5 (permalink)
jobob life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 574	Shredman, while there are no organized kids activities at the Palace the kids are always invited to join in the adult ones like bocce, dancing, darts, Spanish lessons etc. The younger ones might not be able to participate in beach or pool volleyball, only because of their size. In the evening at 8:30 they have activities in the theatre for the younger ones, your 8 year old could participate, doubt the 13 or 15 years olds would though but they can certainly watch. Also there's lots of kid stuff happening at the Yucutan next door (it should be re-opened by then) or Tequila across the street. Then, of course, there's the beach. So, I really don't think you'll have a problem. The Palace's animacion team love the kids. Email the resort at palace.mexico@riu.com about a week before you leave and ask for adjoining rooms. There won't be a door between them though. As Cuffedlinks says visit that "other" site and you might just find the odd post from me there. Bob

05-01-2005	#6 (permalink)
Megw2 toe in water Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 53	The Riu Palace is AMAZING!!! I just got back from my Honeymoon last week. That being said, there were a few kids at the Resort (it was April vacation here in the states) but there really weren't any activities for Children. I think your best bet would be to see what the Riu Tequila and Yucatan have to offer. The Palace has a very small playground. While we were walking around the Tequila we saw a larger playground and some sort of kids arts and crafts area: Tables, easels, etc. There also seemed to be more children on the tequila's grounds. So they may have more a structured activity program for Children. If your kids enjoy the beach, they should be okay. They can go on Banana boat rides or use the boogie board & paddle boats through the hotel. As for the rooms being together...I'm not sure that any of the rooms at the Palace are ajoining...but I'm not sure. You will love this resort! The specialty restaurants may not suit the kid's tastes but they will always be able to find something they like to eat at Don Julian's. Remember to try the coconut ice cream...it's amazing!

05-01-2005	#7 (permalink)
Megw2 toe in water Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 53	OKay...I just pulled out my handy Riu Properties book and looked up the Palace, Yucatan & Tequila. No kids activities listed for the Palace. But under both the Yucatan and Tequila it says: "Kids Program includes pool and beach games, arts & crafts and talent shows."

05-01-2005	#8 (permalink)
jobob life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 574	Megw2, kids programs at the Rius are for ages 4 - 12 so only the 8 yr old would really fit in. The older ones, from my observations both times at the Palace, will fit into most but not all the adult activities. And you're right about eating, Don Julian food is fantastic and varied and IMHO better than the ala cartes. Bob

05-01-2005	#9 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 16,003	Megw2... We found that across the street at the Riu Tequila (and you'll find out what that means easily enough) the LARGE Palapa at their pool area are some VERY fine tasting burgers and fries if the kiddos are interested...we didn't really see them as readily available at the Palace, not that they aren't available at the Palace, but we may have missed them there...

05-01-2005	#13 (permalink)
Shredman Posts: n/a	Thanks for the tips. We got the younger one excited about the Club Med Xtapa with the circus club and all that. But as we checked it out online it looked pretty spartan and we decided for more comfort. The travel agent appears to have gone on the other end of the spectrum as the Riu Palace looks pretty high brow. Not that we mind, but we're pretty casual. I checked their website and didn't see anything about a dress code. Other than the obvious (no swimming suits at the dinner table), is there a formal or informal dress code? Are nice shorts and a shirt appropriate for all the restaurants? I'll try the search and see what I find too. Thanks again.

05-01-2005	#14 (permalink)
jobob life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 574	Hi again Shredman. Bathing suits or shorts are ok for breakfast and lunch so long as top is covered. For dinner though there is a dress code for men for all restaurants (including the buffet) - long pants and collared shirt. They don't have to be dress trousers. Dockers type is fine. Don't know if you're aware of it or not, you also choose one of two seatings for dinner (buffet) 6:30ish/8:30ish depending on time of year, and you get the same table and waiter(s) throughout your stay. You don't have to start eating exactly when the restaurant opens so you can go in a bit later. If you choose early and you're late getting back to the resort after say, a day trip, you can always go to the later sitting. Just ask the maitre 'd (Francisco) for a table.

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05-01-2005	#15 (permalink)
capecodann ruined Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cape Cod, Massachsuetts Posts: 83	We have stayed at Riu Playacar with a child. Riu palace is very nice but not necessarily kid friendly. You can walk next door to Riu Playacar and get them involved in kid activities. The best activity that the kids love is the kids show at 8pm on stage at the Riu Playacar.