Riu Palace

James A. · 09-09-2005

Julie and I just returned from a three night stay. We liked it a bunch. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Uno Mas · 09-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by James A.

Julie and I just returned from a three night stay. We liked it a bunch. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

How was the beach?

ginamarie06 · 09-09-2005

How badly messed up are the beaches? Is the hotel as nice as the pictures on their web sight. We are going in December.

Quote:

Originally Posted by James A.

Julie and I just returned from a three night stay. We liked it a bunch. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

I am Nancy · 09-10-2005

I'll be going there Sept 25th... any tips that will make the stay nicer?
How were the drinks? food? pool? any entertainment?

rml127 · 09-10-2005

We had the best bloody mary ever at the main bar in the lobby (near the piano). I think the bartenders name was Carlos, I can't remember for sure, but he was one of the friendliest people I ever met. We spent alot of time there talking about his family and life in Mexico. When we go back I'm bringing a large insulated mug so I can get it filled there before going to the beach. They weren't as good at the beach bar but they were still good compared to most. I also couldn't get enough of the beef they were serving for lunch at the rest. down by the beach, it was the best beef I've ever had and they had it everyday but one. In the evening out in the courtyard make sure you try the mayan coffee they make sometimes. I regret only having one, it was incredible. My wife and I loved the Palace and we can't wait to go back.

jobob · 09-10-2005

Riu Palace Mayan Coffee - excelente!!!! Had many while we were there.

cuffedlinks · 09-10-2005

One of my fondest memories always will be sitting in the lobby/piano bar...with the WiFi access...sipping on drinks and just enjoying the ownderful Riu Palace decor and staff....lovely time.

rml127 · 09-10-2005

I wish I could find the recipe for Mayan coffee. The next time I go I'm going to beg for it. The night we had it a guy was playing a sax in the gazebo, he was very good. We still pull out the video just to watch him play. Does anybody know how to make the coffee?

jobob · 09-10-2005

It's made with anise liqueur and honey. Whether they use Xtabentun or not I don't know. My wife loves "gooped coffees" like a Spanish Coffee but with Sambuca instead of brandy and khalua. They don't have Sambuca at the Palace but do have Mexican versions of both a sweet and a dry Anise flavoured liqueur. After many attempts at getting the right drink, often she'd get a cup of black coffee with shot of liqueur on the side, sometimes in the cup of coffee, sometimes correct in a Spanish Coffee type glass with milk/cream. Fianlly one of the waiters, think it was Mario, said order a Mayan Coffee. And that's what we had ever after.
And if you like Sambuca, then while you're downtown PDC stop in one of the shops and pick up a bottle of Xtabentun. Soooooo smooooooth. I put it right up there with sipping Drambuie.

**Shammy** · 09-10-2005

All I can say is I bet it was a well deserved trip and I'm glad you went James!

I am Nancy · 09-12-2005

Can you use an ATM card there? I seldom carry cash as I just use my card.. but know I have to brings cash for tips.. wondering about other purchases though.. or paying for tours..??

cuffedlinks · 09-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am Nancy

Can you use an ATM card there? I seldom carry cash as I just use my card.. but know I have to brings cash for tips.. wondering about other purchases though.. or paying for tours..??

Nancy...the Plaza Playacar (nice shopping center and plenty of phones for phonecard use) is RIGHT across the street from the entrance to the Riu Palace...there is an ATM there (a nice inside the glass ATM where you have some privacy and easy to use. We used it with no problems)...we picked up our daily spending cash there. When you use it you can have the prompts come in English, no big deal...$$ in pesos of course.

James A. · 09-12-2005

Yikes! I so enthusiatically solicited questions and then went away! Sorry!

The beach is as nice as can be. No drop off...nice and wide. Keep in mind, however, that there are no palapas. Plenty of lounges and nice big palms, though.

The hotel was nicer than the pictures, I thought.

The food was very good, although, I preferred the buffet to the al a carte meals. The later's presentation was supurb, but as a culinary SNOB, I found them a bit unsinpired. A very small nit-pick, though. The buffet could not have been better. The drinks were terrific. I can't imagine a complaint unless you like to drink your spirits up...not top-shelf stuff. But as a mixer, who cares? The only beer, as far as I could tell, was Corona.

As far as tips to make you stay more enjoyable, I honestly can't think of anything significant. Wear your sandals to the pool/beach in the morning. The tiles get hot. Don't forget to bring a few 20 pesos notes to the pool/beach for your servers. Saves you a trip back to the room. I doused with 48 3 times a day and sat in the shade all the time. I came back with a great tan.

There were nightly shows, but we didn't attend. Our nightly entertainment was a bunch of Texans at the BB.

We have now stayed the the Reef Club, the Royal Hideaway and the Riu Palace. I think the Palace gives the RH a real run for the money. I think we've found a keeper. The off-season prices are great.

Shammy, thanks.

James A.

actran · 09-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

Nancy...the Plaza Playacar (nice shopping center and plenty of phones for phonecard use) is RIGHT across the street from the entrance to the Riu Palace...there is an ATM there (a nice inside the glass ATM where you have some privacy and easy to use. We used it with no problems)...we picked up our daily spending cash there. When you use it you can have the prompts come in English, no big deal...$$ in pesos of course.

When we were there (at the RH) and used that ATM a boy of about 4 wandered in while we were getting money (his parents were at the door hissing at him "Arnie, come here"). He had a delightful British accent and watched us (he'd been whining a minute before) and laughed and said "That's clever! Do it again!")

James A - We LOVED RH (except getting bumped when they were overbooked - that sucked). But we have kids and I wondered if the Rui Palace would be a good place to take them. Next summer they'll be 13/14 (his BD is in July), 17 and the 20 year old might want to come.
Also, was it AS good as RH, or better? And if so, how?

09-12-2005

We were at the Riu Palace in July with our 17 yr old daughter and loved it. There aren't many young children there, but were a good amount of families with teens.

09-09-2005	#1 (permalink)
James A. sandbagger vidiot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bell Buckle, TN Posts: 2,749	Riu Palace Julie and I just returned from a three night stay. We liked it a bunch. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

09-10-2005	#4 (permalink)
I am Nancy into ruins Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Jersey Posts: 73	I'll be going there Sept 25th... any tips that will make the stay nicer? How were the drinks? food? pool? any entertainment?

09-10-2005	#5 (permalink)
rml127 lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NY Posts: 20	We had the best bloody mary ever at the main bar in the lobby (near the piano). I think the bartenders name was Carlos, I can't remember for sure, but he was one of the friendliest people I ever met. We spent alot of time there talking about his family and life in Mexico. When we go back I'm bringing a large insulated mug so I can get it filled there before going to the beach. They weren't as good at the beach bar but they were still good compared to most. I also couldn't get enough of the beef they were serving for lunch at the rest. down by the beach, it was the best beef I've ever had and they had it everyday but one. In the evening out in the courtyard make sure you try the mayan coffee they make sometimes. I regret only having one, it was incredible. My wife and I loved the Palace and we can't wait to go back.

09-10-2005	#6 (permalink)
jobob life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 746	Riu Palace Mayan Coffee - excelente!!!! Had many while we were there.

09-10-2005	#7 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 15,998	One of my fondest memories always will be sitting in the lobby/piano bar...with the WiFi access...sipping on drinks and just enjoying the ownderful Riu Palace decor and staff....lovely time.

09-10-2005	#8 (permalink)
rml127 lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NY Posts: 20	I wish I could find the recipe for Mayan coffee. The next time I go I'm going to beg for it. The night we had it a guy was playing a sax in the gazebo, he was very good. We still pull out the video just to watch him play. Does anybody know how to make the coffee?

09-10-2005	#9 (permalink)
jobob life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 746	It's made with anise liqueur and honey. Whether they use Xtabentun or not I don't know. My wife loves "gooped coffees" like a Spanish Coffee but with Sambuca instead of brandy and khalua. They don't have Sambuca at the Palace but do have Mexican versions of both a sweet and a dry Anise flavoured liqueur. After many attempts at getting the right drink, often she'd get a cup of black coffee with shot of liqueur on the side, sometimes in the cup of coffee, sometimes correct in a Spanish Coffee type glass with milk/cream. Fianlly one of the waiters, think it was Mario, said order a Mayan Coffee. And that's what we had ever after. And if you like Sambuca, then while you're downtown PDC stop in one of the shops and pick up a bottle of Xtabentun. Soooooo smooooooth. I put it right up there with sipping Drambuie.

09-10-2005	#10 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 13,592	All I can say is I bet it was a well deserved trip and I'm glad you went James!

09-12-2005	#11 (permalink)
I am Nancy into ruins Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Jersey Posts: 73	Can you use an ATM card there? I seldom carry cash as I just use my card.. but know I have to brings cash for tips.. wondering about other purchases though.. or paying for tours..??

09-12-2005	#13 (permalink)
James A. sandbagger vidiot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bell Buckle, TN Posts: 2,749	Yikes! I so enthusiatically solicited questions and then went away! Sorry! The beach is as nice as can be. No drop off...nice and wide. Keep in mind, however, that there are no palapas. Plenty of lounges and nice big palms, though. The hotel was nicer than the pictures, I thought. The food was very good, although, I preferred the buffet to the al a carte meals. The later's presentation was supurb, but as a culinary SNOB, I found them a bit unsinpired. A very small nit-pick, though. The buffet could not have been better. The drinks were terrific. I can't imagine a complaint unless you like to drink your spirits up...not top-shelf stuff. But as a mixer, who cares? The only beer, as far as I could tell, was Corona. As far as tips to make you stay more enjoyable, I honestly can't think of anything significant. Wear your sandals to the pool/beach in the morning. The tiles get hot. Don't forget to bring a few 20 pesos notes to the pool/beach for your servers. Saves you a trip back to the room. I doused with 48 3 times a day and sat in the shade all the time. I came back with a great tan. There were nightly shows, but we didn't attend. Our nightly entertainment was a bunch of Texans at the BB. We have now stayed the the Reef Club, the Royal Hideaway and the Riu Palace. I think the Palace gives the RH a real run for the money. I think we've found a keeper. The off-season prices are great. Shammy, thanks. James A.

09-12-2005	#15 (permalink)
Summer05 Guest Posts: n/a	We were at the Riu Palace in July with our 17 yr old daughter and loved it. There aren't many young children there, but were a good amount of families with teens.

register to remove these adverts