Riu Palace Mexico bound!

DaveTravelGuy · 11-30-2005

We are going to Playa to check out the area for our clients as well as the Hotel Zone from Dec 11 - 18. We will bring back LOTS of pictures and post them when we get back. Most of our clients are concerned that the area is ruined since Wilma came through. We were able to book two rooms at the new Royal Porto Real for some clients but 99% don't want to book the area. We are going to take pictures and video of the area to show how nice the area is.

We are very excited about stating at the Rui Palace. While this will be a working trip, we plan to get some alone time too

I've only been to Playa Del Carmen twice. Once last December for a couple of hours and once in July passing through to Cozumel. THIS time, we are staying and playing for 7 nights!!!

By the way... I've been reading the forum for a couple of days and I think this place is WONDERFUL!!! Well done.

Mark05 · 11-30-2005

We just returned Sunday from 7 nites at the Riu Playacar. You had to look close to see any residual damage cause by Wilma. Mostly vegetation which is well on its way to regrowth. Hibiscus are once again blooming and palms are releafing.

We went Cancun one day to see the hotel zone. They had massive damage but everything that was damaged was being repaired. Our Favorite hotel is the Flamingo and the security guard told me they will reopen in Dec. The beaches are returning and are bigger than pre Wilma.

We are coming back in Feb and doubt that we'll see any damage whatsoever.

FEMA needs to take lessons from these hardworking people.

deblis · 11-30-2005

You'll have to let us know how Rui palace is, thinking of going there for our honeymoon. Have a safe & FUN trip.

Mark05 · 11-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by deblis

You'll have to let us know how Rui palace is, thinking of going there for our honeymoon. Have a safe & FUN trip.

I should add that Riu Playacar is next door to the Palace and is part of the 4 hotel complex in Playacar. All are in very short walking distance

**Shammy** · 11-30-2005

Ut oh, caught ya señor!

The YUCATAN is next door to the Palace, the Tequila is across the street, and the Playacar is just a hotel to the north (just the Viva Maya is in-bewteen). Either way, you can easily walk to all 4.

And yes, when you stay at the Palace, you can use any and all of them (but they can't use the Palace! :p )!

Mark05 · 11-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Ut oh, caught ya señor!

The YUCATAN is next door to the Palace, the Tequila is across the street, and the Playacar is just a hotel to the north (just the Viva Maya is in-bewteen). Either way, you can easily walk to all 4.

And yes, when you stay at the Palace, you can use any and all of them (but they can't use the Palace! :p )!

We went to the Yucatan and the Riu Tequilla when we stayed at the Playacar so you can stay at one and visit all three. but if you stay at the Palace you can go to all four. Sorry if you misunderstood me!!

OkieB · 12-01-2005

Hey DaveTravelGuy, If you happen to hear or see anything about the Grand Gala Esmeralda let us know. We have been hearing about this place and would like to book it this summer. Keep hearing it's almost open and then nope it's not even close! I'm sure the hurricane didn't help any, but would just like to know if it's even a possibility. I think it's about 10 minutes North of Playa. Have fun!

**Shammy** · 12-01-2005

A summer trip to the Grand Gala should be fine. They were supposed to open part of the resort in December, and then the remaining part in March. The last I heard about this property is that after Wilma, they are pushing the opening of the entire resort to March. But it also depends on which tour operator you're dealing with. Apple STILL says this about the Grand Gala, and it's not correct to my knowledge:

New hotel - still on schedule for opening December 2005

But for the summer, you should be good!

playaD · 12-01-2005

We are heading down to the RIU next week. Is that correct...if you don't stay at the Palace your not welcome there??? How stuck up is that!

Jacko · 12-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by playaD

We are heading down to the RIU next week. Is that correct...if you don't stay at the Palace your not welcome there??? How stuck up is that!

I am certain you can visit and they would welcome you...I think what we are talking about here is your ability to use the privileges such as the "free" dining, bar etc. This is likely because they are trying to create some exclusivity (read "higher price point") at the Palace resort vs. the others by providing slightly higher amenities at the Palace. We stayed there a couple of years ago and loved it...it did not feel stuck up at all, but it was VERY nice!

baked · 12-01-2005

You get what you pay for. If you stayed at motel 6... would you expect to visit the hilton? Just kidding, but people do pay more to stay there.:p
BTW all of the RIU's are great.

**Shammy** · 12-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by playaD

We are heading down to the RIU next week. Is that correct...if you don't stay at the Palace your not welcome there??? How stuck up is that!

Absolutely correct. If you don't book the Palace, you can't use anything at the Palace. It has nothing at all to do with stuck up. The Palace is substantially more expensive than the other Riu's, and along with paying that price, you do earn some exclusive privileges such as being able to use the other Riu properties while they can't use the facilities at the Palace.

DaveTravelGuy · 12-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Ut oh, caught ya señor!

The YUCATAN is next door to the Palace, the Tequila is across the street, and the Playacar is just a hotel to the north (just the Viva Maya is in-bewteen). Either way, you can easily walk to all 4.

And yes, when you stay at the Palace, you can use any and all of them (but they can't use the Palace! :p )!

That's why we choose the Palace... exchange privileges with all the other Riu's.

KrisNBill · 12-04-2005

We're headed to the Palace as well over the 11-18th LOL. We have a Junior Suite, whatever that means. I checked my reservation and it says the Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen. That doesn't make any sense because that hotel won't open til 2/2006

Looks like a phone call to virtual-showcase is in order LOL

Cinker1 · 12-06-2005

Does anyone know if any of the pools at the Riu Palace Mexico (in PDC) are heated? We are going in January and were hoping to have some warm water in the pools (without peeing in them first! HA just kidding).

11-30-2005	#1 (permalink)
DaveTravelGuy lost on fifth Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bowling Green, KY Posts: 18	Riu Palace Mexico bound! We are going to Playa to check out the area for our clients as well as the Hotel Zone from Dec 11 - 18. We will bring back LOTS of pictures and post them when we get back. Most of our clients are concerned that the area is ruined since Wilma came through. We were able to book two rooms at the new Royal Porto Real for some clients but 99% don't want to book the area. We are going to take pictures and video of the area to show how nice the area is. We are very excited about stating at the Rui Palace. While this will be a working trip, we plan to get some alone time too I've only been to Playa Del Carmen twice. Once last December for a couple of hours and once in July passing through to Cozumel. THIS time, we are staying and playing for 7 nights!!! By the way... I've been reading the forum for a couple of days and I think this place is WONDERFUL!!! Well done.

11-30-2005	#2 (permalink)
Mark05 life=playa Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ottumwa, Iowa Posts: 687	Playacar We just returned Sunday from 7 nites at the Riu Playacar. You had to look close to see any residual damage cause by Wilma. Mostly vegetation which is well on its way to regrowth. Hibiscus are once again blooming and palms are releafing. We went Cancun one day to see the hotel zone. They had massive damage but everything that was damaged was being repaired. Our Favorite hotel is the Flamingo and the security guard told me they will reopen in Dec. The beaches are returning and are bigger than pre Wilma. We are coming back in Feb and doubt that we'll see any damage whatsoever. FEMA needs to take lessons from these hardworking people.

12-01-2005	#11 (permalink)
baked beachaholic Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 403	You get what you pay for. If you stayed at motel 6... would you expect to visit the hilton? Just kidding, but people do pay more to stay there.:p BTW all of the RIU's are great. Last edited by baked; 12-01-2005 at 11:11 AM..

12-04-2005	#14 (permalink)
KrisNBill sandflea Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4	We're headed to the Palace as well over the 11-18th LOL. We have a Junior Suite, whatever that means. I checked my reservation and it says the Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen. That doesn't make any sense because that hotel won't open til 2/2006 Looks like a phone call to virtual-showcase is in order LOL Last edited by KrisNBill; 12-04-2005 at 09:39 AM..

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11-30-2005	#3 (permalink)
deblis toe in water Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 59	You'll have to let us know how Rui palace is, thinking of going there for our honeymoon. Have a safe & FUN trip.

11-30-2005	#5 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 12,302	Ut oh, caught ya señor! The YUCATAN is next door to the Palace, the Tequila is across the street, and the Playacar is just a hotel to the north (just the Viva Maya is in-bewteen). Either way, you can easily walk to all 4. And yes, when you stay at the Palace, you can use any and all of them (but they can't use the Palace! :p )!

12-01-2005	#7 (permalink)
OkieB toe in water Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 40	Hey DaveTravelGuy, If you happen to hear or see anything about the Grand Gala Esmeralda let us know. We have been hearing about this place and would like to book it this summer. Keep hearing it's almost open and then nope it's not even close! I'm sure the hurricane didn't help any, but would just like to know if it's even a possibility. I think it's about 10 minutes North of Playa. Have fun!

12-01-2005	#8 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 12,302	A summer trip to the Grand Gala should be fine. They were supposed to open part of the resort in December, and then the remaining part in March. The last I heard about this property is that after Wilma, they are pushing the opening of the entire resort to March. But it also depends on which tour operator you're dealing with. Apple STILL says this about the Grand Gala, and it's not correct to my knowledge: New hotel - still on schedule for opening December 2005 But for the summer, you should be good!

12-01-2005	#9 (permalink)
playaD lost on fifth Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 12	We are heading down to the RIU next week. Is that correct...if you don't stay at the Palace your not welcome there??? How stuck up is that!

12-06-2005	#15 (permalink)
Cinker1 beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 363	Does anyone know if any of the pools at the Riu Palace Mexico (in PDC) are heated? We are going in January and were hoping to have some warm water in the pools (without peeing in them first! HA just kidding).