Riu Palace and Riu Yucatan

MOTU · 04-11-2003

We will be travelling to either the Palace or Yucatan in July. The we, is my wife and I with 3 teenage kids. They will be sharing a room of there own, so crowding will not be an issue. I would love to read reviews on either hotel, good and bad. Anyone have trouble with the food, water, etc. Is there anything that really sets one apart? All input is appreciated.
Thanks

LIZLEWIS42 · 04-12-2003

We've never stayed at the RY, so I really can't comment...But we have stayed at the RP twice and are returning again next month, so I guess you can tell we love the place....

But if I had teenage children, the RP wouldn't be my choice...There is next to nothing to keep kids of any age amused...It's a more sedate, elegant resort...Of course, they could go across the street to the Riu Tequila for more activities...But depending on their ages, you might want to keep them closer to you...

I'd save the Riu Palace for a more romantic vacation for two!!... :lol:

Dave_in_DC · 04-16-2003

Hola,
I just came back from a week's stay at the RIU Yucatan, and looking at it from a family perspective, there's not much the place offers except the non-motorized water sports, hanging out at the pool, and at the beach of course. The beach offers the usual parasail, jetski, and diving.
There are pool activities - dancing, water polo & water volleyball - but depending on the age of the teenagers I'd say look for outside events to do, such as the eco-tours run by Alltournatives, I believe there's a link on this website.
I agree with LIZLEWIS42, the pace at RY is slow and easy and I think the teens would get bored quickly. Haven't been to the RP, but it sounds pretty similar to the RY.

Todd in Toronto · 04-16-2003

From what I've heard and read about the Riu Palace, they cater to 2 types of people......newly wed, and nearly dead. Probably not the best place for a family with teenagers.

The Playacar, Tequila or Yucatan would be a better choice if you have your heart set on staying at one of the Rius.

williamh · 04-18-2003

Hola, I just spent one week in Feb. at the Riu Palace. It is the best Hotel I have ever seen. Everything is beautiful and Excellent. I think they have about 3 staff for each guest. It is considerd a 6 star hotel, not 5 star. The Yucantan is very good also, more activity. But the Palaace is by far the best. The Palace costs more than the othere Riu Hotels(total of 5) all within walking distance of the Palace. If you stay in the Palace you can visit all the other Riu Hotels to dine, drink, entertainment, etc. BUT if you stay at any of the othere Riu Hotels, You can no go into or visit the Palace for any reason. If you can get the Palace for the same price as the other Riu Hotels, which I seriously doubt, definitely take the Fabulous Palace, with no question!! Food and Beverage Service and Bars are truly exceptionally excellent. Sincerely, Tully

Danny · 04-20-2003

We returned from an 8 day stay at the Yucatan on March 8. It is a very relaxing place if all you want to do is lay around like we did. There were no children here at this time of the year. I saw very little for them to do at the resort. We did walk to the Tequilla and it looked like more fun for the kids as the pool is huge. It is only 5 minutes to the beach. The palace looked to be for old rich people-kinda stuffy. There is much toplessness all along the beach in front of all three beachfront Rius.

LIZLEWIS42 · 04-20-2003

I guess it's time for me to set the record straight about some assumptions made on prior posts regarding the Riu Palace by folks who've never stayed there... :cry:

We are not newly-weds nor are we nearly dead!!...We're what most people would call middle-aged and married for 19 years...
I consider my mother to be old (she's 82!) and we certainly aren't rich or we'd be staying at the Royal Hideaway... :roll:

Stuffy?....Well, if you knew us, you'd know better!... :wink:

We'll be at the Riu Palace for the 3rd time next month...We go there because we have such a great time...We meet fun people, have lots of laughs, eat, drink and generally be merry!!...Of course, you can do this at any resort, but we enjoy the ambiance of RP...

But to be honest, we have a great time wherever we go and I'm glad you do too!!... :lol:

williamh · 04-20-2003

Amen to the last message. The Riu Palace has such an excellent staff at all levels, especially Vicente and Meriam at the cocktail Lounge next to the lobby. They are so good professionally, so fast, so accurate, and so personable!! Try the Pina Colada's there and the Miami Vice Drink.Ask Meriam to show you all the "toothpick" puzzles and the trick of wrapping a lime in a napkin trick!!

. The Riu Palace is so great that it spoils you for other Hotels, and it is definiteky not stuffy, but instead very warm to everyone including staff and guests. In fact they have a person who is in charge of all the Food and Beverage who has a 1000% excellent trained staff which I made a point to tell him..Gracias, Bill

yogomac · 04-21-2003

Just got back from the Yucatan, you will find plenty for the kid's here and at the RIU Playacar, Tequilla.
My wife and I will return, but will stay in PDC, to many things to offer for adults to be trapped at the buffet lines.

Ron Stahl · 05-11-2003

We will be making our first trip to the Riu Palace in October but have been to the Riu Yucatan twice. Had a great time...no problems and the buffet lines are not that long. Loved the food, loved the staff and loved the beach. Enjoy!

05-14-2003

just got back from a week at the Rui playacar it was great it is on the beach it is small but awesom the staff is great food is great and it is right on the beach from 10:30am-4:30pm there are constant games going on at the pools and volley ball at the beach. I would recommend it to anyone.. we plan on taking the kids back in winter..Also it was just built in 2000 it was beautiful

thoffy · 05-18-2003

Hej,

we are going in august to the rui resort.
we read that there are 2 disco's.
does anybody know how the disco's on the resort are?

thanks!

/erik

yogomac · 05-20-2003

The Disco that is recommended for the RIU chains is at the Tequilla, which you will have access to regardless of which RIU you are staying at.

bendragon · 05-22-2003

I stayed at the tequila across from the palace and yucatan....visited both. The palace very aptly named. I cant imagine going there if you want any type of excitement at all. So luxurious that we were almost afraid to walk on the carpets! Very quiet, not for teenagers as I far as I can figure. But ideal for honeymooners or anyone who wants a VERY quiet vacation. I was at the yucatan back in january 2003, it smelled like a septic tank the entire week. People complained but there was very little that could be done, something about the system backing up. You could smell it in the dining area and buffet line as well. I was staying at the tequila across the street so it didnt pose a big problem. But the beach was at the yucatan so the days that we did spend there were smelly at the resort,,,OK at the beach. As mentioned earlier the best of the discos was at the tequila (good for teenagers maybe?). And you are free to visit the yucatan;s beach, if the pool at the tequila isnt to your liking. Keep in mind that I am the only one who has posted this "septic" review so I am hoping that they have fixed it, and I cant imagine that they havent. The RIU hotels are the best I have ever been too. The mexican people, beautiful, helpful, ALL of the hotel staff were simply amazing to me. I will be going back next year again.

06-24-2003

We spent our 25th wedding anniversary at the Yucatan in October and it was fabulous. Best holiday ever. Food great, staff very friendly and the beach was fantastic. Don't know where someone got the smelly from. No complaints at all in that direction. Plenty to do if you wanted to or just chill out at the beach. It can be as busy or as quite as you want. The trips offered were brilliant. You have to vist the Mayan ruins. Well worth the money. Will definitely be back.

04-11-2003	#1 (permalink)
MOTU sandflea Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Oakville, Canada Posts: 1	Riu Palace and Riu Yucatan We will be travelling to either the Palace or Yucatan in July. The we, is my wife and I with 3 teenage kids. They will be sharing a room of there own, so crowding will not be an issue. I would love to read reviews on either hotel, good and bad. Anyone have trouble with the food, water, etc. Is there anything that really sets one apart? All input is appreciated. Thanks

04-12-2003	#2 (permalink)
LIZLEWIS42 beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 260	Riu Palace and Riu Yucatan We've never stayed at the RY, so I really can't comment...But we have stayed at the RP twice and are returning again next month, so I guess you can tell we love the place.... But if I had teenage children, the RP wouldn't be my choice...There is next to nothing to keep kids of any age amused...It's a more sedate, elegant resort...Of course, they could go across the street to the Riu Tequila for more activities...But depending on their ages, you might want to keep them closer to you... I'd save the Riu Palace for a more romantic vacation for two!!... :lol:

04-18-2003	#5 (permalink)
williamh sandflea Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 4	Riu Palace Riu Yucatan Hola, I just spent one week in Feb. at the Riu Palace. It is the best Hotel I have ever seen. Everything is beautiful and Excellent. I think they have about 3 staff for each guest. It is considerd a 6 star hotel, not 5 star. The Yucantan is very good also, more activity. But the Palaace is by far the best. The Palace costs more than the othere Riu Hotels(total of 5) all within walking distance of the Palace. If you stay in the Palace you can visit all the other Riu Hotels to dine, drink, entertainment, etc. BUT if you stay at any of the othere Riu Hotels, You can no go into or visit the Palace for any reason. If you can get the Palace for the same price as the other Riu Hotels, which I seriously doubt, definitely take the Fabulous Palace, with no question!! Food and Beverage Service and Bars are truly exceptionally excellent. Sincerely, Tully

04-20-2003	#7 (permalink)
LIZLEWIS42 beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 260	Riu Palace I guess it's time for me to set the record straight about some assumptions made on prior posts regarding the Riu Palace by folks who've never stayed there... :cry: We are not newly-weds nor are we nearly dead!!...We're what most people would call middle-aged and married for 19 years... I consider my mother to be old (she's 82!) and we certainly aren't rich or we'd be staying at the Royal Hideaway... :roll: Stuffy?....Well, if you knew us, you'd know better!... :wink: We'll be at the Riu Palace for the 3rd time next month...We go there because we have such a great time...We meet fun people, have lots of laughs, eat, drink and generally be merry!!...Of course, you can do this at any resort, but we enjoy the ambiance of RP... But to be honest, we have a great time wherever we go and I'm glad you do too!!... :lol:

04-20-2003	#8 (permalink)
williamh sandflea Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 4	Riu Palace Amen to the last message. The Riu Palace has such an excellent staff at all levels, especially Vicente and Meriam at the cocktail Lounge next to the lobby. They are so good professionally, so fast, so accurate, and so personable!! Try the Pina Colada's there and the Miami Vice Drink.Ask Meriam to show you all the "toothpick" puzzles and the trick of wrapping a lime in a napkin trick!! . The Riu Palace is so great that it spoils you for other Hotels, and it is definiteky not stuffy, but instead very warm to everyone including staff and guests. In fact they have a person who is in charge of all the Food and Beverage who has a 1000% excellent trained staff which I made a point to tell him..Gracias, Bill

04-16-2003	#3 (permalink)
Dave_in_DC sandflea Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5	Hola, I just came back from a week's stay at the RIU Yucatan, and looking at it from a family perspective, there's not much the place offers except the non-motorized water sports, hanging out at the pool, and at the beach of course. The beach offers the usual parasail, jetski, and diving. There are pool activities - dancing, water polo & water volleyball - but depending on the age of the teenagers I'd say look for outside events to do, such as the eco-tours run by Alltournatives, I believe there's a link on this website. I agree with LIZLEWIS42, the pace at RY is slow and easy and I think the teens would get bored quickly. Haven't been to the RP, but it sounds pretty similar to the RY.

04-16-2003	#4 (permalink)
Todd in Toronto sandflea Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	From what I've heard and read about the Riu Palace, they cater to 2 types of people......newly wed, and nearly dead. Probably not the best place for a family with teenagers. The Playacar, Tequila or Yucatan would be a better choice if you have your heart set on staying at one of the Rius.

04-20-2003	#6 (permalink)
Danny sandflea Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 2	We returned from an 8 day stay at the Yucatan on March 8. It is a very relaxing place if all you want to do is lay around like we did. There were no children here at this time of the year. I saw very little for them to do at the resort. We did walk to the Tequilla and it looked like more fun for the kids as the pool is huge. It is only 5 minutes to the beach. The palace looked to be for old rich people-kinda stuffy. There is much toplessness all along the beach in front of all three beachfront Rius.

04-21-2003	#9 (permalink)
yogomac sandflea Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 3	RIU Yucatan Just got back from the Yucatan, you will find plenty for the kid's here and at the RIU Playacar, Tequilla. My wife and I will return, but will stay in PDC, to many things to offer for adults to be trapped at the buffet lines.

05-11-2003	#10 (permalink)
Ron Stahl sandflea Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 4	Riu Hotels We will be making our first trip to the Riu Palace in October but have been to the Riu Yucatan twice. Had a great time...no problems and the buffet lines are not that long. Loved the food, loved the staff and loved the beach. Enjoy!

05-14-2003	#11 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	just got back from a week at the Rui playacar it was great it is on the beach it is small but awesom the staff is great food is great and it is right on the beach from 10:30am-4:30pm there are constant games going on at the pools and volley ball at the beach. I would recommend it to anyone.. we plan on taking the kids back in winter..Also it was just built in 2000 it was beautiful

05-18-2003	#12 (permalink)
thoffy sandflea Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9	disco's in the rui hotels Hej, we are going in august to the rui resort. we read that there are 2 disco's. does anybody know how the disco's on the resort are? thanks! /erik

05-20-2003	#13 (permalink)
yogomac sandflea Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 3	RIU Disco's The Disco that is recommended for the RIU chains is at the Tequilla, which you will have access to regardless of which RIU you are staying at.

05-22-2003	#14 (permalink)
bendragon sandflea Join Date: May 2003 Location: oshawa canada Posts: 1	RP or RY I stayed at the tequila across from the palace and yucatan....visited both. The palace very aptly named. I cant imagine going there if you want any type of excitement at all. So luxurious that we were almost afraid to walk on the carpets! Very quiet, not for teenagers as I far as I can figure. But ideal for honeymooners or anyone who wants a VERY quiet vacation. I was at the yucatan back in january 2003, it smelled like a septic tank the entire week. People complained but there was very little that could be done, something about the system backing up. You could smell it in the dining area and buffet line as well. I was staying at the tequila across the street so it didnt pose a big problem. But the beach was at the yucatan so the days that we did spend there were smelly at the resort,,,OK at the beach. As mentioned earlier the best of the discos was at the tequila (good for teenagers maybe?). And you are free to visit the yucatan;s beach, if the pool at the tequila isnt to your liking. Keep in mind that I am the only one who has posted this "septic" review so I am hoping that they have fixed it, and I cant imagine that they havent. The RIU hotels are the best I have ever been too. The mexican people, beautiful, helpful, ALL of the hotel staff were simply amazing to me. I will be going back next year again.

06-24-2003	#15 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Rui Yucatan We spent our 25th wedding anniversary at the Yucatan in October and it was fabulous. Best holiday ever. Food great, staff very friendly and the beach was fantastic. Don't know where someone got the smelly from. No complaints at all in that direction. Plenty to do if you wanted to or just chill out at the beach. It can be as busy or as quite as you want. The trips offered were brilliant. You have to vist the Mayan ruins. Well worth the money. Will definitely be back.

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