too many choices - please help

[bree_cda]

After a lot of digging I have narrowed my search to the following resorts based on price, ratings, reviews, and amenities. The most important things for me are good food, dining choice, nice beach (not necessarily to swim in), pool, and entertainment. Can anyone give me their opinion on these resorts. It doesn’t necessarily have to be posh…I like a clean, fun resort with good food

bree


Blue Bay Esmeralda

Pros – Pool, Price – I can get a 1 bdrm swim up with ocean view for the same $$ as a regular room at others resorts); food choice
Cons – beach; no disco & limited nightly entertainment (not a necessity but I like the option to indulge or not)

Rui Tequilla

Pros – well rated with lots of amenities; best price
Cons – distance from beach

Rui Palace

Pros – Nice beach, rated well, dining choices
Cons – a little pricier

Dreams Tulum

Pros – good beach, lots of choices for dining
Cons – distance from airport; a little pricier

[Barbidoll1]

Hi there. I have not stayed at any of these resorts....so I cannot comment, but I can recommend any of the Iberostars in the area. Two years ago we stayed at the Paraiso complex in the Lindo. Any of the Paraiso resorts would be nice, they have everything you could want and a nice beach. It is only about 20-25 minutes from the airport and about 20 min from Playa. Last year we stayed at the Iberostar Tucan which is just a 5 min cab ride into town and is the 2nd to last resort in the Playacar resort complex. The beach there is AWESOME! The service and food was also good. As is the Sandos Playacar. We ruled out Dreams last year for two reasons....does not have what we want in a beach (wide, sandy, no rocks) and the distance from the airport and PDC.
On our trip a few weeks ago we toured the Shangri-La and fell in love with that area. it is within walking distance to town and has a beautiful beach. Their rate includes breakfast and dinner, so you can go to lunch for town and not feel bad about already paying the full AI rate.

[swami]

The Riu Palace Mexico has one of the largest beaches in Playacar. Number of ala carte restaurants at night. Bar on beach plus swim up bar. At night they have music at the outside bar. Close to Playa only a 30 minute walk or $5US taxi. I have stayed there a number of times. All rooms are jr. suites. Remember to ask for top shelf liquor.

[J&H in texas]

I haven't been to Playa yet but, my wife and I love the RIU resorts. We've stayed at there resorts evertime we've traveled to Mexico. They have good food and DRINKS and great facilities. We are booked at the RIU Palace Riveria Maya in Dec.
Can't wait to get there.

[actran]

Did you consider Iberostar at all? We stayed at the Riu Palace in 2006. It was nice, but we preferred the Iberostar Lindo (2007). The food was better, as was the service. The facilities probably would go to the RPM, but not because it's better, just more luxurious.

[vhonodel]

Originally Posted by swami

The Riu Palace Mexico has one of the largest beaches in Playacar. Number of ala carte restaurants at night. Bar on beach plus swim up bar. At night they have music at the outside bar. Close to Playa only a 30 minute walk or $5US taxi. I have stayed there a number of times. All rooms are jr. suites. Remember to ask for top shelf liquor.

Are you maybe referring to the newer Palace or the original Palace in Playacar? I only ask because we stayed at the original Riu Palace in Playacar about three yrs ago and we did not have a Jr. Suite. In fact we had one of the worst rooms out of all the different resorts we have stayed at. Our room faced the side of azteca or Maya and the balcony consisted of a rod iron rail and the width of the balcony was only enough to stand behind, not even wide enough for two chairs. The inside was no suite but just a standard hotel room, two beds and a small round table with two chairs. I was very disappointed in the room, however the grounds are beautiful and the food was good. We have decided that all around, we are far more impressed with the different Iberostar properties.

[BethKen]

In May we stayed at the Rui Tequila, It was our first trip to Mexico and we enjoyed our stay there, we went with our friends and they have been 4 maybe 5 times and have always stayed at the tequila. as far as the beach it is just across the street and they have a golf cart to take you there unless you are someone that likes to walk. We are wanting to make it back to mexico and that is where we will stay again.

[swami]

Originally Posted by vhonodel

Are you maybe referring to the newer Palace or the original Palace in Playacar? I only ask because we stayed at the original Riu Palace in Playacar about three yrs ago and we did not have a Jr. Suite. In fact we had one of the worst rooms out of all the different resorts we have stayed at. Our room faced the side of azteca or Maya and the balcony consisted of a rod iron rail and the width of the balcony was only enough to stand behind, not even wide enough for two chairs. The inside was no suite but just a standard hotel room, two beds and a small round table with two chairs. I was very disappointed in the room, however the grounds are beautiful and the food was good. We have decided that all around, we are far more impressed with the different Iberostar properties.

Are you sure you stayed at the Riu Palace Mexico or one of the Palace Resorts. The Riu resorts are all located in Playacar next to each other and are not part of the Palace Resort chain.

[jobob]

Originally Posted by swami

Are you sure you stayed at the Riu Palace Mexico or one of the Palace Resorts. The Riu resorts are all located in Playacar next to each other and are not part of the Palace Resort chain.

If they overlooked the Viva Maya I'm sure they were in the RPM. Some of the 3rd floor balconies can be quite small, ground and 2nd and other 3rd floor larger. But vhonodel, you were in a jr. suite. That's all they have in the RPM, except for 20 suites. The jr. suites are their regular rooms with a step-down sitting area where there's a couch, table, dresser and tv. Sometimes our expectations rise when we hear the term jr. suite thinking it might have separate bedroom, jacuzzi in the room, etc.

[rainbow]

...i've stayed at the riu palace mexico twice...loved everything about it!...we've stayed at the riu yucatan 4 times because we enjoy the "belly-up-to-the-bar" feel of the place...similar feel at the riu tequila...i enjoy being right on the beach, but, the walk to the beach from the tequila is a beautiful, shaded stroll, and there are trollies running all day if you prefer to ride...another key difference between the riu palace mexico and riu tequila--much quieter at the palace...it has the most incredible beach...deep and with hammocks...it riully is lovely!......