Looking for unbiased opinions on Riu Palaces

scb71 · 08-03-2008

Hello all. I am planning a few days this November in Playa and am now considering the Riu Palaces - either RP Riviera Maya or RP Mexico because they appear very cheap and have received good reviews. We are also staying at The Excellence later on during the same trip so I am thinking of staying somewhere close to Playa so we could walk to town and go out, eat, etc and no feel 'cooped up' for the whole trip.
I would really like to hear people share their thoughts. Compare and contrast the Riviera Maya vs the Mexico but also any other good ideas for fun, nice resorts that may not be too overrun with children as we are going without children ourselves. Is one closer to town than the other? Does one have better amenities? Are there other resorts that may be good choices as well?
thanks in advance!

Babaloo · 08-03-2008

My unbiased opinion is since you are doing a week at Excellence...why not do a non-AI the first week and book something in town?

scb71 · 08-03-2008

thanks for the feedback. I thought about booking something in town because of what you mentioned (we are going to the Excellence as well) however I have not found anything that seems like it makes much sense. There was one hotel that others had recommended (I cannot recall the name right now) but believe it or not it their calendar was wide open except for one week where they are all full and that is when I need it. If anyone has some great ideas - please share! It just seemed to me that we could stay at a good, but not extremely expensive AI (something like the RIU Palaces) for not much more than staying somewhere in town and then we would have food and drinks if we wanted them but still be able to go out in town for other things while not feeling guilty. I would love to hear great ideas on any and all options! We would only be doing 4 days for this part of the trip so we are open to advice!
thanks again

**Shammy** · 08-03-2008

The two Riu Palace properties are very similar, both in design and in the food and service they offer. They are very close to each other, you can walk between them. The Palace Riviera Maya is newer and has a nicer, larger pool area. Riu is on sale right now so if you're interested, I'd book something before the sale is over!

jobob · 08-04-2008

RPRM has some rooms with true king-sized beds whereas all the RPM rooms are two doubles, made separately, pushed together. The RPRM bathrooms have a hydro-massage tub/shower, the RPM has regular tub/shower. Other than that the rooms are basicly the same.
If you're a pool person take the RPRM. If you prefer the beach and like to take walks along the beach like we do then my choice would be the RPM.
At that time of year, unless you're looking at the American Thanksgiving week, there won't be too many kids at either Riu but there will generally be less at the RPM.

scb71 · 08-05-2008

Thanks so much for the insight! I am going to check out the newer Riu as it seems like that may be a better deal as it is jsut slightly more expensive than the Riu Palace Mexico.

Does anyone have other ideas for fun properties for a young 30's couple getting away for a few days?

care-bear · 08-05-2008

I stayed at the RPM in march... it was my first trip to Playa and i absolutely loved it!!! the RPRM is a bit closer to town but not by much... we walked to town a few times its a nice walk that passes through some smaller ruins that we unfortunately did not have the chance to really look at but it is a very nice walk... about 15-20 min. Both hotels are very similar but we love the RPM. good service, nice pool and beach, the food was good too

! I will try and post some pictures...

care-bear · 08-05-2008

okay lets give this a try...
view of RPM:

walkway to pools and beach...gets VERY slippery when wet:

pool:

heading towards the beach:

the beach:

our room:

other part of the room:

08-03-2008	#1 (permalink)
scb71 sandflea Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9	Looking for unbiased opinions on Riu Palaces Hello all. I am planning a few days this November in Playa and am now considering the Riu Palaces - either RP Riviera Maya or RP Mexico because they appear very cheap and have received good reviews. We are also staying at The Excellence later on during the same trip so I am thinking of staying somewhere close to Playa so we could walk to town and go out, eat, etc and no feel 'cooped up' for the whole trip. I would really like to hear people share their thoughts. Compare and contrast the Riviera Maya vs the Mexico but also any other good ideas for fun, nice resorts that may not be too overrun with children as we are going without children ourselves. Is one closer to town than the other? Does one have better amenities? Are there other resorts that may be good choices as well? thanks in advance!

08-05-2008	#7 (permalink)
care-bear lost on fifth Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: white bear lake, minnesoooootaaaaa Posts: 24	I stayed at the RPM in march... it was my first trip to Playa and i absolutely loved it!!! the RPRM is a bit closer to town but not by much... we walked to town a few times its a nice walk that passes through some smaller ruins that we unfortunately did not have the chance to really look at but it is a very nice walk... about 15-20 min. Both hotels are very similar but we love the RPM. good service, nice pool and beach, the food was good too! I will try and post some pictures...

08-03-2008	#2 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 22,440	My unbiased opinion is since you are doing a week at Excellence...why not do a non-AI the first week and book something in town?

08-03-2008	#3 (permalink)
scb71 sandflea Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9	thanks for the feedback. I thought about booking something in town because of what you mentioned (we are going to the Excellence as well) however I have not found anything that seems like it makes much sense. There was one hotel that others had recommended (I cannot recall the name right now) but believe it or not it their calendar was wide open except for one week where they are all full and that is when I need it. If anyone has some great ideas - please share! It just seemed to me that we could stay at a good, but not extremely expensive AI (something like the RIU Palaces) for not much more than staying somewhere in town and then we would have food and drinks if we wanted them but still be able to go out in town for other things while not feeling guilty. I would love to hear great ideas on any and all options! We would only be doing 4 days for this part of the trip so we are open to advice! thanks again

08-03-2008	#4 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,467	The two Riu Palace properties are very similar, both in design and in the food and service they offer. They are very close to each other, you can walk between them. The Palace Riviera Maya is newer and has a nicer, larger pool area. Riu is on sale right now so if you're interested, I'd book something before the sale is over!

08-04-2008	#5 (permalink)
jobob Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 896	RPRM has some rooms with true king-sized beds whereas all the RPM rooms are two doubles, made separately, pushed together. The RPRM bathrooms have a hydro-massage tub/shower, the RPM has regular tub/shower. Other than that the rooms are basicly the same. If you're a pool person take the RPRM. If you prefer the beach and like to take walks along the beach like we do then my choice would be the RPM. At that time of year, unless you're looking at the American Thanksgiving week, there won't be too many kids at either Riu but there will generally be less at the RPM.

08-05-2008	#6 (permalink)
scb71 sandflea Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9	Thanks so much for the insight! I am going to check out the newer Riu as it seems like that may be a better deal as it is jsut slightly more expensive than the Riu Palace Mexico. Does anyone have other ideas for fun properties for a young 30's couple getting away for a few days?

08-05-2008	#8 (permalink)
care-bear lost on fifth Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: white bear lake, minnesoooootaaaaa Posts: 24	okay lets give this a try... view of RPM: walkway to pools and beach...gets VERY slippery when wet: pool: heading towards the beach: the beach: our room: other part of the room:

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