Best room at Riu Palace?

emmakate1006 · 01-01-2009

My husband and I are staying at the Rui Palace on our first visit to Mexico later this month. I'd like to put in a request for a good room; nice view, etc. Have you stayed there, and where was your room? Did you like it, and why/why not? Thanks for your time!!

Mercy · 01-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmakate1006

My husband and I are staying at the Rui Palace on our first visit to Mexico later this month. I'd like to put in a request for a good room; nice view, etc. Have you stayed there, and where was your room? Did you like it, and why/why not? Thanks for your time!!

We were there this past October, the Riu Palace Mexico (if that is the one you are talking about). I think we were in room 1053 which was a courtyard view room. I emailed the hotel and asked for a fountain view, which puts you closer to the beach (could not see the beach though) facing the fountains (near the end of the "U"). We were also on the second floor or the same as the lobby. We thought this was a great location.

We liked this resort, very nice, nice staff. We liked the location and the closeness to PDC.

emmakate1006 · 01-02-2009

Thank you! I think this must be the same place - sorry, should have been more specific...Riu Palace Riviera Maya. It's got a huge courtyard and fountain, so it must be the same place. I should ask for a courtyard view, then? I think I read somewhere in someone's travel review that their first room looked out over a garbage bin, so they asked to be moved and got a courtyard view. And close to the fountain sounds great - very relaxing!

Mercy · 01-02-2009

Actually they are two separate places, the Riu Palace Mexico and the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. We stayed at the Palace Mexico, the layout is the same however except that the Riviera Maya is a little bigger. The Riviera Maya has a bigger/nicer pool area. I think if you want to face inward towards the fountains then, yes, you should request a courtyard room.

The Riu's are nice resorts and I'm sure that the Riviera Maya is just as nice as the Palace Mexico. Have fun!

Oh and welcome to the boards... tons of information here!

**Shammy** · 01-02-2009

Know that courtyard view jr. suites are booked specifically as such and do cost more than the standard jr. suites. While they may upgrade someone at any time, you're more likely to see that during low season when the resort is not busy. During high season, upgrades are harder to come by - unless you are a repeat visitor and/or have a Riu Class card.

Mercy · 01-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Know that courtyard view jr. suites are booked specifically as such and do cost more than the standard jr. suites. While they may upgrade someone at any time, you're more likely to see that during low season when the resort is not busy. During high season, upgrades are harder to come by - unless you are a repeat visitor and/or have a Riu Class card.

Shammy is right, we actually booked and paid extra for a courtyard room.

rainbow · 01-06-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Know that courtyard view jr. suites are booked specifically as such and do cost more than the standard jr. suites. While they may upgrade someone at any time, you're more likely to see that during low season when the resort is not busy. During high season, upgrades are harder to come by - unless you are a repeat visitor and/or have a Riu Class card.

...right you are shammy...we were given an upgrade to a fountain view for being a riu class gold card holder...

emmakate1006 · 01-06-2009

Oh! Thank you all - I see that I can apply for a Riu Class card online and print it out to bring with me. Not sure if that will help me much, as I'm sure if it's that easy to get it won't net me much in terms of cool free stuff, but I'll give it a shot. Oh, I can't wait for that sun! I'm looking out at melting snow (I'm in Seattle, snow doesn't stick around long) and can't wait to feel the sun on my face!! Sigh.

emmakate1006 · 01-06-2009

And why does it say "sandflea" beneath my username?

rainbow · 01-06-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmakate1006

Oh! Thank you all - I see that I can apply for a Riu Class card online and print it out to bring with me. Not sure if that will help me much, as I'm sure if it's that easy to get it won't net me much in terms of cool free stuff, but I'll give it a shot. Oh, I can't wait for that sun! I'm looking out at melting snow (I'm in Seattle, snow doesn't stick around long) and can't wait to feel the sun on my face!! Sigh.

...it is that easy, and it will give you discounts on various activities, merchandise and services starting with your very first stay...just make sure to have your card with you...

**Shammy** · 01-06-2009

Having a new Riu Class card with you on your first visit won't get you a free upgrade but as rainbow said, there will be a few other perks. You get points for each stay at a Riu hotel - the more points you have, the more perks there are!

rainbow · 01-06-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Having a new Riu Class card with you on your first visit won't get you a free upgrade but as rainbow said, there will be a few other perks. You get points for each stay at a Riu hotel - the more points you have, the more perks there are!

...you're absolutely right! once earned, the points can be used to pay for incidental room charges...for example, in december i used points to pay for the laundry services we used...

**Shammy** · 01-06-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainbow

...you're absolutely right! once earned, the points can be used to pay for incidental room charges...for example, in december i used points to pay for the laundry services we used...

Try working for them...or booking their hotels anyway. WE get points for THAT. Points = free nights!

rainbow · 01-06-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Try working for them...or booking their hotels anyway. WE get points for THAT. Points = free nights!

...sweet!...

01-01-2009	#1 (permalink)
emmakate1006 sandflea Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 8	Best room at Riu Palace? My husband and I are staying at the Rui Palace on our first visit to Mexico later this month. I'd like to put in a request for a good room; nice view, etc. Have you stayed there, and where was your room? Did you like it, and why/why not? Thanks for your time!!

01-02-2009	#4 (permalink)
Mercy añejo Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Physically Maryland/Mentally the Beach Posts: 1,892	Actually they are two separate places, the Riu Palace Mexico and the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. We stayed at the Palace Mexico, the layout is the same however except that the Riviera Maya is a little bigger. The Riviera Maya has a bigger/nicer pool area. I think if you want to face inward towards the fountains then, yes, you should request a courtyard room. The Riu's are nice resorts and I'm sure that the Riviera Maya is just as nice as the Palace Mexico. Have fun! Oh and welcome to the boards... tons of information here! Last edited by Mercy; 01-02-2009 at 04:54 AM..

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01-02-2009	#3 (permalink)
emmakate1006 sandflea Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 8	Thank you! I think this must be the same place - sorry, should have been more specific...Riu Palace Riviera Maya. It's got a huge courtyard and fountain, so it must be the same place. I should ask for a courtyard view, then? I think I read somewhere in someone's travel review that their first room looked out over a garbage bin, so they asked to be moved and got a courtyard view. And close to the fountain sounds great - very relaxing!

01-02-2009	#5 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 12,305	Know that courtyard view jr. suites are booked specifically as such and do cost more than the standard jr. suites. While they may upgrade someone at any time, you're more likely to see that during low season when the resort is not busy. During high season, upgrades are harder to come by - unless you are a repeat visitor and/or have a Riu Class card.

01-06-2009	#8 (permalink)
emmakate1006 sandflea Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 8	Oh! Thank you all - I see that I can apply for a Riu Class card online and print it out to bring with me. Not sure if that will help me much, as I'm sure if it's that easy to get it won't net me much in terms of cool free stuff, but I'll give it a shot. Oh, I can't wait for that sun! I'm looking out at melting snow (I'm in Seattle, snow doesn't stick around long) and can't wait to feel the sun on my face!! Sigh.

01-06-2009	#9 (permalink)
emmakate1006 sandflea Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 8	And why does it say "sandflea" beneath my username?

01-06-2009	#11 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 12,305	Having a new Riu Class card with you on your first visit won't get you a free upgrade but as rainbow said, there will be a few other perks. You get points for each stay at a Riu hotel - the more points you have, the more perks there are!