Secrets or RIU Palace????

mjam · 12-18-2003

2 couples in their 30s looking for an upscale resort with some fun going on...not too stuffy, entertainment, nice pool, nice beach and ocean water. I am not crazy about buffets for dinner and I would prefer premium alcohol although I would for some decent stuff...not the cheap stuff. I am torn between these two resorts....Any recommendations? :-?

**Shammy** · 12-18-2003

They're both upscale resorts and offer comparable amenities. Secret's will cost a bit more though.
Secret's is adults only, Riu Palace is not. However, the Riu does not cater to families and there is no organized kids club so you won't find alot of children there anyway.
Secret's has 5 ala carte restaurants with no reservations required. That's a big plus. They also have a concierge on every floor and they have pool and beach waitress service.
It's a very quiet place, very little action. If you want to do anything other than relax, this may not be the place for you.
The Riu Palace has a buffet...men have to wear pants and there are set seating times.
They also have 5 ala carte restaurants but you need to make reservations.
I think there would be more to do here at night too. Many people go over to the nightclub at the Riu Tequila.
Both places have nice beaches.
I don't think you can go wrong at either resort but one may have just a few more things that you are looking for.
You also may want to consider the Iberostar Lindo. While they have a buffet for breakfast and lunch (unless you eat in the pool area for lunch), they have all ala carte dinners. Very good food. You do need reservations but you can chose from 5 different places. You also get to use all the facilities (including restaurants) at the Iberostar Paraiso next door. That makes 12 restaurants you can choose from!

Hope that helps!

kosmo · 12-26-2003

Also remember that if you stay at Riu Palace, you can eat at ANY of the Riu restaurants at the other 3 Riu's (all within a 3-minute walk) though "they" cannot come to the Palace. So ... more food choices w/Riu Palace. And they must've upgraded since last January because when I was there, there were only 2 ala carte restaurants (Italian and La Bodega)!

Also, Riu Palace is set a bit further back from the beach than Secrets, if that is important to you, and Secrets has 24-hr room service.

12-18-2003	#1 (permalink)
mjam sandflea Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 6	Secrets or RIU Palace???? 2 couples in their 30s looking for an upscale resort with some fun going on...not too stuffy, entertainment, nice pool, nice beach and ocean water. I am not crazy about buffets for dinner and I would prefer premium alcohol although I would for some decent stuff...not the cheap stuff. I am torn between these two resorts....Any recommendations? :-?

12-18-2003	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,495	They're both upscale resorts and offer comparable amenities. Secret's will cost a bit more though. Secret's is adults only, Riu Palace is not. However, the Riu does not cater to families and there is no organized kids club so you won't find alot of children there anyway. Secret's has 5 ala carte restaurants with no reservations required. That's a big plus. They also have a concierge on every floor and they have pool and beach waitress service. It's a very quiet place, very little action. If you want to do anything other than relax, this may not be the place for you. The Riu Palace has a buffet...men have to wear pants and there are set seating times. They also have 5 ala carte restaurants but you need to make reservations. I think there would be more to do here at night too. Many people go over to the nightclub at the Riu Tequila. Both places have nice beaches. I don't think you can go wrong at either resort but one may have just a few more things that you are looking for. You also may want to consider the Iberostar Lindo. While they have a buffet for breakfast and lunch (unless you eat in the pool area for lunch), they have all ala carte dinners. Very good food. You do need reservations but you can chose from 5 different places. You also get to use all the facilities (including restaurants) at the Iberostar Paraiso next door. That makes 12 restaurants you can choose from! Hope that helps!

12-26-2003	#3 (permalink)
kosmo very sparkly Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Grandville, MI Posts: 27	Also remember that if you stay at Riu Palace, you can eat at ANY of the Riu restaurants at the other 3 Riu's (all within a 3-minute walk) though "they" cannot come to the Palace. So ... more food choices w/Riu Palace. And they must've upgraded since last January because when I was there, there were only 2 ala carte restaurants (Italian and La Bodega)! Also, Riu Palace is set a bit further back from the beach than Secrets, if that is important to you, and Secrets has 24-hr room service.

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