Riu's

[memomuffin]

Hello everyone, It's been awhile since I've written anything but I'm looking in to going back for March 13-20. Unfortunatley I don't have a lot of money (one reason is because I just got back from the Iberostar Lindo in November-what a freaking blast) so I need a cheap AI. I'm just wondering has anyone been to the Riu's and if so, is there one you'd recommend over another (can't afford the Palace but out of the other 3), for three women in their mid 20's? How is the Riu Playacar in contrast with the Tequila and Yucatan? I dont' really care about the musty smell either, we can just take Glade plug-ins with us, but there are some things that I'm a tad picky about, especially after the wonderful pampering we got at the Iberostar Lindo. 1.hot water jacuzzi 2.good food 3.premium liquor 4.beautiful beach with water that is easily swimable 5.swim up bar 6.bar on the beach 7.hotel on the beach 8.close to downtown PDC Okay, okay, I know I sound like a brat but it doesn't have to be all of those things but that would be my ideal, and then on top of that, cheap would be nice!
Thanks in advance for your responses!

[Shammy]

Hey memomuffin!

Glad you had a good time at the Lindo!

As for the Riu's....

The Playacar would be your best bet.
The Tequila is out simply because it's isn't a beachfront hotel. You have to use the beach at the Playacar or the Yucatan.
The Playacar is better because it's smaller and much less crowded. It can be difficult to find a lounge chair at the Yucatan when it's at full occupancy.
And in general, I like the Playacar better. 8)

But....I will tell you this....

These are not "cheapy" places. Not by a long shot! Especially since it's high season and especially because everything just costs more this year.
I don't know what your budget is but the Riu's are getting up there in price.

Matter of fact, you better check availability. I looked for the Playacar in March for someone today and it was sold out for when I wanted. :-?

[guitarguy]

Check out the Riu Tequila at www.riuambu.com...We thought that not on the beach would be bad, but everyone who goes there loved it and it is half the price of the other RIU's. Check out the reviews.. We are a party of 6 and paid $5648.30 for 6 air and hotel From Minneapolis for 7 days and are going in March and can not wait.. we have been to Ibero stars(great) and the Moon palace (sucked) and the Cancun palace(nice) and the Blue Parrot condos(awesome)

[memomuffin]

Hey everyone,
Thanks a lot for all of your responses so far. Shammy, how ya doing? Are you surprised i'm looking for another vacation to PDC so soon? What can I say, the place is surely addictive! But you're scaring me here! The Riu Playacar is all booked up. Would you mind pricing me out a vacation just to see.... 3 gals, 3/13-3/20, from Boston, MA. Not too long ago I got a decent price and i hope to God they are not all sold out or I'm going to be bumming hard core!
Guitarguy, i've got to ask you since you have been to both the Iberostar and the Riu's, which did you like better and why? What were the exact resorts that you stayed (like the Quetzal or the Paraiso...). I don't know why but for all inclusives those seem to be the names:Iberostar and Riu that I'm leaning towards. Staying at the Ib*Paraiso Lindo was incredible so I hope my expectations aren't too high. I know we'll have a blast regardless but still.....I want the biggest bang for my buck.
Jobob, thanks so much for your input also. Big question, why are the jacuzzis cold water??? What's the point? Just a Mexican thing I suppose~
I think I may put a new post up interested in seeing what people who have stayed at both the Iberostars and Rius and see what they like better.
I just can't wait to go back there~ OH YEAH!! 8)

[guitarguy]

Memomuffin.. I have not stayed at RIU yet,this March will be the first time.We chose RIU this year because of price and all the good reviews on Rustys RIU web sight. Plus you can use the facilities at other RIU's except
Palace.We booked our trip out of Minneapolis for $5678.00 for 4 adults and 2 kids for 7 days. Iberostar was around $8400.00 We were at the Iberostar Playa Paraiso,we really liked it. Food was awesome. The only thing is it is kinda far away from Playa and even though it is beach front you still really don't have ocean view anyway so staying at the Tequila off the beach isn't that big of deal. I have a friend that stays at the Quetzel and really likes it and you can walk to Playa. I would prefer something close to Playa 8)

[Shammy]

Originally posted by "memomuffin"

Hey everyone,
Thanks a lot for all of your responses so far. Shammy, how ya doing? Are you surprised i'm looking for another vacation to PDC so soon? What can I say, the place is surely addictive! But you're scaring me here! The Riu Playacar is all booked up. Would you mind pricing me out a vacation just to see.... 3 gals, 3/13-3/20, from Boston, MA. Not too long ago I got a decent price and i hope to God there are not all sold out or I'm going to be bumming hard core!

My dear memo,

Surprised? NEVER! Nothing surprises me when it comes to people and their vacations! :lol:

And I didn't mean to scare you, golly no...I only meant that I checked for someone, and not from Boston, and not for that date, and it was sold out. Every dpearture city has an allocation of rooms at each resort and for his particular city and date...well, he was bumming hard core! :wink:

You on the other hand, need not bum.....
But....you will probably want to leave Boston on the 14th rather than the 13th as on the 13th, airfare is $185/pp more expensive AND it's not even a non stop! :-?

So how about this....

Depart Boston 3/14
7:30AM-11:00AM
Depart Cancun 3/21
3:40PM-8:50PM
NON STOP!

Riu Playacar = $1,276/pp
Riu Tequila = $1,143/pp
Riu Palace = $1,675/pp
This includes air, hotel, transfers and all taxes.

Oh, and I should mention, there are 4 rooms left at the Playacar, 10 at the Tequila and 2 at the Palace. Well, that's how many there are left from where I got these prices from...that was YOUR allocation. :lol:

OK? 8)


P.S. Just a note...where I got these prices...they have NONE of the Iberostars left! :o I know I could get them but it would be alot more. [/siz]

[memomuffin]

Shammy, Baby, honey!! You, my dear, just made me one very happy gal!! Does that include transfers and transportation to and from the airport? Oh my God, that's beautiful! Where do I sign up? I'll tell ya right now, this past weekend Vacation Outlet is having this huge expo in Boston so just this weekend they're having some great deals, but I've got to tell you that the price you just quoted me burries the competition. There is one other place (the website, tropicalsands.com, which is where I booked my last trip, great value to the Lindo) which still beat the expo's prices, but now, still, you just beat theirs, also. I have never seen anyone beat their prices, so if you're telling me that includes EVERYTHING, you just X where you need my John Hancock!!

[guitarguy]

We have NOT been to both of these resorts. We have been to many others including the Paraiso. Our friend has stayed a couple times at the Quetzel and loved it. The only reason we are Not going to the Iberostar is because it is too much $$$$$ We are bringing all 4 of our kids this time which means 2 rooms. But, of all the places we have stayed...The Iberostar was the place!!!!! And I will be back there one day. I would say any Iberostar. But, I will let you know...with all the reviews on the Riu...Sounds like also a great place to stay and alot less $$$$. The only place I would Never go back to is the MOON PRISON ...I mean PALACE. :evil:

[fraggle47]

Memomuffin...

Guess who??

See, I really am doing my research...

[memomuffin]

Wow!! I must say Fraggle47 I am definitely impressed. Now see that wasn't that hard, was it??? Before you know it, you are going to be visiting this site at least three times a day. My advice is to be careful, or maybe it's just me that got completely and utterly so addicted to this damn site. :wink:

[michellei88@aol.com]

hey ..the viva maya..is a great deal...we had a room on the beach literally..10 steps..i know you all are tired of hearing it..from bay area (sfo) round trip 8 days AI....900.00 each.......on the beach!!!!! the property was clean and lovely...good food...mostly european and great beach, good drinks, very accomodating staff....can't say enough about this little slice of heaven, there was also a deal from apple vacations that was kind of interesting...500.00 each...air and ai resort in playa......the catch?...you don't know where you will be staying.till you get there...guaranteed a ocean view room....met some folks there that did it.....guess where they ended up?....bahia...jr suite on the ocean...bummer ugh?....pack a bag and count us in next time!...how bad could it be anywhere in playa?

[Shammy]

Originally posted by "memomuffin"

Shammy, Baby, honey!! You, my dear, just made me one very happy gal!! Does that include transfers and transportation to and from the airport? Oh my God, that's beautiful! Where do I sign up? I'll tell ya right now, this past weekend Vacation Outlet is having this huge expo in Boston so just this weekend they're having some great deals, but I've got to tell you that the price you just quoted me burries the competition. There is one other place (the website, tropicalsands.com, which is where I booked my last trip, great value to the Lindo) which still beat the expo's prices, but now, still, you just beat theirs, also. I have never seen anyone beat their prices, so if you're telling me that includes EVERYTHING, you just X where you need my John Hancock!!

:P :P :P

[spolich]

Hi,
I would like to share our experience at the Riu Yucatan with all. There were 6 in our group; my wife and I , my three daughters, and my oldest daughter's boyfriend.

Overall, we had a fantastic time at the Riu Yucatan. The beach was fantastic, and although a little crowded, we were always able to get lounge chairs (for 6). It just took a little snooping and asking, but never a problem.

We had a ton of fun at the pool, and met people from the US and England. don't remember any names, but the Coco-Loco's were sure flowing!

Take a walk down the beach (south) and you will come across some really nice rocks off the Playacar area. It's a great place for taking some nice pictures.

The food isn't the greatest at the Yucatan, but hey, are you really going for the food? It's good enough to keep you as full as you want...but I must mention that the french fries are fantastic. The alcohol wasn't name brand, but just to emphasise again, are you really going for the quality of booze you get? There is enough alcohol there to swim in (enough, I might add, to allow my daughter's boyfriend and I to become real buddies..sorry I digress)

The Yucatan is the only Riu of the 4 that has a gym. It can get pretty crowded, considering guests from all 4 hotels share it. And there was a guy there that once he got on the stand-up pedal bike, he stayed on it for like an hour-and-a-half..so much for sharing!

Back to the Hotel, The dinner arrangements are hard to take. You must make a semi-permanent reservation for diner for every night at either the 6:30 or 8:30 sittings. It's a little better than cafeteria-style food, but there is a lot of it. There are also two "theme restauraunts" that individually either serve Steak and Seafood. You have to make separate bookings for these restaurants on the morning of the day you want to go. And I mean morning. There are only about 70 seats, and there is a lineup at 7:00AM.
They insist that you cannot make reservations for another night, but after two unsuccessful attempts trying to book the seafood restaurant, on the third morning, I went down at 6:15AM, only to discover that a Wedding Party had made prior arrangements for the complete early sitting! Well I, as well as a group of other disgruntled guests insisted that if the Wedding party can reserve, then we declare our group is a wedding and want to book for the next night! I think the manager got our point, and reserved for the group of us over a span of the next three nights. (yes, men need to wear pants)

There is one other incident that really ticked me off, and I have tried to contact the Riu main Office to voice my concern. Here is the situation;

There is an arts and crafts wagon beside the pool. My kids are good at art.
We bought 3 clay figures on Wednesday, and my girls went to work creating their little masterpieces. On was a clam shell, one was a frog and one was a jewelry box. They spent several hours over the next three days painting and decorating these items. The last step was for the proprietor to take them to his shop and "fire" them so they would be completed. My daughters explained on Friday that we would be going on an all-day excursion on Staurday, and he said to pick them up on Sunday. So, Sunday, the day we are leaving, comes around and lo and behold, the arts guy never shows up!!
So I go to the front desk and explain my situation to Diana and Zigy. They tell me to leave it with them, don't worry and they would talk to the guy and have our items shipped to our house. Well since January 12, I emailed them 3 times, got their number from our travel agent and called them on January19, at which point they told me;
1. Diana doesn't work there any more
2. The Arts and Crafts guy hasn't been around for a couple of days and
3. Yes, they have seen my emails but haven't looked into the matter yet!

Finally, today on Jauary 21, they tell me by email that the arts guy has given the items to another lady who said they were hers! (are they kidding me?)

Anyhooow, it's not the $25.00 i am hot about, it's the memories lost from the crafts that ticks me off. I suspect the kid does this on a regular basis, takes them home, removes the personal effects, and re-sells them for $30.00US...just a hunch...

I have told my travel agent and the Riu that although I love Play Del Carmen, and we definitley plan on coming back to the area, the Riu chain is off my vacation list of Hotels. They will not see another penny of my money! Life's too short to have people tick me off like that. There are plenty of beautiful hotels in Playa Del Carmen. I may get better or worse treatment at another one, I don't know. But I won't go back to a Riu.

Hope this helps you to make your decision...

happy Travelling,

Regards,

Spolich :evil:

[cuffedlinks]

My wife and I stayed at the Riu Palace Dec. 5th thru the 12th. Everything was to our satisfaction except the reservations for dinner (being stuck to 1 sitting) and the earliness of reservations at the ala carte restuarants, which, while fine, weren't supremely outstanding - the buffet more than suited our tastes and need for variety)

The Palace has a gym that we worked out in...not big but adequate...The rooms were fabulous as was the staff...We too did pottery and the attendant was informed that the next day was our last day...he finished the fine detail, fired it and had it back to us before we left...I would have been upset as well if we hadn't gotten it back - but not to the extent that I would discount ever staying in the Palace again...

We walked to and inspected the other Riu's and they looked very nice! Each had a different flavor in the architecture and layout...but our bus was full of people who had stayed at all 3 other resorts, and to a person they each LOVED their hotel and stay - (We were the only couple to stay at the Palace)...

The beach is shared, large and incredible...plenty of beach or shade in the myriad palm trees...not sure about the beach for the Riu Playacar which is next to the Viva Maya, next to the Palace and then the Yucatan...the Tequila is across the street but a short walk or shuttle trip to the beach...The Tequila is where most of the late night action is, it has the disco which is a separate entertainment venue than the theatres at each property...

The other Riu properties also had internet rooms, and the Palace has a lobby bar that my laptop and wireless card synched with and worked flawlessly. The entire area is very nice - choose according to your style, budget whatever...

Oh, one thing though. We had an EARLY shuttle departure for the airport...our flight left at 8 am - our shuttle to the airport left our hotel at 4:30 am...we were ALL Riu people except for one other couple...our wake up call came at 4:15 and not 3:45 and my pda was still set for Mountain time so it went off on the bus...

Any other Riu questions or anything on our trip to Playa...just ask!

[spolich]

cuffedlinks,
I suppose you are right, I will cool off in the next day or two(literally...it was 30 below (celcius) this week here)..
I'll be over it in a couple of days and look forward to the next time in PDC!

Regards,

Spolich