RPDC...negative reviews??

fast1200gp · 09-20-2011

Booked the first week of dec 2011 at RPDC. Been reading some bad reviews on trip advisor...just curious what the forum member think about the resort?...thanks everyone

Babaloo · 09-20-2011

If you read the trip reports about the Royal, you'll find that most everyone likes it.

Fishin Nut · 09-21-2011

My wife and I went there for the first time last Feb.... we liked it so much that we booked the same trip again this year and we usually don't go to the same place year after year.

rodneyccar · 09-21-2011

We have stayed there twice also. The first time was just a little after they opened and it ROCKED. The second time was five years later and it ROCKED. I do have to say that it might have slipped just a little, but to put it very simple, It is still 5 star and it ..............wait for it.................not yet.............here it comes.............almost there.................yup, ROCKED. Book, go, have fun, enjoy, return home, and tell us how it was for you.

tdiaz · 09-21-2011

The Royal PDC is an exceptional resort, with great service, the very best thing is how close it is to Playa, you can still have the AI experience and be right in the middle of things! In my opinion, two minor issues, the lay out was a little confusing to me, but as my hubby says, I am directionally challenged anyway, so it may not be an issue for you. The beach in front of the Royal is most likely the worst in the area, but you are within walking distance of lovely areas both north and south. Have a wonderful stay at the Royal!

Garlic Addict · 09-21-2011

Here are some comments from my last review:

They were painting the rooms next to us (and replacing the ornate doors and headboards with plain brown headboards and doors) - since we rarely got turn down service (which normally we don't care about) we got aromatherapy from the front desk to cover the paint smell.

We were a little disappointed with the lack of service this trip. There were so many outside events (i.e. weddings and private parties) while we were there, five weddings in one day, all sucking away waitstaff !!

We had several “not 5-star” incidents while we were there. Daily at the pool, the sun care advisor gave a commercial over the microphone to sell her suntan lotion. One day the resort had a special event for travel agents, wedding planners and other outsiders to tour the resort. They set up lots of tables on the grass with music, dinner and a show. The hotel guests were stepchildren in that the waitstaff were used for this outside event to the detriment of the existing guests at the restaurants. The animation team said the show started at 7 p.m. but we found out tours started at that time and the show wouldn’t be till much later. Also, the show was held in front of the fountain, with spotlights pointed towards the hotel, so the only ones who could actually see the show were the seated outsiders.

I loved the location in town, the a la carte restaurants, the 24 hour cafe. This was my favorite resort but after that trip, we haven't been back. Like the little girl with the curls, when the service was good, it was very, very good, but when it was bad, it was non-existent.

Neil G · 09-21-2011

You have to be cautious of the really bad reviews on Trip Advisor. Some of them may be planted by competing resorts, others are from people who are just never happy no matter what. We had a lovely time at the Royal, no complaints.

cdd · 09-21-2011

We will be returning in Feb 2012 again for the fifth time. As you can see we have been to other resorts (AI) but the Royal is the best. As someone else stated that it has gone down a little from the first time they were there, we also noticed that, but I still place it at the top. When I read some of the Trip Advisor reports, it sounds like there staying somewhere else.
You will love it Just go and relax.

SharonD · 09-21-2011

Been there 7 times and going back next year! We didnt see where things have slipped a little bit as others have stated. We just got back on 9/3 and had a great time. I will agree that the beach is not the best but that does not seem to discourage anyone. If you're looking for miles of wide sandy beach with palm trees and few people...The Royal isn't what you're looking for. We love the resort, the location is great, the food is wonderful and the employees are amazing!

fast1200gp · 09-21-2011

thanks ,i kinda felt the same way about trip advisor ,,,,other hotels or just people that just arent ever happy....it better be good...i booked the presidential suite,,,i heard the beach isnt great,,but im not into the beach that much rather be by the pool.i live by the beach,,,thanks everyone for the replies

**Shammy** · 09-22-2011

I do think that things have slipped a bit in recent years but, that doesn't mean it's a bad resort. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, based on previous stays at other resorts, previous stays at this resort, and just their own personal take on it. Sometimes it is whiners who are never happy, other times there are legitimate complaints. If you have an open attitude and go with the intent to enjoy yourself (especially in the presidential suite!) even if there ate a few things that aren't perfect, you should be fine.

arlee36 · 09-25-2011

We were at the Royal last March/11 - our first time at any AI. We liked the hotel - found it very clean, the staff was very polite and friendly. The only problem we had was our room (352) - directly below the hot tub - once 3:30-4 p.m. rolled around - it was very noisy - so noisy that you heard everything through the closed door! One thing I can say it that I've never seen people drink so much liquor - starting at exactly 10 a.m when the bars opened! As someone else mentioned, the beach could use some cleaning up, and the main buffet didn't have air conditioning.

Lefty · 10-05-2011

We are returning for our 7th visit. The Royal is the finest resort in the Playa area, bar none. The food and drink is superb. The rooms are all 5-star, and the service is great. You can't beat the location. Enjoy your stay.

Be good,
David

Lemarier · 10-12-2011

We were there this past April - thought it was okay but definitely not 5*. The location was the best thing about it - walking distance to all the best places in Playa. We found the food "average", service very good, the beach was not good and the pool area was loud and over crowded. I will say that we are normally at Secrets resorts so our expectations were probably too high.

arlee36 · 10-14-2011

I've heard that Secrets resorts are very beautiful. Since this was our first time at any all inclusive, we had nothing to compare it to.

09-20-2011	#1 (permalink)
fast1200gp lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ny Posts: 13	RPDC...negative reviews?? Booked the first week of dec 2011 at RPDC. Been reading some bad reviews on trip advisor...just curious what the forum member think about the resort?...thanks everyone

09-21-2011	#6 (permalink)
Garlic Addict ruined Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 89	1st time was great but our second was disappointing Here are some comments from my last review: They were painting the rooms next to us (and replacing the ornate doors and headboards with plain brown headboards and doors) - since we rarely got turn down service (which normally we don't care about) we got aromatherapy from the front desk to cover the paint smell. We were a little disappointed with the lack of service this trip. There were so many outside events (i.e. weddings and private parties) while we were there, five weddings in one day, all sucking away waitstaff !! We had several “not 5-star” incidents while we were there. Daily at the pool, the sun care advisor gave a commercial over the microphone to sell her suntan lotion. One day the resort had a special event for travel agents, wedding planners and other outsiders to tour the resort. They set up lots of tables on the grass with music, dinner and a show. The hotel guests were stepchildren in that the waitstaff were used for this outside event to the detriment of the existing guests at the restaurants. The animation team said the show started at 7 p.m. but we found out tours started at that time and the show wouldn’t be till much later. Also, the show was held in front of the fountain, with spotlights pointed towards the hotel, so the only ones who could actually see the show were the seated outsiders. I loved the location in town, the a la carte restaurants, the 24 hour cafe. This was my favorite resort but after that trip, we haven't been back. Like the little girl with the curls, when the service was good, it was very, very good, but when it was bad, it was non-existent.

09-20-2011	#2 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 22,454	If you read the trip reports about the Royal, you'll find that most everyone likes it.

09-21-2011	#3 (permalink)
Fishin Nut way into it Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 110	My wife and I went there for the first time last Feb.... we liked it so much that we booked the same trip again this year and we usually don't go to the same place year after year.

09-21-2011	#4 (permalink)
rodneyccar way into it Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 112	We have stayed there twice also. The first time was just a little after they opened and it ROCKED. The second time was five years later and it ROCKED. I do have to say that it might have slipped just a little, but to put it very simple, It is still 5 star and it ..............wait for it.................not yet.............here it comes.............almost there.................yup, ROCKED. Book, go, have fun, enjoy, return home, and tell us how it was for you.

09-21-2011	#5 (permalink)
tdiaz way into it Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Joseph, Missouri Posts: 242	The Royal PDC is an exceptional resort, with great service, the very best thing is how close it is to Playa, you can still have the AI experience and be right in the middle of things! In my opinion, two minor issues, the lay out was a little confusing to me, but as my hubby says, I am directionally challenged anyway, so it may not be an issue for you. The beach in front of the Royal is most likely the worst in the area, but you are within walking distance of lovely areas both north and south. Have a wonderful stay at the Royal!

09-21-2011	#7 (permalink)
Neil G life=playa Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Saskatoon, SK Posts: 811	You have to be cautious of the really bad reviews on Trip Advisor. Some of them may be planted by competing resorts, others are from people who are just never happy no matter what. We had a lovely time at the Royal, no complaints.

09-21-2011	#8 (permalink)
cdd into ruins Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 60	We will be returning in Feb 2012 again for the fifth time. As you can see we have been to other resorts (AI) but the Royal is the best. As someone else stated that it has gone down a little from the first time they were there, we also noticed that, but I still place it at the top. When I read some of the Trip Advisor reports, it sounds like there staying somewhere else. You will love it Just go and relax.

09-21-2011	#9 (permalink)
SharonD life=playa Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 699	Been there 7 times and going back next year! We didnt see where things have slipped a little bit as others have stated. We just got back on 9/3 and had a great time. I will agree that the beach is not the best but that does not seem to discourage anyone. If you're looking for miles of wide sandy beach with palm trees and few people...The Royal isn't what you're looking for. We love the resort, the location is great, the food is wonderful and the employees are amazing!

09-21-2011	#10 (permalink)
fast1200gp lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ny Posts: 13	thanks ,i kinda felt the same way about trip advisor ,,,,other hotels or just people that just arent ever happy....it better be good...i booked the presidential suite,,,i heard the beach isnt great,,but im not into the beach that much rather be by the pool.i live by the beach,,,thanks everyone for the replies

09-22-2011	#11 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,475	I do think that things have slipped a bit in recent years but, that doesn't mean it's a bad resort. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, based on previous stays at other resorts, previous stays at this resort, and just their own personal take on it. Sometimes it is whiners who are never happy, other times there are legitimate complaints. If you have an open attitude and go with the intent to enjoy yourself (especially in the presidential suite!) even if there ate a few things that aren't perfect, you should be fine.

09-25-2011	#12 (permalink)
arlee36 way into it Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 131	We were at the Royal last March/11 - our first time at any AI. We liked the hotel - found it very clean, the staff was very polite and friendly. The only problem we had was our room (352) - directly below the hot tub - once 3:30-4 p.m. rolled around - it was very noisy - so noisy that you heard everything through the closed door! One thing I can say it that I've never seen people drink so much liquor - starting at exactly 10 a.m when the bars opened! As someone else mentioned, the beach could use some cleaning up, and the main buffet didn't have air conditioning.

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10-05-2011	#13 (permalink)
Lefty way into it Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montgomery, Tx Posts: 176	We are returning for our 7th visit. The Royal is the finest resort in the Playa area, bar none. The food and drink is superb. The rooms are all 5-star, and the service is great. You can't beat the location. Enjoy your stay. Be good, David

10-12-2011	#14 (permalink)
Lemarier ruined Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 98	We were there this past April - thought it was okay but definitely not 5*. The location was the best thing about it - walking distance to all the best places in Playa. We found the food "average", service very good, the beach was not good and the pool area was loud and over crowded. I will say that we are normally at Secrets resorts so our expectations were probably too high.

10-14-2011	#15 (permalink)
arlee36 way into it Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 131	I've heard that Secrets resorts are very beautiful. Since this was our first time at any all inclusive, we had nothing to compare it to.