Set in upmarket district of Playa del Carmen, the Riu Palace Riviera Maya is an upscale, all-inclusive resort set on a pristine section of beach. The hotel presents a Las Vegas casino glamor and glitz and balances it out perfectly with the hacienda-style architecture and massive gardens.
Located in the Playacar resort area, the complex is shared with five other classy hotels from the Riu chain. Walk along the beach to downtown Playa del Carmen, where plenty of bars, restaurants, and retail shop await. Cancun is an hour or more north and makes for a perfect day trip, as does Xel-Ha and Xcaret parks, the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza.
The 400 rooms at the Riu Palace are traditional hacienda-style with furnished balconies and views of the gardens or courtyard. Guests can choose from Junior Suites, Suites and Whirlpool Bath Suites. Every room is spacious with separate sitting areas and large beds. As guests upgrade, space becomes larger and more luxurious amenities are added. Coffeemakers, liquor dispensers, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and more are included in all stays.
Sparkling turquoise water and the gorgeous white-sand beach is a main draw for guests. A huge ocean-view pool offers over 13,500 square feet of space with a swim-up bar and built-in tables and seats. There are tons of activities throughout the day, including beach sports, pool games, and evening entertainment. There is also a kids’ club, a spacious fitness center along with a relaxing spa with unique treatments are also available for guest use.
Six restaurants, four bars, and 24-hour room service give guests an array of dining options and they can also dine at any Riu resort in the complex.
Basics
Services and conveniences
Bathroom
Pool and spa
Outdoor
Dining
Things to do
General
Family friendly
Media and entertainment
Accessibility and suitability
Bedroom
Laundry
Parking and transportation
Health and safety
Fitness
Filters
Pros. The cleanliness of the hotel and the gardens was impeccable. The service was perfect in all the restaurants and bars. I can't wait to get back.
Cons. Honestly I have nothing to suggest. We loved it from day 1 till the day we left.
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What are the room options at Riu Palace Riviera Maya?
Guests can choose from Junior Suites, Suites, and Whirlpool Bath Suites. Every room is spacious with separate sitting areas and large beds. As guests upgrade, space becomes larger and more luxurious amenities are added.
What dining options are available at the hotel?
The hotel offers six restaurants, four bars, and 24-hour room service, giving guests an array of dining options. Additionally, guests can also dine at any Riu resort in the complex.
What activities are available at the hotel?
There are tons of activities throughout the day, including beach sports, pool games, and evening entertainment. Guests can also enjoy a kids’ club, a spacious fitness center, and a relaxing spa with unique treatments.
What are the main draws for guests at Riu Palace Riviera Maya?
The main draws for guests are the sparkling turquoise water and the gorgeous white-sand beach, as well as the huge ocean-view pool offering over 13,500 square feet of space with a swim-up bar and built-in tables and seats.
What are the best times to visit Riu Palace Riviera Maya?
The high season is in March, offering a perfect time to visit. However, guests should be aware that the low season is in October.
The questions and answers provided in this section are generated by an artificial intelligence model based on a summarization of user hotel reviews and hotel information.See more
They offer insights and recommendations from previous guests and hotel information to help future visitors enhance their stay at the hotel.
Book a Room with a View
Several guests mentioned that the views from the rooms were spectacular. Opting for a room with a balcony facing the ocean or gardens comes highly recommended.
Explore Nearby Attractions
Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to attractions such as Playacar Golf Club, Aviario Xaman Ha, and the vibrant Calle Quinta Avenida in downtown Playa del Carmen.
Consider Room Upgrade for Enhanced Experience
Upgrading to a Suite or Whirlpool Bath Suite not only provides more space but also offers more luxurious amenities, according to guest feedback.
Be Mindful of Dining Times
To avoid long waits for dinner, consider arriving early at the restaurants, as some guests reported wait times for tables and food during peak hours.
Stay Informed About Excursions
Guests advised being cautious when purchasing excursions from vendors on the beach, as they may not be affiliated with the hotel. It's recommended to seek guidance from the hotel staff or verified sources.
Plan for Sun Protection
If you plan to spend time on the beach, be prepared with sun protection, as some guests noted the limited shade from umbrellas and the need to move frequently to avoid direct sun exposure.
Take Advantage of All-Inclusive Benefits
Make the most of the all-inclusive package by exploring the dining options at the hotel's six restaurants, enjoying the beach and pool amenities, and accessing the various entertainment options available.
Be Aware of Noise Levels
Some guests mentioned that the rooms were not well insulated, leading to noise from the corridors. Consider this when selecting a room and bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Stay Vigilant with Personal Belongings
While theft incidents were mentioned in guest reviews, it's advisable to use the provided safety deposit box for valuable items and to keep an eye on personal belongings at all times.
Communicate Preferences Clearly
If you have specific room requirements, such as bedding arrangements, communicate them clearly during booking and upon arrival to ensure your needs are met.
Check-in/Check-out | Check in anytime after 3:00 PM, check out anytime before 11:00 AM |
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Cancellation/prepayment | Cancellation/prepayment policies vary by room type and provider. |
Low season | October |
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High season | December |
Average price (weeknight) | $445 |
Average price (weekend night) | $389 |
Considered to be a premium Riu resort, you will have access to all of the other properties within the Playacar area, including Riu Palace Mexico, Riu Playacar, Riu Tequila and Riu Yucatan. This means you can change up your scenery every day; lounge by new pools, eat at new restaurants and meet new people. Located roughly 2 mi from the heart of Playa del Carmen, the tropical oasis has a relaxed atmosphere that is far removed from the thumping nightlife and club district. This also means that the white sandy beach is maintained at a picturesque standard, plus seaweed is raked up for your convenience.
A wide range of cuisines are available to order including Brazilian, Japanese, Mexican and International Fusion. At Don Manolo you will find a buffet to feast on, with something to please every palate. Don Manolo has live cooking stations to watch, as well as theme nights throughout the week including seafood, gala, Caribbean and Asian.
The resort has a dedicated sports bar that broadcasts live games from all around the globe. Tasty meals such as hot dogs and salads are available as well as a fully stocked bar. To pass the time in between games, there is air hockey and billiards tables.
Daily group fitness classes are run by energetic trainers and include stretching, toning, cardio, yoga and aqua aerobics. You can also have a hit of beach volleyball or ping pong whenever you’d like. Kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and bodyboarding equipment is available for use out in the ocean.
An expansive entertainment program runs throughout the day and night, with the live music at La Piñata club a highlight. Other concerts to see include Mariachi performances, game shows, retro night and tributes to music legends such as Michael Jackson.
A number of private travel companies offer van shuttles from Cancun International Airport. The drive will take around 55min and pre-purchasing your trip can secure a price of roughly 1,220 MXN (approximately 64 USD), with space for up to 7 people.
Sun loungers are exclusively reserved for hotel guests down on the beach. Waiter service is available while you relax on the loungers, a premium service that is not included at standard Riu resorts.
Pick up a new skill during your vacation by trying an introductory scuba diving lesson in the pool. One free session is available to all guests and will prepare you for deep diving in the ocean. There is lots of fun to be had with bocce, darts, rifle shooting and organized water games.(Prices checked 11/07/19).
Riu Palace Riviera Maya is located at Avenida Xaman-ha, Mza 9 And 10, L1 in Playacar, 1.2 miles from the center of Playa del Carmen. Playacar Golf Club is the closest landmark to Riu Palace Riviera Maya.
Check-in time is 3:00 PM and check-out time is 11:00 AM at Riu Palace Riviera Maya.
Yes, Riu Palace Riviera Maya offers free Wi-Fi.
Yes, Riu Palace Riviera Maya offers free parking.
Riu Palace Riviera Maya is 12 miles from Cozumel. Riu Palace Riviera Maya is 32.7 miles from Cancun.
Yes, Riu Palace Riviera Maya has a pool onsite.
KAYAK scours the web for all room deals available at Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen and lets you compare them to find the best rate for your stay. Many different travel sites will offer discounts or deals at different times for rooms at Riu Palace Riviera Maya and KAYAK will provide you with prices from a huge range of travel sites. That means that you can always find a great deal for Riu Palace Riviera Maya.
Value for money | 8.8 |
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Distance to city center | 1.2 mi |
Nearest Airport | Cozumel |
Distance to airport | 12.0 mi |