Pros

  • Set in meticulous grounds in upmarket Playacar area
  • Direct access to gorgeous beach and Caribbean sea
  • Four swimming pools including one for adults only with swim-up bar
  • Kids' club, playground, and children's swimming pool
  • Rooms have liquor dispensers and jetted tubs
  • Six different restaurants and seven bars
  • Access to five other Riu resorts in Playacar area
  • Small spa with steam bath, sauna, and gym
  • Range of water sports including free scuba introduction
  • Impressive 24-hour all-inclusive plan
  • Live entertainment and nightly shows
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the resort
See More Pros

Cons

  • Some rooms can get musty
  • Some balcony views are of walls
  • Open-plan bathrooms won't suit everyone
  • Seaweed at the beach (typical for area)
  • Away from downtown Playa del Carmen
  • Guests must wear wristbands
See More Cons

Bottom Line

Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is an all-inclusive, upscale, 434-room resort set along the beach in Playa del Carmen’s upmarket Playacar area. A 2012 renovation brought most of the interiors up to date with plenty of glitzy touches while the hotel's ground are some of the most pristine you'll see. Facilities are excellent, including ample eating and drinking options, plenty of pools and sports, and daily entertainment, while kids are also well-catered for. Rooms aren't perfect -- some are prone to damp and others have poor views -- though jetted tubs and liquor dispensers as standard are high points. All in all, it's a strong contender in a crowded market, drawing families and couples who prefer relaxing over partying. This is the nicest Riu in the area; The Riu Palace Riviera Maya All Inclusive (within walking distance) has the same amenities but more traditional decor.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Riu Palace Mexico

Scene

All-inclusive chain hotel resort with glitzy makeover set in pristine grounds

With much-needed renovations completed in 2012, the Hotel Riu Palace Mexico reopened with most of its tired colonial decor swept away in favor of 21st-century glitz. Stepping into the lobby, it's hard not to be stuck by the disco-chic style that brings together plush purple velvet with shimmering mosaic, intricate wrought ironwork, and extravagant chandeliers. There are still some of the hotel's original details in evidence, such as polished granite flooring, lofty wood paneling, and even a small Catholic chapel, and they sometimes sit a little awkwardly alongside newer elements. The property however is set in impeccably tended grounds, with gleaming white-washed buildings topped with terra-cotta tiles flanking manicured lawns and framing pretty fountains. Footpaths lined with colorful flowers and palm trees connect sun terraces and swimming pools and run down to the white powder sands and impossibly turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean. 

This all-inclusive resort is mostly popular with North American and British vacationers, from families and couples to groups of friends. Unruly spring breakers are not tolerated (room parties are not allowed and during spring break season, at least one guest must be 21 or over; the rest of the year guests only need to be 18). Though kids are catered to here, couples are a bit more common than families. It's one of the two Palace-level Riu resorts in the Playacar area (the other being the more traditionally decorated The Riu Palace Riviera Maya All Inclusive); the Palace properties have access to the amenities at the four Classic-level Riu resorts in the vicinity: the Riu Yucatan, Riu Playacar, Riu Tequila, and Riu Lupita

See More Scene

Location

Upmarket Playacar neighborhood an hour's drive from Cancun

Riu Palace Mexico is located in the exclusive Playacar resort area in a complex shared with five other hotels from the Riu chain. The hotel has direct access to a beach overlooking the Mexican Caribbean sea and is situated about 15 minutes' drive from downtown Playa del Carmen offering plenty in the way of restaurants, bars, and retail outlets, as well as a regular ferry service to Cozumel island. There are also abundant tourist attractions to be had such as day trips to Xel-Ha and Xcaret parks, and the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza. The mega-resort of Cancun with its legendary nightlife and international airport is also about an hour away.

See More Location

Rooms

Fresh modern styling with furnished terraces, jetted tubs, and liquor dispensers

Also having benefitted from the 2012 renovation, all 434 rooms are decorated in fresh, modern styling with crisp white walls and splashes of pinks and purples. As well as small lounges separated by a glass half-wall, rooms also have sliding doors that open to furnished terraces that mostly overlook the garden complex (some just have views of neighboring buildings). Standard amenities are impressive and include satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, and even hydro-massage jetted bathtubs -- though not everyone will enjoy the open-plan bathing set-up. (As the most upscale of the six Rius, this resort tends to draw more couples.) Refreshments also include well-stocked minibars, coffee machines, and liquor dispensers with four export-quality spirits (such as Bacardi and Jose Cuervo, all included in the plan). As is common among hotels in the area, rooms can feel a little damp or musty. 

See More Rooms

Features

Excellent range of dining, drinking, and leisure facilities

The property has all the facilities you'd expect from a large all-inclusive resort, including four swimming pools (one adult-only with a swim-up bar), and a spa with gym, jetted tubs, and steam room. There are also six restaurants; a la carte options include fusion cuisine at Krystal, Japanese, Italian, a steakhouse, and of course, Mexican. The quality of food is high for an all-inclusive, and the buffet has impressive variety, live cooking stations, and theme nights (including one where lobster is offered). There are seven different bars scattered throughout the hotel; the cappuccino bar serving pastries and ice cream is popular, and there is no equivalent at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. There's a 24-hour lounge so guests can drink and snack at all hours, and 24-hour room service is also offered. 

Children four to 12 are well catered for with the RiuLand kids' club, an outdoor playground, and a kiddy pool. There is an impressive range of water sports -- including a free introductory scuba class -- as well as two floodlit tennis courts and beach volleyball. Daily entertainment is also put on for adults and children, including live music and shows in the evening; it's a hit with most guests. There's also a discotheque at Riu Tequila

The beach has beautiful white sand and the hotel makes an effort to clear the seaweed that accumulates along the shore (typical for the area), but it will still be present along the shore and in the shallow water near the sand. There are lots of lounge chairs and palm trees help provide shade (there are no umbrellas). A massage hut is located here, and there are regular beach barbecues. Drink service is available both at the beach and the four pools.

Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout. 

See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Impressive around-the-clock plan including room service and tips

The hotel has a 24-hour all-inclusive plan that covers meals, snacks, and drinks, though the a la carte restaurant options require advance reservations. Guests are required to wear wristbands. In-room minibars and liquor dispensers are restocked regularly and room service is available at all hours. Tax and tips are also included, though tips are still appreciated. Guests can access all of the amenities at the five other Rius in the complex, though guests at the four Classic-level Riu properties in the complex cannot access the Palace-level resorts. 

See More All-Inclusive / Food

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Things You Should Know About Hotel Riu Palace Mexico

Also Known As

  • Riu Palace Mexico All Inclusive

Room Types

  • Courtyard View Junior Suite
  • Jacuzzi Suite
  • Junior Suite
  • Suite

Address

Avenida Xaman-Ha, Manzana 3, Lote 4, Condominio Playacar, Playa del Carmen 77710, Mexico

Phone

52 (984) 877-2280

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Riu Palace Mexico

Scene

All-inclusive chain hotel resort with glitzy makeover set in pristine grounds

With much-needed renovations completed in 2012, the Hotel Riu Palace Mexico reopened with most of its tired colonial decor swept away in favor of 21st-century glitz. Stepping into the lobby, it's hard not to be stuck by the disco-chic style that brings together plush purple velvet with shimmering mosaic, intricate wrought ironwork, and extravagant chandeliers. There are still some of the hotel's original details in evidence, such as polished granite flooring, lofty wood paneling, and even a small Catholic chapel, and they sometimes sit a little awkwardly alongside newer elements. The property however is set in impeccably tended grounds, with gleaming white-washed buildings topped with terra-cotta tiles flanking manicured lawns and framing pretty fountains. Footpaths lined with colorful flowers and palm trees connect sun terraces and swimming pools and run down to the white powder sands and impossibly turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean. 

This all-inclusive resort is mostly popular with North American and British vacationers, from families and couples to groups of friends. Unruly spring breakers are not tolerated (room parties are not allowed and during spring break season, at least one guest must be 21 or over; the rest of the year guests only need to be 18). Though kids are catered to here, couples are a bit more common than families. It's one of the two Palace-level Riu resorts in the Playacar area (the other being the more traditionally decorated The Riu Palace Riviera Maya All Inclusive); the Palace properties have access to the amenities at the four Classic-level Riu resorts in the vicinity: the Riu Yucatan, Riu Playacar, Riu Tequila, and Riu Lupita

See More Scene

Location

Upmarket Playacar neighborhood an hour's drive from Cancun

Riu Palace Mexico is located in the exclusive Playacar resort area in a complex shared with five other hotels from the Riu chain. The hotel has direct access to a beach overlooking the Mexican Caribbean sea and is situated about 15 minutes' drive from downtown Playa del Carmen offering plenty in the way of restaurants, bars, and retail outlets, as well as a regular ferry service to Cozumel island. There are also abundant tourist attractions to be had such as day trips to Xel-Ha and Xcaret parks, and the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza. The mega-resort of Cancun with its legendary nightlife and international airport is also about an hour away.

See More Location

Rooms

Fresh modern styling with furnished terraces, jetted tubs, and liquor dispensers

Also having benefitted from the 2012 renovation, all 434 rooms are decorated in fresh, modern styling with crisp white walls and splashes of pinks and purples. As well as small lounges separated by a glass half-wall, rooms also have sliding doors that open to furnished terraces that mostly overlook the garden complex (some just have views of neighboring buildings). Standard amenities are impressive and include satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, and even hydro-massage jetted bathtubs -- though not everyone will enjoy the open-plan bathing set-up. (As the most upscale of the six Rius, this resort tends to draw more couples.) Refreshments also include well-stocked minibars, coffee machines, and liquor dispensers with four export-quality spirits (such as Bacardi and Jose Cuervo, all included in the plan). As is common among hotels in the area, rooms can feel a little damp or musty. 

See More Rooms

Features

Excellent range of dining, drinking, and leisure facilities

The property has all the facilities you'd expect from a large all-inclusive resort, including four swimming pools (one adult-only with a swim-up bar), and a spa with gym, jetted tubs, and steam room. There are also six restaurants; a la carte options include fusion cuisine at Krystal, Japanese, Italian, a steakhouse, and of course, Mexican. The quality of food is high for an all-inclusive, and the buffet has impressive variety, live cooking stations, and theme nights (including one where lobster is offered). There are seven different bars scattered throughout the hotel; the cappuccino bar serving pastries and ice cream is popular, and there is no equivalent at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. There's a 24-hour lounge so guests can drink and snack at all hours, and 24-hour room service is also offered. 

Children four to 12 are well catered for with the RiuLand kids' club, an outdoor playground, and a kiddy pool. There is an impressive range of water sports -- including a free introductory scuba class -- as well as two floodlit tennis courts and beach volleyball. Daily entertainment is also put on for adults and children, including live music and shows in the evening; it's a hit with most guests. There's also a discotheque at Riu Tequila

The beach has beautiful white sand and the hotel makes an effort to clear the seaweed that accumulates along the shore (typical for the area), but it will still be present along the shore and in the shallow water near the sand. There are lots of lounge chairs and palm trees help provide shade (there are no umbrellas). A massage hut is located here, and there are regular beach barbecues. Drink service is available both at the beach and the four pools.

Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout. 

See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Impressive around-the-clock plan including room service and tips

The hotel has a 24-hour all-inclusive plan that covers meals, snacks, and drinks, though the a la carte restaurant options require advance reservations. Guests are required to wear wristbands. In-room minibars and liquor dispensers are restocked regularly and room service is available at all hours. Tax and tips are also included, though tips are still appreciated. Guests can access all of the amenities at the five other Rius in the complex, though guests at the four Classic-level Riu properties in the complex cannot access the Palace-level resorts. 

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Golf Course

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.