Hotel Riu Yucatan

The Hacienda-style Yucatan was completely refurbished in 2013, with the main change found in the lobby, which was dramatically transformed from a run-of-the-mill space to an over-the-top modern aesthetic. Hot pink dominates: it's everywhere from the furniture, to the skylights, to the walls. Abstract silver sculptures and silver orbs, plus thumping music give the space a nightclub vibe. Outdoors, things are more mellow and not as new-looking. Tall palm trees dot the patchy grass and rock walls line paths. Coati and monkeys have a run of the place, though staff encourages guests not to feed them as they've been known to thieve food.Guests are a mix of college-age partiers, couples on their honeymoons, and families with young children. The pools, beaches, and bars can and do get crowded. Past guests have reported heavy drinking and long waits for drinks and food. Wristbands are an annoying requirement for all guests.

Hotel Riu Yucatan has a nice location for those who want to explore with a car (or don't mind taking taxis). It's about two miles from Playa del Carmen and an hour's drive from Cancun International Airport. The hotel is surrounded by neighboring resorts; Riu Tequila is just across the street, though there isn't much within fast walking distance. An airport shuttle can be arranged for an extra charge.

There are 507 air-conditioned guest rooms and suites at Riu Yucatan spaced among separate hacienda-style, two-story blocks throughout the property. Standard Rooms have two beds pushed together to make a king, or separate beds. They might not be the best choice for families: bathrooms don't have doors and there are liquor dispensers affixed to the walls. Decor consists of tile floors, white walls, white painted furniture, and dark blue curtains and bed runners for a pop of color. Housekeeping staff folds towels into animal shapes and keeps things clean. Flat-screen TVs and minibars stocked with free drinks are standard, though there's a charge for sluggish Wi-Fi. Bathrooms each include a vanity with a single sink, walk-in shower, and a private water closet. Hairdryers and soap dispensers are mounted to the walls. Furnished balconies overlook the swimming pools and bars (which can be noisy) or the grounds (which are bland). Some room blocks are located quite a distant from the pools, but they're the quietest.Suites may be worth the increase in cost. These are much more spacious and include larger balconies. The decor is far more attractive, with a large black and white mural behind each bed and an overall calmer earth tone palette. There's a separate living room area with white furniture in each suite. Bathrooms have pocket doors, whirlpool bathtubs, and double sinks.

The outdoor pools are the biggest draw at Riu Yucatan, and they can get crowded. The wraparound main pool is the largest, with blue and yellow tiles on the bottom, and a narrow passageway under a pedestrian bridge makes the whole thing a connected circle. A volleyball net is hung over the water and there are submerged sun loungers. A cement island in the center includes whirlpool tubs and sun loungers under umbrellas. Nearby is the swim-up Cozumel Bar with submerged bar stools and a full bar; it does get crowded and rowdy. The Relax Pool is adults-only but some find it a bit boring in design, since it is just a basic rectangular shape and has no ocean views. Both pools are shallow.For kids, there's a supervised indoor classroom-like space stocked with toys and trained babysitters. Playground equipment is set out in a sand pit and there's a tiny swimming pool with a cute waterslide and plastic mushroom waterfall feature. Older kids will like the flat-screen TVs and XBox gaming console. There's nightly entertainment in the theater that's been described as fun and cheesy.For adults, the spa has private treatment rooms, beauty services, and a sauna. The fitness center is surprisingly modern with Lifefitness cardio machines and brightly lit with large windows. Hand weights, strength-training equipment, and yoga balls are also available.Guests get 90 minutes of free (and excruciatingly slow) Wi-Fi in the lobby; otherwise, there's a daily fee that doesn't really improve the speed. Desktop computers are available for use for a charge. There's an on-site gift shop selling everything from jewelry to sunscreen.

Overall, the bars and restaurants get middling marks for quality and wait time -- past guests have complained about watered down drinks and paying extra for premium brands. La Hacienda is the main restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and has terrace seating. This restaurant offers buffets and theme nights a few nights a week. Reservations are required for Asian dining at Shanghai and Italian food at Sicilia, and both have dress codes (long pants and no sleeveless shirts). La Margarita offers grilled foods and steaks (which receive solid reviews) poolside. You'll find Mexican fare at the Beach Club. Cancun is the name of the bar in the lobby, though it feels like a nightclub with hot pink chairs and loud music. The pavilion bar, Mezcal, and Ibiza, the poolside bar, are more laid back. Don't try to order anything without your wristband.

The beach at Riu Yucatan is one of the highlights of the property. There's a wide stretch of white powdery sand leading into calm and clear blue water. A lifeguard keeps an eye on swimmers and there's a place to sign up for parasailing or rent jet skis. Non-motorized water sports -- such as kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkel gear -- are free. There isn't any drinks service and most guests cram the sun loungers under a palm tree grove to take advantage of the shade, as there aren't any umbrellas. Towels are free and there are outdoor showers for rinsing off. Since the hotel is outside of Cancun, there aren't as many aggressive beach vendors.