We got back from Riu Palace on July 14, 2008. My husband and I joined his sister and brother-in-law to celebrate our anniversaries, since we both got married in July. They had previously stayed at Riu Palace and told us how nice it was. They were correct. The food was wonderful, the hotel clean, and the staff was extremely accomodating. The staff worked from morning to night, including the staff who cleaned the pool really early in the morning. On one occassion, our room was made up twice. We were treated to a huge heart on our bed with flowers and petals. Another day, we found a swan in our room. My sister-in-law's room had kissing swans one day. I believe she told them in advance we were both celebrating our anniversaries. Because we were traveling with a veteran, we made our reservations to the specialty restaurants the first day. We were still unable to get the Japanese restaurant. We did get the Brazilian restaurant as well as the Steakhouse. My husband nor I could eat everything. We were stuffed. On one occassion, we fell asleep in the late afternoon and missed our reservations. By the time we woke up, the buffet had closed as well. Remembering that they had 24 hour room service, we were able to get something sent up at 2 am.
We wanted to do as much as possible while in Cancun and we found the hotel very helpful in setting up our excursions. On our final day, we decided not to leave the hotel, but to just enjoy what was there. We were very pleased to discover the spa, which offered a variety of services. We were also pleased to just relax at the activity pool. I enjoyed watching the organzied activities like the vollyball game and the group dance lessons. We did catch the evening show that night. It was a pleasant diversion before we went to some of the clubs/bars within walking distance of the hotel. Did I mention the bar? Quite possibly one of the highlights of our stay. It was fun to try as many exotic drinks as possible. I still believe we didn't try them all, although we did try hard. Even though we had a mini bar with at least four bottles of alcohol (tequila, brandy, rum and one other), we didn't really use them because we had had our fill at the bars downstairs. We brought about $150 in ones with us to tip. The service was so wonderful that we ran out of ones by the 4th day and had to find an atm so we could continue tipping for the execellent service we were receiving. Not only would I recommend this place to others, we are planning a family trip next year and we will be bringing our parents, children and other family members.

We just got back from Cancun Friday Aug 1 after staying at the Riu Palace and it was amazing. There were 11 family members in our group. We didn't want to come home we were treated so well. Everything was so clean and the people there were so helpful and very friendly. We have stayed at an all inclusive before in Jamaica but that didn't even compare. I had read other reviews about the hard beds so we got a mattress pad the first night and it was fine. Be careful of the water in the bathrooms of your room...non potable. Two members of our group did get sick but I don't know the cause because they told us the water they used for cooking and drinking was filtered and the rest of us were fine. Our food was great. It is hard to get into the restaurants because you do need to make reservations so do it the first day you arrive for every day of your stay. If not you probably won't get a reservation but if you stand outside the restaurant during serving times they always have openings from those who don't show up and you could get in. We had very clean rooms and they were very nice with beautiful views. I would definitely recommend this place to friends.

We loved the Riu Palace...it was our first time staying there plus our first time in Cancun. No problems checking in, the room was great and clean. Service was outstanding...you never had an empty drink!

Food was better than I expected - the buffett was better than any all inclusive buffett I have been to in the Bahamas or Jamaica. It was hard to book the restaurants...we had to wait in line for about a half hour one day (its right by the bar outside, just get a drink...or two!) and we were only able to get into the Brazilian restaurant and the steakhouse. The steakhouse was good and I would do it again...the Brazilian was just OK.

The pool was great and service out there was great (the large pool with swim up bar) we never got in the large main pool outside the main lobby. Beach was very rocky (but sooo beautiful!) I would just take some sort of beach/water shoes and it would be just fine. We couldn't resist going in the water but it did scratch up your feet some. And maybe I am just a wimp.....

Things I will comment on that I read in reviews before I went: The smell - I didnt smell anything. I am going to guess that it is the same smell I have smelled in both the Bahamas and Jamaica - it is just because it is so humid and its just a mildew-y smell. I smelled it in hallways only (not rooms) and it didnt bother me on those trips anyway. I can think of a lot more to complain about. Look outside, you are in CANCUN!!

Beds - yes they were hard but didnt bother us. It is two full size beds put together if you get a king room. So sometimes you were sleeping on the crack and the bed would slide a little bit. No injuries to report.

Check out Rodolfo the bartender at the outside bar - he was there from 6pm-midnight. He was GREAT and was our favorite! He would see us coming and begin mixing and serving all of our drinks (4 of us). All in all, the service was the best I have ever had, the room was very nice and the overall experience was great for mine and my husband's first time to Cancun. The Riu Palace is the place I will definitely go back to when I go back to Cancun!!!!

Just got back July 31, 2008 This was my 15th AI and my 9th in the Cancun area. My 2nd Riu. This was by far the best AI I have stayed at. As many other reviewers have stated the staff are over the top friendly and accomodating. The food was the best of any other AI. We checked in, went to reservtions and booked our restaurants for the next four nights. Each restaurant was fantastic. There is even an alternative at lunch time to the buffet and that is the Itialian restaurant. The buffet is also very good. Ok, enough about food although that and drinks are why we all go to the AI's. Drinks and bars are plentiful. Room service was good. Cleaning is continous. Even though they were booked to capasity while we were there, service never faltered. Our room was cleaned twice a day. The lobby and pool and beach area were being cleaned all day long. No big deal on towel cards, they gave you towel if you had a card or not. The beach and ocean there on site are great for swimming. Not too rough and mostly smooth sand bottom. Suggestion: There is a spa on the property with massage service. The price is around $100 US for a 50 minute massage. Directly across from the hotel is a massage parlor we went to and got a great massage for $49US for 50 minutes. Warning. We booked the jungle tour on a windy day, they give you a boat, showed you the throttle, then set you out on the ocean with instructions to drive very fast. We were airbourne more often than not. It would just about shake your innards out. I thought perhaps we might die! We booked this at Blue Ray and the only way to get back into the boat after attempting to snorkle in such choppy waters was to be hauled in over the bow like a big marlin. In the future, I will make sure the snorkel tour boat has a latter. All in all, good vacation.