I just came back from Riu Palace Las Americas. Stayed for a week with my wife and two kids(8yrs and 6mths). The four of us had a great time. We have no complains, loved the service, all the staff were very friendly and helpful (the entertainment staff are the best), the food was very good. The room was very comfortable and clean. We had an unforgettable week and would love to go back....

We stayed the week of July 29-Aug. 5 at The Riu Palace. This was our fifth vacation in the Cancun area and thirteenth in Mexico, but our first stay at a Riu resort. The Palace is a very attractive and clean property, with spacious rooms, wide hallways, two pools, a friendly, attentive staff, and excellent food. We spent the entire week in the resort, on the beach (small but adequate) and in the sun (hot!). All but two of our meals were in the buffet restaurant, and we thought the variety of food offered was exceptional. With so much to choose from, only the pickiest of eaters would be bored. One dinner we ate in the Brazilian restaurant (good) and one in the steak restaurant (fair). Everywhere we ate the service was very good. No problems with our bed. In the bathroom the tub was curved at the bottom on both sides, and this made standing to take a shower a bit tricky at first, and the water tended to vary between hot and cold, but these were minimal aggravations. Otherwise it was a most enjoyable week. I would recommend it to everyone regardless of age.

The good: pool(s) and food is fabulous. Bars and lobby are breathtaking. Another Riu is next door and you can go there but they cannot go to yours. You will likely go there as their beach is MUCH better than the Riu palace las americas. The rooms are slightly above average, and there was NO smell as reported on some other reviews. Location is very good, close to everything.
The bad: The beach! There is literally about 20 ft. of sand then you have to climb over sand bags to access a slightly rocky section of beach. In order to get to the Riu next door, you have to cross another set of sand bags where the beach was. When outside anywhere, your drinks are given to you in appx. 6-8oz. juice glass!! you know, the cheesy juice glass at ponderosa!! The only beer you can get that isnt in your mini bar are corona and modelo(dark), and these are DRAFT! mixed drinks are watered down at best. We finished off a bottle of Absolut Vodka. The bartender returned with a "new" bottle that wasnt sealed, but full. The beds are indeed hard as a rock!! ask that the mattress pads (I had 3) be installed upon checkin.
Bottom line, if your looking for a slightly above average all-inclusive, this is the place. no let-downs, no wows either....

Beautiful place, but it had major service issues. To start with, I booked the hotel through the online number and was promised a room on the ground floor and was told that the hotel had a Kids Club. When I arrived, I was told there were no rooms on the first floor and that the Kids club was at the neighboring property. The had activities for kids by the pool, but not an actual club.

I was given a room on the 4th floor and went with the Bellman to drop bags off. When I entered the room, I noticed that the safe needed a special key. The Bellman first told me that I had to go back to the front desk to get the key (wish they would have told me that when I checked in). I gave the Bellman a $5 tip and he said he would get me a key. I never saw him again. 20 mins later - I called the front desk and they promised to send up a key. Nothing for 15 minutes, so I went down and picked up a key.

I asked the front desk about the specialty restaurants and was told that I had to book a place by Noon and that I had arrived in the late afternoon - so I was limited to the buffet or room service (with a very limited menu).

The next day, I show up at noon and they have the most bizarre system for reservations for dinner. People have to line up outside in 95 degree weather while a lady looks at an appointment book, hands out menus to people to peruse, and then hands out tickets. This is for a place that is charging almost $400 a night. The line was 20 people deep and I had an appointment at 12:30 for a Jungle tour. So I missed the first day.

That night, I walked by the Japanese restaurant and noticed that there were about 20 tables open. The host refused to let us in, saying they were fully booked.

The next night we managed to get into the "Steak house," which was nothing more than the outdoor patio for the buffet. The Steak house only had seating for 20 or so. All the restaurants seemed to have very limited seating and it appears that the hotel intentionally makes it difficult to get in so that most people will be funnelled into the buffet.

I previously stayed at the Paradisus and rate that hotel much much higher than the Riu Palace.

I would not stay at this hotel again.