Riu Yucatan

Really an excellent location, only 1.5 miles South of downtown Playa del Carmen, on a pristine beach that is several miles long, very wide, with palm trees. The room was quite large, with a very comfortable bed, and a large bathroom. Our balcony was facing trees, which is what I would recommend instead of overlooking another building with a walking path in between. The breakfast buffet was really excellent, very large selection, fresh products, something for every possible taste, and opened until around 11am I believe. Another very large buffet was open from 11:30am to 5;30pm, also with tons of options and tasty food. Several restaurants for dinner, including a buffet, Italian, Asian, Steak house, Mexican. Some required a reservation, and it was never an issue. The SERVICE was a perfect 10! EVERYBODY was very friendly, welcoming, efficient, and professional. I was happy to leave tips all the time. 2 things that could be better: - the 2 pools (not counting the adult only pool) are very well located, right next to the beach, which is very convenient. However, they are not super big, and it could get a bit crowded. - there is a very nice open theater for shows at night; however, they did not start until 9:30/9:45pm, which was too late. Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend this place.

SORRY GUYS BUT IT YOU HAVE STAYED AT A RIU PALACE YOU WONT LIKE THEIR CLUB RESORTS/ WE HAD NO IDEA THERE WOULD BE SUCH A DIFFERENCE. WE HAVE STAYED AT THE RIU PALACE MAYA RIVERA ON THE PLAYACAR PROPERTY FIVE TIMES AND LOVE IT!!! THEY ARE REMODELING NOW AND SO WE HAD TO TRY ANOTHER. NO AC IN LOBBY - DESIGN IS HORRIBLE- SHOCKING AND CHEAP. ROOMS WERE LIKE A PRISON WHITE BRIGHT EVERYTHING WHITE AND THE LIGHTING WAS SO BRIGHT WHITE YOU HAD NOT ANY OPTIONS TO TONE IT DOWN. ALL THROUGH OUT THE PROPERTY AT NIGHT IT WAS VERY SERIOUSLY BRIGHT POST LIGHTS IOR WALL LANTERNS THAT BLINDED YOU IN THE EYES BUT STILL YOU FELT IN THE DARK AND. THESE CHEAP LED LIGHTS DO NOT CAST LIGHT FAR AND THEREFOR BLIND YOU. THE ENTERTAINMENT THE FIRST NIGHT [I COULD BARELY STAND TO STAY THERE AS THE SAME BLIDING LIGHT WAS EVERWHERE AND NEEDED SUN GLASSES] FRIDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT WAS BINGO! BINGO? ANYWAY WE ATE DINNER IN THE REALLY BADLY DESIGNED DINING AREA, HORRIBLY BRIGHT COLORS AND SAME BLINDING LIGHT. WE DID AN INTER HOTEL MOVE THE PALACE MEXICO AND ALTHOUGH THEIR REMODEL WAS NOT GREAT- IT WAS THE HOTEL THAT WE HAD COME TO LOVE FROM THE RIU PALACE MAYA RIVERIA. YES. ITS MORE, BUT ITS FABULOUS COMPARED TO THE YUCATAN. AGAIN IF YOU HAVE NOT STAYED AT A PALACE OR ARENT AN INTERIOR DESIGNER LIKE MYSELF AND YOU DRINK ALOT YOU PROBABLY WONT NOTICE WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME.

Riu Yucatan did not meet our expectations. What bothered us initially was the fact that there were pretty much all areas open, and not air-conditioned. The lobby where people had to hang out in the evening, was impossible to stay. The theater as well was totally open, and so hot in there, where mosquitoes were having a blast. We had to bring a towel from the room to cover up my daughter's legs bcs she gets a bad reaction from them. Not to forget that zika is still around, and we were freaking out the whole time. Talking about theater, shows start at 9:45, which made it even more difficult to attend, especially when you have kids. You spend the day at the pool and beach, getting so exhausted, can't stay that late for the shows. After having eaten dinner, you had nothing to do till it was time for the show, but to stay at the lobby and sweat. Big minus on that. Entertainment was very limited. They would turn on the music by the pool at 10:00 (very low volume) and nothing would happen until 12 for the aerobics, and then again nothing until 3 for the crazy game which only lasted 30 minutes. Food - The buffets were ok, but limited options as well. Same things every day an night, I had to walk around the buffet a few times to find anything to fill my plate. Margarita was open and hot by the pool, where all the black birds would go inside and pick on the vitrines and your plates. That was very disturbing. Italian Restaurant was ok, but not satisfied with the service. The waiters were acting like they hated being there. Didn't try the other restaurants bcs we are not into asian and mexican food. Rooms were very basic, and no privacy. Don't expect any view from the balcony. Being in the middle of the jungle, all you could see were some weird animals with a long face and no tail that were everywhere. You have to walk through the jungle to get from one place to another, and that was not fun bcs it was dark, and also big lizards were everywhere that you could step on, if not paid attention. Beach was ok, there were days that it was calmer and cleaner, but most of the time it was rough and full of seaweeds. Not a pleasant experience overall.

Girls Trip! Daily entertainment. Awesome pool party. Clean, comfortable room. Favorite drink: tequila sunrise!!