Riu Santa Fe

Sorry for the length but want you to be prepared for this place. I will give positive and negative reviews, however the negatives out weight the positives.. Ok 1st off this resort requires a ton of walking. So if you are not up for at least 5-6 miles a day minimum this is not the place for you. The resort is set up like an apartment complex and is far stretched. Arrival lacked of a sincere welcoming. With as many resorts as I have been to this was by far the worst place ever for that. 1st time I could not wait to get home. The resort is surrounded by complete squalor. The service over all, for the exception of maybe 3-4 people, was horrible. They did not care. We always take about $150 for tip money and run out. We came home with over half. We had 2 rooms one with a garden view and one with an ocean view. The ocean view 1st room was covered in ants, all over the mini bar and all over the bathroom. Did not even try to look at the rest, also paid for an ocean view and did not have one. Then a 10 min walk to the front to get a different room. Moved same day to 2nd room & the AC did not work, but was too tired to go up to the front again, still no ocean view. We are talking a difference of over $400 for the ocean view verses the garden view. Garden view room was fine no issues. Next day went up to the front to complain AGAIN about ocean view room, paid for and ocean view, did not get one twice and the new room had no AC. Thankfully it was on the cooler side during our visit. The guys was RUDE and stated he could not help us because we booked thru Expedia. We asked for a spa credit for the difference in price and he refused. We then asked for a manager and then the guy all of a sudden could help. Remember this guy for a further complaint. He said he would give us an ocean view but would have to wait until day 3 to move into it. Whatever. Decided I would have to take it up with Expedia. That evening we ate at a restaurant and I left my purse in there. Only important things in it were 2 pair of seeing glasses and a battery pack. Restaurant said they took it to the front desk. The same GUY was there and he said no he did not have it and pretended to look. I explained in detail what the purse looked like down to the zippers and he still said he did not have it. AGAIN keep in mind a 10 min walk from our room to the front. Came back a second time after looking thru both of the rooms we had to see if by chance we just overlooked even thou restaurant said they took it to the front. Went up there 2nd time, same guy, asked again regarding the purse and he again said nope we do not have it. This time did not look. At this point my trip is horrible. 3rd time going to the front he pretended to look again and was acting really funny. Someone else was up there. We asked to speak to someone else and then he had it.. LMAO.. BUT made me describe every single item in the purse before he gave it back to me. We put in over 12 miles that day per my Fitbit walking back and forth. I was sooo tired of walking. Moved into the 3rd room. This was truly an ocean view. Decent view. Bed was so hard could barely even get out of bed when we woke. Again the garden view room was fine. Bathrooms in all rooms, you have to step up over a foot and a half to get in the tub just to step down and then the tub was so slick I fell. I am not sure how I did not kill myself. They do not give any shampoo or conditioner, it is a 3 in one pump on the wall. So bring your own. Restaurants were well below average at best except the taco stand which was on point but only open at night. Over all the resort was also untidy. Stuff floating in the pool and especially early morning-plates, dishes and garbage everywhere. Moving on to the positives. Water parks were a hit. Kids loved them 6,13,16. But again it was a walk to get to even get to them. Ocean was beautiful and the best part of the trip was watching the sting rays, which are in mating season, jumping out of the water like 4ft and splashing belly flop down. And I mean there were a ton. This was something we had never seen before and was awesome to witness such beauty. Entertainment was sub par at best. Dancing was crazy out of sync and outfits were falling off them because of them rushing and my 16 yr old got a thrill from that. Unless you are going for the water park portion or going to seriously party this is not the place. You have to be prepared to walk regardless. I have stayed at many better places for way less money and this place was such an utter let down I regret spending the money we did for this.

My family stayed at this resort for 5 days. It was an interesting time. I have visited several all inclusive resorts in but this was probably my least favorable 1 of all. I'll start with positive qualities of the resort: Beautiful grounds (great photo ops) Relatively friendly staff Several swimming pools & bars Pool parties (we were able to attend the white & pink pool party). Definitely had a blast at both, the DJ was good (played a variety of music). The white party was in the evening while the pink party started at 2:00 which limited our time for excursions due to all of us wanting to attend. Cons: The beds were hard!! My back was KILLING me. Our villa did not have an elevator and we were on the 3rd & 4th floor. Be prepared for ALOT of walking! If you want to be near the party crowd, ask for a room in villa 7, 8, or 9. The beach is beautiful to walk along, but quite a bit of a walk if you are located in Villa 1-4. (FYI, if you plan on getting in the water go to the swimming pool or take a taxi to a calmer area of the beach). Several restaurants offering high QUANTITY but limited QUALITY on food. If I had to select a restaurant to visit, go to the Caruso (Italian) & La Maison (steakhouse). If you're in Villa 1-2 La Tarote (another steak house) is too far of a walk to be an option. 2 of my sisters had bugs throughout their room. As soon as you check in, go ahead & ask for several bottles of water to be delivered to your room. Gym equipment needs to be updated/upgraded/fixed.

We had a great 7 day vacation at Riu Santa Fe. The whole place looks great, especially pool areas. The best part was the people working there- kind, hardworking and welcoming with smile on their faces. Especially the receptionist Francisco who made our stay even better than expected.