Riu Palace Peninsula

This was our first trip to Mexico, it will not be our last.we were meant to be going to Sorrento with Thomas Cook. We only booked Mexico on Monday 23rd September and flew Saturday 28th. For 11 days .We flew from Gatwick, we upgraded to Premium club, which was worth every single penny. It’s a long flight 10.5 hours. The airport, was ok, they are checking a lot of people for extra booze/fags, the fines are high if you get caught. The hotel transfer was 25 minutes, and smooth. We got to the hotel, check in was quick,we got upgraded to the 9th floor, 908 with a jacuzzi on the balcony. We are Riu gold card members,so the benefits of getting the card paid off.we also got a welcome gift in the room. From the moment we walked in, we have been so looked after, all the staff are sweet,friendly and helpful. Our maid has done a fantastic job, the room has always been cleaned by 10.30. The beach is good, including the man , who comes round and asks if you would like a drink, delivered to your sun bed, this is so welcomed, in the heat. This happens everyday,and is every half an hour. (His name was Cruz) lovely man. The food is lush, fresh lobster, crab, and many many other fine dishes, there’s something for everyone.the staff are wonderful, we tended to sit in the same area for dinner in the main restaurant, so we had the same waiters,luis, and reminded,have done an amazing job of looking after us, even having our wine in ice buckets every night, glasses, were never empty, the plates were cleared quickly. Breakfast, theres everything you will need,and more. There is a young lady about 25 ,who shows to your table at lunch and dinner, she stands outside the restaurant, she is so welcoming, always a hello, enjoy your meal, and always a good bye when leaving. Really friendly staff. Being British tipping, it’s something we don’t do much apart from when we go out for dinner, but here we tip the the waiters, maid, drink beach man.i really feel that they deserve a little appreciation . On the beach, beach sellers come along, if you say no Thankyou, they just move on, there is no rudeness at all. We had a massage on the beach, $50 which was ok, but today we are having one in the hotel. We did a trip out to visit Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil and Coba Ruins with viator, which was £78 each, got picked up at 6am , and got back at 8.30 at night. Bit too long a day but we did do both ruins in one day. We have had the most perfect holiday, and we will be back, hopefully in February. Thankyou Riu Palace Peninsula for looking after us.

It was overall not bad, but not great either. We stayed in the adults only section, not sure it was worth the extra $, not a lot of kids around, but the adults only pool was nice. Good- The grounds were well kept, hotel was clean for the most part. Room was cleaned every day with no issue Restaurants were clean and service was quick The buffet was good if you like choice The drinks were good, bar and pool service was reasonable Beach was beautiful Entertainment team and night entertainment were good. Over all most of the staff worked really hard to make guest comfortable. Not so good- The smoking was ridiculous! It was everywhere! And so gross! There is a little cafe for coffee and such, but it’s not open 24/7, but the sports bar is? The restaurants won’t deviate from the menu, at all! Not a ton of socializing between guests, that was odd. The hotel doesn’t do much to educate guests on anything happening on or off the resort, tours, bus lines, nearby beaches that are a must see, or the water taxi to the island- that is pretty much next to this resort Very little security- it’s not that this place was not safe, it was and we didn’t feel unsafe at anytime, but they don’t check people coming in off the beach or street, that was just a little odd. Not sure if we will try another Riu, but we absolutely won’t return to this one.