Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

1 word AMAZING!
The service is absolutely the BEST! The people go above and beyond to satisfy you. They are there getting you drinks, towels, cleaning the resort and your rooms all the time...Our iron leaked, and within 15 minutes we had a brand new one....one night our table was wobbly and the waiter took a cork to make it level.....Without us having to ask!

We arrived at the hotel by 11:30am , and we had no problem with getting our room instantly, and in the pool by 12!
(In the airport there are people soliciting for timeshares....just keep walking, they take no thank you pretty easily.)

The Riu had 2 infinity pools, one with a swim up bar! So pretty to sit and and look at the beach!

We often woke up around 7am just to put some personal items on the chairs of our choice. We found our favorite spot, but there really are plenty of chairs to go around. It is rude IMO to have people reserve chairs, and then not be seen for MANY MANY hours, but we heard from others that happens at many resorts.

Message edited 4/11/2007 11:52:58 AM.

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

Breakfast and lunch are buffets, and you can eat healthy or un-healthy. I am a pretty picky eatter and I had no problem finding things I liked. They have 5 theme restaurants, our favorite restaurant was Tio Pepe, a spanish, tapas style. From start to finish it was very nice, good sangria and beautifuly decorated. You have to make reservations, so do that as soon as you arrive, they book FAST!

Rodolfo, at the Bar Porche, La Terraza makes the BEST drinks in the entire resort......Chocolate Monkey & Mango Mojitos were my Favorites! But the traditional Mojito was the best we've ever had too!

The bars do not water their drinks down and if you want to have them a little stronger, they are more than happy to top off your drinks with a little extra Cuervo or Bacardi

EXCURSIONS....
--Royal Dolphin Swin, through Dolphin Discovery and it was well worth it!
--Puerto Morelos snorkeling, they bring you to 2 locations and you finish with awesome fajitas & drinks!
We bought our own snorkeling gear, so we used it around the resort and saw some pretty big fish, right there by shore too.

Message edited 4/12/2007 6:34:02 PM.

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

If in Mexico and you want fresh seafood, you must go to Lorenzillo's The scallops appetizer is amazing! MY DH had Filet Mignon stuffed with shrimp and lobster and I had fresh lobster and shrimp. Being from LI, I can be picky with quality and it was super fresh fish, the lobsters are brought out right there!

Spring Breakers....NOT A PROBLEM avoiding them! We had no desire to go to the commercial Senior Frogs or other clubs with a $20+ cover and drinks are about $10 each, since we can get that here in NY. So we did not run into any bad drunks. When we went into town to eat or shop, again we had no problem, but that might have been because it was earlier in the evening. So if you are in Cancun, you can avoid the youngsters.

Theft.....We had no problems at all, but while in the elevator, a woman told us her kids room was ransacked and took their camera and IPOD, so be careful where ever you travel. We wore our rings and no problems, but we never took them off. My DH held the rings and cash in his swimshorts pocket while swimming, rather than leaving it in the room, just to be safe.

Message edited 4/11/2007 11:55:27 AM.

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

TIPPING.....Remember, while it is all-inclusive resort, tips are not included. You will see these people work extremely hard, so why not thank them with a few dollars for service, well done! Often they make about $25 a day! So it's sad to see people who do not feel that "have to" tip, (a guest actually said that to my DH.)

We met many nice people there from all over the US! We definitely would go back!

If you want further details about anything, please FM, I'm happy to offer any help in enjoying your trip!!!!
Some of our Mexico Photos

Message edited 4/11/2007 11:51:45 AM.

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

Where exactly in Mexico did you go?


My friend just came back from the Riu Jalisco in Puerto Vallarta n she said the hotel was horrible

I started reading reviews on the hotel I wanna go to (Riu Riviera Maya), and theres some bad ones NOW i'm not sure if i wanna go there.....

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

Riu Palace Las Americas, Cancun (the Riu Cancun is right next to us)

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

yes you can visit the others, I think you can't eat dinner though. We peaked at the Cancun one, but did not stay long. I think Riviera Maya is like a 30 minute drive?

ETA: I am intersted in seeing the RM area, so if you go, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Message edited 4/11/2007 12:23:59 PM.

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

So glad you had a good time! I went to the Lorenzillo's in Cabo San Lucas and it was great too!!!

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

I am sooooooooooooooooooo happy for you that you had a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

Re: Back From Mexico...Riu Palace Las Americas LONG Review!

looks like a great time