Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya

The Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya is an all-inclusive beachfront resort set in the gated Playacar community of Playa del Carmen, with a nearly private beach and massive interior gardens adorned by fountain pools, palms trees, and huge open areas of grass. But it’s not the six acres of lush grounds alone that are impressive. Renovated in 2019 to bring a sleek, modern style to rooms and a more opulent, colorful lobby. While rooms have serene furnishings in neutral hues with pops of ocean-inspired blues, the lobby employs a more dramatic look with metallic silver columns and high ceilings featuring stained-glass recesses, crystal chandeliers, and elaborate wrought-iron furniture.
The Riu Palace Riviera Maya is one of the two Palace-level Riu resorts in the Playacar complex, the other being the Riu Palace Mexico; the Palace properties have access to the amenities at the four Classic-level Riu resorts in the vicinity: the Riu Yucatan, Riu Playacar (which benefitted from a 2015 renovation), Riu Tequila, and Riu Lupita. This resort has a more sprawling property footprint and a massive main pool, while the Riviera Palace Mexico is more compact but features more dining and drinking options (though a smaller spa). The Riu Palace Mexico is also closer to the other Riu resorts, so it's a little more convenient for those looking to spend time at sister properties.
While the hotel can be lively, it’s largely geared toward families and low-key couples, plus guests won’t find any spring breakers here: The resort expressly forbids them.

Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya is located in the Playacar resort area in a complex shared with five other hotels from the Riu chain. The hotel is about a five-minute drive from downtown Playa del Carmen (or 25 minutes on foot, either along the road or beach), where there’s plenty in the way of restaurants, bars, and retail outlets, as well as a regular ferry service to Cozumel island. Guests can also take day trips to other Riviera Maya sights such as Xel-Ha and Xcaret parks, and the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza. Cancun is around 90-minute drive north, depending on traffic.

The Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya’s 460 suite-style rooms were renovated over fall and winter 2019, and the old-fashioned hacienda-style decor was replaced with a more clean-lined contemporary style. The design consists of simple wood furniture, wood-laminate flooring, white walls, and pops of gray and either green or blue for a serene, fresh look. The top-level Suites have a bit more character with stylish palm-printed accents in throws and pillows, and chic black-and-white photos on the walls.
Junior Suites are 377 square feet and have the option of one king-size bed or two double beds. Rooms are less of a traditional suite with a separate living area and bathroom than open-plan rooms with a small sofa or sofa bed in a sunken area next to the bed. Standard amenities include turn-down service, regularly restocked minibars with drink dispensers, flat-screen satellite TVs, ceiling fans, central air-conditioning, coffeemakers, in-room safes, irons and ironing boards, and private furnished balconies or terraces. The top-level Suites are almost twice the size at about 710 square feet, with dressers acting as dividers between the super-king bed areas and lounge areas in the open-plan rooms.
Like with the lounge areas, there’s no real divider between bedrooms and bathrooms in any of the room types: Instead, each has a deep soaking tub close to the bed, and a nearby walk-in shower half closed off by a frosted glass panel and a separate water closet with a door. The open-plan bathroom concept may pose some privacy issues, especially for families. Toiletries and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided. Most rooms have views either of the gardens (and neighboring hotels) or the courtyard (the main stretch at the center of the resort, including the fountains and pools; some of these get a glimpse of the ocean). Some rooms at the end of the building nearest the pools and sea do have nice ocean views, but these are in short supply.

Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya’s all-inclusive package is the standard for all guests and it’s average in terms of offerings. The rate includes all meals and snacks, drinks (including imported alcohol and minibar replenishing), and 24-hour room service. Access to the gym, sauna, and two relaxation pools at the spa is covered, as are water sports like windsurfing and kayaking. Evening entertainment both on-site and at Riu Palace’s parties and disco (including cover and drinks) are part of the package, too.

The main buffet serves an American-style breakfast spread in the mornings, while lunch and dinner have live cooking stations offering choices like pizza, pasta, salads, and thrice-weekly in the evenings, themed buffet nights. There are five a la carte restaurants (where a dress code is enforced), but reservations are not needed, so seating is first-come, first-served for dinners. Krystal serves fusion cuisine; Yashima offers Japanese dishes; and Chilis serves fine cuts of meat. Agave is the Mexican restaurant, with a la carte main dishes and buffet starters and deserts, plus there’s an Italian restaurant as well. Lounge 24, which replaced the old sports bar, is rarely full, but the cappuccino and ice cream bar, added during the 2019 renovations, is excellent. Snacks are included and available around the clock, as is room service. Guests can also snack or lunch at any Riu resort in the complex.
There are multiple bars on-site, including Pepe’s Food, a poolside bar and grill with great tacos.  Imported liquor and local spirits are included in the rate.

The Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya’s beach is a definite high point. It is large, with powdery white sand, lots of lounge chairs, and numerous palm trees providing shade (as there are no umbrellas). Though there is sometimes seaweed, it is regularly raked up (we hardly spotted any during our 2020 visit). Sometimes vendors will approach guests, but they're typically not pushy. Waiter service to the loungers is provided (unlike at the Classic-level Riu properties).

There are multiple outdoor swimming pools here, but the largest ocean-view pool is the focal point of the resort with almost 2,400 square feet of space and a swim-up bar with built-in seats. Waiter service is provided to guesting lounging on the surrounding chairs. Free sunbeds, towels, and umbrellas are available at the pool areas. A separate children’s swimming pool with slides is also on-site.
There’s a dizzying array of activities throughout the day, including tennis, pool games, and evening entertainment – usually live music, which can be hit and miss with cramped seating and odd activities like music video screenings. There are also group fitness classes and water sports, including a free introductory scuba diving lesson in the pool, kayaking, bodyboarding, windsurfing, and rides on catamarans.
The RiuLand kids' club is split between ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 12, but it's not a highlight. Kids have their own pool with waterslides, including a covered one and side-by-side ones for racing. A very small playground is within the fenced area as well, and there are daily activities for kids.
Adults who want a little more nightlife will likely have to go off-site to partake in Riu’s Get Together parties at Riu Tequila, an 11-minute walk away. Riu Tequila also has a disco, and Riu Palace Riviera Maya guests can go to with free cover and drinks every night.
The signature Renova Spa has a sauna, whirlpool, and relaxation pools free for guests to use, as well as a full list of treatments like hot stone massages, a range of facials, manicures and pedicures, and mango and passion fruit body wraps for an extra charge. Some are available beachside under white-canopied treatment pavilions. A beauty salon is also on-site.
Wi-Fi is free and available across the property; the hotel has computers with internet access that guests can use for free if they feel like going sans laptop on vacation. Free self-parking is also offered.

For Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya weddings, the property offers three types of wedding ceremonies: legal/civil (including same-sex weddings), symbolic (not legally recognized), and vow renewals (also not legally recognized). Couples can choose from a ceremony on the beach or in the garden gazebo; both venues can accommodate up to 100 people. Packages are also available that range from budget-friendly to all-out; all include basics like a wedding planner, cake, and romantic room decorations, but the most extravagant options also include couples’ massages, facials, and scrubs, as well as a romantic dinner for the couple.