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Are you wondering where to stay in Riviera Maya? Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya is a must-visit! With its grand hacienda-style architecture, trickling fountains, and hand-painted details, this Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort feels like a Mexican estate overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Set along the white sands of the exclusive Playacar Beach in Playa del Carmen, this is one of the best luxury resorts in Riviera Maya. The resort combines old-world charm with modern luxury.
My stay at this Playa del Carmen all-inclusive resort was even more memorable thanks to an upgrade to the newly debuted Elite Club by Riu, which offers elevated accommodations, high-end amenities, and exclusive benefits to enhance the overall experience.
Whether you’re planning a Riviera Maya honeymoon or romantic getaway, a solo escape, group vacation, or a family-friendly trip, Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya is one of the best places to stay in Playa del Carmen! From its breathtaking beachfront views to its vibrant energy and top-tier services, here’s why this Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort is one you’ll never forget! Let me tell you more about my experience in my Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya review!
For more tips on planning your Riviera Maya vacation, check out these posts:
– Where to Stay in Riviera Maya: Playa del Carmen vs. Tulum
– Things to Do in Tulum: The Tulum Ruins
– When Is the Best Time to Visit Playa del Carmen?
Touching Down in Paradise: Your Arrival
Logistics & Transfers to Riu Palace
If you’re wondering where to stay in Riviera Maya, you’re likely factoring in the commute from the airport. Getting to this luxury resort in Riviera Maya is a breeze. After flying into Cancún International Airport (CUN), the drive to the gated community of Playacar takes 45 minutes to an hour. Be sure to pre-arrange an airport transfer to Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya. As you watch the palm trees blur past your window on the way to this Playa del Carmen all-inclusive resort, it will feel like your tropical escape has officially begun!
The Arrival Experience
As you exit the vehicle under the resort’s massive circular driveway, the transition to Riviera Maya vacation mode is instantaneous. The driver will remove your bags, and a bellhop will grab them for you!
Next, you’ll set foot into one of the most stunning resort entryways I’ve ever seen!
The lobby features gorgeous marble floors, towering stained-glass windows, and immense crystal chandeliers that hang from the vaulted ceilings. It makes an unforgettable first impression of this Playa del Carmen luxury resort. Unlike standard open-air beach setups that leave you melting in the tropical humidity, the lobby here is fully air-conditioned.
It’s easy to see why many consider this resort one of the best places to stay in Riviera Maya. From the moment you arrive, Hotel Riu Palace delivers top-tier service and the type of elegant atmosphere you’d expect from a luxury all-inclusive resort.
When you arrive at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya, you’ll be greeted with a welcome cocktail or chilled bubbly. You’ll also receive wristbands to wear during your stay that indicate your Maya Riviera vacation package (all-inclusive, Elite Club, etc).
If you booked an Elite Club room, you’ll have the chance to check in early if a room is already available (and check out at 1 p.m.!)
If you’re wondering where to stay in Riviera Maya, one of the things that stands out about this Playa del Carmen resort is how easy it is to navigate! Since it’s relatively flat, there’s no need for a shuttle. To get around, you simply stroll down the grand central hallway, through the manicured tropical gardens, and straight out toward the pools and the sea! Elevators are only accessible near the lobby at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya, but there are stairs located throughout the resort.
Book a trip to Playa del Carmen now!
Riviera Maya Accommodations: Private Suites, Premium Elite Club Luxury & Other Perks
I was pleasantly surprised by how spacious and contemporary the rooms at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya felt. The rooms are bright, modern, and designed with comfort in mind. This Playa del Carmen resort offers suites, some with ocean views or garden views, and connecting 2-bedroom suites. The suites feature sliding glass doors that fill the room with natural light and lead to a private balcony or terrace, as well as freestanding soaking tubs that add a touch of luxury that’s perfect for unwinding after a day in the sun.
The standard in-room perks at this Playa del Carmen all-inclusive resort include a regularly restocked minibar, the famous Riu liquor dispensers, coffee makers, electronic safes, and 24-hour room service.
I took advantage of the Elite Club by Riu Tier, a newly launched category that offers an adults-only, premium luxury experience. Some of the key perks offered to guests who opt into the Elite Club include:
- The best views of this Playa del Carmen luxury resort. If you’re wondering where to stay in Riviera Maya for the best views, this is it! The rooms offer the best upper-floor views of the ocean or grand inner courtyard. I had the perfect view of the pool and ocean from my room!
- Upgraded in-room amenities. The Elite Club rooms feature premium-brand liquor dispensers, a bottle of sparkling wine, aromatherapy, a welcome gift, and a dedicated room-service menu.
- Exclusive lounge access. You’ll find premium international spirits, upgraded snacks, and hors d’oeuvres throughout the day.
- Guaranteed Late Check-Out. You can relax longer on your departure day with a confirmed 1 p.m. check-out.
One of the things that makes this resort a stand-out pick when it comes to the best places to stay in Playa del Carmen is the Complex Advantage. As a part of the 6-property Playacar Riu complex, resort guests can eat, swim, and enjoy the other resorts. (Guests at the other five resorts can’t go to Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya.
Dining at Hotel Riu Palace: Culinary Experiences at This All-Inclusive Resort
One of the main advantages of Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya is its 24-hour all-inclusive dining philosophy. Unlike other Riviera Maya all-inclusive resorts, no stressful reservations are required for standard guests at the à la carte restaurants. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Elite Club guests can make guaranteed priority dinner reservations at the specialty restaurants directly via the RIU Mobile App. Reservations must be made before 4 p.m. When I stayed at this Playa del Carmen resort, I never made reservations and never had an issue with being seated quickly.
Restaurant Breakdown
If you’re a foodie who’s wondering where to stay in Riviera Maya, Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya is a great option. There are so many different dining options and types of cuisine to choose from! Here’s a breakdown of the restaurants you’ll find at this Playa del Carmen all-inclusive resort:
- Don Rafael (Main buffet: Breakfast & Dinner): This buffet restaurant offers international cuisine. You can enjoy dishes from various parts of the world. In the mornings, you’ll find live cooking stations, a fresh omelet bar, tropical fruits, and chilled Cava. Look out for thematic days, such as Riu event night, themed nights by country, and more.
- Krystal (Dinner): This elegant restaurant offers a fusion culinary style that combines techniques and ingredients from the best international cuisines. This gourmet restaurant is committed to providing fresh, quality food.
- Yashima (Dinner): If you want to enjoy Asian cuisine on your Playa del Carmen vacation, look no further than Yashima. Featuring themed decor that will make you travel through Asia itself, you’ll find a variety of dishes from China, Korea, Japan, and Thailand here.
- Steak House (Dinner): For BBQ lovers, this restaurant offers meat and fish dishes. I highly recommend dining here. I LOVED the filet at this Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya restaurant!
- Chilis (Buffet Lunch): This poolside buffet is perfect for grabbing lunch on days you don’t want to lose your sunlounge! It’s one of the easiest ways to enjoy lunch while you continue working on your tan!
- II Portico (Italian – Lunch & Dinner): This restaurant offers some of the best Italian dishes! You might be on a Riviera Maya vacation, but you can still enjoy the taste of Italy! II Portico offers both à la carte items and buffet. I recommend dining at this restaurant! I loved their chicken parm.
- Agave (Mexican – Dinner): This Mexican-themed restaurant offers delicious and flavorful cuisine.
- Pepe’s Food (Buffet – Lunch): At this Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya restaurant, you’ll find burgers, hot dogs, fries, fresh fruit, and more!
- Capuchino: This chic on-site cafe is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy iced lattes, pastries, and gelato. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The chocolate cake here was delicious! I found myself going back for more.
- Elite Club Restaurant (Dinner): This restaurant is exclusive to Elite Club members! The upscale menu offers à la carte items.
Bars & Lounge Scene:
If you’re looking to enjoy alcohol during your stay at this luxury resort in Riviera Maya, there’s no shortage of bars and lounges to choose from. You’ll find:
- Lirico: A lounge bar with a terrace.
- Daiquiri: Located in the lobby area, this Playa del Carmen resort bar has amazing pina coladas!
- Lounge 24: Also located in the lobby, this lounge offers drinks on tap. They also serve nachos, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, burgers, and more!
- Cancun: This swim-up, poolside bar is the perfect place to grab a refreshing cocktail while enjoying the pool!
One of the benefits of being an Elite Club guest is that it unlocks access to premium, top-shelf spirits at dedicated lounge bars. The Elite Club also has a private bartender at the pool!
Other Included Dining Perks:
When you stay at this Playa del Carmen all-inclusive resort, you’ll find other benefits, such as:
- 24-hour snacks at Lounge 24.
- Optional romantic candle beach dinners, which are perfect for anyone on a Riviera Maya honeymoon.
- 24/7 room service, with extended menu options available for Elite Club guests.
Book a stay at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya here.
Activities, Pools & Resort Life
The Pool Breakdown
If you’re wondering where to stay in Riviera Maya for access to great pools, beach and water activities, and entertainment, you’ll find that Hotel Riu Palace has so much to offer!
The Pools at Riviera Palace
There are four total outdoor pool areas to choose from when you stay at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya. These include:
- The Main Pool: This sun-drenched pool features built-in lounge chairs, swim-up tables, and gorgeous palm tree views framing the beach. This is where you’ll find the swim-up bar!
- The Activity Pool: This massive pool is split into two. It’s the perfect lap pool! It also features built-in lounge chairs. It’s an activity hotspot at this Playa del Carmen resort. You’ll find volleyball, aquacise, and daily social events here.
- The Children’s Splash Pool: If you’re planning a family-friendly Riviera Maya vacation with little kids in tow, this pool is a must-visit! Featuring mini-slides, it’s a safe zone for kids!
- The Elite Club Pool: This exclusive pool is the perfect sanctuary for anyone on a Riviera Maya honeymoon or romantic getaway, or anyone looking for an adults-only place to relax. It offers premium plush loungers and cabanas, beautiful ocean views, a quiet atmosphere, and a poolside drink service.
Beach & Water Activities
Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya is one of the best places to stay in Playa del Carmen for anyone who wants direct beach access. The exclusive Playacar beach strip is lined with natural palm trees for shade and rows of sunloungers.
If you’re looking for a fun-filled Riviera Maya vacation, this resort offers the opportunity for adventure in its vacation packages! An all-inclusive wristband gives you access to complimentary non-motorized watersports, which include snorkeling, kayaking, boogie boarding, and catamaran boating.
Evening Entertainment & RIU Parties
For adult travelers or couples who want to know where to stay in Riviera Maya to experience nightlife, this resort is a perfect fit! When the sun goes down, Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya comes to life with professional nightly shows and live music in the main theater! When I stayed at this Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort, there was an international show with dancers and a live music band performing popular radio hits like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
Guests who want to experience Playa del Carmen nightlife can head to the weekly Riu Get Together Party or visit the Pacha Discotheque at nearby Riu Tequila, where complimentary entry and drinks are included for all-inclusive Riu Palace Riviera Maya guests. Riu Tequila is popular for its Friday night themed parties, with common themes being neon, white, pink, etc.. When I was staying at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya, the theme was the Neon Party. While I didn’t attend, staff came to the lobby and were painting faces with neon paint, free of charge. A shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. to transport guests to Riu Tequila.
Book a stay at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya here.
Wellness & Slow Luxury at Hotel Riu Palace
For travelers who are looking for one of the best places to stay in Playa del Carmen to slow down and relax during their Riviera Maya vacation, Hotel Riu Palace is a great option. At this resort, you’ll find:
Renova Spa Sanctuary:
- Riu’s signature wellness center offers couples massages, facials, and a wide range of massages. You’ll also find body treatments, hand & feet, waxing, and beauty salon services here.
- The wellness is a shared, semi-outdoor space with hot and cold jacuzzis/plunge pools, which are completely immersed in nature.
- They also have steam rooms.
- The jacuzzis, plunge pools, and steam rooms are complimentary for all adult guests.
Gym & Fitness Classes:
- This Playa del Carmen all-inclusive resort offers a fully equipped modern gym, which is open 24/7.
- There are also daily outdoor RiuFit group fitness classes you can attend during your stay at this Riviera Maya luxury resort.
Who Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya Is Perfect For
If you’re wondering where to stay in Riviera Maya, Hotel Riu Palace might be a good fit for you! Here’s who I would recommend it for:
- Couples/Honeymooners: This Playa del Carmen resort offers a sense of luxury that makes it perfect for a Riviera Maya honeymoon or romantic getaway. Couples who want to stay here should consider the Elite Club upgrade, which offers romantic beachfront setups, adults-only pools, and other little touches to make your trip more romantic.
- Families & Multi-Gen: This resort offers so much for families to see and do during their Playa del Carmen vacation. The resort even offers the RiuLand Kids Club, which allows children from 4-7 and 8-12 to enjoy games, creative activities, and sports under the supervision of a specialized animation team. This allows parents to enjoy some kid-free time during their vacation at this Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort.
- Solo Travelers: This highly secure gated community layout makes this resort feel extra safe! There’s also a very social pool/bar scene that makes it easy for solo travelers to meet other people during their Playa del Carmen vacation.
Exploring Beyond the Resort: Location & Day Trips
If you’re planning a vacation at this Playa del Carmen all-inclusive resort, you’re probably wondering what there is to see and do in the area. Here are some ideas:
- Explore downtown Playa del Carmen
- The resort is just a 5-minute taxi ride to downtown Playa del Carmen, or a 20-minute walk down the beach to Quinta Avenida (or Fifth Avenue). You’ll find shopping, nightlife, and local culture. You’ll also find merchants selling handmade Mayan goods!
- Nearby excursions (bookable at the on-site Destination Services desk – or book them in advance to be sure your spot is secured when you arrive!):
- Swim with sea turtles at Akumal
- Book a day trip to visit Chichen Itza (one of the 7 wonders of the world!)
- Visit the Tulum Ruins
- Swim in a Cenote
- Adventure Parks: (This resort is 35 minutes to Xcaret, Xplor, and Xel-Ha).
- Golf: Directly adjacent to the Hard Rock Golf Club Riviera Maya.
Why You Should Book Your Trip at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya
For anyone who’s been wondering where to stay in Riviera Maya, Hotel Riu Palace is a great pick! Thanks to its prime location, upscale architecture, plenty of dining options, 24-hour carefree all-inclusive structure, and the elevated Elite Club perks, this Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort is perfect for all types of travelers!
After visiting this resort, I can honestly say this is one of the best places to stay in Riviera Maya! The resort offers unparalleled top-notch service, delicious food, easy beach access, relaxing pools, and so much to see and do in the surrounding area!
Book Your Trip to Riviera Maya Now!
Ready to plan your Playa del Carmen vacation? Whether you’re planning a Riviera Maya honeymoon, a family vacation, a group trip, or a solo escape, this luxury all-inclusive resort is one of the top places to stay! Book your trip at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya now!
For more tips to plan your Riviera Maya trip, check out these posts:
– Where to Stay in Mexico: Playa del Carmen vs. Cancun
– 15 Top Things to Do in Riviera Maya
