Riu Playa Blanca: Objective Review of Riu Playa Blanca, Panama

I am in a position to comment fairly about this resort. I have stayed at two other Riu resorts(Riu Tequila in Mexico and Riu Tropical Bay Palace in Jamaica) as well as several non-Riu resorts in Cuba and Dominican Republic. Pros: 1. The pools are well kept, the water is warm. Enough chairs for people using the pools. Plenty of shaded areas to sit by the pool. 2. The rooms are large and clean and the shower is also very large. The water does go from hot to cold, but this can be contro [... read more]lled and is not unbearable. 3. Very good entertainment. The entertainment staff are very talented and fit. Their shows are entertaining and varied. The musicians play Latin music before the shows and they play well. 4. Quick check in process. Friendly, polite and competent staff at the front desk. The staff that work the front desk are fluent in English. 5. Bartenders are skilled and make great drinks to order. The alcohol choices at the bars is good. The beer is good too. If you avoid the wine, you will be fine with the mixed drinks and beer at this resort. 6. While there is no bar service at the pool bars (ie get your own drinks), there is excellent bar service at the main theatre. 7. The resort is absolutely safe. Your possessions are safe provided that you exercise normal care. (i.e do not leave your iphone unattended for long periods of time out in the open). Panama is a much safer country than most countries. 8. There is a good choice of excursions, but if you want to see the new Panama City, you will have to do this on your own. 9. The grounds are well kept and beautiful. 10. The beach is pleasant. Do not expect the same type of beach that you will find in Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica or Mexico. The sand is a volcanic black sand and the water is not very clear. 11. The transfer from the airport to the resort is about 10 minutes. 12. The resort and the surrounding building are all modern and new. The infrastructure of the country is excellent. There were no power failures or water shut offs that you will find in Cuba. This is NOT a third world country. 13. The price is very affordable, but at the expense of the little extras and a better food selection. It comes down to whether or not you are prepared to pay extra for these things. Cons: 1. The selection of seafood is very limited. Mussels, clams and fish is about all you will find. The a la carte restaurants occasionally serve shrimp. Absolutely no lobster. The meat is edible, but not exceptional. Do not expect great cuts of beef here. 2. Forget about Mimosas for breakfast as you will find in most other resorts. I only saw sparkling wine being served once during my stay. 3. The wine is quite undrinkable, but this seems to be the general trend for all-inclusive resorts. 4. The food choices are quite limited. Not the same wide selection that you will find in other Riu hotels. The salting of the food was not consistent. Sometimes dishes were too salty. At other times, they were not salted enough. The blended milkshake fruit drinks I found to be very bland. The fruit juices came out of a machine. Only the tomato juice had good taste. I have had better juices and fruit milkshake drinks at other resorts. The a la carte restaurants are just OK. Nothing better. Having been to two other Riu resorts, I know what is good and what is not good. The desserts at this Riu are a big disappointment. I got to try some desserts from the neighbouring Playa Blanca resort (cheaper than Riu) and those desserts were much better. Riu has to improve its desserts. This is not just my complaint, but the comments of many others I have spoken to. Overall, I would say that the food at this resort was adequate but neither good nor outstanding. 5. The staff could be a little friendlier. The wait staff in the restaurants do work hard,but do not expect the same type of attentive service that you get in your home country or other resorts when you travel. They seem not to care about tips. I am not sure why. I try to tip when I am on vacation. I generally feel sorry for the people working at these resorts. However, Panama is not like most countries. The people earn enough to live and nobody starves in Panama. The government provides good benefits to the people. 6. There are long lines at breakfast and they move slow. 7. Bacon is not served everyday at breakfast, but for me this is not a deal breaker. 8. There is no bar service outside the bar. If you want drinks by the pool, you have to get them yourself. We might return again, but only if the price was right. It is worth trying once for the right price. At the point where the price is high, I would go elsewhere or to another country. On the balance, I would recommend this resort, but I would strongly qualify my recommendation. I would not give this resort my highest recommendation, which I reserve for the better resorts I have stayed at. We met several travelers a the airport who have been to the Riu Guanacaste in Costa Rica. They said that the Riu Guanacaste was vastly superior to the Riu Playa Blanca in Panama and the difference in price was justifiable. Next time we will put our hard earned dollars into a trip to Costa Rica. However, I am glad that we did this trip and for what we paid, I am satisfied.

Riu Flamingos: Wonderful Resort

We had an amazing time. Hotel really great, clean bedroom, awesome service. Paid to go on a snorkel adventure booked from the hotel $85US. It was a fun day. Day trip into Porto Vallarta via a cab. It too was fun and well worth the visit. Lots to do at the hotel they run many activities..

Riu Flamingos: The resort needs same work

Area OK food very poor,pool ok,room average,service good,tipping terrible and no make eny difference . Sleeping after 3 am ok before it's very noisy.The staf it's more interesting in the tips then the services,the beer plastic cups is not washed god and you can test the last drink.

Riu Guanacaste: Resort

Hotel room and cleanliness was great. Beach was great and long. Bars, good, buffet great, a la carte just okay but buffet was always there. free monkey viewing close walk down the beach. REsort is 30min but with bumpy road 45 from Liberia. Lots of day trips but mostly $100 usa each.

Riu Montego Bay: Second visit as good as the first

This is a great family resort. It has been 8 years since our last visit and there are some expected signs of wear (dated rooms, tipsy/worn chairs at lunch/steak restaurant). The good far outweigh the dated. In comparison to other resorts and countries I've been to, Riu Montego Bay has the best staff, most beautiful pool area, great entertainment and variety, and by far the best food. Since our last trip they have stopped doing drink service around the pool but the pool bar service is quick. We d [... read more]idn't have to wait long to be served at any of the resort bars.

Riu Republica: Overall very good resort

Very clean / a lot of variety to choose from at the buffets / would be nice to have an eating area/bar closer to the beach / staff is friendly / lots of activities if you want to participate / night entertainment is "ok"

Riu Montego Bay: Great Resort

The hotel location and facilities were as good as any we have been to - the entertainment and the skill of the entertainers was unreal. Their dancing and good nature was very enjoyable. We enjoyed the trips organized off the resort that were well run and the chance to see the culture and the amazing beauty of Jamaica. We would love to return to there at some point for another vacation. The location was a bonus with little travel to the airport etc.

Riu Palace Paradise Island: Amazing resort& staff

My wife & I really enjoyed the Riu hotel on paradise island.The staff was friendly & hospitable everyday.The pool & beach were terrific.I loved the fish that were swimming with us in the ocean. I would thoroughly enjoy going back.

Riu Palace Jamaica: Great quiet resort

Just arrived from an 8 day stay, great hotel, good food and extremely clean environment. Will keep this simple: Pros: very clean resort, good size rooms, good selection of food at the buffet, evening's restaurant were fantastic, lots of chairs at the pool and beach, fast WiFi throughout the resort, beautiful resort Negatives: evening entertainment was awful, no aquatic activities at this resort, you must go to the other Riu for these activities where the equipment was old, for whatever reas [... read more]on this all-inclusive 5 star resort will charge you $2 for a game of pool (how ridicule). In conclusion, this is a quiet beautiful resort offering quality food and service; I would not recommend this resort for singles or couples looking to party.

Riu Palace Macao: wonderful resort

The hotel was just a nice size. food was excellent. The staff were amazing. Very friendly and accomadating. The swim up pool bar was fantastic, with lots of room and seating. Fun activities. The rooms were moderate. Overall an excellent experience. We would travel agaim.

Riu Merengue: Worse than it seems

We read the reviews and we thought it will be ok, but it wasn't. How could it have 5, 4 stars ? really? Here is what we experienced: Service: 1 star: they assigned us to a room with broken toilet!!! then they didn't try to fix it until evening, because I said : Where will I pee at night if need it? BTW, they didn't fix it, they moved us to another room. Food: 1 star. People, who left 5,4,3 stars reviews, you really need to visit other hotels, even for the same price. I believe nothing will [... read more] be worse than this one. They have 2 buffets with exactly the same food in both. Very limited variety, I mean it: beef - one type and not everyday, pork- one type of a meal and not everyday, chicken - one type and every day, fish - one type and every day. We had lamb one day. That's it for animal protein. Vegetables: White potatoes, carrots, rice, - 2 different meals of those repeating every day, like fried potatoes/white rice/cooked carrots - every day, every day. other veggies only: eggplants, zuccinis, once we had asparagus, spinach (not every day) and no other vegetables. Fruits were : melon, watermelon, papaia and passion fruit - and nothing else. Desert was: 2 types of cookies and about 4 types of other deserts. all the food was very much the same every day. sorry, forgot about the soups: 1 or 2 soups per day, that soup will be served until we finish it, like all the other meals. For example, nobody liked minestrone, so we had it for 4 days. Still reading? will give you more now. Restaurants: 1 star: who said there are restaurants? what they do is that they convert the snack-bar to two restaurants by dividing it in the middle in the evening, so one side becomes Italian restaurant and another one is a Steak house. How ... it is? Food there is no good. Also, milk served is only the one made from the powder. I will give you a hint: if you want a real milk go to a bar and ask for a COLD milk, it will be real. Beach: 3 stars- would be the best place of that resort , but...I forgot to say it's a smokers resort - most of the people there smoke, therefore sand is full of cigarettes, not cool. Lot's of shade on the beach because of all the palm trees. The area of shallow waters is quite large and water is warm. Room: 2 stars- shabby, no shampoos, no conditioner (just for me when I didn't bring), one universal liquid soap. One day we didn't have hot water. Tours: do not believe anyone. We went to Paradise Island to snorkel, our tour agent said it's 45 min drive, the hotel said it's 15 min drive, when it was 1.5 hours drive. If I knew I would choose another tour. If I knew I would choose another resort.

Riu Flamingos: Espectacular Resort

Beautiful hotel we can found all our expectations. Services room and cleaned very professional. Excellent food and very clean and extraordinary people in service. A lot entertainment and pools close the private beach

Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas: Great Last-Minute Getaway

Great value for the last-minute deal we got! Sunwing package was well organized, contact people easy to find, very smooth check in process. The main floor junior suite we were given was well equipped with liquor, minibar, recently updated bathroom, and comfortable bed. Food was fine, plenty of choices at the buffets, enjoyed the Indian and Japanese a la cart restraints too. Pools were nice, good service at the pool bar, always able to find lounge chairs on the beach or by the pool. Thank yo [... read more]u David at Tripcentral for your assistance with our booking!

Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas: Very relaxing

Awesome resort, excellent service very clean rooms. Food was excellent. Always activities to attend . New cafe bar I loved . I really have nothing negative to say. Will definitely be returning next year!

Riu Emerald Bay: Amazing Resort

Riu Emerald Bay was beautiful. The food was great. Cleanliness was great. Lots of entertainment provided by the resort. Very helpful and friendly staff. Will differently stay again. And would recommend for any age group

Riu Guanacaste: Beautiful romantic getaway!

We visited in March 2018 and had the loveliest time. The staff were awesome, the place was clean and fancy, and the food at the resort was delicious, fresh, and varied. If you are dreaming of a white sand beach this isn't the resort for you. However, the pool area is absolutely amazing, and for myself and my fiance we were looking for a gorgeous place to RELAX with food that wasn't terrible and this resort did that and then some. There is a beach that you can sit on but the sand is not white  [... read more]and the water is quite rocky, not easy to access for swimming. At night though the beach lit up with beautiful phosphorescence so that was a real treat. One thing that you can do - and that we did - was take an ATV excursion that brought us to white sand beaches where we swam for a day. This area of Costa Rica is quite dry and arid, not full of lush rainforest, during the time we were there (March). It's hard to tell this because the resort itself is so lush and lovely. So we ended up taking an excursion to visit the rainforest and swam in a waterfall and soaked in natural hotsprings and this was absolutely amazing. This resort is quite small, which we loved. There were not a lot of children there, which we also loved (though it is child friendly). It was calm, relaxed, and the drinks were delicious. I want to go back today (especially because there's an ice storm right now in Toronto - yuck). Totally recommend.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Fanatastic Time

We have been there twice now and have yet to be disappointed. The service is exceptional. Staff is very friendly and bend over backwards to help you with any issues. The rooms get cleaned right away. The food is delicious and the staff waits on you hand and foot. Telling all my friends and family to go there! Great relaxing time!

Riu Merengue: This is not the resort you were looking for!

The rooms are smaller than most resorts I've been to. Arranged in villas. Eastern part of the resort is unused apart from villas. Example eastern reception area staffed with one person who can't do much but direct you to the main reception. East Theatre never used. Several pool tables are on site but only one is in serviceable condition. The other two are in extremely poor condition.

Riu Flamingos: Amazing

We have visited Riu Jalilsco. We had a great time. There was no complaints , Hotels went out of their way to help you and always smiling. It was nice to coffee on the table in the morning . We will be returning to this resort very soon .

Riu Ocho Rios: Enjoyable stay

Beautiful Resort. As always the RIU has great food. The buffet had an amazing selection for breakfast and dinner. The steakhouse was fantastic. I enjoyed a very tender steak that was equal to a fine dining steakhouse here in Canada. I went twice. The salad bar was also amazing. A well managed resort. The service was great in all food areas and pool bars. The service and cleaning staff kept the place spotless. Everyone was friendly. The nightly entertainment was varied with musicia [... read more]ns and dancers. Of special note was open mike night. A great way to end one's day. It goes without saying the pool area and beach were clean and beautiful. I had such a great vacation that I booked a stay at a RIU in Panama.