I really enjoyed my stay at the Riu Jalisco! The garden/fountain view is truly beautiful. Amazing food, great shows and most importantly, great hospitality. I enjoyed the activities at the pool and the theatre. One thing that needs improvement is the humidity in the room. Opening the AC introduced a smell. Other than that, i was very pleased with the hotel. Will definitely recommend.
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Grandpa -
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Riu Emerald Bay: Riu Emerald Bay
Excellent 2 weeks in the Rui everything was perfect check in an braclets are done on the bus ride to resort get off bus pick up your envelope wih keys, towel cards and wifi password and head to your room. We upgraded to the tub on the deck 19 floor amazing views. Only complaint which is minor was the elevators.
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Kelly&Crystal -
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Riu Playa Blanca: Awesome Resort
We had an ocean view room, clean and always kept clean. Bathroom, bed, size was perfect. Resort was clean and food was always good either in the buffet or Resturant’s. Staff was friendly in the Resturant’s and even more so the entertainment staff.
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MrsStrange1 -
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Riu Republica: Overall this hotel was just, Meh
Flying directly out of Kitchener was a real treat. So much better than Toronto.
When we got to Riu we were initially impressed. Unfortunately that didn't last. We were not given a welcome package for the resort, nor did we get assistance finding our room resulting in us carrying our luggage up 3 flights of stairs as we couldn't find the elevator. We had to get information from other guests on how the restaurants worked.
The room was fine and appeared clean. with exception of a couple ballo[... read more]ons on the first day, there was no towel art as we have come to expect in good resorts.
The food was just ok, with the steak house being the saving grace.
Most of the staff were nice but standoffish with exception of a few very friendly staff from the entertainment team.
The "shopping" excursion was a complete joke. The bus dropped us off at a warehouse filled with either the same junk souvenirs u can get at the airport or expensive clothing stores that I could visit in Canada. The best part about this place was the short tour showing how cigars are made and the little bits of history provided on the walls.
The beach was lovely however, as long as you don't get suckered in to the 4 hr long hard sell timeshare presentation at the Royalton.
The pools were good, could use a little more shade in the earlier hours.
The entertainment was good.
Although the hotel advertised "no spring-breakers" there was quite a bit of howling in the early hours of the morning. Definitely tones of spring-breakers...won't make that mistake again.
The other suggestion for this hotel would be to have some sort of concierge desk set up to help coordinate excursions. I know the hotel isn't responsible for those however there was so many customers and drivers wandering around trying to find each other, this could be a great way to help keep customers happy and alleviate frustrations.
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Seasoned traveller -
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Riu Republica: Spring Breakers Invade Riu
Invaded by spring breakers for 7 of 14 days. Sunwing website policy clearly states no spring breakers groups or individuals any time during to year are not permitted. Policy also indicates unruly disruptive behaviour and guests causing damage to property would to removed from property at own expense. these are false statements. We experience unruly, disrupted sexual behaviors with profanity. Riu staff seemed to cater to this majority group of guests. There was very minimal security. unacceptable[... read more] behaviours were not addressed by the Riu. it was pretty much a free for all with no rules enforced or complied to. There was noticeable damage to resort property and rooms. Mattresses seen removed from rooms, broken patio door, garbage (cups cans plates etc) thrown from balconies to courtyard and other rooftops. buffet a la carte bars pools were all completely overtaken by young spring breakers.
On the positive side there were always lounge chairs available and our room was comfortable with all amenities needed. that was a good thing as we pretty much spent 7 evenings in our room to escape loud unruly behaviour in all common resort areas.
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Private -
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Riu Emerald Bay: Great resort but the front desk staff needs some hospitality training.
This is our second time visiting this resort. You cant beat the weather on the west coast of MX. Hot without the humidity during the day, very dry with cool mornings and nights which allows you to sleep with the patio door open so you can hear the ocean. The food was good. Lots of selection in the buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Mexican restaurant was good, the Japanese was lacking. Loads of chairs around the pool and on the beach. The pools are nice and set up so you can enjoy the e[... read more]ntertainment staff and the fun and games or some quiet time. The rooms are pretty basic and all face the ocean. We were on the 8th floor and had a good view of the pools and the ocean. The elevators were a problem last time we were there but they have added a few more so we didnt find them to be an issue this time around. The restaurant at the end of the beach to the right of the hotel when you are looking at the ocean is a definite must - Mr Lionso. Incredible view, great food, reasonable prices plus they make their own tequila and they do free sampling to entice you to puchase a bottle. The only thing we had to complain about was the front desk staff. They desperately need some customer service training. We did not get a towel card in one of our envelopes and I noticed this as soon as we got to our room. I went straight downstairs to advise them of this and to get a second towel card and they made me feel like a criminal telling me that I was going to be charged if I lost another card. I hadnt lost the first card! Our second experience with the front desk was worse than the first. My son's 16 year old friend lost his all inclusive bracelet when he was boogie boarding. He had the bracelet when he took the boogie board out from the hotel staff but didnt have it when he returned with the board. He explained that he lost it in the ocean so they sent him to the front desk. The staff would not give him another bracelet and told him if he wanted one he needed to pay them $70 American. My husband and I went to see the front desk staff to try to get him a replacement bracelet and we were told the same thing. Gabrielle was terrible and should be the first in line for customer service training. She was rude and made us feel like we were trying to "pull something over on the hotel". She told us that the $70 American was an administrative cost to replace the bracelet. This is total BS. They don't match the bracelet number to anyone so the excuse made no sense. The way the treated us lead us to believe they have an issue with their employees stealing and selling these bracelets and they were taking that out on the guests. We were told that our son's friend would be hassled all week by security if we did not replace his bracelet. This was our second trip to this hotel and our 14th trip a Riu hotel and we have never received anything but great service with the Riu. My husband and I contacted the Riu via Facebook, via their web page and via the Riu Class Program to let them know what was going on. They were great! Exactly what we have come to expect from the Riu resorts. The front desk called my son's room and told them his replacement bracelet was at the front desk and he could pick it up at his convenience. Thank you Riu Customer Service! Please extend your training to the front desk staff at the Riu Emerald Bay. They risked losing a long time Riu Customer/Recommender over a bracelet that surely cost no more than a nickel to replace. You must get a better procedure in place for managing these types of issues. We have nicer towels at home, so we dont need to steal your towels nor were we trying to secure additional bracelets to try to sell and make additional money while we are on vacation. Aside from these two incidents with your front desk, we had a wonderful trip. Not sure we will ever return to the Riu in Mazatlan but your Customer Service Dept. ensured we will return to another Riu resort.
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Leb1965 -
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Riu Vallarta: Beautiful resort
Hotel very nice. Evening shows were okay. Food was good but Buffett was the same at lunch and dinner and vaired very little. Outdoor restuarant needs upgrading and new buffet stands. Beds were not the most comfortable however rooms were very clean. Staff very helpful and very friendly.
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Private -
Verified Purchaser
Riu Palace Mexico: Satisfaction guarantee !
My spouse and I went to the resort for 1 week this March. It was our third times at Riu Palace Mexico and our fifth times at the Riu complexe in Playacar. So no need to say that we appreciate very much spending our vacation at this resort. The main reasons: the food is excellent and the beach has a lot of space for everyone whether you want to be in the sun or in the shade. The rooms are comfortable and the staff very welcoming and friendly.
I just want to say a special thanks to Miklos who [... read more]has been very understanding about one of my concerns. When we arrived, we were assigned a room with a balcony that had no glass but a concrete wall. I had request, if possible, an upgrade because it was our 5th times at the complexe but mainly because I was also celebrating my birthday during my vacation. Reading on the balcony is very important for me during my vacation and I do so every morning while my spouse keep sleeping. I also do some yoga on the balcony. Not being able to see the ground, trees and sunset was upseting for me. Some people may like the privacy of a concrete balcony, but I don't. The day after my arrival I went to speek to the manager. Miklos listened very well to my concerns and made sure that I had a room with a glass balcony for the next day. Thank you Miklos for doing everything to make my vacation more enjoyable.
Everyday I had a surprise when we came back to the room at the end of the day , whether, flowers, chocolate, Happy Birthday sign and even a Tequila bottle the day of my birhtday!. Thanks again to all the Riu Palace Mexico staff for making my stay a memorable one !
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Private -
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Riu Merengue: Amazing resort
I did the mistake of reading the reviews before leaving for my trip. As per what the previous reviews said , I was expecting all bad things. Once I got there everything was wonderful. The staff , the room , the service , the food , the drinks. Everything! By far one of my best trips.
One thing I will suggest is to look around for the prices on excursions. There are people working on the beach selling the SAME excursion or even more , for alot less money.
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Private -
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Riu Palace Pacifico: Loved the resort!
We really liked that the resort property was a little smaller than the other RIU resorts so getting around with our little ones was very easy. The staff were very friendly and attentive. The nightly shows were also excellent!
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NatashaE -
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Riu Republica: Got very sick
I stayed at the RiuRepublica from March 10-18. On the second night an hour after eating dinner at the Asian restaurant I got very sick. Vomiting and going to the bathroom from 9pm till 4am. For the next 48 hrs I was exhausted and could not eat or drink. I slept most of those 48hrs. After that I was back to myself thank goodness. The hotel itself is very nice and new. Modern and the staff seem to work very hard to keep it looking nice. Pool bar staff were great, beach was great, food I didn’t r[... read more]eally care for. This was my 4th Riu and although it was he prettiest it was not the best overall. Our room was cleaned everyday and she did a great job. The water slides were super fun, this is a nice addition for adults only. Last thing was there was about 500 spring breakers..... they were ridiculous, and obnoxious. Screaming, vomiting in the pool, having sex in the pool, banging on doors at night. This is not the hotels fault but again they could have not allowed so many universities to be in one resort.
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Nads27 -
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Riu Palace Paradise Island: The Best Time Ever!!!
We were so impressed with not just the hotel , but the food the Staff the grounds were amazing. This was the best time we have had on a trip yet, and are already planning our next years trip back. Nothing negative AT ALL to say.
My Husband and I are truly thankful to have been able to visit and will be back.
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Private -
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Riu Palace Tropical Bay: Riu Palace Tropical Bay
4 out of 5 stars. Food and service could be improved in the restaurants. Beach is excellent. Resort needs more washrooms so that you don't have to walk so far.Lunch buffet offering seemed to be the best food offering.
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Smars64 -
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Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas: Nice resort until weddings take over!
The hotel itself is beautiful, staff is good, except for guy in lobby bar first day we arrived. We had to wait for our room to be ready, a couple hours so we sat at the lobby bar as there is a beautiful view there. We saw other guest drinking beer from a glass bottle so when I went to the bar to ask for a couple he was totally unimpressed that he had to go the back to get some more for the cooler. He actually sent someone else. Don't think it's all inclusive, bring lots of tip money as everyone [... read more]has their hand out. There was a couple weddings while wewere there, the first one was fine but the second was a nightmare. The day they arrived totally took over one of the pools , a bunch of us actually moved to another pool as it was obnoxious. The night of the wedding they had the reception out by the pool and they went ALL night, music, yelling into the microphone etc. There was a lot of missed off people in the morning. They need to come up with a solution as it's not fair the the hundreds of other guests trying to sleep. Lots of vendors on the beach, all day every day. Water taxis are difficult to get in and out of, almost got swept out to sea at lovers beach. My husband had to jump in and grab me and then the guy on the beach had his hand out for a tip! Unbelievable. They bring you into a little cove full of rocks and with the current it is dangerous. It is definitely a party town, great for the younger generation.
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Truevida7 -
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Riu Guanacaste: pura vida at riu
our third visit and glad we chose the riu Guanacaste for our winter escape. the late February/early march weather was a consistent 33C and sunny. we enjoyed walking the well kept grounds checking out the birds and monkeys. the food was consistently good, whether at the buffet or the theme restaurants. the riu staff were friendly and responsive - a request for a box of tissues at the front desk was completed within minutes. all in all a great vacation!
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Jess10 -
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Riu Caribe Cancun: Beautiful beach. Amazing service.
The beach does not get any better. Very swimmable and clean. The service was impeccable from all aspects. Food was great. Drinks were great. Nothing of note to say anything negative about this resort.
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Nhaw7836 -
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Riu Santa Fe: March Break Gettaway
The staff are very friendly and keep the resort very clean. The rooms are in need of a bit of an update but are well stocked with drinks and other amenities. The food was also good, especially the 4 restaurant options. Even tough the Riu advertises “no spring breakers†there were definitely large groups of college students in attendance so if you are looking for a quiet vacation you are better to pay the extra cost and stay at the Riu Palace.
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Private -
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Riu Playa Blanca: Nice place/poopy beach
The grounds were nice, clean and very well maintained. The rooms were very nice. One swim up bar. The first couple of days the bar had a smell coming from it...I think it might needed it's drains cleaned. It had lots of black sand...but that was ok...but they had horses right on the beach that pooped...pooped all along the beach....poop. They left the poop on the beach for the water to wash it away. I was so disgusted. The beach was not cleaned in the morning or late evening. THE POOP O[... read more]N THE BEACH RUINED IT. We were looking forward to long walks on the beach. My husband and I were so disappointed with the beach...The reason we go to the islands is for the beaches. Not the poopy beaches. This was supposed to be a 'long awaited honeymoon'. Very very disappointed.
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Private -
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Riu Palace Antillas: Great vacation
Excellent resort,great staff,great location.
Nice beach,
Enjoyed food in every restaurant.
Older resort except well maintained.
Receive upgrade to better room at no additional cost.
Month of March is more windy except we add sun every day.
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Caterina -
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Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Scenic View
After reading multiple reviews on this hotel after booking we were sceptical. The hotel will close in April as it has been bought by Senator Hotels. We stay in the Bachata rooms for one week during March Break. The grounds were well maintained & there were plenty of staff seen in public spaces cleaning. The rooms are old, outdated & mouldy. The bathrooms had mildew & walls & drawers had mould. That was the biggest turnoff! The pool were fine but again there were broken pool tiles & chips around [... read more]the pool & stairs. The food was what you would expect at an all inclusive. Nothing great but there was variety. The ala carte was a joke. Had to line up early to sit in a small area of the pool area restaurant for an 8:30pm seating. The food was not worth the wait!
We traveling on a Sunwing package & due to weather our flight was delayed a day so we had to stay one night at the Merengue! Wow you haven’t seen or smelt mold till you have stayed in those rooms. The walls & curtains literally had black mould spots everywhere! Since we were getting in those rooms at 3am from the airport we had little choice. In Canada schools are closed down for black mould. Not sure how a hotel stays open. Would I go back? BIG FAT NO! But it won’t exist in a month anyways. Good luck to new owners who will have to do some fancy renovations. We we’re gouged since we traveled during a holiday ... it was not 4.5 stars. Maybe 3 stars. Entertainers were great at keeping everyone happy & engaged!
Don’t go!!!