Fabulous experience

This resort is immaculately maintained with beautiful decor and grounds. The staff are universally friendly and efficient. The food is excellent, with plenty of choices of venues. The breakfast buffet alone is worth spending time here. There always enough lounge chairs by the pools. It's hard to find a negative, except maybe the really loud entertainment - you can't get far enough away to enjoy the show without being deafened.

Our trip

The resort was gorgeous and well kept, our room was amazing. The weather was phenomenal the entire time we were there about 30 degrees and sunny. When we arrived on the Monday we noticed a LARGE military vessel parked out front of the resort that stayed there for the next 7 days and did not move and at one point there was 2 of them. We then began seeing Marine helicopters that flew over our resort at least 8-9 times day, low enough that we could see right in to the helicopter and Marines walking [... read more] up and down the beach patrolling. When we were in town one day we saw 4 armored trucks with Marine Military men on the back and machine guns that were also patrolling the streets. When we asked what the military presence was for no one on the resort knew or they would not tell us, it wasn't until we spoke to a local man who lived in Cabo who told us what was going on. He told us that Mexican police officers were fired because they had been working alongside the Mexican cartel. In response to this the Mexican Cartel made a threat against the Riu Palace saying they would take it over by the end of April. We were terrified when we heard this as we were there in April and considered coming home. I am unsure of the validity of what the local told us, but all I know is that there was STRONG military presence the entire week we were there and I know it was for a good reason!!!!! I was nervous the entire trip and it was the furthest thing from relaxing due to the above dangers. In addition to this the beach is INCREDIBLY dangerous, DO NOT swim in the water. My husband actually saved a mans life who was drowning from the undertow and had been pulled in to the water from where he was standing high up on the beach. The lifeguards will not come and help since they warn you that you are swimming at your own risk. Stay away from the water and take a walk 20 minutes down the beach where it is calm and safe to swim do not risk it!

Riu does it again!

We loved this hotel and had such a great vacation in Cabo. Literally, we did not see a single cloud the entire 7 days we were there. The weather was great, the hotel was great, the food was great (loved the Indian), the pool was great, the room was great. We had the best hotel maid, who took great care of us. Thank you Iris! It was a working holiday for me and I arrived to find that there was no desk in the room. They brought me a little table and a chair, which was very nice. This is not a hote [... read more]l you go to to swim in the ocean. Not that it's impossible and don't get me wrong, the beach is beautiful and very clean, but there can be some really rough waves and the water is cold. I'm usually a beach person, but the pools are very nice with great views. A cab ride into the city is 250 pesos each way, but there's also a public bus that costs about 15 pesos. There is also a Walmart within walking distance of the hotel, which came in handy because we forgot our sunscreen. We went into the city and took a water taxi around Land's End (El Arco) for 260 pesos each. The tour agents will try to sell you a sunset dinner cruise for between $50 and $90 US, but it didn't seem worth it.

Our best resort after 40 years of travel !

Our room ocean front was great, the service was superb all around, the grounds were beautiful . The food, whether in the cafeteria or the specialty restaurants, was very good. And of course the weather was great for the full 7 days.

Feel like Royalty @ the Riu!

The Riu Palace was fabulous. The employees were constantly cleaning, greeting the guests, courteous and impeccably dressed. The scenery was gorgeous and the food was delicious. There were many umbrellas for shade around the pools which was wonderful. I highly recommend this facility.

Fantastic - truly a 5 star resort!

We absolutely loved the Riu Palace resort in Los Cabos. There was so much choice in the buffet and the food was prepared perfectly. It was the first holiday resort where we actually preferred eating in the buffet restaurant vs a la carte! I particularly loved the breakfast, where you could get a variety of freshly made juices and smoothies. I had a different one everyday. Service throughout the resort was top notch. The room was spacious and had all the amenities. The only negative comm [... read more]ent I have, is room cleaning, when done was fine, however they missed us for 2 days at the beginning of our holiday. In future, I will make a point of choosing the Rui Palace wherever we travel if available.

SPECTACULAR!! LOVED IT!

A beautiful resort,extremely clean and well-cared for. The view, no matter which way you looked was amazing! Service and food was phenomenal... would go again and again! We travel often and have stayed at many locations, this is our new favorite!

Great Resort

This is my second time to the Riu Palace in Los Cabos and I was not disappointed. The renovations to the lobby and theatre are great. Not as much variety in the buffets but still lots to choose from and the food is excellent. Great service and you can't beat the weather.

In one word - ELEGANT!!

The whole experience was wonderful. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous, the rooms were clean and spotless - felt like I was at home. Cleaning Staff was very obliging - we did not lack for anything. Food was great - and lots of it!! Staff was the best - always friendly and remembered our names. The evening entertainment was great - albeit a little too loud. Sometimes it would have been nice to have quiet by the pool - music was very loud - but all in all, it was the best Riu Palace we  [... read more]have been to (I have been to four of them). Thanks Stephanie!!! Sarah xxxx

Simply grand

This resort was top notch very clean and amazing food. staff were for the most part friendly and efficient Loved not having to make reservations for the a la carte. The coffee bar was situated in a great location. The pools and beach area were not too crowded and the grounds were very well kept---beautiful. I would visit again.

Excellent Stay

We stayed at Riu Palace, Cabo San Lucas for 7 days. We really enjoyed our stay. The food and the Service was amazing. Staff at Riu palace are great group of people. They have a great attitude and wonderful people. They gave us 5 star plus service from our arrival date to the departure date. Wireless internet connection was awesome. We booked a ocean view room and the scenery was fantastic. We were able to see the beach and sunrise from our room. What a gorgeous view. Worth every penny. We arr [... read more]ived on my birthday and they delivered a birthday cake and a bottle of wine to our room. I was surprised to see the B'day cake & Wine..!!!!!!!!!!! The people who work at Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas makes all the difference. They are always willing to help you. Housekeeping staff keeps beautifully organized bedroom. Waiters at the restaurants and buffet area do a fabulous job. Our Waitress Abril took care of us most of the time and her customer service was fantastic. Please make sure to tip the people, they do work long hours and still they always have a beautiful smile and gives the service from the heart. We also took two tours with the help of Sunwing representatives on the ground. They are really professional and our driver for both days was Hector from Novo Tours. He was really good and amazing driver. Always took care of everyone personally on the tour bus. We will be planning to go again sometimes in the near future. Great job Riu......Vamos..!!!!

Amazing Reaort

Hotel was fantastic as it just had a makeover so all the furniture and rooms were spectacular....hope guests take care of it like their own. Staff were all friendly and outgoing to please. Food was great and no reservations required which is a bonus whole on vacation.

Amazing Resort!

My husband and I had a great time at this Riu Palace Resort. The grounds and rooms are spotless. The food is terrific! The friendly staff really make the resort extra special. We will be back next year for sure!

Amazing hotel!

We flew in with Sunwing and much to our surprise the champagne flight was a joke! There is no longer a meal served (not even snacks) and the "champagne" is sparkling wine served in a tiny cup about 1" high.... far from the publicity shown! As for the hotel... amazing! Definitely a true star 5+. Attention to detail 5+! We basically checked in on the bus ride to the resort. We got off the bus grabbed a drink and a piece of fresh made chocolate, walked to the desk, handed our registration forms co [... read more]mpleted on the bus ride in, got our bracelets and off to our room. Everyone in the hotel made it their mission to make us happy. The food is heavenly, this is the first time in 8 years that I go on vacation and gain weight! Everything tasted as good as it looked!! It's definitely an experience of a lifetime. I will be returning!!

Disappointing

We stayed here 4.5 years ago and could not wait to get back there to feel to feel that feeling of getting pampered we loved it then. However this time we were so disappointed the food quality and variety in the buffet it was good food but not premium food like we payed for. Room cleaning was far from good funny they don't forget to grab the tip laundry service we asked 3 times to have it done left the bag on the bed with a tip they took the tip and tossed the bag in the corner we talked to the f [... read more]ront desk on Friday morning they said they would take care of it they did not so saterday there way to fix it was to offer to do it at a express service at a 2x the fee so we said forget it. Needless to say I will never pay the palace premium again I may go back to Santa fe if it was a huge deal Not a 5 star anymore

Renovations don't always mean improvements

Having been here 4.5 years ago and the Santa Fe 2 years ago, I was really excited to see the renovations and get back to "5 star" quality. Maybe because I'd been here before my expectations were extremely high but in the end I felt let down. - "5 Star" resort/1 start toilet paper. Seriously I could read through it - Bathroom renovations were lovely and the mattress was FAR better than 4.5 years ago - Some of the renovations in the check-in area have made it look like an 80s European disco tec [... read more]h - The "24 hour bar" is now self-serve and they leave the usual crappy booze you get in your room there. - The "Riu" brand alcohol in many cases was terrible. I seriously sent back at least 5 drinks because the taste was so bad. Which didn't make sense because up until a certain point they were great. My friend kept commenting that the vodka tasted like tequila so we figured they were using the crap vodka - All those renovations and still no bathroom near the pool!!!!! No wonder people were peeing in the swim-up bar, it was too dangerous to go up or down the stairs (when drunk) to get to the washrooms - Food this time was only slightly better than the Santa Fe. (The Italian restaurant was the exception. Very tasty). Other than having elevators in ALL the buildings, not sure paying more was really worth it over the Santa Fe party resort next door - The 24-hour sports lounge is comfortable and bright but I didn't pay extra on a trip for self-serve. Sorry but that's not cool - Service was typically excellent. I did however enjoy when a woman at the Front Desk told me that there was not a light in the shower when I let them know that it was not working. The next day it worked all day and then never worked again. No light indeed - The cleaning staff never refilled our fridge all week so we were getting water from the 24-hour bar. Last time that fridge was ALWAYS full no matter what - Pool water was quite cool. Having been here once before in January I don't recall it being that chilly before but hey, I was drinking. - The addition or reno of the coffee bar is a nice touch. Connected to the original 24-hour bar that all close too early. Overall it was not the experience I felt I had 4.5 years ago and left us all a little disappointed considering that this is the premium resort of Riu. The pools look lovely and you can find people watching at its finest. The beach is fine if you don't walk on it. Excellent service from Abril in the breakfast area and Miguel at Krystal (which we didn't bother returning). But after 4-5 days, we were all tired of the buffet food. Truthfully, for the price difference I would recommend people go to Santa Fe. Save the money and go into town for more food and atmosphere. Our friends rented a car and had some great experiences and culinary treats. We walked into town twice and it's just fun going up and down the streets.

Top notch!

A great hotel and great location. The service was impeccable and so was the food. Lobster served several times during our stay. Amazing for an all inclusive resort. This was our second exposure the the Rui Offerings but won't be our last.

Really amazing resort

Beautiful and well maintained grounds. Immaculate rooms, bathrooms, as well as public areas. Great and very diverse food for all tastes. Think that food in Italian restorant was slightly below the level of the other restorants.

Truly a Palace

Having stayed at adjacent Riu Sante Fe twice before, this was a nice upgrade! The food quality was quite a bit better . Nicest change was to get rid of the early morning reservations to get the alacarte restaurants. Instead it was first come first serve, and if you weren't early enough for first seating, they gave you a buzzer/blinker, to let you know when table is ready. Very clean resort, and good staff! Location is great, about a 20 minute walk along beach to the Marina. Spa was disappointing [... read more] as steam room was't working. Bar drinks were quite good, although wine could still be improved. I usually brought my own, ( 5 minute walk to Walmart, for good selection and reasonable price) the buffet was often a better choice than the alacarte, although bee loved the Mexican rest.

Nice Resort... bad airline!!!! - Sunwing

Loved the resort but I will never fly Sunwing again!!! I thought a charter wouldn't be much different than a main stream airline. However, really bad start when I was singled out to weigh my carry-on. I had a normal sized carry-on that weighed 8 kgs....that's 17.6 lbs. Apparently Sunwings maximum weight for carry-on is 5kgs...thats 11 lbs !!!!! WTF? All other airlines are 22 lbs. My girlfriends carry-on was much larger and weighed 20.2 lbs but they never weighed hers???. There were many, many [... read more] people with large carry-ons that never were weighed. Now I'm not complaining about the cost as there was none to check it but I had packed it as I needed some items in my carry on. Next, was the space between the seats. Now Im 6' and 195lbs, so fairly normal and it was the most uncomfortable flight ever. I don't know how larger people survived the flight. Later someone told me that they modified the airplane to get more people on it. I felt like an animal in a transport truck. Oh and you better take a ipad with a downloaded movie as they still have the drop down screens from the 1980's. Hopefully you don't get one that drops down right above your head. Our 6 days at the resort were great the two flying were something I would like to forget. Oh and BTW, I don't think our pilot was drunk.