Riu Palace Mexico Hotel Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen

The hotel had a mixed experience. The rooms offered a partial view of the beach but were disappointing in terms of layout and smell. The stay was decent overall but lacked exciting activities, despite good service and spacious, clean rooms with thoughtful touches.

The hotel rooms are a bit tired and in need of an update, but they do have a safe regularly stocked with snacks and drinks, which is handy for early or late tours. The rooms are quite dark, which may not be to everyone's liking. The service is friendly overall, with staff attentive to guests' needs, though some may feel more preoccupied with tips. The location is not super crowded, within walking distance to a small market, but a bit far for walking back with items. The dining options are varied, and the buffet stands out as a favorite. The facilities are generally good, with plenty to offer.

I was a bit disappointed with the view of trees in my room after such a long journey, but overall the room was clean and well stocked with soft drinks, beer, and bottled water. The lack of a privacy curtain for the king bed was not ideal.

My stay at the hotel was great overall! The rooms served their purpose, and I particularly loved the great air conditioning, making my stay very comfortable. However, the toilet in my room was incredibly small, probably the tiniest I've ever seen. The room was spacious and clean, perfect for two adults and two young teens. I also enjoyed the fantastic view of the pools.

My stay at the hotel had its ups and downs. The rooms were very spacious and extremely clean, but the layout with steps down to a seating area was a safety concern. The balcony view wasn't the best, and there were some issues with the room's smell and shower soap. While the hotel felt boring at times, the food was decent, and the hard-working staff stood out, even if some activities didn't go as planned. Ready for early or late tours with stocked food and drink options.