Riu Yucatan - All Inclusive

Customer ratings & reviews

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9069 reviews

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  Amazing Holiday at Riu Yukatan

  Sorry if this long but if your like us we like to do alot of research before booking a trip. Myself, my sister and two nieces arrived from the UK at the Riu Yukatan for our dream holiday in mexico to celebrate my nieces 30th birthday. We decided on the Riu Yukatan over the sister hotel Tequila after reading many reviews about the stunning location and safety of the area and boy was we wowed. Location - hotel is located on about 1k stretch that has maybe 10 hotels and residential properties, you enter via a gated security checkpoint and exit the other end into Playa Del Carmen by the same way which makes the area feel very safe to walk around of a daytime or evening if you wish too, there's a small shopping area about 5 minutes walk, mainly gift shops and boutiques nice to have a look at and playa del carmen is probably 10 minutes in a taxi or you could walk but was a little too hot for us in the day so taxi it was and not very expensive. Beach is literally in the hotel it's that close and that is why we are glad we chose it, the most stunning beach I've been too pure white sand, yes we had seaweed as it's April but tractors clear away every day as best they can, it was windy so I guess some day's the seaweed just heads on in and nothing you can do about it, but it really didn't matter, once you are in that ocean it's beautiful. The hotel offer free sports activities, kayaking, paddle boards among other things so take up the offer, there are also quite a few ticket sellers around to sell water sports activities, jet ski's, banana boats, they do come round alot but they are polite and if you say no very quickly move on I didn't find them a hassle at all. Majority of dining and evening gathering is centered around the main lobby that you enter, this is the same over at the sister hotel Riu Tequila, lovely area that has a cocktail bar, Main evening buffet (daytime buffet is situated by the pool area) an Asian & Italian restaurants, there is an entertainment screen so you can see what's on and when day or night at any of the three hotels or you download the Tui App to look up the information. Buffet - very good choices during the day and evening, a little repetitive but expect that from a buffet, couldn't fault any meal in there, staff work very very hard and found them all very pleasant for the duration, we celebrated our 30th birthday breakfast in the buffet and was given a table decorated with balloons and waiters sang and brought out a huge chocolate cake, lovely gesture. The food was well stocked all the time, only negative would of loved more fresh mango, or selection of other fruit as not keen on melon however my assumption might be the wildlife and tourists feeding them with fruit that could be taken away from the restaurant maybe. The Asian is a small separate restaurant but buffet style food, this was nice and staff very friendly, The Steakhouse and Mexican were all very nice to eat at these are table served with a set menu situated next door to each other down by the pool area, friendly staff again, we booked Steakhouse for our 30th birthday meal on the evening and the staff surprised us with another chocolate birthday cake which was huge and a lovely gesture again, it was hilarious to see another cake coming out after the morning one but who counts calories on holiday. You need to wait slightly at these restaurants to be seated which wasn't too long, slight criticism on the Steakhouse is the white cool lighting it really dosent make it a tranquil area like the Mexican does but only a tiny negative, it was nice to sit at these two though and be waited on. Entertainment - Daytime was in Abundance if you wanted to get stuck in you will never be bored, didn't participate in that much as we wanted to chill by the sea as it's so stunning but did the Aqua Aerobics with Gustavo who by the way is hilarious and a fabulous dancer, spotted rumba classes, yoga, water polo, beach polo lots and lots going on, we did the daytime Foam party which was good fun, beds by the pool we never got one as just far too early for me getting up at 6ish to save a bed, dont think they have a policy of not saving them but hard to police that anyway, pool areas nice, two decent size pools and a jacuzzi in between and another pool up by the msin lobby in a quieter area if you want to chill, we did go up there one morning but heat was too much for us so moved by the sea which is where we preferred for the cool breeze, it's easy enough to go back and fetch drinks and take down. Evening entertainment was quite good, wouldnt say midweek was amazing but didnt expect it to be, we had authentic Mexican shows, entertainment team did a rock night, silent disco night was great fun only negative was the time it all finished, again presumption is a noise curfew maybe, some rooms back on to the outside theatre area, main show was around 9:30 this all finished by 10:30 and nothing after, people abruptly left leaving a few straddlers, someone brought a speaker one evening so the after entertainment came from him lol, the bars remained open but with no background music the nights just became a little dull as most people left to go to rooms or move back up to the lobby cocktail bar, no music on there either after so that was more quiet and chilled, much better drinks i might add up at the cocktail bar, they do have a solo singer on early evenings but it isn't placed in a good spot as its in the walkway of everyone going to dinner in the lobby so you tend to ignore them and they are actually very good singers which is a shame. Moving to the main attraction however which blows every other night out the park, the Friday night parties, boy are they a party the White Party and Neon, they alternate each week and the three Riu hotels can go to them so they are busy go early if you want to sit, it's held over at Riu Tequila across the road as that has a bigger theatre area, we did see an Abba tribute and Grease show aswell there which were good, both nights start around 7:30 until about 11:30, you name it they do it. Face painting in lobby of both hotels beforehand, DJ, strobe lighting, lasers, balloons, dancers, jugglers, people on stilts it was bloody awesome and more geared up to Adults if im honest that families but lots of fanilies had chilldren there it was an epic 5 star for effort. Wildlife - we saw masses deer trotting past on the beach, mad I know. Spider monkey family who were gorgeous and so cute doing little cartwheels on the grass wish they'd appeared more, coati little racoon type animals just living within the grounds, lizards and an odd cock roach thank god, they don't bother you at all we found it really cute to see. Staff - all work really really hard to give you a great experience, bar staff and restaurant staff are fabulous, general manager what can I say the very handsome Mr Riu! (That's what we named him) oversaw some events and main buffet clearly good at his job as they work there socks off. Shout out to the very friendly Mariel (entertainment team) who went over and above to be friendly and chat whenever we saw her. Think I've covered most things just couple of more points. Xcaret Adventure park is a must book it up you won't be disappointed but plan your day as you won't see everything. We also booked swim with dolphin excursion Dephinus at Xcaret separately again amazing day. Would I book this hotel again yes I would, it was amazing and in a stunning location so what you waiting for book up

  Apr 28, 2025
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  Fantastic Hotel

  At this price point, you'd be hard pushed to find a better hotel. I honestly can't think of a single negative thing to say about the Riu Yucatan. Rooms: Spacious and clean. Air conditioning was easy to operate and keep at a comfortable temperature. The mini bar was topped up daily and even stocked with more of what we were drinking (beers, diet pepsi and 7up). The cleaners came every morning and did a great job. Beds were comfortable and a decent size. Staff: Absolutely Fantastic. The hardest working folks I've ever seen. All were pleasant, welcoming and went out of their way to help. The chap who I presume was the hotel manager was out at every event joining in and getting his hands dirty, which was great to see. Food and Drink: Great selection of delicious food in the buffet, waiting staff were so attentive I don't think my glass was empty once whilst dining in there. Asian restaurant was my favourite. Italian cooked a perfect fillet steak. Steak restaurant was great but could've done with an extra couple of waiters or waitresses (although the ones on duty were working extra hard to make up the numbers). Great selection of drinks at the bars, didn't have to wait long regardless of how busy they were, told a few of the bar staff they were the fastest I'd ever seen. Despite that they were still pleasant and more than happy to help with my daughters' numerous requests for mocktails. Then came the paries at the Riu Tequila over the road. Wowee, they were awesome! And family friendly too despite being more lively than anything I've experienced in England! Pools: A few tiles missing but clean and a perfect temperature. Pool bars close by and the main pool is literally a few steps from the beach. Plenty of sun loungers, although you had to get your towels down early for the best spots, we didn't go once without a couple of loungers even when getting there later in the morning. Lovely breeze off the sea to keep you cool too. Entertainment: Fantastic, the team work incredibly hard and provided a wide range of activities and events during the day. The foam party was wild and my daughter loved the Easter egg hunt, complete with a fly over and a wave from the police helicopter, was like something out of Miami Vice. Special mention to Gustavo who regularly had the guests in tears of laughter and even had me getting involved in aqua aerobics by the end of the stay. Evening entertainment was great too. If all Riu hotels are this good, I'll be a customer for life

  Apr 27, 2025
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  Fourth Time to the Riu Complex

  Great time as always! Amazing staff pool bartenders Santos and Leo. Lobby bar Guillermo Activities team especially a shout out to Gustavo !! Everyone from the restaurants to the housekeeping team friendly and helpful !! You will not be disappointed

  Apr 26, 2025
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  Simply Awesome

  Best all inclusive resort ever... 10/10. Food - plenty and fresh. Hacienda is an amazing buffet and Salmon at Italian restaurant is best I've ever had. Service was so friendly. Best coffee at lobby bar, ever! Thank you!

  Apr 25, 2025
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  Amazing resort

  Amazing resort. Nothing to complain about. Beach was the highlight, food amazing, people working there were fabulous, drinks were excellent. Will definitely be back!!

  Apr 25, 2025