I took my wife and 2 twenty plus children for 2 weeks to celebrate my 50th...and we had an amazing holiday. From the lovely Jessica at reception (some of the other reception staff were a bit surly) though to the wonderful young Rebecca in the restaurant, Hector the booze dispenser and Rudolpho the legendary outside barman, we thought all the staff were great. Our rooms were beautifully cleaned each day, sometimes twice, and all the bar/waiting/entertainment staff were great.
The food was...without exception.....great. From the egg chefs at breakfast, through to the specialist restaurants (particularly enjoyed the Fusion and the Steakhouse). We returned from a fishing trip and the kitchen prepared our catch for us that evening!
We throughly enjoyed the bars (!) and all the waiting and bar staff could not have been more obliging.....around the pools they seemed to ask us every 10 minutes if we wanted something.
The trip to swim with the dolphins on the island is well worth doing, but apart from that the hotel is so good there is no need to leave it!

Complaints.......none of any note. The hotel does have a slightly "seaside" smell that you soon get used to, but all our clothes did smell of it when we got home......but it is very hot/humid there so not a great surprise. It would be nice to have tea/coffee making facilities in the room for the early morning cuppa.....its funny having optics of Tequila, Vodka, etc in your room, but not strictly neccessary!
A fantastic 2 weeks was had by us all.....Thanks RPLA.

Of the all inclusive Cancun hotels which allow children, The Riu Palace is most likely the best hotel choice. The entrance of the hotel is magnificent with towering columns, stained glass ceiling, ornate decorative iron accents. This hotel is a Euro-Colonial style true to design and period. Off the lobby is a Euro style bar-pub, very chic and well done. The design, and style of the bar also true to the Euro-Deco period, majestic, ornate, clean and well maintained. The bar area is quite large, and never appears crowded. The bar area offers waitress service, and bar service. Just beyond the bar is a theatre. Evening productions, concerts, games, similar, if not better than you will find on a cruise ship. The Theatre is large, and the style is true to the Euro-Deco period. There is a bar in the theatre, and waiter service also. The Theatre overflow is a large outside covered terrace, Another full service bar on the terrace. The hotel has a number of restaurants, I recommend, (reservations and proper attire required)Euro style restaurant "Crystal", and The Brazilian style steak restaurant, and the buffet. During the day the buffet is offered 7 am until PM on a terrace overlooking the beach, and inside. At PM the buffet is only offered inside, and has various themes. Drink wise the Riu selection offers Dos XX beer, light and dark, bottled and draft, Champagne, the basic liquor list, wines from South America, etc...Never located any wines which we had an appreciation for, your opinion my vary. The beach is the best in Cancun, period. The beach is large, the sand is clean, and the finest white powder you have ever seen. The water is crystal clear, we went sailing and the coral, and fish, could be clearly seen deep in the water. The beach area, and the pool area offer, cabana service, drinks, towels, sun bathing loungers, and umbrellas. The landscaping is impeccable, and magnificent. There are two pools, with several bars, and several hot tubs, a small full service spa, with treatments by appointment, most treatments are additional cost. This hotel has the traditional all inclusive program, with several additions. The evening entertainment is the most notable. The hotel Euro-Colonial style will transform you and give you an escape unlike any other hotel in Cancun. You could believe you were in southern Europe, Spain, the Riviera etc. This hotel accomplishes a Euro style escape. The hotel is about 15 years old, well maintained, and clean, yet not updated. The fact that it is not updated only adds to the positive Euro experience. The rooms are basic, as in Europe. No frills, lots of tile, marble, etc. No room Internet, no in room wi-fi, no flat screen TV, with movies to order. The rooms are outdated, much like most older European resorts on the Riviera. You could easily make a movie here, and the viewers would believe it was set on the beach in Monte Carlo. There are numerous non-motorized water sports included on the beach. Most of the guests were also from Europe, the hotel was around 90% occupancy, and did not seem crowded, no lines. Before booking, I read reviews indicating the "Musty Smell". The rooms on the lower floors have the smell, most older hotels in La Jolla historic district has a similar smell, musty. I am unsure of the source of the odor, (ocean air, the water, the hotel age???), but it does exist. On my first day in Cancun, we made a trip to the Super market, a 5 min walk, the market is located across the street of the Intercontinental hotel, Here I purchased a couple of cans of Glade, Glade plug ins, Glade candles, probably spent $10-$15 lasted the whole week, and gave our rooms aroma therapy. Otherwise you will probably get used to the odor within a few days. This Hotel is a gem, probably 3 to 4 stars, and an excellent value. Great deals for this Hotel exists on the Internet, making this hotel my top choice for "All Inclusive" hotels in Cancun which allow children.

just got back and we had a blast! clean, fun, good food, very very nice workers, and drinks all day long...really people the place was great and we are coming back. talked to a lot of other couples there and they all felt the same. those bad reviews on here are not acturate at all. if you stay at the palace you can go to the other riu resorts, but not the other way around. by far great trip and for sure coming back

Our holiday was cancelled on 20th May due to the swine flu, so we re-booked for 29th May for 2 weeks. We stayed at this hotel in 2004 just after it had opened and had an amazing time. I was slightly worried after reading some of the negative comments that standards may have slipped, but they had not!!!

I do not agree with the negative reviews of this hotel. I did NOT notice the "musty smell" within the hotel. Our room was cleaned everyday with fresh towels daily, and on occasions twice per day. The staff, including reception were helpful and friendly. In the two weeks I was there, I did not go to the bar once. The staff even bring your drinks to you on the beach.

Food - always plenty to choose from. Breakfast included a variety of fruits and cereals, bacon, sausages, eggs, pancakes, different breads, omlettes.. Lunch - hot dogs, burgers, pizza, chips, steak, chicken, variety of fish, salads, cold meats, veg, soup, fruit. Dinner - roast meats, fish, pasta, salads, mexican style food, pizza, chips - only to name a few!!! My partner is a very fussy eater and never went hungry. We ate at the speciality restaurants, and they were fantastic too.

The beach is amazing, very clean, as was the pool.

The hotel is located in close proximity to the "party zone" of cancun, and in walking distance if you fancy a night out. We went to Coco Bongo which I would recommend. The other nights we remained in the hotel bar, and watched the shows.

In speaking to some of the locals, the swine flu has had a massive impact on them financially. Dont be put off travelling to Mexico because of it. We only saw one person with a mask on, and we were checked on arriving and leaving Mexico.

This is our third stay in a Riu Palace Hotel in Mexico, and once again we were not disappointed and I cannot wait to go back again!!