For those of you who read my blog posts, you already know that this was the second resort I visited during my Cancun trip during COVID (the first being Atelier Playa Mujeres–read that resort review here).  If you are interested in reading about my flights to/from Cancun during COVID, read that blog post here.  This post will only cover this particular Riu resort stay.

As previously mentioned in my Atelier resort review, whether or not to travel during a pandemic was a difficult decision.  I’m not sorry for making the decision to go to Cancun, it turned out to be very informative as to what another country is doing to recharge an economy in an area driven by tourism, as well as enlightening about air travel during the pandemic.  During my resort stays, I always attempted to be cognizant of personal/others’  safety–I wore my mask as much as possible outside of my room (especially when indoors), used hand sanitizer religiously, tried to maintain social distancing, and stayed away from larger groups or groups of individuals gathered closely together.  Neither myself nor my travel companion became ill while on the trip or upon return.

While I have stayed at my share of Riu resorts (they have a great “bang for your buck” vacation factor), I had never stayed at the Peninsula.  The architecture with its massive rectangular cutout has always intrigued me, while the thought of a large balcony Jacuzzi with drop-dead ocean views has always tempted me. Now was that time to address my curiosity and give in to temptation, and I took advantage of the opportunity.

Riu Palace Peninsula is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort located within Cancun’s Hotel Zone on the upper part of the “7”.  Driving time from my previous resort, Atelier Playa Mujeres, took approximately 20 minutes.  If you travel from the airport, it will take you approximately 30 minutes depending on the traffic.  While the bellman whisked my luggage away to be disinfected, I was directed to a floor mat which held shoe disinfectant–you must step on that and use the hand sanitizer in the container located by the resort entrance.  Riu has more stringent COVID safety requirements than some other resorts, and guests are expected to wear their masks while in the lobby area.  Upon entering the resort, a thermal scanner registered my body temperature and I was directed to the check-in desk.  Since I arrived during midweek as well as prior to the official check-in time of 3 p.m., I had a very limited choice of Jacuzzi suites immediately available (two) and was offered the opportunity to check out a suite to see if I liked its location.  Since the suite was only one floor above the lobby (this resort has 17 floors), I was not initially thrilled with the option but decided to check it out anyway.  I was happily surprised by the ocean view available and took the suite.  All I had to do was call the front desk and have my bags delivered.

Since it was mid-afternoon, I decided to change into my swimsuit and check out the pools. This resort offers five–the swim-up bar pool, the activities pool, family and disabled-friendly pool with gradual entry, beachfront infinity pool which offers a complimentary scuba class in the a.m. (probably not a good idea during COVID), and the private pool for guests staying in the adults-only Villa section.  Riu Land, the “Kid’s Club”, is also supposed to have a small, shallow pool for the wee ones, but I did not personally check it out in order to verify that piece of info.  While guests were still enjoying the swim-up bar pool, no drinks were being served at that particular bar.  Instead, servers were bringing over trays of ordered drinks for guests to enjoy poolside.  Guests can also stand in line at the pool bar to order drinks (you have to wear your mask to do this, however.)

Poolside loungers were in groups of two and well spaced out–quite different from the typical resort experience where being too close to the next lounger is the norm.  On your way to your lounger, pick up your towel at the poolside towel hut–there are no towel cards during COVID, just be prepared to know your room number in Spanish since they will write it down in order to keep track.  Afternoon pool/poolside activities were well attended and led by a very friendly and animated group of young individuals from various countries (I try and attend the aqua aerobics/exercise classes while on vacation which can be a hoot), while the music played at this pool during the day was Latin based with Spanish lyrics.  There was a delicious poolside BBQ served most days of my stay (except during inclement weather) which consisted of standard hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as nachos and chicken–don’t miss the chicken, it was very tasty.  Wear your mask when you go to the poolside counter to get your BBQ lunch, and don’t handle any condiment packets yourself, you will get scolded by the staff.

On the days I didn’t want the same BBQ lunch options, I had my choice of heading upstairs to Isla Mujeres restaurant in the main building (this is the same restaurant that is the steakhouse for dinner) where a large buffet was set out (serve yourself), or I could also have gone to the Venecia restaurant for an Italian-themed buffet (serve yourself).  Since I had gotten into the habit of carrying around hand sanitizer from my previous stay at Atelier, it certainly came in handy after my visits to the buffet stations since all serving utensils are handled by guests, not staff.  FYI:  Riu resorts require all guests to wear masks when you enter/exit a restaurant as well as when you go up to buffet stations to serve yourself.  Once seated, you can remove your mask.

As long as I am on the subject of restaurants and food, I should say something about the lavish buffets served at Las Olas, the main restaurant.  Contrary to many vacationer’s beliefs about all-inclusive resorts, buffets have vastly improved over the years and are now something that good resorts can be proud of.  Amuse-bouche choices, live cooking stations, rows of food representing different countries, chocolate fountains, and carts of desserts are standard at all Riu resorts; the Peninsula has an added treat in that Thursdays are seafood theme nights with unlimited lobster.  If you are really into lobster, you don’t have to wait until Thursday because you can order a lobster dinner at the steakhouse as well as a lobster entree at Krystal restaurant.  In terms of COVID and the main restaurant, not everyone’s temperature was taken when entering, and the tables were very close together when breakfast was served.  A bit inconsistent in how things were handled at this restaurant.

Of course I cannot forget to mention that a la carte restaurants do not require reservations anymore, just show up a bit earlier than when you’d like to eat since there is likely to be a line.  Arriving just before a restaurant opens (around 6-6:30) or later on (after 8:30) is likely to result in the least amount of waiting time.

If you get hungry when restaurants are not open or just need a bite during late afternoon or evening, check out the sports bar for drinks and snacks.  Even if you are not hungry, the sports bar serves drinks when the lobby bar is not open; you can also watch various sporting events on their multiple flat screens or just play a game of pool to while away some time.

I enjoyed getting a pre-dinner drink at the lobby bar–check out their chocolate martini, it was excellent. One of the best things about this bar is the resort view from the floor to ceiling windows, very relaxing while getting into dinner mode.  The coffee shop and ice cream parlor was just on the other side of the lobby bar for those who appreciate a cup of coffee or tea and slice of cake in the evening.  Since both the lobby bar and the coffee shop are located within the lobby area, masks are required.  Once seated you may remove your mask.

To be honest, while I knew where the theater area was located, I never once attended a performance.  Instead, I tended to retreat to my room after dinner to chat with my travel companion, watch a movie on TV and just relax, or enjoy the balcony Jacuzzi.  So I cannot comment on the performances.  Just be aware that if you decide to attend, the theater is open-air with only some seating protected by overhead coverings.

Looking for something to do off-site? If you walk five minutes down the street to the left of the resort entrance you will find the ferry pier that will take you over to Isla Mujeres (Playa Tortugas ferry terminal, I believe; look up Ultramar ferry info here). It’s a great day trip to visit the beautiful island and if nothing else, see the turquoise waters of Playa Norte.  Don’t want to go that far?  Take the local bus to one of the busiest malls in Cancun, Plaza La Isla Cancun (I just refer to it as La Isla Mall). The bus stop is just across the street from the Peninsula, just ask the driver if he goes to La Isla Mall and he will let you off at the right stop.  It’s only 12 pesos per rider one-way, or you can give the driver a $1 USD bill, just don’t expect change.  Taking the bus back is easy, just cross the street from the mall at one of the bus stops, ask the driver if he’s going to Riu Palace Peninsula, and he will let you off at the correct stop.  MUCH less expensive than taking a taxi.

I cannot finish this review without commenting on the beach at Riu Palace Peninsula.  It is unusual in that it had both a rocky and a smooth beach area; the rocky part located on the western side of the resort had rather narrow, smooth sand entries into the ocean while the other end of the resort offered a standard ocean entry.  There were occasional rocks in the water at all points, so those with sensitive feet might want to wear water shoes.  The rocky ocean entry had groups of loungers scattered about, while the standard ocean entry offered coconut and palm trees for shade (there were no shade umbrellas). I swam from the western side of the resort over to the standard beach with no difficulty; the water is generally calm with gentle wave action and is so clear you can see anything swimming in the water with you.  If you want to snorkel, swim on both sides of the pier and see what you can find.

Just a quick word about check-out–it is at 11 a.m., not noon like other resorts.  Once you are checked-out, you get dropped from complimentary WiFi use.

Here’s a quick summation of what to expect at Riu Palace Peninsula if you visit during COVID:

• more mask wearing at this resort than at other resorts.
• masks must be worn in the lobby area until you are seated.
• masks must be worn going into/exiting all restaurants.
• masks must be worn going up to and returning from buffet stations.
• masks must be worn when ordering drinks at the pool bar.
• masks must be worn when ordering lunch at the poolside BBQ.
• buffet utensils are handled by guests, not staff.
• the swim-up bar is closed.
• loungers are in groups of two and spaced widely apart.
• temperatures will often be taken going into the main restaurant.
• tables in the main restaurant may be too close together during breakfast.
• your luggage will be taken and disinfected upon arrival.
• as a Riu Palace guest during COVID, you cannot access the nearby Riu Caribe, nor can you access any of the other Cancun Riu’s.
• guest rooms do not include bottles of liquor or coffee machines during COVID

While there were several hand sanitizing stations located around the lobby and at restaurant entrances, it is a good idea to carry around your own bottles of hand sanitizer and take them with you wherever you go at the resort.  You will definitely need them if you go the buffet restaurant, or use the buffets located within Venecia,Tamales, and Isla Mujeres restaurants.  While I did not eat at Kabuki restaurant, I know from other Riu stays that there are typically buffet stations at the Asian restaurant as well.   Would I return to this particular resort? Probably not; while I loved the balcony Jacuzzi suite, I was not impressed with the level of service at this Riu resort.  Abruptly cutting off my free WiFi upon checking out also made me feel as if they were in a hurry to be rid of me.  Also, the gift shop didn’t seem to be very well stocked with much of anything besides clothing, a definite negative if you happen to forget basic items when packing for vacation.  I’ve stayed at other Riu resorts where I left on a much happier note.  Was it a mistake to go to this four star resort after visiting a five star resort?  Perhaps, it definitely was a step down in service.  But it also wasn’t the first time I’ve done such an order in my resort stays.  These are simple things to fix at this Riu resort, I hope they make some changes.

Take a moment or two and enjoy the photo gallery below–just click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger view of the picture.

The comments in this review are those of the author/reviewer.  This trip was paid for in its entirety by the author; at no time were any monies or services exchanged for this review.

Location:  30 min. north of the Cancun airport.

Telephone:  52-998-848-8090

email:  customerservices.palacepeninsula@riu.com