FYI: Since I made this post, I’ve done more checking into the resort’s renovations and have found out it is a total gut job. Yes, everything is going. I’ve watched videos of the pools being decimated, another floor is being added to some guest room buildings, and seen computer generated pics of the lobby area which keeps none of the elegant charm that I loved about this resort. If you want more moment-by-moment info on this renovation, the best place to get it is on Facebook–ask to join the Riu Palace Riviera Maya page.
It’s finally happening. After many years Riu has decided to renovate the lovely Riu Palace Riviera Maya. Closure dates are set for August 13, 2019, with reopening set to occur on December 7, 2019. I hope Riu keeps the same beautiful lobby area–the rooms definitely need a complete re-do and the pools needed to be re-tiled back in 2014, but the rest was perfect in my opinion. Here are a few pictures of the resort when I visited back in 2014.
One of the lobby chandeliers
Another lovely lobby chandelier
Ignore the date stamp–when I first started this blog I didn’t even know how to operate a camera, lol.
Knowing how closely guarded actual pictures are from ongoing renovations, I don’t imagine any real pics will be available until late in the year. When I see them I will post them. What do you think about recent Riu renovations in general?
Interested in RIU Mayan Riviera Palace Mayan renovators changes
Corrine: So am I! Riu typically keeps hush hush about their renovations–all I know at this time is that the resort will be closed until late fall 2019 so it will be a more complete renovation of interior spaces including rooms as well as pools. My concern is that they will ruin the beautiful lobby area, but time will tell. As soon as I hear anything further I will post that information.
We have been staying at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya for many years
and love the atmosphere, staff, and food. The rooms needed freshening,
but we saw the model room for the renovation and are very disappointed
in the open bathroom and bathtub next to the bed in the middle of the room.
Everyone wants privacy in the bathroom. We will have to find another place to stay in 2020; We’re looking at the Royal Hideaway in Playacar. We have been going to Playacar for 20 years and the Riu Palace was our favorite. The staff even remembers us every year. So sorry that you’re making these changes.
Fran: While I agree with your thoughts about bathroom privacy, I don’t represent the resort and therefore cannot pass along your comment. I would suggest you contact them at their US Customer Service number at 1-888-RIU-4990. Hopefully they can log your feedback. Royal Hideaway Playacar is a beautiful resort; there is also a brand new all-inclusive resort being built at the very south end of Playacar beach which I just saw several days ago called Palmaia (it was just renamed from Sandos Palm Bay). Looks like it will be a while before it is done, but the computer generated pics look like the resort will be quite lovely. When I get home from Cancun I will be posting pics of my ventures, including the pics of this resort from the beach as well as the beach area so you can check back in about a week.
OMG, I was so looking forward to going back when it’s finished. I’m up and down all night and don’t want to disturb my husband with flushing, brushing, and lights. Heaven forbid someone ends up there with friends and need more privacy. Whoever thought a large bathroom with a bed in it was a good idea, must be nuts.
OMG is it true that the rooms are going to be a huge bathroom with a bed in it? I’ll be crossing this one off my list.
For their newer renovations, Riu has been big on open bathrooms. Some of the nicer rooms will probably have a jetted tub nearer the bed. Take a look at either Riu Palace Peninsula rooms or Riu Palace Mexico rooms to get a general idea. Here’s the link to RPM. https://www.riu.com/en/hotel/mexico/playa-del-carmen/hotel-riu-palace-mexico/#rooms-grid
Wish with 5 hotels in Playa they could have made the Rivera Mayan an ADULT ONLY hotel. We just left Riu Palace Mexico in October and are going back to Las Americas.
I agree, one in Cancun and one in the Riviera Maya. I love RPLA, been there twice.
If you take a look at Riu Palace Peninsula rooms or Riu Palace Mexico rooms, this will give you an idea of the open bathroom concept and the tub location.
Do you know if they are changing the pool? The Riu Palace Mexico had a beautiful pool, but they took it out and put two rectangular pools in. I hope they don’t take out the big round pool at Riu Palace Maya Riviera and make rectangular pools. Do you know if the swimup bar will be gone? We are looking into the Royal Hideaway in Playacar. We have a friend that loves it there.
I don’t know for sure, Riu is always pretty close-mouthed about renovations. I will look further and get back to you if I find out something specific about the pools. I agree with you, I don’t want any changes in the pools or the lobby, but we will have to wait and see.
Fran: I just ran across some computer generated pictures of Riu Palace Riviera Maya via Sunwing. I don’t know if it’s accurate, but I would assume so since Sunwing is a major travel company in Canada. Here’s the link. https://www.sunwing.com/en/hotel/mexico/riviera-maya/riu-palace-riviera-maya
The renovations as shown by the Sunwing link are not descriptive of what Mr. Luis Riu suggested. I’ve been to the Hotel RIU Palace Riviera Maya at least six times. I’m currently planning on returning January 2020. But I’ll never go to a resort as depicted in those computer generated pictures from Sunwing.
The pics look more like a fancier version of Riu Cancun. I don’t know if I want to go back either. I’m with you on this one.
I’ve been to the Riu Palace Riviera Maya at least 20 times (usually go twice a year since it opened in 2006). I loved this resort and the people there – it has truly been my home away from home and many of the staff I considered to be family and great friends. I am totally heartbroken about the renovations they are doing there. All of the charm and elegance of this resort has been lost – a true gem has been destroyed.
Laureen: 20 times, what a testament. I also loved the look of the resort and am truly sad it has been lost.
we have gone for 13 yrs, and loved it. the charm and staff were wonderful. was looking forward to going again, but i WILL NOt now. guess i will chek out royal hideaway. who wants a bathroom in their bedroom? so sorry. i loved this place
Maureen: A repeat guest for 13 years says a lot about how much you loved the resort. I thought it was gorgeous and don’t really know if I will go back, it would be too sad for me to remember how beautiful it was. Royal Hideaway is a wonderful resort with many repeat guests, hope you enjoy it as much.
Well, they are in the process of ruining my favourite hotel and I’m pissed. I sent them an email years ago begging them NOT to do this to the RPRM – or any Palace for that matter. I suggested they have themes for their Clubs and Palaces, but to keep the Palaces elegant. While I agree the rooms needed a facelift and the overall place needed painting with some more moderate colours, this is not what I was hoping for. I will not go to the RIU chain any more. Ironically it used to be the ONLY resort I would go to! I wonder if they will have trouble filling it now. Even at a fire sale I don’t know if I would go. A bathtub beside the bed, and the bathtub is in front of the door!!! The shower has no curtain or anything from what I can tell.
We went to the RIU Yucatan in 2015 with our daughter and my husband had to leave the room every time she needed to use the bathroom. Ridiculous.
Don’t give up on the chain yet. The Riu Palace Las Americas in Cancun’s Hotel Zone still retains its charm after their 2017 renovations.
I will definitely be watching this one. I love Playacar and everything about the old RPRM. I sure hope they don’t end up making it look like the images on Sunwing’s page.
My daughter is an Interior Designer, and as soon as she saw the images she said they probably hired a Chinese firm to do the plans because it has all the hallmarks of what they’re doing with the open bathrooms. If they stick to the diagrams shown on Sunwing’s page they will probably lose their existing loyal clientele and replace it with young Asians. It’s definitely not my thing.
Fingers crossed!!
I did not know that. It certainly seems to be the new “normal” bathroom design in many different resorts.
We are looking to book December 7th the re-opening. My concern is they won’t be finished on time and we will be shipped off to a sister hotel. What are your thoughts on this
If it matters a great deal to you, then it would be wise to book a bit later. I haven’t heard whether this resort’s renovations are on time or not, so it depends on what matters most to you. I’ve never booked a resort the day they’ve opened, sometimes it works out but many times it does not.
Does anyone have any additional information about the new bathroom situation? Are there doors? Toilet area at least private?
I’ve looked at the existing pics of the renovation (most are computer generated) and it looks like the tub and sinks are absolutely out in the open. The shower looks like it can be seen from the room as well, and the toilet area looks enclosed with a door. Who knows how closely this will resemble the actual output.
We just got back from the Riu Palace Mexico and from walking by the front and back of the Riu Palace Riviera Maya I would say there’s no way its going to be done by December 7th. I was thinking about booking a trip for the 8th of January and I’m concerned about it even being done by that time. I agree with the other posts about losing the charm it once had by making it like the Riu Palace Mexico with those colors and having no privacy in the bathrooms. I guess I might have to book a trip to the Riu Palace Pacifico in Puerto Vallarta.
Tom: Wow, thanks for the update. I had no idea from just looking at the existing pics how close they were to their construction schedule. I’ve found that Riu Palace Las Americas still has its charm following their last renovation, if you haven’t already done so then check out that resort as well if you like Cancun.
I have no idea why they think an open concept bathroom is a good idea. I could see if we lived like that at home, but we don’t (for a reason). People like their privacy in the bathroom, especially when travelling with others (like our teen daughter).
I will now be asking “is there a door on the bathroom (not just the toilet)”. If not, I will keep looking until I find a place that does.
I think we should all tell the RIU what we think of open bathrooms!
Deb: I’m pretty sure older all-inclusives are more likely to have the bathroom privacy factor. I was just at the Iberostar Tucan this summer and the bathroom was totally enclosed, but then this is an older resort.
What is wrong with everyone. There is not going to be an open concept bathroom. There is is going to be a cool sexy tub in some of the rooms. Its irritable to see how fast people are willing to turn a brand they have loved. Very sad people. Reserve your statements till its finished and you have experienced it. I for one an looking forward to the update.
I like your attitude!!! The tub situation doesn’t really bother me that much, but I will miss the crystal chandeliers, stained glass, lovely paintings in the lobby, and painted domed ceiling area.
We will be going next February, and looking forward to it, new and clean, looks more like Riu Palace Mexico, I won’t be too worried about the bathtub (with jets) like the one in Cancun, we used it sometimes specilay with little kids want to play in the water and you can watch them and the bathroom was not that noisy if you are in the room, how much time you sepnd in the room :).
Hope the food qulaity and service stay the same.
Mike: I agree, the initial computer generated pics make it look like Riu Palace Mexico. I don’t see why they would change the service or food quality since it is still part of the Riu chain, it’s just the lovely decor in the common areas which people will miss the most along with the one huge pool. Hope you have a great time in February, I will be at the new adults-only Barcelo and Now Natura–let me know how your trip went and what you thought about the renovation when you get back. I would be very curious about the work done since I stayed at this resort several years ago.
Thank you, I know the original had a nice charm to it, but the rooms needed the upgrade, I’m sure it will be fun..
Will update you when I come back