The hotel is kept very clean, and had no complaints with service. This was my first stay in Cancun, but had previously stayed at Iberostar (meh) and Barcelo (awesome) resorts in nearby Riviera Maya. From photos, I thought Riu Palace would be nicer than Barcelo though I quickly felt that the hotel itself, and the food, were faux. It became a running joke that everything was faux, "how's your food?"... "it's faux." With the meals, they were simply not as good as they looked. Food wasn't bad, but there was nothing that stood out as exceptional. A meal I had at an airport during a connection was tastier than anything at the resort. We did the Mexican (actually Spain theme), Steakhouse, Japanese, and the buffets in both Palace and Riu Cancun. Same goes for the liquor, none of the drinks I had (tried many) tasted like the true alcohol label displayed on the bottles.

That being said, you make the best of your experience, and we did. Pools were great, activities were fun, and the view was definitely the best I've experienced. We paid an extra $20 or so p/p for the ocean view, worth it. I believe most rooms with ocean view miss out on a view of sunset or sunrise, but again, the bright blue ocean view was great. We booked an excursion for a 2.5 hr. wave runner rental + snorkeling, which was one of my favorite experiences of the trip. The only other activity outside the resort was to walk a bit of the strip. We went to the flea market about a 15-minute walk away. While I ended up with a good deal on a couple small items, many sellers were extremely pushy. Most of them fight for your attention, which quickly gets annoying when you're just looking to casually look around.

Palace was classier and chill, while Cancun was a little more lively. We enjoyed both equally, so was nice to have that option by staying at Palace. Some of the shows were cheesy, but the Michael Jackson one was great! I believe they bring in an outside dance company that was very good. Lastly, the disco (Riu Cancun) was small and not very exciting. The music would be hit or miss, and since everyone was drinking faux liquor, they didn't have courage to get to the dance floor.

I just returned from a week long stay at the Riu Palace. We had an ocean view jr suite with a spectacular view. Nice resort the employees are ALWAYS cleaning!! and always friendly. Good food and beverage, nothing like a bar stocked with water, soda, beer etc in your room.

Great location you can walk to talka $10 cab anywhere, make sure to go to the Riu Cancun next door! You are allowed in all the Riu resorts with your wristband. If you want sun this time of year you need to be out early as the sun in gone by 4 pm.

We went out with the Hotels Entertainment staff a few nights and had a blast! ~$50 gets to transportation and bottle service in the club no lines to buying tickets on the street.

Stay away from some of the salesmen in the lobby "Hotel Beds" they dont have good club deals and they will call your room and try to sell you at 9 in the morning.

Great time and value cant see where else can beat the Riu for the same money.

Spent a week at this hotel early December on their all inclusive package, very clean, excellent value for money and highly attentive staff. Bus stop to downtown is 5 mins walk from the hotel (save on taxi fares).

I must admit I have left the hotel with not many really strong impressions. It was ok thats about it, the staff especially the wait staff in the bars and the restaurant and the girls and boys on reception (especially Paty) were very nice and efficient and the service was good without being too intrusive. Drinks were good, from the optics in the rooms which had premium brands to the cocktails around the bars. I do like my daiquiris.
If I had a small criticism it would be that housekeeping seem to be constantly doing something in your room, I am sure that they were in mine at least 3 separate occasions everyday. most of the time not a problem but once or twice when I wanted to change during the day they would be blocking up the hallway and I had to wait for them to leave the room, i have no idea what they were doing all those times! Oh and please would some one stop turndown service , its a personal gripe but what is the point of it? Only other thing I would be careful of is slippery floors there but they do put out signs.
The beach is nice, small yes, and i don't know how it would work if the hotel had been full as there is ver little waterfront space, plenty of loungers and didn't see any evidence of towel saving. Good clear water with a few little fish, clean sand.
I didn't eat at the a la cartes.
So why 4 *? Just didn't quite feel 5, there was nothig specifically wrong, the feeling of exclusivity and luxury just was not quite there.