Rest assured, your stay at the Riu will be worth it. It was my first time at a Riu and I was impressed and content. We attended a wedding at the Riu the week of April 16th. Our room was cleaned everyday, we asked for extra pillows and got them etc...Excellent variety at the buffet. We are not the type of people that load up our plates, but rather pick a few things from the variety offered, and we were pleased. The selection and quantities was ample. NOne of the 60 people I was with experienced any problems with the food. Staff was shy at first but if you engage them in conversation, they are quite friendly. These are people -with families - earning a living...just like you..when you are not on vacation. THey are very interesting. The pools are awesome - there are more than enough lounge chairs and parasols for everyone. The bars, eating areas etc, also are spacious and amply furnished, again, you never go looking for a chair. There are people on the beach who set up to sell you things, but, if you refuse, they don't ask you again. Definetely pay no more than half of what they are asking.

The beach was our only disappointment. The sand is too rough for a barefoot walk, and you cannot swim in the ocean because the undertow is too strong. Try to go into the town if you have a chance, its touristy, but lots of ambiance. Its a $10 cab ride, or you can walk the beach - but its a long walk.

There are no ATM's in the hotel, nor foreign currency exchange and you will have to go into town to get an ATM.

The weather is hot, and dry,

Just got back from a quick 4 day trip to the Riu in Cabo and had a wonderful time. This is the second time my boyfriend and I have been to Cabo but the first time staying at the Riu. The first night we were there the place was booked solid. We hadn't thought to request a oceanview room ahead of time and were given a gardenview upon check-in. We were very happy with the gardenview. The place has a beautiful landscape anywhere you look so you can't go wrong, besides who stays in their room on vacation?! The hotel itself has a lot to offer. Two large pools with plenty of activities, two swim up bars, perfect location to town (not too close, not too far), great beach and view of the bay, very friendly and helpful staff...what more could you ask for? As for the toilets, yeah, we thought ours was broken too...all you have to do is hold down the flusher and you're good to go ;) As for the food, it was better than average. Not gourmet by any means but you can definitely find tasty options. They make a mean guacamole and you can ALWAYS find it on the buffet, even at breakfast! The steak joint is alright but it's an ALL INCLUSIVE you can't expect Ruths Chris! The breakfast buffet is great...enough to fill you up until mid-afternoon when the lunch/snack buffet is there to grab a quick bite. I suggest heading into town for dinner..at least for a couple nights. I suggest Pancho's for mexican and Romeo and Juliets for Italian..YUM!
We'll be back for sure...maybe even for our wedding! Two thumbs up!
p.s. you folks with the bad reviews must be VERY hard to please, just relax and have fun on vacation! Again, remember, you booked and all-inclusive...not the Ritz. ;)

I just came back from the Riu from a 4 night stay with my husband and 4 year old daughter. The place is beautiful and the staff is very friendly and always willing to help you. I really do not understand the bad reviews. I think that if you get there with a bad attitude even the tinniest spot in your carpet or that little piece of meat that was not cooked at your taste can make your vacation the worst. But believe me this is a wonderful place to stay, the kids club even though is very little is very amusing for kids. My daughter loved it and the girls playing with the kids take very good care of your little ones. The bars are great and there is always people working to have the place clean and plenty of food in all the restaurants in service. I will happily recommend this place to anyone.

My husband and I stayed at the Riu in February 2007 with my company as a rewards trip. I wasn't sure what to expect after the mixed reviews. This was our first trip to Mexico and the Riu exceeded our expectations in several areas. The rooms were clean, the grounds were beautiful and the pools were awesome. One thing to keep in mind is it's Mexico and it can't compare to the resorts in the U.S.

Here are a few problems we encountered but they were quickly resolved for the most part. The room we originally got was right next to the construction. We promptly asked to be reassigned and the 2nd room was great with a pool/ocean view that was awesome. The food was OK but we aren't overly picky eaters so it was fine for us. I liked the fact that there was always food somewhere during the day or evening so you never went hungry. Our fridge was making a strange noise that kept us up at night. Once we reported it to the front desk, they promptly sent someone out to fix it and it was fine after that. The other negative was the fitness facility. We like to get our work outs in even on vacation but their equipment was 2nd rate at best.

The front desk staff was very helpful. We don't know much spanish so trying to communicate with the rest of the hotel staff was a challenge at times. BTW I tried this awesome drink called the "dirty monkey" that was to die for. It was like a chocolate/banana dessert drink. No one in the states seems to be able to replicate it. A "dirty money" here is made with different ingredients. I highly recommend it if you're ever at the Riu in Cabo!