My boyfriend and I booked the Riu Santa Fe last minute after reading the reviews. We are in our mid 20's and really enjoyed this resort. We didn't ask to be put in building 7 "party building" we just took what we got.

Room- Our room was in building 2-3rd floor. When we went in it had a musky smell-sort of like old wet towels or sheets. Oh well. Then we went into the fridge and in the bottom drawer there was a plate full of old food! So gross! AND our liquors were empty. I called to ask them to take the plate of food away and to replace our liquors. They came fast but only replaced the liquors. So i throw the plate of food in the garbage-plate and all.

The resorts is very large but not confusing to us. It was quite simple to get around and it is THAT far to the pools and ocean from buildings 1 and 2. The exercise is needed anyways with all the drinking and eating.
The grounds are well groomed and very clean. The staff work so hard to make sure it is clean and they all seem sincerely happy.
The pools were great however on the benches you can sit on along the edge of all 3 pools near the ocean there was slim build up.I work closely with pools (indoor and outdoor) for a career so I noticed this right away. It was a little gross but it didn't ruin anything for us.
The drinks-to us- were great!! The bartenders by the pool are a little slower but they are still great. The bartenders by the main entrance are amazing! Enrique is seriously the BEST!!! Jacob, Jonathan, Desidereo are great too - they are all so fun! Tip every few drinks or largely at the beginning of the night. They deserve it and you will be taken are of promptly. Get the "RAINBOW, SCOOBY DOO, BOB MARLEY" shots they are super fun and get everyone to meet each other:)
FOOD-The food was pretty good in the buffet's sometimes things were empty and were not refilled but all in all pretty good breakfast got a little boring and the desserts need some work and variety but dinners were great.
RESTAURANTS- Mexican apps were awful! cold, and seemed old. Fajitas were really good tho!
Steakhouse was good. VERY LARGE pieces of meat our medium rare came rare tho.
Italian was probably our favourite. Asian was ok but we were the first ones there so maybe thats why. We NEVER woke up at 7 to book a reservation. We went around 10-12 and still got a reso- it was just either 6-6:30 or at 9:00pm which was fine for us. I guess if you want something better get there early.
TOWN- Yes the water is that swimmable but people still went in it. You just have to be strong and hold your self up when the huge waves come in and go out. We walked all the way down the beach to the marina. Took about an hour with stopping to swim in the swimmable sections( which was amazing!!) also stopped to talk to hagglers. We ate at one of the restaurants at the marina( sports place) it was good, tourist prices of course. We both felt a little nauseous after though.We went into town a few more times and ate tacos at this local place LOS CLAROS ( SO SO GREAT AND CHEAP!) we didn't get sick or feel sick at all afterwards actually. Yum! We went into this super cute and great tequila store across the street from burger king. The owner sells only top of the line tequilas. From 20-$5000 a bottle. He gave us 4 samples and described them all. Our friend ended up buying a $150 bottle- got a great deal too. This was a true Cabo, Mecxico experience! Great highlight! We went to the clubs a few times which was SO SO SO FUN!! LOVED EL SQUID ROE, MANDALA & PINK KITTY. One of the Riu staff approached us and gave us an awesome deal and took care of us( no cover, line and free drinks all night for women and a few drinks for the men at each club taxi there and back $20) great fun and it was a Friday so lots of people.
EXCURSIONS- We booked Deep sea fishing with one of the vendors at the marina- SO MUCH cheaper than booking through a tour operator at the hotel. You are cutting out the middle man booking outside the hotel so why not? It was very trust worthy, safe and legit. My boyfriend and his friends caught 2 huge Dorado. Careful though sooo many people get sea sick. Alot of people were on the side of the boats being sick.
Go to lovers/divorce beach! So beautiful HUGE waves on the pacific ocean side ( divorce beach) 12$ taxi ride. Don't let them charge you per person! Sting rays on the pacific side, and fishies on the sea of cortez side.If you can book seadoos, sand buggys, parasailing outside of the hotel do it! We walked down the beach for 15 minutes and sooo many other vendors charge way way less then the people on the beach in front of the hotel! Theres super fun bars along the beach too!
Cabo was so much fun! I would def go back to Cabo! Maybe the Riu if the price was right! We met some friends for life at the resort. So much fun.
The entertainment staff are so amazing! My boyfriend and I both got pulled on stage to do some fun things and contests! They work so hard and are at the resort all the time. They live there and work there- probably 12-13 hour days. Outstanding.
This resort is a place to be experienced for sure.