It has been many years since we visited this resort so I appreciate your review. Very comprehensive - and I enjoy your presentation. Thanks! Headed there next week.
This is my favorite resort! It was my very first riu. (way back in 2013) Beautiful Spanish colonial architecture,lovely grounds, and oh what a view of land’s end. As you mentioned, the beach is not swim-able, but it is spectacular just to sit and watch those huge crashing waves. I spent many lunches in the Italian restaurant overlooking those waves. Also a great view from the second floor bar. I loved the original dark wood decor they used but I know most Riu’s have received the shiny-white makeover and from your interior pics it looks like they’ve done it there too. I judge all resorts by 1)food, 2)service+cleanliness, 3)beach + shade+ loungers 4)decor, 5)peacefulness, 6)rooms. This place scores top marks in every category. One very cool thing they did once, was that a hotel rep got on our (Sunwing) bus at the airport, and used the 45 minute drive to check us all in. We got room keys, and paperwork and towel cards etc and when git to the hotel we went straight to our rooms.
Hi Bruce! You'll be pleased to know that the lobby is the same as it always was - rich mahogany with comfy chairs. The lobby bar looks the same as it did 10 years ago, and I'm glad that they didn't remodel it to the newer style of "50-shades of beige" because it does have a rich look to it. I'm super annoyed that I have ZERO photos of the lobby bar - just the view. Don't know how I missed this but at least I caught it in the Live walk through (which is very wobbly). I've linked it below to start at the point where I reach the lobby of that property (I walked thru all 3) but you can always change it to start from the beginning if you want a detailed view of what the others look like. ua-cam.com/users/live_77Q92aSjVA?si=1QHYUKB9ZELZhcRW&t=1657
Hi Shoe Fanatic! Glad you found it useful! I've been before in August and it's SOOOOOO hot there so you'll definitely want to check out those pool parties. Quite a bit of shade at the pools at Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas but I would argue slightly more around the courtyard pool at the Riu Santa Fe - remember that you'll be able to enjoy either while you're there! Have a great trip!
@@ThatLVGirl I'm planning to post my video review of the Riu Palace Baja California tomorrow afternoon and then a comparison between the three properties on Sunday, so stay tuned for those too!
Hi William! Yes I think the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas was my favourite one to hang out at (of the three) but I'd book into Riu Palace Baja California just for the newer rooms and the slightly upgraded food. Have fun!
Hi Delin! Right in front of the resort, the waves are usually pretty strong so you need to always check the flags on the beach. It's rare that you can swim there but Medano beach is totally swimmable and it's about a 20 minute walk from the Riu. It's important to note that the water can look safe but rogue waves are common, so don't take any chances!
Hi Brooke! It’s still the old room key card. They had funky bracelets at Baja California which I assumed were built in with keys but was told that they’re just plain bracelets. I hope you have a great time here- fabulous resort!
How would you compare it to Riu Emerald Bay? I love the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas and was thinking of trying the Riu Emerald Bay but have been disappointed in the past with Non Riu Palace resorts
Hi MechTech! I enjoyed the Riu Emerald Bay but it's sort of a best of the worst situation as Mazatlan doesn't really have many great all inclusive options. Most are squarely in the 2-3* range. While it was okay, the food and dining options were not even in the same spectrum compared to Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. Most restaurants were buffet-style dining - I don't mind that once in a while but not every night for dinner. The pool areas at Emerald Bay were pretty gorgeous and the sunsets were part of the day's rituals - go to the beach bar and grab a seat to watch the show. That said, the Banda music is loud and pretty continuous, so there's definitely lots of pro's and con's. Oh if you do go, I would strongly recommend staying in the lower building as it's newer, with more spacious rooms.
This looks like it right next to the place we booked the villa del palmar? I think I’m going to cancel and book here. I just want a nice relaxing place for my anniversary.
Hi Samantha! Yes the Riu Palace Baja California has an empty lot beside it and then the Villa Del Palmar is the next resort as you head toward downtown Cabo. Have a great trip!
Hi Crystal! No 99% of the time it's a red flag and you cannot swim in the ocean right in front of the Riu resorts. There are rip tides and huge undertows. You can walk or taxi (or uber) to Medano beach near downtown Cabo San Lucas where it is safe to swim, but otherwise, you'll just have to enjoy the view of the ocean from the infinity pools at the resort.
@@ChristineTurner thank you so much for this info! We love the ocean! If we walk along the beach will we eventually find a swim zone! I don’t like leaving the resorts!
@@crystalrodriguez-fq9nf Well you can walk to Medano beach as I mentioned, but it's about a 40 minute walk and it's not very easy as the sand is grainy and not hard-packed. The only resorts that have swimmable beaches in the area are Breathless (right at Medano beach) and the Paradisus (at Playa el Bledito). Otherwise, the lifeguards won't let you in the water.
Hi Peter! Tipping is always optional but let's face it, it is expected for any services (drink or food delivery, waiting tables, housekeeping, etc). Staff want pesos as these are much more easily used than trying to use foreign money to buy groceries etc. Have a fabulous trip!
How’s the safety in the hotel? Im travelling first time in Mexico and alone this August…I booked the santa fe though, do you know how much if i upgrade to San Lucas and California?
Hi Monashkay! Did you see my other response? I think you'll be totally fine but maybe stick around the resort at night instead of going into town alone. Upgrades would depend on who you booked through - it could be way more or not very much at all but if you do upgrade, know that you can visit all 3 Riu's if you book into Riu Palace Baja California but if you book Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas, you can only go to Riu Santa Fe as well, not Baja. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for creating this video. Just booked this place for later this year. One question I have is do you need to pay for any food & beverages, like cocktails or water bottles or dining at the premium restaurants, like you do on cruises, or is everything included?
Hi Dineshmoorjan! No most all inclusive resorts are nothing at all like cruising. On occasion, there may be a premium menu of high end alcohol or wine that is not included but it's on a completely separate menu (no risk of asking for something that's an extra charge!). Otherwise, all drinks are free. They have water bottles available at the bars and those are free. Your in-room mini-bar will also be restocked every other day and that includes beer (Dos XX), bottles of water and pop (Coke products). All of the restaurants are included and some even have lobster items on the menu (included). All activities are included except spa services. I'm curious to hear how you enjoy the resort and the all inclusive concept, compared to cruising - please comment later on and let us know what you think!
@@tealover4664 hi TeaLover! You can eat at the a la carte restaurants as many times as you like - no restrictions on that. I think you could even have appies at one and entrees at another. Very flexible unlike some of the cheaper chains.
HI Paul! Well they did have about 6 types of milk at the buffet and I did hear of people making specific requests, so I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue. All decent resorts are aware of this need and do a good job of giving people options.
@@robertahosey9765 Hi Roberta! We just got a taxi from the airport (which was about the same as a pre-booked shuttle) and then got an Uber from the hotel to the airport, which saved about US $40. We also used Uber a lot to get to and from the hotel to downtown Cabo. It’s the cheapest option 95% of the time!
@@tealover4664 That was one way from the airport to the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. On the way home we left from Riu Palace Baja California & our Uber was about US $40.
Hi Faith! No it's just first come, first served here but if you look at each restaurant, it indicates when there's more likely to be a long wait and the best times to go. Very helpful. Plenty of bars nearby though, so if they give you a buzzer because there are no tables available, just grab a drink & wait for them to buzz you. Also, ask when you first arrive, which are the most popular restaurants and try to hit those ones mid-week when the resort is less busy - more likely to get a table on those days!
Hi Faith! No the a la carte restaurants are only open in the evenings for dinner (although the Italian restaurant is also open for lunch as a buffet). There are also casual restaurants for lunch but those are all specific hours. The only place where you can food or drinks around the clock is the 24-Hour bar. It has a small selection of snacks and you can get water, pop, wine or beer in there. As for the wait time for the a la cartes, it completely varied, depending on how busy the hotel was and which restaurant it was. The Steakhouse is always the most popular, followed by the Italian. Never much of a wait for the sushi restaurant.
It has been many years since we visited this resort so I appreciate your review. Very comprehensive - and I enjoy your presentation. Thanks! Headed there next week.
Hi Jo! Ohh lucky you - what a perfect time of year to be in the warm Cabo sun! Have a great time & thanks for watching!
This is my favorite resort! It was my very first riu. (way back in 2013) Beautiful Spanish colonial architecture,lovely grounds, and oh what a view of land’s end. As you mentioned, the beach is not swim-able, but it is spectacular just to sit and watch those huge crashing waves. I spent many lunches in the Italian restaurant overlooking those waves. Also a great view from the second floor bar. I loved the original dark wood decor they used but I know most Riu’s have received the shiny-white makeover and from your interior pics it looks like they’ve done it there too. I judge all resorts by 1)food, 2)service+cleanliness, 3)beach + shade+ loungers 4)decor, 5)peacefulness, 6)rooms. This place scores top marks in every category.
One very cool thing they did once, was that a hotel rep got on our (Sunwing) bus at the airport, and used the 45 minute drive to check us all in. We got room keys, and paperwork and towel cards etc and when git to the hotel we went straight to our rooms.
Hi Bruce! You'll be pleased to know that the lobby is the same as it always was - rich mahogany with comfy chairs. The lobby bar looks the same as it did 10 years ago, and I'm glad that they didn't remodel it to the newer style of "50-shades of beige" because it does have a rich look to it. I'm super annoyed that I have ZERO photos of the lobby bar - just the view. Don't know how I missed this but at least I caught it in the Live walk through (which is very wobbly). I've linked it below to start at the point where I reach the lobby of that property (I walked thru all 3) but you can always change it to start from the beginning if you want a detailed view of what the others look like.
ua-cam.com/users/live_77Q92aSjVA?si=1QHYUKB9ZELZhcRW&t=1657
Awesome review, thank you so much.
Hi Rich! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this detailed review! Love it! Planning to visit in Aug ❤
Hi Shoe Fanatic! Glad you found it useful! I've been before in August and it's SOOOOOO hot there so you'll definitely want to check out those pool parties. Quite a bit of shade at the pools at Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas but I would argue slightly more around the courtyard pool at the Riu Santa Fe - remember that you'll be able to enjoy either while you're there! Have a great trip!
@@ChristineTurner Awesome!! Thank you so much! Definitely will do that 😎🍹
@@ThatLVGirl Don't forget to also head to Una Mas downtown & try a banana margarita!
@@ChristineTurner I've saved your video for reference in August. Thank you 😊
@@ThatLVGirl I'm planning to post my video review of the Riu Palace Baja California tomorrow afternoon and then a comparison between the three properties on Sunday, so stay tuned for those too!
Thanks for the effort. This is very helpful.
@@emperor91108 Glad you found it useful - thanks for watching! Are you going soon!
took your advice on sante fe , but will be doing the palace next , thank you ,, i think i will enjoy this one more
Hi William! Yes I think the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas was my favourite one to hang out at (of the three) but I'd book into Riu Palace Baja California just for the newer rooms and the slightly upgraded food. Have fun!
Thank you so much for all the info. Are you able to get in the ocean at all?
Hi Delin! Right in front of the resort, the waves are usually pretty strong so you need to always check the flags on the beach. It's rare that you can swim there but Medano beach is totally swimmable and it's about a 20 minute walk from the Riu. It's important to note that the water can look safe but rogue waves are common, so don't take any chances!
headed here in february! very random question but are the room keys on a wrist band or are they an old fashion room key?? thanks!
Hi Brooke! It’s still the old room key card. They had funky bracelets at Baja California which I assumed were built in with keys but was told that they’re just plain bracelets.
I hope you have a great time here- fabulous resort!
How would you compare it to Riu Emerald Bay? I love the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas and was thinking of trying the Riu Emerald Bay but have been disappointed in the past with Non Riu Palace resorts
Hi MechTech! I enjoyed the Riu Emerald Bay but it's sort of a best of the worst situation as Mazatlan doesn't really have many great all inclusive options. Most are squarely in the 2-3* range. While it was okay, the food and dining options were not even in the same spectrum compared to Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. Most restaurants were buffet-style dining - I don't mind that once in a while but not every night for dinner. The pool areas at Emerald Bay were pretty gorgeous and the sunsets were part of the day's rituals - go to the beach bar and grab a seat to watch the show. That said, the Banda music is loud and pretty continuous, so there's definitely lots of pro's and con's.
Oh if you do go, I would strongly recommend staying in the lower building as it's newer, with more spacious rooms.
This looks like it right next to the place we booked the villa del palmar? I think I’m going to cancel and book here. I just want a nice relaxing place for my anniversary.
Hi Samantha! Yes the Riu Palace Baja California has an empty lot beside it and then the Villa Del Palmar is the next resort as you head toward downtown Cabo. Have a great trip!
Can you swim in the beach here? I have read reviews saying no.
Hi Crystal! No 99% of the time it's a red flag and you cannot swim in the ocean right in front of the Riu resorts. There are rip tides and huge undertows. You can walk or taxi (or uber) to Medano beach near downtown Cabo San Lucas where it is safe to swim, but otherwise, you'll just have to enjoy the view of the ocean from the infinity pools at the resort.
@@ChristineTurner thank you so much for this info! We love the ocean! If we walk along the beach will we eventually find a swim zone! I don’t like leaving the resorts!
@@crystalrodriguez-fq9nf Well you can walk to Medano beach as I mentioned, but it's about a 40 minute walk and it's not very easy as the sand is grainy and not hard-packed. The only resorts that have swimmable beaches in the area are Breathless (right at Medano beach) and the Paradisus (at Playa el Bledito). Otherwise, the lifeguards won't let you in the water.
@@ChristineTurner thank you!!! I’m so glad I asked!!!
Will be going in a couple of weeks. Are you expected to tip everywhere? Do staff prefer US $ or Pesos?
Hi Peter! Tipping is always optional but let's face it, it is expected for any services (drink or food delivery, waiting tables, housekeeping, etc). Staff want pesos as these are much more easily used than trying to use foreign money to buy groceries etc. Have a fabulous trip!
@@ChristineTurner Thanks very much!!
How’s the safety in the hotel? Im travelling first time in Mexico and alone this August…I booked the santa fe though, do you know how much if i upgrade to San Lucas and California?
Hi Monashkay! Did you see my other response? I think you'll be totally fine but maybe stick around the resort at night instead of going into town alone. Upgrades would depend on who you booked through - it could be way more or not very much at all but if you do upgrade, know that you can visit all 3 Riu's if you book into Riu Palace Baja California but if you book Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas, you can only go to Riu Santa Fe as well, not Baja. Thanks for watching!
Looking to book at palace will my 19 &18 old boys be able to go to Santa fe for the party's?
Hi Franklin! Yes the legal drinking age in Mexico is 18, so, outside of Spring Break, they’ll be allowed into the party!! I bet they’ll love it!
Thanks for creating this video. Just booked this place for later this year. One question I have is do you need to pay for any food & beverages, like cocktails or water bottles or dining at the premium restaurants, like you do on cruises, or is everything included?
Hi Dineshmoorjan! No most all inclusive resorts are nothing at all like cruising. On occasion, there may be a premium menu of high end alcohol or wine that is not included but it's on a completely separate menu (no risk of asking for something that's an extra charge!). Otherwise, all drinks are free. They have water bottles available at the bars and those are free. Your in-room mini-bar will also be restocked every other day and that includes beer (Dos XX), bottles of water and pop (Coke products). All of the restaurants are included and some even have lobster items on the menu (included). All activities are included except spa services.
I'm curious to hear how you enjoy the resort and the all inclusive concept, compared to cruising - please comment later on and let us know what you think!
Hi, is it easy to book the la cartel? Do they limit to certain number of dinner reservations per how many nights you are staying ? Thanks 😊
@@tealover4664 hi TeaLover! You can eat at the a la carte restaurants as many times as you like - no restrictions on that. I think you could even have appies at one and entrees at another. Very flexible unlike some of the cheaper chains.
Do you know how well they accommodate dietary restrictions?
HI Paul! Well they did have about 6 types of milk at the buffet and I did hear of people making specific requests, so I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue. All decent resorts are aware of this need and do a good job of giving people options.
Hi!!! Looking to visit next year. How was transportation from the airport to the resort?
@@robertahosey9765 Hi Roberta! We just got a taxi from the airport (which was about the same as a pre-booked shuttle) and then got an Uber from the hotel to the airport, which saved about US $40. We also used Uber a lot to get to and from the hotel to downtown Cabo. It’s the cheapest option 95% of the time!
Hello, what was the cost from the airport to the hotel if you don’t mind me asking ? Thank you
@@tealover4664 it was US $85. It was a set price at the taxi stand.
@@ChristineTurner $85 for one way correct ? Or round trip?
@@tealover4664 That was one way from the airport to the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. On the way home we left from Riu Palace Baja California & our Uber was about US $40.
Lewis Susan Davis Paul Taylor David
Can you make reservations at their restaurants
Hi Faith! No it's just first come, first served here but if you look at each restaurant, it indicates when there's more likely to be a long wait and the best times to go. Very helpful. Plenty of bars nearby though, so if they give you a buzzer because there are no tables available, just grab a drink & wait for them to buzz you. Also, ask when you first arrive, which are the most popular restaurants and try to hit those ones mid-week when the resort is less busy - more likely to get a table on those days!
Are the restaurants open 24/7 or are they only open for dinner? Also how long would you say the wait is like?
Hi Faith! No the a la carte restaurants are only open in the evenings for dinner (although the Italian restaurant is also open for lunch as a buffet). There are also casual restaurants for lunch but those are all specific hours. The only place where you can food or drinks around the clock is the 24-Hour bar. It has a small selection of snacks and you can get water, pop, wine or beer in there.
As for the wait time for the a la cartes, it completely varied, depending on how busy the hotel was and which restaurant it was. The Steakhouse is always the most popular, followed by the Italian. Never much of a wait for the sushi restaurant.
Thanks Christine for answering my questions but I have 1 last one. Are you allowed to eat and drink at the other Riu's if you stay at the Riu Palace?