Riu Playacar

An introduction to Riu Playacar

Tropical, friendly and relaxed, the Riu Playacar is a book you definitely can judge by its cover. With its whitewashed walls, terracotta-tiled roof and jungle setting, it's got classic Caribbean good looks. Inside, the lobby is an appealing mix of Mexican and colonial design. Think Aztec-style wood carvings, paintwork in tropical brights and old-world touches like ceiling fans, chandeliers and scroll-legged tables.

As for the rooms, they're clustered into dinky blocks, scattered through the gardens and no taller than a well-established palm tree – each one's just three storeys high. Plus they're painted in an array of candy colours and trimmed with hacienda-esque verandas. The bedrooms themselves are generously sized, decked out with solid wood furnishings, ceiling fans and air-conditioning. And they come with nice-to-have extras like satellite TV, complimentary toiletries and Riu's signature liquor dispenser.

It's the same high standard throughout the rest of the hotel, too. The smart restaurants include an international buffet, an Asian-themed eatery that's dressed in red, black and white, and an American grillhouse. There's also a Mexican restaurant, where you can tuck into your favourite spicy dishes. And there are more than enough bars to go around, with La Cumbia lounge bar doing a mean line in cocktails. But the choice doesn't end there. This place is part of the Riu Playacar Resort complex so you can have your after-dinner drink at any of the bars in Riu Yucatan and Clubhotel Riu Tequila.

In terms of things to do, tennis courts, water sports, pool tables and a gym sort the activities list out. Plus the entertainment team organise endless games, quizzes and competitions – as well as their nightly cabaret show. When you really want to unwind though, the pool pulls out all the stops. All palm trees, exotic plants and tinkling fountains, it's like something from a paradise island - just the ticket for long lazy days in the sun.

Travel longhaul with Thomson Airways and you can look forward to…

33-inch seat pitch as standard – that's more legroom in longhaul economy than BA, Virgin Atlantic, bmi and Monarch*
Comfy leather seats
Cutting-edge seatback entertainment

Upgrade to Premium Class and you'll get all this plus at least a whopping 36 inches all to yourself. Talk about living the high life!

*Source: BATA website, September 2008

Find the cheapest late deals to Riu Playacar leaving in the next six weeks.

Riu Playacar reviews - what customers thought

Thomson Web Reviews

Based on 29 reviews

What to expect

Room comfort
Location
Food
Cleanliness

Latest Thomson Reviews

Written on 01/02/2006, Linda said...

This hotel was fantastic, we booked last minute on a price breaker and it was exceptionally good value. The hotel, staff and food were all excellent as already described. The AI was great, all the exotic cocktails you could drink and all of a very... more on this review

Giving it an overall rating out of 5:

Read 29 reviews and view photos

Riu Playacar details

Hotel features

Swimming pool

2 free-form swimming pools
Whirlpool Bath
Sunbeds on pool/beach
Sun terrace with umbrellas and pool towels
Las Olas swim-up bar
Turquesa poolside restaurant

Meals

"El Porche" main international buffet restaurant
Speciality restaurants including "Turquesa" Mexican, Steakhouse and "Jade" Asian restaurant
Themed buffets twice weekly in the main restaurant
La Cumbia lounge bar
La Turquesa poolside bar
Use of bars and restaurants, excluding breakfast and evening meals, at ClubHotel Riu Tequila and Riu Yucatan
Evening meal must taken at own hotel

All inclusive option

Full board and 24-hour snacks, restrictions will apply - breakfast and evening meal must be taken in own hotel
Selected 24-hour alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, restrictions will apply
Activities as listed
Entertainment as listed
Other facilities as indicated
Facilities that are not part of your All Inclusive package may incur extra local charges – please see the A-Z Guide.

Entertainment

Daytime and weekly evening entertainment programme for adults and children
3 bars
La Pinata disco at the ClubHotel Riu Tequila open every night

Activities

Gym available at the Mexican Street, next to the Riu Yucatan
Aerobics and aqua aerobics
Tennis
Boules
Volleyball
Non-motorised watersports such as windsurfing, catamaran, kayaking, body boarding
Snorkelling equipment
Scuba diving demonstration in the pool
Table tennis and darts

Exclusivity

Exclusive to Thomson Group customers in the UK

Location

On the beach
3km to the resort centre
Within easy reach of 5th Avenue with its shops, bars and restaurants

Transfers

About 1 hour

Room facilities

2 twin beds or a King size bed
Satellite TV
Telephone
Hairdryer
Liquor dispenser
Minibar, restocked every 2nd day
Alarm clock
Safety deposit box
Air-conditioning
Complimentary toiletries

No. of rooms

386

No. of lifts

Other facilities

The following facilities do not form part of your All Inclusive package:
Spa treatments, massage, hairdresser at Mexican Street, next to the Riu Yucatan
18-hole golf course nearby
Motorised watersports
Laundry
Internet

Other useful information

Official rating

5 star

Extra local charges

Some facilities may incur extra local charges

Thomson resort service

Web codes

Quick web search code: RPC
Quick web search code: RPL

Photos of Riu Playacar

Riu Playacar photo 1, Standard room, Riu Playacar photo 3, Watersports, Japanese restaurant, Swim-up bar, La Turquesa Mexican restaurant, Riu Playacar photo 8, Riu Playacar photo 9, Main buffet restaurant, Riu Playacar photo 11, Reception, Children's pool, Riu Playacar photo 14, Riu Playacar photo 15, Hotel grounds, Riu Playacar photo 17, Riu Playacar photo 18

Video of Riu Playacar

View our Riu Playacar video

Thomson Brochures

Riu Playacar is featured in the following brochure:

Thomson Faraway Shores

Playacar hotels and apartments

Our hotels and apartments in Playacar include Clubhotel Riu Tequila, Riu Lupita, Riu Palace Mexico, Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Riu Playacar, Riu Yucatan, Viva Wyndham Azteca and Viva Wyndham Maya.

More Mexico Caribbean Coast holiday destinations

Looking for holidays in Mexico Caribbean Coast? Our Mexico Caribbean Coast holiday destinations include Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Playacar, Riviera Maya and Tulum.