Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Boulevard Kukulcan, Km 12, Cancun 77500 Mexico
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Room & Suite (43)
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About
4.5
#16 of 39 all-inclusives in CancunLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Riu Palace Kukulkan All Inclusive 24h - Adults Only Hotel opened its doors November 2022 and it is ideal for exploring the Mexican Caribbean. It is located in an unbeatable area between soft white sand beaches and turquoise waters, cenotes, tropical jungles, paradisiacal islands, coral reefs and unique archaeological sites. The hotel has 4 swimming pools with a sun terrace - one which has a swim-up bar - a gym and multiple water activities. You can enjoy an overall gastronomic experience with different culinary options, international cuisine and Asian, Italian and Mexican specialties. With the All Inclusive 24h you have at your disposal snacks, ice creams and premium drinks throughout the day. You can also have fun with our varied day-and-night entertainment program, with live music and original shows. Escape with your partner or friends and rest in our rooms of superior category, which are designed for the maximum comfort. When you wake up, a full and delicious breakfast buffet, with show cooking and fresh fruit or juices made from local produce, awaits you. After a day of intense activity, you can pamper yourself at the Renova Spa, with relaxation pools, steam baths and personalized body treatments. Immerse yourself in the Mayan culture and discover Cancun at the hands of RIU Hotels & Resorts.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Bar / lounge
Beach
Entertainment staff
Airport transportation
Parking
Wifi
Yoga classes
Fitness classes
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Evening entertainment
Taxi service
Spa
Facial treatments
Massage
Adults only
24-hour security
Concierge
Sun loungers / beach chairs
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Room features
Allergy-free room
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Iron
Cable / satellite TV
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Boulevard Kukulcan, Km 12, Cancun 77500 Mexico
Name/address in local language
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 83 out of 100
83
Cancun Airport
13.4 km•
See all flights
Aerodromo de Playa Del Carmen
63.1 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
45 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
Reviews
4.5
1,141 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan has garnered compliments for its meticulous cleanliness and prime location that offers easy access to nearby attractions and amenities like clean pools and multiple dining options. While the staff earns praise for their professionalism and friendliness, some guests have faced slow service. Room experiences vary, with positive remarks on cleanliness and views but negative feedback on noise and reservation issues.
The vibrant atmosphere, including live entertainment, is a hit, although it contributes to the noise issues some guests face. Travelers also note the value is impacted by unexpected fees and food quality.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Noise level
Noisy
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Detailed Reviews
Hotel's Favourite
This was my 5th time in Cancun, but first time at the 2 year old All-Inclusive RIU Palace Kukulkan and is was beyond excpetional.
THE ROOMS: Very large around 640 Square feet, very luxurious decor and modern technology and the insulation is better than so many other hotels. I slept like a baby, no sounds below, above me, or from the adjoining rooms. A fully stocked Bar with Alcohol, Beer and Soda is included in the price, as is "Room Service" to you room. I had an Ocean View, Junior Delux room and the view was stunning.
THE LOCATION: A 3 Minute walk to La Isla, a very nice high end shopping mall and located on a very clean, beautiful strip of Cancun's beach, with an arrary of stunning pools, never had to worry about finding a chair or space.
THE FOOD: 6****** all the way. The ala carte offerings are sensational, 5 of them, with no Reservations required. A Steakhouse, an Italian, French, American and Japanese, was all excellent, with white glove service from the staff and chef. You can either order off a hard copy menu or use the QR Code on your phone. The Deserts are to die for, along with the entrees. The Buffet style Restaurant had offerings that were just as good as ala carte and it was never the same old foods, there was alwasy something new.
THE GYM AND SPA: Very nice, high end, clean and modern.
THE BEVERAGES: All top shelf such as Heiniken, Coors Light, Dos Equis and all high end Liquor and Wines from around the Globe.
THE HOUSEKEEPING: On Time, punctual and every night I received "Turn Down" service which was nice.
THE CUSTOMER SERVICE: Every staff memeber was polite and professiona and had a smile on their face. I had 2 minor issues, and they were in my room within 10 minutes and in each instance, it was me "not understanding" certain technology in the rooms. Man, the TV on the wall is like having an I PAD. LOL !!!
THE VALUE: Yes you pay more $$$ for the RIU Kukulkan, but you get so much more and it is worth every penny, dollar or peso !
TIPS AND GRATUITIES: Yes Tips are included in your "All-Inclusive" Price, however I did tip all the staff. They work so hard and always showed great appreciation when tipped.
THE VERDICT: You cannot go wrong here. If you are looking to be impressed and enjoy one of the most first class vacations in Cancun, you need look no further.
THE MANAGMENT: Thank you for the Courtesy call asking if all was good with my vacation and please offer my sincere graditude to the Front Desk Staff, your Bell Hops, and the managers of Rossini, Krystal, the Steakhouse and Don Julio. I have already referred other people and I will return. The RIU Kukulkan sets the standard IMO, for quality and service in Cancun.
THE ROOMS: Very large around 640 Square feet, very luxurious decor and modern technology and the insulation is better than so many other hotels. I slept like a baby, no sounds below, above me, or from the adjoining rooms. A fully stocked Bar with Alcohol, Beer and Soda is included in the price, as is "Room Service" to you room. I had an Ocean View, Junior Delux room and the view was stunning.
THE LOCATION: A 3 Minute walk to La Isla, a very nice high end shopping mall and located on a very clean, beautiful strip of Cancun's beach, with an arrary of stunning pools, never had to worry about finding a chair or space.
THE FOOD: 6****** all the way. The ala carte offerings are sensational, 5 of them, with no Reservations required. A Steakhouse, an Italian, French, American and Japanese, was all excellent, with white glove service from the staff and chef. You can either order off a hard copy menu or use the QR Code on your phone. The Deserts are to die for, along with the entrees. The Buffet style Restaurant had offerings that were just as good as ala carte and it was never the same old foods, there was alwasy something new.
THE GYM AND SPA: Very nice, high end, clean and modern.
THE BEVERAGES: All top shelf such as Heiniken, Coors Light, Dos Equis and all high end Liquor and Wines from around the Globe.
THE HOUSEKEEPING: On Time, punctual and every night I received "Turn Down" service which was nice.
THE CUSTOMER SERVICE: Every staff memeber was polite and professiona and had a smile on their face. I had 2 minor issues, and they were in my room within 10 minutes and in each instance, it was me "not understanding" certain technology in the rooms. Man, the TV on the wall is like having an I PAD. LOL !!!
THE VALUE: Yes you pay more $$$ for the RIU Kukulkan, but you get so much more and it is worth every penny, dollar or peso !
TIPS AND GRATUITIES: Yes Tips are included in your "All-Inclusive" Price, however I did tip all the staff. They work so hard and always showed great appreciation when tipped.
THE VERDICT: You cannot go wrong here. If you are looking to be impressed and enjoy one of the most first class vacations in Cancun, you need look no further.
THE MANAGMENT: Thank you for the Courtesy call asking if all was good with my vacation and please offer my sincere graditude to the Front Desk Staff, your Bell Hops, and the managers of Rossini, Krystal, the Steakhouse and Don Julio. I have already referred other people and I will return. The RIU Kukulkan sets the standard IMO, for quality and service in Cancun.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â The Ocean View rooms are worth it to pay just a bit extra.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Online Reputation Director, Owner at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear Heatison, Thank you very much for your loyalty. And we are very pleased to read that you enjoyed your well-deserved holiday. Thank you for choosing us. We hope to see you very soon. We wish you a brilliant day! Kindest Greetings, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkán Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Great couples experience at this resort. We booked an ocean view through Expedia and the view from our room was beautiful. Some of the food options from dinners were disappointing but for the most part food on premises including buffet were enjoyable. Drinks were always excellent and service the same. Shoutout to Daniel who served us by the beach and poolside, he was fantastic! Another huge shoutout to Brenda and Nicole from the entertainment team, they were the best. They got our day going with beach volleyball at 11 am every day and facilitated many other activities. Mr. Taco from the lounge bar was excellent and prepared great drinks. This time of year there was very minimal amount of seaweed in the ocean water which was ideal. Cleanliness was top notch at this resort all throughout. The location is convenient as there is an outdoor shopping mall just a 5-10 min. walk away. Fani from the resort was so friendly and we were able to buy tickets to Cocobongo from her which was also a great time. Buying the tickets from Fani at the hotel provided a shuttle to Cocobongo, but you’d have to get your own ride back. Overall it was an excellent experience at the Riu Palace Kukulkán and we have many reasons as to why we will return, cheers!🥂
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Other at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 9 Mar 2023
Dear iaccja, Thank you very much for your review, which we take as a recognition of our daily work. We are happy that you enjoyed our facilities and, in particular, the service provided by our wonderful staff. We hope that you will come back in the near future and offer you an experience as attractive as the one you had. At your entire disposal, Yours faithfully, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
This was our first stay at an all inclusive. We were aware that this place was new and would have some kinks to work out which was true. Our stay was also during a slower week (10-30% cap) and I am not sure I would like the place if they were at 70%+ capacity. The staff was prompt, the food was edible to pretty good meals at the restaurants- cooked to temperature beef Filet wow! My Opinion was the focus was on quantity not quality at the buffets. The 4 pools gave one the option of calm to party mode. It was nice to see an active lifeguard whistle on the beach at swimmers venturing into an areas one should not swim in (riptide ?). The room had a comfortable bed with good sheets. Sound, the vent in the toilet room travels to the point where we could hear conversations, easy fix by shutting the door. The bad, and somewhat commicle, we tried to get hand soap in our room, they kept bring us shampoo (yes, they do have bar soap). instead of a bath mat (which we had on first night) it was replaced with a hand towel, I guess it works too. Our shower clogged really easily and would leak outside of the shower, this was not really an issue for us but I know it is damaging to a building (it should be cleaned out daily). This worst part of our stay is the mexican part that keeps on giving, I was hoping this was not still a thing but our bowles tell otherwise. I would recommend a RIU and will return to another RIU elsewhere for future leisure travel based on our stay.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Might be worth it to splurge on a ocean view
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I stayed 8 nights here in early February. We were first given a room on the first floor, overlooking the roof of the buffet. I preferred a more extensive view, so I asked for a room above the fourth floor. The following morning we were given a room on the 8th floor room with a view of the beach and a few steps from the elevator. Both rooms were similar otherwise. I liked the large shower, the bed, the blackout curtains, and the stocked fridge. The hotel employs a lot of staff, and they appear to have very specialized jobs, some just to keep the place clean at all hours. The employees were all cordial and helpful if asked a question. In the buffet the attendants seemed ready to pick up your plate the moment you put your fork down. The guidebook in the room said tipping was not needed in the buffet, but we saw others do so and we did a couple of times as well for the waiters' attentive services. There were lots of party games at the pool and the bar in the lobby was often packed at night. The dress was casual during the day and more formal at night. We ate at the Italian and Asian restaurants and twice at the steakhouse. They served large portions of food at the Italian restaurant and, while it was tasty, I would have ordered a half plate if available. The Asian food was too spicy for me. We had different experiences the two visits to the steakhouse. On the first visit, the lobster and filet mignon were very good, and we looked forward to eating there again. However, the quality of the same items on the second visit was notably poorer. We had planned to go to Mercado 28 to buy souvenirs, but we read many negative reports online, and changing busses was required to get there. So we researched further and discovered that an enclosed mall (the kukulcan plaza) was just a short distance away, the other side of the hospital. There we found a large grocery store on the second floor and several shops that sold souvenirs at reasonable prices without the pestering of the outdoor vendors. Plus, there was an ice cream shop on the first floor. We walked about 10 minutes the other direction to the aquarium, which is located in the Isla Cancun Shopping Center. There are lots of shops and the atmosphere is pleasant there.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Online Reputation Manager, Owner at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 27 Feb 2024
Dear Will S., We are thrilled your time with us was good. We endeavour to go above and beyond to ensure our guests have a memorable experience. We will share your remarks. Thank you very much. We hope you visit us again very soon. Best Greetings, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkán Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed in Feb, 6 day 5 night stay. Honestly had an amazing time! We went to relax and we had a truly relaxing time. This is not a party resort, if you are looking for the Riu Parties you will not find them here.
We booked Elite ocean view, just be aware that elite has no partial ocean view so if you book EC ocean view you can be placed on the side of the building on the 10th or 11th floor. If you book regular ocean view you will be placed on a lower floor and get that beautiful view! The partial ocean view you will be placed on the side. Might as well save your money and book regular ocean view if you don’t want the frontal ocean view. Elite Club not worth it at all, got nothing special from it.
Hotel, Rooms, and grounds are absolutely beautiful. The workers were amazing and tended to your every need. Drinks were very good and not watered down. Food is what you will find a mid priced resort. If you are looking for gourmet food you need to most likely visit a higher priced resort. The buffet was better than the Ala cartes IMO went to 3 Ala cartes and was very underwhelmed. You will definitely find something at the buffet, I can’t see how you can leave hungry. Took away 1star because of the lackluster Ala Cartes. Pepe’s by the beach was nice to grab a bite for lunch, just felt like they needed another worker or 2 to keep the tables there clean. They took away plates but a lot of the time your table did need wiped down.
Beach was beautiful, water was rough but I did get in every day. There were days that you had to walk down in front of Aqua Live to get in though, maybe 30 yards not a long walk, not a big deal. Lifeguards were very diligent about people not swimming in the rough sections.
Nightly entertainment was good we only attended the Queen Tribute, the show was awesome. Also did silent disco and had a blast!
Would I return to the resort, absolutely! Would I do elite again, most likely not, really see no value. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time!
We booked Elite ocean view, just be aware that elite has no partial ocean view so if you book EC ocean view you can be placed on the side of the building on the 10th or 11th floor. If you book regular ocean view you will be placed on a lower floor and get that beautiful view! The partial ocean view you will be placed on the side. Might as well save your money and book regular ocean view if you don’t want the frontal ocean view. Elite Club not worth it at all, got nothing special from it.
Hotel, Rooms, and grounds are absolutely beautiful. The workers were amazing and tended to your every need. Drinks were very good and not watered down. Food is what you will find a mid priced resort. If you are looking for gourmet food you need to most likely visit a higher priced resort. The buffet was better than the Ala cartes IMO went to 3 Ala cartes and was very underwhelmed. You will definitely find something at the buffet, I can’t see how you can leave hungry. Took away 1star because of the lackluster Ala Cartes. Pepe’s by the beach was nice to grab a bite for lunch, just felt like they needed another worker or 2 to keep the tables there clean. They took away plates but a lot of the time your table did need wiped down.
Beach was beautiful, water was rough but I did get in every day. There were days that you had to walk down in front of Aqua Live to get in though, maybe 30 yards not a long walk, not a big deal. Lifeguards were very diligent about people not swimming in the rough sections.
Nightly entertainment was good we only attended the Queen Tribute, the show was awesome. Also did silent disco and had a blast!
Would I return to the resort, absolutely! Would I do elite again, most likely not, really see no value. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time!
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Other at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 19 Apr 2023
Dear Familytravellerpit, We are very grateful for your wonderful review! It is very rewarding for our beautiful staff members to read your fantastic feedback. Thank you very much for choosing us! Looking forward to hosting you again. Kindest wishes, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkán Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I initially booked at RIU Cancun, but decided after reading reviews to move to RIU Kukulkan. The parties that they have bus people to either Caribe or Cancun locations. We did not want to be a part of that and moved to the adults only location.
The room was extremely clean and the staff kept the fridge stocked. One thing I was uneasy about was in the restaurants they did not give bottled water and poured the water from a pitcher. So, either take the bottled water from the room with you or they have other bottled pop available. I was concerned about the reviews of the food. I was extremely impressed with the buffet. Breakfast and lunch are the same every day. Dinner is different every night. We ate at the steak restaurant which was great, but did not try the other restaurants as we were happy with the variety at the buffet.
The pool bar was always packed and had no interest in venturing into that pool. We were going to upgrade to the Elite but decided not to. Yes, there was a private pool, private restaurant and you receive snacks in the room but did not feel it was worth the additional cost when the rooms were exactly the same.
The beach was beautiful, but the sand could use a fine tooth comb. It wasn't the softest to walk in.
I've been to Cancun 5 times in the last year. This was the first time moving from the original hotel that I stay at to the RIU. Overall, it surpassed my expectations!
The room was extremely clean and the staff kept the fridge stocked. One thing I was uneasy about was in the restaurants they did not give bottled water and poured the water from a pitcher. So, either take the bottled water from the room with you or they have other bottled pop available. I was concerned about the reviews of the food. I was extremely impressed with the buffet. Breakfast and lunch are the same every day. Dinner is different every night. We ate at the steak restaurant which was great, but did not try the other restaurants as we were happy with the variety at the buffet.
The pool bar was always packed and had no interest in venturing into that pool. We were going to upgrade to the Elite but decided not to. Yes, there was a private pool, private restaurant and you receive snacks in the room but did not feel it was worth the additional cost when the rooms were exactly the same.
The beach was beautiful, but the sand could use a fine tooth comb. It wasn't the softest to walk in.
I've been to Cancun 5 times in the last year. This was the first time moving from the original hotel that I stay at to the RIU. Overall, it surpassed my expectations!
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Review collected in partnership with riu.com
Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Online Reputation Manager, Owner at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 12 Feb 2024
Dear Stacey P., We are pleased to learn you liked it and you had a good experience. We hope to welcome you again so we can share yet another nice stay. Thank you very much for choosing us. Have a beautiful day, Stacey! Kindest Greetings, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkán Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
2nd visit since it opened in November 2022. Booked "Elite Club" which touts early checkin/late check out. Failed to check in early BOTH visits. The Elite Club touts "snacks" in the room, which consisted of a small can of pringles chips, a granola bar, and a kitkat chocolate bar. They tout a separate check in line for Elite, but that is not true.
The rooms are clean, the employees are fantastic, and its very safe.
Problems: Alarm went off at 4am telling everyone to get out of the building, which went on for 5 minutes, before they finally shut it off and told everyone that there was NO emergency. They tout "upgraded" liquor in every Elite room , and they do. I asked if they could switch out 1 bottle in my room for a bottle of Rum, and they said they could not do that (even though all the other rooms in the building HAVE a bottle of Baccardi (SMH)...
The food was pretty good, but they had alot of the same items in the buffet every day and a noticeable lack of seafood.
I love the RIU chain, but to me, upgrading to ELITE is not worth the money. Ill be heading back over to the RIU Palace Peninsula for my next vacation. Basically the same as the Kukulkan but much cheaper. I love the location , just be advised that both times that I have visited the Kukulkan, there is a severe undertow and the waves are fairly strong.
Lifeguards are on site.
The rooms are clean, the employees are fantastic, and its very safe.
Problems: Alarm went off at 4am telling everyone to get out of the building, which went on for 5 minutes, before they finally shut it off and told everyone that there was NO emergency. They tout "upgraded" liquor in every Elite room , and they do. I asked if they could switch out 1 bottle in my room for a bottle of Rum, and they said they could not do that (even though all the other rooms in the building HAVE a bottle of Baccardi (SMH)...
The food was pretty good, but they had alot of the same items in the buffet every day and a noticeable lack of seafood.
I love the RIU chain, but to me, upgrading to ELITE is not worth the money. Ill be heading back over to the RIU Palace Peninsula for my next vacation. Basically the same as the Kukulkan but much cheaper. I love the location , just be advised that both times that I have visited the Kukulkan, there is a severe undertow and the waves are fairly strong.
Lifeguards are on site.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Other at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 14 Feb 2023
Dear O7072PVwilliama, Thank you very much for choosing us for your holidays and for your loyalty. It is very disappointing to read about this, since it is never our wish to make any guest’s holidays less than perfect. Needless to say, we appreciate you took the time to bring it to our attention, so we can inform the management department, discuss it and apply the right measures. Kindest Regards, Hotel RIU Palace Kukulkán Online Reputation Management
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We came here for a family new years getaway and from the second we set foot into the hotel we wished we stayed somewhere else. Check in took an hour and after we paid extra for an ocean view room we were given one that looked out on a wall. Pretty much no ocean. Later when we checked out we complained to the concierge who said oh yeah I don’t like those rooms…helpful. As every other reviewer said the shower drain does not drain so you better be prepared for a max 5 minute shower before a flood goes everywhere. Food is almost inedible. In fact several dishes we got at the specialty restaurants could not be eaten. Octopus was like a piece of gum. At the steak restaurant the waiter laughed at me for asking for steak and lobster, what happened to all inclusive?
Several reviews mentioned good service but ours was abysmal. One bartender waiting on 30 people at the bar. Hardly any waiters at the pool. Staff is rude and lack any kindness or customer service skills.
Air conditioning in the room did not cool the room no matter what you set the temperature to. Management must know this because they don’t even give you a comforter, only a top sheet.
Housekeeping never refilled our soap so we had none our last 2 nights. Our mini bar was never restocked. Wash clothes were never replaced.
Hotel lacked cleanliness. There was melted cheese on the floor by our room for 2 days and also clumps of hair. Clearly no one mopped the floor and cared enough to do anything about it.
Evening activities were boring and ended at 10:30. Would think an adults only resort would have a multitude of night time activities but that was definitely not the case. One boring show and then a bunch of guests asking themselves what to do now.
If you have a food allergy good luck. I am gluten free and there were extremely limited options, only about half the food was labeled and one day for lunch the buffet was closed and all they had were hamburgers. Speaking of food and drinks everything is loaded up with sugar. Drinks are all watered down and wine in half the normal alcohol.
Despite all these issues the pools and lobby are nice. The hotel is located on a strip with dozens of other resorts. I think you would be better off at any of these options.
Several reviews mentioned good service but ours was abysmal. One bartender waiting on 30 people at the bar. Hardly any waiters at the pool. Staff is rude and lack any kindness or customer service skills.
Air conditioning in the room did not cool the room no matter what you set the temperature to. Management must know this because they don’t even give you a comforter, only a top sheet.
Housekeeping never refilled our soap so we had none our last 2 nights. Our mini bar was never restocked. Wash clothes were never replaced.
Hotel lacked cleanliness. There was melted cheese on the floor by our room for 2 days and also clumps of hair. Clearly no one mopped the floor and cared enough to do anything about it.
Evening activities were boring and ended at 10:30. Would think an adults only resort would have a multitude of night time activities but that was definitely not the case. One boring show and then a bunch of guests asking themselves what to do now.
If you have a food allergy good luck. I am gluten free and there were extremely limited options, only about half the food was labeled and one day for lunch the buffet was closed and all they had were hamburgers. Speaking of food and drinks everything is loaded up with sugar. Drinks are all watered down and wine in half the normal alcohol.
Despite all these issues the pools and lobby are nice. The hotel is located on a strip with dozens of other resorts. I think you would be better off at any of these options.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Other at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 11 Jan 2023
Dear AdamAdamAdamS, Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your recent stay. We lament to read that not all the aspects of your experience did meet your expectations as we place great importance in providing all of our guests with memorable experiences and our aim is providing friendly and sincere hospitality and make our guests feel at home. Your concerns will be forwarded to the responsible department for an adequate follow up and we are looking forward to having another opportunity to host you soon for a much better experience. Sincerely, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
If you want to do nothing but chill out and/or party by the pool and beach, this is a good resort for you!
The resort is new, very modern and sleek, and clean! Housekeeping was thorough, and sometimes they did a turn-down service. They stock the mini fridge with water bottles which I really appreciated because you DON’T DRINK THE WATER IN MEXICO. Room service took only 30 minutes. Overall the rooms and facilities were very clean and comfortable!
There are 4 pools. The pool with the swim up bar is the party pool. Then a sporty pool, two others are chill. Staff will come around every so often to get you drinks. If you tip a few dollars they’ll be more attentive.
I enjoyed the food! C’mon you’re at an all-inclusive in Mexico, if you’re expecting a 5-star Michelin quality dining experience then I think you’re out of touch with reality.
The buffet has lots of options, can accommodate most diets.
The specialty restaurants were fun and tasty. I did not get sick from any of the food. I always ordered sparkling water from a can or a bottle of water. Be smart and you won’t get sick.
Each night they have some type of entertainment on the stage. Live music nightly. If you want more, go out.
The staff was entertaining and very friendly.
The spa was also enjoyable .
I think this is a good bang for your buck
The resort is new, very modern and sleek, and clean! Housekeeping was thorough, and sometimes they did a turn-down service. They stock the mini fridge with water bottles which I really appreciated because you DON’T DRINK THE WATER IN MEXICO. Room service took only 30 minutes. Overall the rooms and facilities were very clean and comfortable!
There are 4 pools. The pool with the swim up bar is the party pool. Then a sporty pool, two others are chill. Staff will come around every so often to get you drinks. If you tip a few dollars they’ll be more attentive.
I enjoyed the food! C’mon you’re at an all-inclusive in Mexico, if you’re expecting a 5-star Michelin quality dining experience then I think you’re out of touch with reality.
The buffet has lots of options, can accommodate most diets.
The specialty restaurants were fun and tasty. I did not get sick from any of the food. I always ordered sparkling water from a can or a bottle of water. Be smart and you won’t get sick.
Each night they have some type of entertainment on the stage. Live music nightly. If you want more, go out.
The staff was entertaining and very friendly.
The spa was also enjoyable .
I think this is a good bang for your buck
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Drink bottled water, tip the staff, and reapply sunscreen!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Other at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 4 Jul 2023
Dear gsa, We are very pleased to know that you enjoyed your stay with us. We are glad to know that we lived up to your expectations. We hope that soon you will choose to spend a few days with us and live a new unforgettable experience. Best wishes, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I had read the reviews prior to visiting this new resort so wasn't sure what our experience would be like. My experience with my husband and 2 adult children was very positive. Rooms were very nice. We did stay in the elite club Jr suite ocean view room. They were very spacious. Beds were comfortable, showers were great, AC worked really well! We never saw the maids for our room but they did a great job of cleaning the room, sweeping sand, leaving clean towels and making the beds every day. The staff did a great job. We ate at the buffet (Don Julio) for breakfast every day and Rovolo was a great waiter. The poolside grill (Pepe's Food) had great chicken sandwiches, fries, and nachos. We ate at the steakhouse twice. Lobster was a little overcooked, but the steak, shrimp and salmon were cooked to perfection. Uriber was a great server at the steakhouse. Jorge took care of all of our drinks poolside - he was very friendly and worked so hard always with a smile! Taco was a bartender at the Lounge who indulged us in a variety of tasty alcoholic concoctions! Rossini (the Italian restaurant) had good lasagna but the Braised ossobuco red wine sauce and Tagliatelle Rosinni were the family favorites! The fusion restaurant was sooo small that it was too difficult to get into. The Mexican restaurant was just ok. The evening entertainment shows and bands were ok. We especially enjoyed the Circus performance! The beach was beautiful but the waves were really rough! While my family enjoyed the ocean here, I more prefer the ocean at Riu Palace Penninsula. We too tipped the waiters, servers, and house keepers. The staff all worked hard and tried really hard to help us. Overall we enjoyed our week long stay and had plenty of rest and relaxation!
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â The sit down restaurants fill up quickly when they open so be there 15-20 minutes early to ensure...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Other at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Responded 9 Mar 2023
Dear Flyer22608708496, Thank you very much for taking the time to rate us, as it is very important for us to detect if everything is going well thanks to our wonderful guests, and we see that in your case it was the case and you enjoyed a pleasant holiday in our company. We would love to have you visit us again soon and be able to offer you a better experience. Yours faithfully, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi, as far as I know yes, all other Cancun RIU's whether the standard RIU or the Palace brand all Restaurants are included, they definitley were at KUKULKAN, along with 24 hr. room service and a fully stocked bar in your room.
No, if you have dressier shorts that is fine. My boyfriend wore a button up shirt with nicer gray or khaki shorts to dinner each night.
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"Turn left at the beach and walk 10 minutes Walk up a path (behind a canopy advertising massage services) to see a ruins dating back to 1250"Read full review
"Elite status is only good for the ocean front room & 1pm checkout. Make reservations when you can restaurants are small & have long waits"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
S$552 - S$712 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
MexicoYucatan PeninsulaQuintana RooCancun
NUMBER OF ROOMS
426
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingHOTEL RIU PALACE KUKULKAN | UPDATED 2024 Resort Reviews, Price Comparison and 1,314 Photos (Cancun, Mexico) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan
Which popular attractions are close to Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
Nearby attractions include Playa MarlĂn (0.3 km), La Casa del Habano (0.2 km), and Interactive Aquarium (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, free wifi, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
Conveniently located restaurants include Ryoshi CancĂşn, La Buena Barra Mexican Steakhouse, and Mochomos CancĂşn.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness centre, and fitness classes during their stay.
Does Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan have airport transportation?
Yes, Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Zona Arqueologica El Rey (5.5 km) and Scorpion’s Temple (0.6 km).
Is Hotel Riu Palace Kukulkan accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.