Riu Jalisco

Sorry you did not have a good experience on your vacation.... I would not have enjoyed all the commotion either..
You probably were in Mexico during Day of the Dead which is a holiday ..

Quote:
I was in the lobby when a bus full
of people arrived that looked like they had been travelling for days -
they were all wrapped in blankets, men w/facial growth, some carrying
their belongings in plastic grocery bags - not your typical tourist on
vacation in a supposedly 5 star resort

Maybe :? The group that were brought to the Resort wrapped in blankets were not on vacation but people who were being sheltered from the recent flooding in Mexico..
Good for the RIU if they did take in some of the homeless..

Hola all,

JMO, I would not take the review of one persons opinion, go to Trip Advisor and read....Rui sounds pretty good to me for a big resort.

-http://www.tripadvisor.com/

Personally we like the smaller resorts Golden Crown, where you get treat like family.

I hope this helps!!

Andy and Cheryl

helenf...I have to say ditto...Mexicans ? In Mexico ? Who would have thought ? The Riu properties in Playa del Carmen are very nice, great food, great service and guests that are mostly 40 something couples and small groups...sonofdob.

Thanks everyone for posting.
I am going to just have to wait and see.
Not too much I can do about it now.

I am going to go with a positive attitude and enjoy this time with my kids.
(They are 16 & 13, by the way)

Complaining about the \"Nationals\" being at the resort, where are they to go for their vacation? Not every national is hooked up with a coyote and heading for USA or Canada for work... there are plenty of hardworking nationals that vacation in Vallarta too... also, their school schedules are a lot different than ours, so why is bad to have children at a family all inclusive... if you wanted an adults only atmosphere then you should have checked into the Golden Crown Paradise and spent just a little more... but that is just my opinion here....

everybody take a deep breath.... and you will be fine....

I just re-read my reaction to the original post and completely understand the replies.
I wish I had worded my response differently.

I absolutely want my kids to enjoy the Mexican culture and interact with the Nationals.
Otherwise I would have gone to Hawaii or Disney.

The food & safety are my main issue with the above. My boys are so excited about food.
Heck, they are teenage boys and thats all they do is EAT!
I can get my own coffee!

In all honesty, no matter where I travel I am concerned about our safety.
Because I am travelling on my own with them and have never been to Mexico, the unknown can be concerning.
That goes for ANYWHERE we travel.

Thanks for all your replies.

If you are travelling on you own with minors, remember that it is extremely important to get a formal notorized statement (signed by your spouse or ex-spouse...) saying that you are authorized to travel to Mexico with your kids (to a given hotel, exact dates, etc.). Otherwise, you may not be allowed on the plane. Tom

Condor you worded your thoughts well..Noone could take offense or become inflamed.. BtW..I enjoyed your post. :)

Kids gone wild(no matter what age :evil: :P ) are are no fun to be around and could make a vacation most unpleasant)..
If parents are not keeping their children in line when visiting at a resort then I think the Resort management needs to step in have a chat with the parents.. The other guests should not have to suffer..

We have been very fortunate when staying in Family Resorts in PV..The children no matter if they were from Can..The States..Europe or Mexico have all been well behaved and a joy to have around..
2 Times we were in Resorts when bus fulls arrived from Guadalajara with families on vacation..
The Resorts became a lot busier but at no times were we bothered. Yes one could tell the families were affluent.. I never found the children spoiled just normal kids.. I did notice if kids began running around pool areas security would remind them not to run..
De Cameron 2004 Best friends..

Las Palmas 2005

We are heading back to the RIU Jalisco for the 5th time in 2 years in May 2008. Also recently stayed at the RIU Caribe in Cancun in August and everytime have had a geat vacation. As other posters have stated: just go, enjoy the weather, the food, the environment and the local people who work at the hotel and go out of their way to keep the resort clean and ready for your use. Sure - the food might not be outstanding every meal - but there is always something to eat - you wont go hungry. When you are at the RIU make sure to walk up the beach to Bucerias and explore the area around the town square and the flea market - and enjoy the many fine restaurants. You and your boys will have a great time - go with the flow, enjoy Mexico and you will have a great vacation.

Thank you so much JW for taking the time to reply.

I am much more confident and relaxed after reading what is posted here and on other threads. Everyone has been extremely helpful.

We will take your suggestion and walk to Bucerias.
Any suggestions as to where to eat?

I think my boys are looking forward to the food the most!
Teenagers! Gotta love them!

I need to complain about the last time I stayed in a hotel in the US. It too was full of \"Nationals\".

LOL

Me too. They were full of children. :)

oh sure Chuck...you can call them \"Nationals\" but up North we still call them \"Expos\" !

Mamba - in Bucerias many nice places to eat along the ocean. But if your boys are big eaters, they wont have any problems at the RIU - the buffets will take care of all their needs and more. We have never been disappointed in the food - again, there will be selections that you wont like - but there will be plenty of other choices. Breakfast is great.
As you might have read elsewhere bring a large insulated mug for drinks - the bartenders will fill it with no problem. And there is entertainment every night - again, many people complain about this - but you arent in
Vegas - they do a great job with what they have. Nights might be a bit boring for your boys as there isnt a lot to do - there isnt anyplace to go
outside of the RIU. The key is going with the flow - relax its vacation.
You will have a great time.

LOL....I hear you Helen!

I am a compulsive list maker and have revised my PV list about 5 times now.
The suitcase is ready to be packed and I am going to start TODAY!

Mike........is the pool open in the evenings?