We have never been to Mexico, but plan on going to the Yucatan Peninsula next February. I've narrowed our hotel choices to the following:

Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Riu Palace Mexico, Iberostar Tucan, and Paradisus Riviera Cancun.

We are a family of 4 (2 kids: 8-10). Want nice accomodations, gorgeous beach and fantastic pools.

I appreciate your opinions. If there is another hotel (AI or not) that anyone could recommend, that would be great.

And, yes, I have read the reviews on trip advisor. I take them with a grain of salt, but as whole, the reviews are positive. The more I read, the more muddled it gets.

Thanks.

The first three resorts you mention are close to each other in the Playacar gated community just south of Playa Del Carmen. It is about a 15-20 min walk to town. The Paradisus is further away. I don't know if that makes a difference to you but just for your info. Also, the RIU Palace Riviera Maya is the newest RIU kid on the block. It looks very nice. I've stayed at the RIU Palace Mexico and loved it but there really is no kids program there. The Tucan always gets rave reviews also. You could also check out Gran Coco Bay, Shangri La Caribe and Royal Porto Real (not Grand Porto Real). RIU Yucatan right next door to the RIU Palace Mexico shares the same beach, was just renovated and is priced lower than the Palace. Wherever - have a great time.

Palladium, Colonial! All-Inslusive. And, Excellent.
NOT the Sunscape Puerto Adventuras! Awful.
Check out your possibilities on tripadvisor.com

I haven't stayed at those but have researched the area and stayed at the resort next to the Iberostar. The beaches in the Playa Del Carmen area are lovely. ALthough I haven't been since last summer's hurricane season. The AIs for kids your age will be a very easy family vacation. We've stayed in 3 AIs in the area, and always had a great time. The Paradisus is in a different area, and from what I've read, the beach could be seaweedy. There are some beaches nearer to Cancun that are full of seasweed (the moon palace for one). They supposedy clean it up on a daily basis, but it's not the same as the beaches in PLaya Del Carmen.

My kids are teens now, and this year, for the fist time, we are going non-AI. We are renting a condo on the beach with a pool, walking distance to the town of PDC.

With younger kids though an AI is a very easy vacation. From my experience is none of these AIs have great food, but there are always decent things to eat and lots of choices. If some of the negative comments on Tripadvisor are about food, I wouldn't be overly ocncerned. My feeling is, if food is a vacation priority, I wouldn't do an AI. If you want decent meals where everyone is happy, and the kids can eat whenever they want, than an AI works well.

I think any of the PDC resort will work out well for you.

The hotels you mention are all nice and I have photos of those and a lot others in the Riviera Maya that I can share. Just click on my email link above. I would also like to suggest Sandos Gala Playacar. It's got a great beach and pool, is family oriented and nice rooms. It might be just what you're looking for.

Thanks for all the suggestions and feedback.

The Ib. Tucan/Quetzal is FABULOUS. We have been there 2 times. Last was 2 months ago. There is a jungle in the middle with all sorts of animals which will amuse your whole family. we brought 6 of our friends there as well and they loved it so much they are booking again for April. The pool is huge and the beach is GORGEOUS with lot's of sand, sun and shade. Lot's to do here and the food is good. I will be bringing my kids here once I have them.

I would not stay in a hotel in Playacar. Rent a house. We did last December and it was great. Walk to the beach, cook at home when you want to. Further, consider Club Med in Cancun, though I'm not sure if they take small children. It's great.

We just stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Beach/Del Mar and it was the worst vacation of our lives. The food and drinks were terrible, the resort staff was non-responsive, and 27 of the 30 guests in our party fell ill at some point during the week for 2-3 days each. That is 90% of the guests in our party and includes 3 of the 4 members of my immediate family.

Hope this helps.

I don't know if you've booked your vacation yet but we just got back from staying at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya and it was awesome. Considering my husband never wanted to go back to Mexico b/c of previous bad experiences but this resort totally made up for it. If you want a nice place, great pool and beach you will definately get your money's worth at this place!

We just returned from the Paradisus Riviera Cancun and I can tell you without any doubt that the beach is full of seaweed or maybe its turtle grass. Everything else at the Paradisus was wonderful (except the timeshare salesmen) but that beach even smelled it had soooooooooooooo much seaweed piled up on it. Yes, they do rake it everyday, but they rake about one inch of it and six inches come back as soon as they go by with the useless machine. The pool is wonderful, large with a swimup bar and whirlpools. The food is the best I have every tasted at an all inclusive and the liquor is premium brands.

I think a new condo in Playa Del Carmen might be a great choice for your family if you're willing not to do Ai...
check out some of them at locogringo.com