My wife and I just spent five days at the Royal Hideaway in Playacar. Here's the GOOD, the BAD and the VERDICT.<BR><BR>THE GOOD: Believe all you read and the pictures you see. It is truly a beautiful and well-maintained property.<BR><BR>The food was excellent. We ate dinner at each of the restaurants and while many say Palazzo or Ventanas are their favorites, we really enjoyed them all. Spices on the beach had a comfortable, casual atmosphere that was unique and authentic. The others in the main building all had about the same feel, except Azia.<BR><BR>Breakfast off the menu at Ventanas was great and the buffet at Spices was generally good. Not much choice for lunch.<BR><BR>Although we were there in the middle of traditional "spring break," it was very relaxing and low key. Mostly couples seeking a romantic retreat (although there were indeed a few children under 13). It was pretty well booked, but you could still find quiet at the relax pools.<BR><BR>Here's a hint... get showered a little early and go to the balcony next to Spices just before sunset. They open the bar at Spices at 6 and there was no one at this prime spot early on any night we were there. Very relaxing after a day on the beach or by the many pools.<BR><BR>THE BAD: The service was sufficient and the rooms were always meticulously cleaned, but the service was somewhat reactive. While everything we ordered was done in quick fashion, they didn't really seem to anticipate very much. To me, that is the sign of true service.<BR><BR>Also, the concierge (who can look from his desk and see all the rooms in each villa) called our room when we had the do not disturb sign on the door. We were not happy.<BR><BR>The wine was atrocious. Sutter Home or some Mexican merlot is simply not sufficient for a five-star property. Anyone who appreciates good food appreciates good wine. They should be embarrased.<BR><BR>The bed was pure torture. Way too worn -- you could feel the springs... and that was on the good bed. The bad one was shaped like a V. You want a five-star property to have at least as good a bed as you have at home. We should have asked to switch rooms, but we just took it like troopers.<BR><BR>THE VERDICT: I have stayed at a few all-inclusives and this is by far the best deal. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quiet, relaxing stay.

BDM, thanks for the report, I priced this place for August and it was much more money than the Moon Palace or other palace resorts, now I ask myself Why are they so much more money. Was the food really good, did they serve good wine with dinner, how was the beach and pool. I will be travelling with my wife and 14 year old son, is this a place for teenagers or is it mainly for adults?

This place looks great and is written up in all of the books, but your wine and bed stories are scaring me. I am wondering if you are comparing it to a stay at someplace like the Four Seasons (which I agree is the kind of place that anticpates your nees- I can ask for one thing at a location in Atlanta, and when I check in someplace out, that one thing I requested is already in my room). Did you try the spa? Did you think about staying at the new Paradisio Riveria? I am trying to decide between the two today- thanks!

Oh boy --- this is one of the few times I have heard something bad about RH ---<BR><BR>Did others complain about the bed/wine situation?<BR><BR>What other alcoholic beverages did they have -- did they have premium liquour, what types of beer, etc... <BR><BR><BR><BR>

Well I'll tell ya for 10 days at the Moon Palcae for my family it was $5000 for the same timeframe at the RH it was $7000 , why would I spens $2000 more for bad wine and bad beds, this place is history.

Just returned from Royal Hideaway and found it to be a beautiful place with quite possibly the best food we have ever had in the Caribbean or Mexico. My husband is into wine and yes, the selection was not great but it is an all-inclusive so we kind of expected that. We had no complaint about the bed. This was our first all-inclusive experience and overall we were very pleased. My biggest complaint about the property is the lack of oceanview rooms and the beach, which we found too crowded for our liking. Other than that, a fantastic time, friendly people, great service! We also found it to be a good value -- we paid $400 a night and for what you get I think that is a bargain -- we are used to going to the Caribbean and paying $400+ a night just for the room!

Good, Scmood, Bad, Scmad...you still gotta love a vacation that includes the following line in it's trip report:<BR><BR>"Very relaxing after a day on the beach or by the pool."