Riu Santa Fe - All Inclusive

The view is the one real bright spot, absolutely beautiful and hard to beat. Otherwise, RIU Santa Fe fell well short of the five-star experience I expected. On arrival, the front desk wasn’t helpful, nobody offered to handle our luggage, and there was no welcome drink or arrival hospitality. There are no elevators either, so anyone on the second floor or above has to carry their own bags up the stairs. Dining was the biggest letdown. You can’t reserve specialty restaurants through the app or by phone; the only way is to line up in person before opening. That process was absurd with a little one along. We tried several times and never got in. Once there were more than 30 people ahead of us, so we didn’t eat at any specialty restaurant during the stay. Based on the service, food options, and inconvenience, this resort didn’t feel or operate like a five-star property. If those things matter to you, I’d look at other options in Los Cabos.

The grounds were beautifully kept, and we liked the pools and being able to grab drinks and try different things whenever we wanted. The road in and out was bumpy and unpaved, though we later learned that’s pretty common in Mexico. The room was clean, with a comfy bed, good shower, coffee maker, and stocked mini fridge and liquor. There were stairs, but being on the second floor didn’t bother us. This was our first all-inclusive, and it was really nice for the price, only a little more than a regular hotel. We stayed two nights, so didn’t try every restaurant. The fancy one and the biggest buffet were very good. We heard the Italian wasn’t great, and the Asian restaurant wasn’t for us. We’d stay again.

The shows were great, and the resort worked well for both adults and kids. Everyone was friendly and organized, and the staff gave us good service throughout. Our favorites were housekeeper Marisol, bartenders Gabriella, Dante, Yenessa, and Bhisop, plus servers Efren and Connie. They always seemed to go the extra mile. The performers also checked that we were doing well after their shows. Our family really enjoyed the stay. Thank you all, until next time. 🙏🏾

My room was in a great spot, and I loved watching the breathtaking sunsets from the window each evening. The pools were clean, the atmosphere lively, and the parties fun and well organized. Food was excellent throughout, from fresh salads to fillet mignon, flavorful and well prepared. The staff and other guests were welcoming and respectful. I travelled solo as a young Black woman and arrived cautious after reading mixed reviews about Cabo and the resort. I left genuinely impressed, relaxed, and safe, and would absolutely return. One Cabo downside: discounted activities often mean attending a timeshare presentation. Mine was with Garza Blanca, and I didn’t mind it personally. They picked me up from RIU in a luxury Escalade, served fresh cocktails, and showed me around the resort. I simply said no at the end, and paid only $100 for five activities, which was an incredible deal.