Riu Playacar

“Sitting on a white sandy beach, Riu Playacar walks the line between lively and laid-back.” Tropical, friendly and relaxed, the Riu Playacar is a book you definitely can judge by its cover. With its whitewashed walls, terracotta-tiled roof and jungle setting, it’s got classic Caribbean good looks. Inside, the lobby is an appealing mix of Mexican and colonial design. Think Aztec-style wood carvings, paintwork in tropical brights and old-world touches like ceiling fans, chandeliers and scroll-legged tables.

As for the rooms, they’re clustered into dinky blocks, scattered through the gardens and no taller than a well-established palm tree – each one’s just three storeys high. Plus they’re painted in an array of candy colours and trimmed with hacienda-esque verandas. The bedrooms themselves are generously sized, decked out with solid wood furnishings, ceiling fans and air-conditioning. And they come with nice-to-have extras like satellite TV, complimentary toiletries and Riu’s signature liquor dispenser.

It’s the same high standard throughout the rest of the hotel, too. The smart restaurants include an international buffet, an Asian-themed eatery that’s dressed in red, black and white, and an American grillhouse. And there are more than enough bars to go around, with La Cumbia lounge bar doing a mean line in cocktails. But the choice doesn’t end there. This place is part of the Riu Playacar Resort complex so you can have your after-dinner drink at any of the bars in Riu Yucatan and ClubHotel Riu Tequila.

In terms of things to do, tennis courts, watersports, pool tables and a gym sort the activities list out. Plus the entertainment team organise endless games, quizzes and competitions – as well as their nightly cabaret show. When you really want to unwind though, the pool pulls out all the stops. All palm trees, exotic plants and tinkling fountains, it’s like something from a paradise island - just the ticket for long lazy days in the sun.