My boyfriend and I stayed at the RPLA from May 3-10th 2008. This hotel was the best EVER!!!

Rooms: We had a oceanview junior suite (room 548) and it was great! Our room wasn't quite ready when we arrived because we had an early flight, but we were welcomed with a drink and helpful information. I had pre-reserved a spot at the Brazilian resturant via email the week before we arrived and the reservation was all set when we arrived. We walked around the hotel grounds to become familiar with our new home for a week and it was wonderful! When we got in our room I was breathless... the view was amazing and the only complaint (from my boyfriend) was that the TV didn't work properly. This was resolved by the 2nd day and everything was fine after that! Our room attendant was great (Angelica) and we were never out of towels or anything. We had different towel animals and our bed was made up romantic a couple of times.

Overall Hotel: There was only 1 complaint that I have, which isn't the hotel's fault probably... The last 2 or 3 days that we were staying at the RPLA, the lights and everything kept going on and off all day. Elevators were not working for a day and throughout the day lights always flickered. Some times the blenders were not working so my pina coladas were not well mixed, which was sometimes a good thing. We always were resetting the clocks to be on time to events.

Excursions: We booked our excursions through our Funjet representative at the hotel (I forgot her name, but she was pretty short). We went to Xel-ha and that was AWESOME! Totally worth everything. Then, later we went to Playa del Carmen to the Miramosa resort to snorkel on a catameran... we went to the 2nd largest reef and saw tons of fish!

We recently returned from a wonderful time at the RPLA!
(April 2-April 9)
Check in was fast, we got in later in the day. The Hotel was full and didn't get a room with the best view, but asked them to contact us when one came available and halfway thru our stay they notified us that a oceanview room was open so they switched rooms for us at no extra charge!
The food was above average, when you go to the Brazilian restaurant save room for the last course of meat, the tenderloin, it was the best We've ever eaten. The food at the buffet was good, variety was decent, however the deserts weren't all that! But that's okay, because there wasn't much room for that anyway! Drinks were great, and plentiful, tips do go along way, but they don't seem to expect any!
The staff was very friendly and hard working, so we didn't mind tipping them. We had a great time with Rudolfo "Rudy" in the Veranda Bar!
The shows were okay and entertaining...
The beds were firm, but after being in the sun and fun all day we slept like babies! The mattress pad did make a difference.
We did smell a mustiness but very occasional and didn't affect our stay at all.
Eventhough the hotel was full you never felt crowded in anyway!
If you cant find a chair by the pool the beach is always there and it is beautiful!!!
We met some great people from all over the world! Hi to Manatee Boy and Lynne!
Overall. this was a terrific relaxing resort and would go back in a heartbeat!!!

We stayed at the RPLA for 4 nigths at the end of April and absolutely loved it! This was our third trip to the Yucatan and all in our party agreed it was the best resort of the bunch. We even liked it better than the 5 Star we stayed at in Cozumel last year.
We are in our mid-thirties married and way over the party scene and more into relaxation and tranquility.

The review process is funny to us because some people will never be happy and can find the smallest detail and rail about it and let it ruin their trip. I read a few of these reviews prior to our trip and gave them little regard. Of course it is a subjective process so here is my take without being redundant:

The property is gorgeous with marble everywhere, extremely clean and obviously well managed etc...

The food at the buffet was very good and the variety was tremendous. Sit outside, have a glass of wine and enjoy the Carribbean breeze.

We snorkeled right off the beach and honestly found it as good as the $65 snorkel boat trip we took last year at Cozumel.

We will definately go back to this resort.

Pros:
Hotel looks great. Clean and well maintained. The inside bar (didn't use the others) is staffed by friendly and efficient bartenders and wait staff. The grounds and pool area are also clean and well maintained.

Our room was on the first floor but was still high enough to have a good view from our balcony. The bar in the room was well stocked. The stocker gave us anything extra for which we asked. The air conditioning worked very well. The electricy in the area went out several times on one of our days but by nightfall everything was humming along. We wouldn't have wanted to try to sleep without the air conditioning.

We emailed ahead of our visit requesting mattress pads and our bed was so equiped. We emailed ahead based on reviews we saw here mentioning hard beds.

There was plenty of food and the serving times fit our schedule, such as it is.

Cons:
Both of us take showers. The bottom of the bathtub is very slick when you shower. We asked for and received a rubber bathmat but not until my wife had slipped and bruised her leg. Thankfully the hand rail stopped her from having a more serious injury.

We had to ask for wash clothes nearly every day.

The food, while plentifull, wasn't very good.