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Royal Islander or Villa Del Palmar in Cancun?

ValHam said:
Which is nicer and which has a better location? Thanks - Both options are available.
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I can't speak to the Villa del Palmar but the TUG reviews rates the Islander higher. We're currently at the Islander and I'd come back. The 1BRs are very spacious and with double steel entry doors separate the 1BR from the lockoff side so I think sound proofing is good. The deck on the 1BR is really large while the lockoff side is just a juliette balcony that you can't really go out on. The Islander has a good location and you get free shuttle service to the other two Royal resorts. We just hop on the shuttle to the Sands and walk to the supermarket next door to that for our groceries. We like that the Islander is not mandatory AI
 
The Villa del Palmar Cancun is actually located north of Cancan in Punta Sam. It is a nice resort but is a good 20 minute drive to Cancun. AI isn't mandatory for owners. The beach is protected by Isla Mujeres so the ocean is like a lake with little waves. The decks are huge with a hammock. The views are decent. It is kind of quiet. The ferry to Isla Mujeres is next door to the resort. There are many decent restaurants at the resort. Entertainment is low key like a sax or guitar player in the evening. Usually a fire dance group shows up during the week but it is very low key compared to other resorts, imo. Kitchens, washer dryer and Jacuzzi tubs in 1 bed units. Dive boat pick up in walking distance. I like the place but it is a long day getting there for us in Washington State.

Bill
 
I would go to the Royal Islander. Much better location. We stayed at Villa del Palmar when they were about a year old. It is off the beaten path and we always rent a car when we are in Cancun. The beach was not great there and it was a pain going to restaurants!
 
ilene13 said:
I would go to the Royal Islander. Much better location. We stayed at Villa del Palmar when they were about a year old. It is off the beaten path and we always rent a car when we are in Cancun. The beach was not great there and it was a pain going to restaurants!
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I agree about the beach. It is tiny compared to most beaches but they do keep the white sand clean and the weeds cut in the swimming perimeter. Outside of the roped off swimming areas are weed beds with little turtles and seahorses you can see while snorkeling.

We haven't been here for over 5 years and back then the resort restaurants were pretty good. When did you go ?

Bill
 
Isn't the beach at the Islander almost totally eroded right now?
 
byeloe said:
Isn't the beach at the Islander almost totally eroded right now?
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There's definitely not much beach there, especially when the tide comes in. There's much more at the Royal Sands - sister resort where you can hop on a free shuttle to. We hung out mostly by the pools as opposed to the beach
 
easyrider said:
I agree about the beach. It is tiny compared to most beaches but they do keep the white sand clean and the weeds cut in the swimming perimeter. Outside of the roped off swimming areas are weed beds with little turtles and seahorses you can see while snorkeling.

We haven't been here for over 5 years and back then the resort restaurants were pretty good. When did you go ?

Bill
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We went in 2014. We were in a 1 bedroom Villa, that was fairly new but it was falling apart- faucets didn’t work, the washing machine didn’t work either. It took multiple calls and days to get repairs. Not the type of service that we are used to at the Royal Resorts. They did not have AI when we went- had they had it we would not have gone. The restaurants were mediocre. We own at the Royal Sands and we always rent a car when in Cancun, so we had no problem driving away from the resort but it was far from places that we wanted to go. They did not allow exchangers to use one of the pools. The beach was not great at the time and I actually called the RS and asked about a day pass, but they said that they didn’t allow it. It was too far off of the beaten path for us.
 
Do you need a car at Royal Islander? How are the restaurants outside resort? The 1 bedroom condo - do they all have balcony and lounger? Thanks
 
ValHam said:
Do you need a car at Royal Islander? How are the restaurants outside resort? The 1 bedroom condo - do they all have balcony and lounger? Thanks
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The 1 bedroom suites have a full kitchen, living room, dining area, walk in closet, master bedroom with a king bed, balcony with two lounge chairs and a table. The RI is in the hotel zone. There are many excellent restaurants in the vicinity. We stay at the Royal Sands and we always rent a car but it is not necessary.
 
ilene13 said:
It was too far off of the beaten path for us.
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This is why we haven't been back. For us it has always been a good experience but it is too far from anything including a real store.

Bill
 
We have a confirmed exchange for 2 BR at Royal Islander for mid March 2023. We were at the Royal Sands a few years ago and ended up having dinner at El Conquistador. I was happy to get the exchange based on not having the mandatory AI. Looked into Villa Del Palmar but thought we’d be better off at the Islander.

Mark
 
Here are pics from our RI stay in a 2BR on the 8th floor of building 4 from last week. It's a great full on view of the pool and ocean beyond
 

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ValHam said:
Do you need a car at Royal Islander? How are the restaurants outside resort? The 1 bedroom condo - do they all have balcony and lounger? Thanks
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We did not have a car. We either hopped on the free shuttle to the Royal Sands and then walked next door to the Soriana super market for our groceries or hopped on the local bus for 12 pesos. For the couple excursions that we booked, they picked us up at the hotel

The pic I posted above shows the patio from the 1BR side. I didn't take a pic from the other end looking back which has the outdoor dining table and chairs. We ate our meals out on the patio looking out at the pools and ocean

I just posted my review in the reviews section
 
Last edited:
Yes, looks much different than when we were last there. I feel like they lost some beach huts?
 
byeloe said:
Yes, looks much different than when we were last there. I feel like they lost some beach huts?
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Yes. There is only 1 row of beach huts. I saw a guy catch a fish right from there since the shore line is now right there. The lifeguard came off his perch to grab the fish for the guy
 
djyamyam said:
Yes. There is only 1 row of beach huts. I saw a guy catch a fish right from there since the shore line is now right there. The lifeguard came off his perch to grab the fish for the guy
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That's kinda cool. I don't think I would want to go back there until the beach has improved
 
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