Scores at a Glance
Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasSandos Cancun
Overall
8.9
8.2
Beach
8.9
8.7
Food
8.8
7.6
Service
9.0
8.7
Rooms
8.7
8.1
Value
8.8
7.8
Romance
8.7
8.5
Scores out of 10 — higher is better
Quick Stats
8.9
Overall Score
8.2
5-star
Star Rating
4-star
4.7 (1,161)
Google Rating
4.7 (20,970)
From $272
Price / Night (pp)
Rates TBD
No
Adults Only
Yes
Yes
Kids' Club
—
Near coast
Beachfront
Near coast
Mid-size
Resort Size
Mid-size
60 min
Airport Transfer
20 min
All Scores
8.9
Beach
8.7
8.8
Food
7.6
9.0
Service
8.7
8.7
Rooms
8.1
8.4
Pools
8.6
8.8
Value
7.8
8.3
Family
—
8.7
Romance
8.5
7.9
Nightlife
8.2
—
Quiet
6.8
—
Adventure
7.8
—
Wellness
8.2
Vibes
Yes
Romance
Yes
Yes
Lively
Yes
—
Adventure
Yes
Activities
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Water sports
Yes
Yes
Nightlife
Yes
Yes
Kids
—
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- 1 pools
- 3 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- Overwater bungalows
- 60 min from MLE
Sandos Cancun
- Adults-only all-inclusive
- 3 pools
- 5 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- 20 min from CUN
Pros — Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- Strong guest ratings across TripAdvisor, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Booking.com.
- 24-hour all-inclusive model is straightforward and value-oriented for the Maldives.
- Modern rooms, including overwater suite categories.
- Guests repeatedly praise food, cleanliness, and friendly staff.
- Access to neighboring RIU Atoll adds activity and dining flexibility.
Pros — Sandos Cancun
- Adults-only
- Direct Hotel Zone beachfront
- Three infinity pools
- Good specialty dining options
- 24-hour room service
Cons — Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- The modern built environment may feel less natural or boutique than older-style Maldives islands.
- Transfer logistics and inclusions need careful verification.
- Some activities are located on or shared with the RIU Atoll side.
- Not ideal for travelers seeking an ultra-secluded, high-design luxury resort.
Cons — Sandos Cancun
- Buffet feedback is mixed
- Some bar and restaurant bottlenecks
- Compact resort footprint
- Watersports and spa inclusions are limited