Riu Palace Bavaro Reviews

We had very good time in this resort. We are not new in Punta Cana resorts. This one even just after openning was very good and did not have any problems. The beach and food/ drinks were greate. Intertaiment was almost on "profeccional " level

To be a Palace Resort in the RIU chain, I would have considered the communication from the staff to be more multi-cultural. The restuarant staff was exceptional. The front desk staff needs more training to accommodate the needs of the clients. Overall, the resort was in a class above others, but I would not consider the service 5-star, it was nice. One day is like any other day of the style of events. I have experienced lower class resorts that offered more activities than just present a form(miniature golf with a cup buried in the sand for the kids).

The resort is beautiful and teh beach if phenominal. Although there were small language barriers, the staff was some of the best. Once you get to know their names, they will make sure you are more than happy nand enjoying your stay. Tips are well deserved. The room is exactly as the pictures are shown. We had the fourth floor and had a partial ivew of the ocean. Buffet was wonderfal- better than the restaurants you have to make reservations for. With the buffett, get to know the staff. The same waiter will be in the same section for breakfast, lunch and supper. We will use cheap carribean again. The flight and arrival to the resort was effortlesson our part. Our only issue the entire trip was meeting with the tour guide to get our excursions lined out. Apparently Turintor was switched to another company and their was a little confusion regarding our excursion, however, we had our printed tickets from cheap carribean and Fran resolved for us. Take time to walk down the beach to the local's huts. Souveniers are relatively cheap if you bargain with them. Don't feel bad, they expect it. AND they all were great. Even recevied free souveniers and mamajuana from the locals. A GREAT Trip. We were there in December and plan to go back Feb/March. You will not be dissapointed.

Our experience was very dissapointing in regards to food, weather, activities, and service. We also had really bad luck considenring that in the 4 days we were at the new RIU, we had terrible weather, all water and beach activities were cancelled all days we were there and ther was nothing to do except be in the room and watch tv. The pools were very cold and we were not able to use them because of it. The food in the buffet was very dissapointing and mostly cold. The theme restaurants also offered very low quality food. We are truly not very picky travelers and have gone on many cruises and vacations so for us to complain about the food and sevice is rather strange but it was truly dissapointing. I would not recommend this hotel

We stayed at the Riu Palace Bavaro from 12/22-12/29/2011. Flights were perfect. Transportation from the Airport to Hotel was also fast and efficient. Issac, the driver from Olympic tours was friendly and knowledgeable about the DR. When we arrived at the hotel at 4PM, our room was not ready eventhough check in time was 3PM. Our room was not ready until 5PM. The lobby of this brand new hotel looks like a cheap Vegas hotel. Lots of mirrors with pink, black and gold decorations. The room was also like Vegas. There was a separate stall shower and water closet, but the double vanity and jacuzzi tub were not in a separate room. The jacuzzi tub was next to the bed. Speaking of the bed, it was firm but comfortable. We had to request more pillows and a blanket which ee did receive within a few hours. The decor was tacky- lots of mirrors. The TV was too small for the size of the room. It was nice to have a stocked refrigerator in the room. Unfortunately, the bottled water was not always replenished. The room was very noisy. We could hear people upstairs and in the hallways as well as the loud music and announcers at the shows each night. A very loud machine that cleaned the hallways was often used early in the mornings. The beach and pool were beautiful. Lounge chairs were always available. Some women were topless. Each pool had a bar with friendly bartenders, drinks and peanuts. No food available at the bars, Food was readily available, plentiful but just OK. Not enough choices for vegetarians. Riu advertises that guest can eat and drink at all 4 Riu properties. This is only partially true. Guests can only eat breakfast and lunch at the other properties. Not Dinner. Speaking of Dinner, the Bavaro only had 3 a la carte restaurants with seating for 30-35 people at 2 seating per evening ( 6:30 and 9:30). It took us 2 days to find the place to make reservations and once we found it, reservations could only be made between 8-10:30 AM. If you were not in line before 9 AM, you were out of luck. We only had 2 dinners at the a la carte restaurants. The food and the service at the Italian Restaurant was OK, The food and the service at the Japanese restaurant was horrible. They could not accommodate any specific dietary requests. We both got extremely sick from the food Walk-ins were never accommodated even if there were open tables. On a positive note, the staff was friendly and most spoke a little English. This is not a 5 star property- its more like a 3 star.

The resort is excellent the only problem was that the food at the buffet wasn't identified. I have food allergies so it made it difficult for me. The service and the staff is excellent.

When we booked this vacation we did not realize that we were going to a brand new resort. Fabulous place to stay. We felt very safe in Dominica when we went out of the resort. The people were very pleasant and willing to communicate. We did a lot of extra excursions there. Highly recommend doing the city adventure where you go out into the surrounding area and learn their culture. Our tour guide Rudy and driver Calvin made it a wonderful adventure. Also tried the para sailing right off of our beach. That was a great experience also! The beaches were fabulous white sand but if you're a beach comber looking for shells you won't find them here but the beach itself you can't get enough of it.

I stayed there for 5 nights. It was great. The staff is great everyone very friendly. Only complaint is they need a male & a female closer to the restaurants. Other than that all was great.

Amazing vacations. The hotel is brand new so needs a little bit touch up in service, especially in cleaning the rooms. Great location!!