This was our 6th trip to Punta Cana, so obviously we LOVE it there. We had stayed at the Riu Bambu (next door) 4 times and at another Riu in Cancun a few years ago. Riu hotels have always been wonderful places to stay. However, at this particular hotel we encountered some problems. First of all, ocean view does not exist. It should be called "pool view". The palm trees block the view of the ocean. This is not all that bad, but still I think they should clarify what you are getting. The main issue that we had was the air conditioning. There were six of us in our group and we all had the same issues. The room never seemed to cool down below 85, but a good ceiling fan helped. Our fan barely turned, so I reported it to be fixed or replaced. I was promised that it would be done in 2 hours, but when it was still not fixed by the next day at 4 pm, they simply moved us to another room. Somewhat of a hassle, but at least that fan worked well which was a good thing because the air conditioning in that room was not any better than the other.
The next main issue that I had was with the elevators. They did not seem safe at all! There were 2 and one would actually drop several inches on the way up from the first floor, especially with 4 people in them. I was very uncomfortable on them and would only ride with my husband. If it stopped for other people, I would get off and go down the steps.
The buffet was excellent, but I don't think the specialy restaurants were anything special.
Now for the good review..........
the beach, my favorite in all the Caribbean, is heavenly!! No where have I found the number of palm trees on a beach like at the Riu hotels in Punta Cana!! (not all hotels are in the palm tree grove, but the Riu Palace Macao, Riu Bambu and Riu Punta Cana Palace are) You can be in the sun or under a palm tree with that beautiful white sand, gorgeous aquamarine water, and a wonderful breeze. Paradise!!!!
We did have beach bar service and the servers came around every 15 minutes or so. We brought insulated mugs from home that they would fill with whatever we wanted---coca lite (diet coke), beer, Miami vice, etc.
We are already planning our next trip to Punta Cana, but we plan to stay at the Riu Punta Cana Palace. It looks like the Taj Majal!!

This was a girls getaway trip from March 31-April 5. The airport was fun with the thatch roof and a group playing carribean music. But once you exit customs you are bombarded by guys offering to take your luggage. Beware! These are not the guys with your tour group, they are looking for tips. It can be overwhelming but say no and they really dont bother you. Once our airport transfer finally showed up it was about an hour drive to the resort. They drive a little erratic but it gets you there quicker then it would otherwise.

The arrival: the first impression was very nice. Check in was a very easy experience. I asked for an upgrade and was basically laughed at. Guess my tactic was not very good. We got our wrist bands and room keys and up to our room we went.

The room: The room was large, the floors were gorgeous. There was a musty smell in the room that left after a few days of airing it out. The beds were rock hard!!! Thank goodness we were so exhausted each day that we fell asleep right away but we did wake up with sore bodies!! The housekeeping staff kept the room very nice and clean. We did have to call down 3 times to get an extra pillow and some wash cloths.

The pool: the pool is gorgeous, a little chilly but once you are in it is refreshing. No swim up bar which was disappointing. People start saving lawn chairs at about 7am. Even though that is not suppose to happen it definitely did. Poolside service did not come by very often.

The grounds: Beautiful! Gorgeous flowers, lush green plants!! Not at all dirty, kept nice and clean.

The beach: Very nice, plenty of lawn chairs. Beach side service came by even less then the pool side service.

The food: we did not care for it at all. We ended up relying on the buffett for breakfast and dinner as there were more options. Lunch we ate rolls just to try to fill up a little.

Spa: we went to the spa on Carribean street twice. Massages were nice and relaxing. Unfortunately the language barrier was there (my spanish is limited and their english is too) so not much said but that was fine.

Staff: Staff was nice but did not feel they were willing to go out of their way. We tipped a lot but that did not seem to help much.

Excursions: Took a trip to Saona Island. The island was nice and relaxing but the adventure there was a bit ridiculous (boat kept losing power had to get jumped by other boats, bus ride was longer then was told, etc).

Small stuff: At the resort we lost hot water for over 10 hours and was just kinda laughed at when we asked when it would be on. Did not go to the casino at all. Carribean street was nice, got some good gifts from there. We walked down to the flea market but did not buy anything, felt very harassed. It was very windy while we were here.

If there are any questions I will be more then happy to answer them.

This was our third trip to the Dom. Rep. and our fourth stay at a RIU hotel all the others were great, but the RIU Palace Macao was by far the best. Excellente as they would say.
Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
The staff were very friendly and helpful even though we don't speak Spanish.
The food was plentiful and with such a lot of choices that no-one need go hungry.
The drinks were free flowing from morning to night, we even took a bottle of champagne to our room a couple of times so we could sit on the balcony in our rocking chairs and just enjoy the view.
There are plenty of sunloungers by the pool and on the beach, we never had a problem getting one and we were not up at the crack of dawn as some folks suggest you need to be. They even carried mattresses down to the beach for your sunloungers if you wanted them.
There was waiter service on the beach as well as round the pool
and we never had to wait too long for our drinks, as one previous review has said.
We didn't try any speciality restaurants, but always had our lunch at the Caribe Grill overlooking the ocean, where the service was excellent.
If you have booked a holiday here rest assured that you will have a great time.
We can't wait to go back next year and are already planning our return visit to the RIU Palace Macao.

I wrote a review, but when I reviewed it, it was deleted. Ergo, this will be brief. This was the best vacation we've ever had--we've been to the Caribbean 15 times (twice to Puerto Plata, numerous times to Jamaica--Super Clubs, Couples, etc--and once to Sandals in Antigua) and this place beat them all. The food was sensational (except for over-done salmon in the Japanese restuarant). Mimosas every morning for breakfast and, once, they even had caviar on the boiled eggs at breakfast! They also had bowls of red and black caviar on the buffet several times at dinner. The Mediterranean restaurant was our favorite--skewered beef and seafood was excellent. We went to all of the a la carte restaurants, but, as many have said, the buffet is so magnificent, you don't really have to. And, making reservations at them was never a problem, as it has been at other RIUs we've been to.
My only complaints--and they are miniscule--were that the bath tub was too skinny (shower curtain constantly rubbed against you) and no swimp-up pool bar, which would have been nice.
I loved having a bidet in the bathroom (after asking a gal exactly how to use it). What a great European invention!
The pool was smallish, but very nice--there is always an attendant to get you a lounger and mat. And the beach goes forever! It is aqua and wonderful.
We went on no excursions, so I cannot speak for them.
The service is beyond reproach. We, as Americans, tip. But, I don't think it would have mattered; everyone was wonderful.
We truly cannot wait to return.
If anyone has any specific questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me--just put RIU as the subject so I don't delete it as spam. My e-mail is fkt7667@aol.com
Enjoy your trip, you'll have a fantastic time.
Fran