Just came back from a 7 day stay at the RIU Palance, Punta Cana. We were very nervous due to so many bad reviews of this hotel. The hotel was the cleanest place we have ever stayed in. The grounds were just beautiful. As mentioned by other reviews, the food was bland, but we could always find something to our liking. The beds were fine. We actually slept very well. There is a very strong musty smell that is very apparent. We were on the third floor, so we had hoped that the smell would not be so bad, but it was. I think you get used to it by the middle of the week, but when we arrived home, it was very noticable, especially our suitcases. We finally got the smell out of our clothes after two washings. The water pressure was fine and the rooms were actually very spacious for all the more you are in it. The pool area was beautiful. We never had trouble finding a place to put our towels, and I don't think there was a bad spot. The waiters were very prompt everywhere we went. By the second or third day, they would even remember what your usual drink was. Every evening, there was music and entertainment which was very enjoyable. The beach in front of our hotel was probably the nicest due to the palm trees which provide plenty of shade if you have had too much sun. Every morning, you can make reservations at each restaurant for dinner that evening by going to the Italian Restaurant and signing in (just a little tip, some people were making reservations for several days in advance!) Don't let the bad reviews keep you from the Palace. We had a great time and would recommend the Palace for a quiet low key vacation which is just what we were looking for!

First of all I would like to start out by saying that you cannot believe everything you hear. My husband and I came to the conclusion that there are some people that will find anything to complain about. We were leary about this resort due to the postings we read here.
A little background on us: we are both in our early 30's and I am a teacher and he is a financial advisor. We have stayed in the Mayan Riviera twice. Once at the Moon Palace and another time at a not so nice place.

We had an excellent time! Our room did not stink and I have terrible allergies along with a "dog nose" for bad odors. I was so worried about the "room stink issue" that I packed Febreze, an air freshener and an odor absorber. I did not need to use them at all. We will admit that we goofed up our a/c switch on the last day and yes it did become humid and had a scent. Therefore, keep the a/c on.

Food: We were pleasently surprised...again, we read all of the complaints about the food. It was actually very good. We are used to All- Inclusive places not having the best food. However, that's not why we go on vacation either.
I believe that there are some people that forget that you are in a foreign country and you cannot be so ethnocentric and expect to have everything "Americanized" for you. I enjoyed trying their cuisine and we even enjoyed the buffet. (we are not buffet people either).
The Steakhouse was good...loved the chicken. Many people raved about SIr Oscars (we missed our reservations). The Japanese Rest. was not that impressive but, was okay.

Service: Great service. A little tipping goes a long way. These people drive 8-9 hours to work at this resort. They leave their families for 12-15 days and go back for 3. Therefore, even though it's All-Inclusive a dollar or 2 is appreciated.
See Marino at the Buffet...he was wonderful! Josuelo at the pool bar took great care of us, too. Juliana at the lobby bar...she was a sweetheart.

Grounds/Maintenance: Very clean and well maintained. The people are always working and cleaning. We did not see one critter or cockroach anywhere!

Room: Beautiful. The bed wasn't too bad. We have stayed in much worse. Very clean and beautiful.

Our only complaints: The bathrooms are too far from the pool and beach. Our second is the most common: the reservation system for dinner. We didn't like having to commit to where we were going for dinner at 8:30 a.m. Then, you only have two dinner time choices 6:30 and 9:00. We often missed our reservation due to too much fun at the Pool Bar or a certain place was booked.

We would highly recommend this resort to couples. There are some families however, due to the dinner schedule and lack of kid programs I would say to leave the little ones home.

We had a great time and we met some wonderful people. We hope you find this review helpful.
Stacey
Midland, Michigan

Just returned from this supposed 5+ Star resort. Here it is in a nutshell. I am not a big complainer btw. I read all the negative reviews on this resort and decided that some people are just not happy wherever they go. I have to say, that i agree 100% with each and every one of those disappointed travellers. Hotel - Beautiful from the outside. The lobby, grounds and atmosphere 5 star. The service 2 star. The food doesn't even rate a star. Okay I'll give it a minus1 star. I am still trying to get the mold smell out of my nose and clothes. Something is wrong here. Every room smells! Air conditioning sucks. Water pressure was non existent. We had no hot water at all the first two days. The beds are like rocks. The food is absolutely disgusting. As a sidenote I will eat ANYTHING. I couldn't find a single thing on the buffet that tasted right. Plus they serve RECYCLED food. Last night's main course is today's lunch special. TOTALLY YUCKADOO! I ended up living for 14 days with a diet consisting of pizza - spaghetti and fries. I felt like a 5 year old ! I NEVER eat that kind of crap at home ! Even the a la cartes were a disappointment. That's iif you were lucky enough or stupid enough to stand and line from 7 a.m. to 8:30 am and get a reservation. We have been to the DR. 5 times. stayed in some beautiful resorts. Tried to go back this year to some faves but they were booked so we decided to try the Palace. We have also been to Mexico and stayed at the Riu Palace 3 times. NO complaints there. For the money there are much better resorts in Punta Cana. The beach wasn't even that great. I had to walk about an hour away to actually go into CLEAR water in the ocean. Not much of a seaweed fan ! All in all an experience that I would rather not repeat.

What a dump! Don't be deceived by the beautiful pictures. We would have probably been better off staying at the local airport hotel. What can I say that has not already been said in other reviews.

Room- Smelled like a cave. After washing my clothes multiple times I still can not get the mold smell out. Do not bring anything that you plan on wearing ever again. Bed was as comfortable as lying on tile floor. Sheets were crisp, probably from not being cleaned.

Food- French Fries were ok. Had to get used to them because that was the only thing that was even remotely edible. The first day I tried some cheese and it tasted like wallpaper glue.

Drinks - Don't bother. I have had better cocktails at a junior high party. Watered down, flat, basically undrinkable. The best drink in the resort is the gallon jug of water in the luke warm room fridge.

If food poisoning and smelling like a swamp is your thing, book your trip to the RIU Palace immediately. If not, do your self a favor and book a room at your local Motel 6. You'll probably get better service without the mold.