BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jason from Plano, TX

"Don't let the title confuse you, it was good, but it's just hard to compare after going to the Sandals Regency in St. Lucia.

There are things that I loved about this place, but things I didn't like as well. The Buffet's were wonderful. We didn't get to go to many of the restaurants. The one we went to was the Geisha, (Japanese). I didn't really prefer it. We had heard bad things about the italian so we skipped it. I wish we would have gone to the steak restaurant. I didn't like having to wear a rist band the whole time I was there. Also, you have towel cards. It's the only way to get a towel at the towel stand. You have to return your towels to get them back. The Beach is OK, but there is a lot of seaweed in the water. The staff does a pretty good job of cleaning it off the beach though. I know there is nothing they can do about the water. The gift shop is bad and the staff in there is unfriendly. You get way better deals at the shops on the street between all the Riu resorts. Sometimes you pay half the price of that at the gift shop. The only time I used the gift shop was if it was something that required a credit card. I wouldn't use that on the street. VIP travel is excellent. If you go you have to do the excursion to saona island, (Hope I spelled it right). Bavaro is on the Atlantic side, where this will take you to the Carribean side. The water is much prettier there. The staff on the whole was incredible, especially them working the buffet, and swim up bar. They made our stay a blast. For the fridge in the room, at the back of it, turn down the temp on it about half way and leave the cabinet door that surrounds the fridge open when you can. Drinks get a lot colder. I wasn't happy with the liquors in the room. They give you 4, (Johnny Walker, Their island rum, Beafeeter Gin, and Smirnoff Vodka). I'm a whiskey drinker and not a fan of Johhnie Walker. After I finished that bottle...Oh Yes I did...I asked them for Jack Daniels, (The only other whiskey I ever saw they had). They will not substitute. That being said, IT'S ALCOHOL. 8-) This was something that definitely set it apart from Sandals. When we went to Sandals and I saw they put Teachers Scotch in my room I called down to the front desk and within 10 minutes I had McCallum 12. The pools are beautiful. The rooms are clean and look incredible. I have to say the room was better than Sandlals. My biggest complaint was the festivities shut down at midnight. The only thing open after that is the sports bar. I know I listed a few bad things here, but I just wanted you to know what we didn't like. For everything here we didn't like there were 5 things we loved. This has gotten long enough already."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Patricia Baker-Frank from Southfield, Mi

"Our 25th anniversary trip to Riu Plaace Bavaro Punta Cana was awesome. The Riu is beautiful , clean and great food and service being only 9 months old at the time we visited.The hotel staff was extremely friendly, and did everything they could to make us comfortable. Our VIP travel representative was incredible !!! arranged our activities , shopping, safari, water sports , horseback riding, zip line & we had a blast ...We visited during hurricane season the first week of October and the weather was 88 degrees plus humidity and 2 short bouts of rain that lasted just a few minutes. Our trip to Riu Place Bavaro will never be forgotten. Thank you for a fantastic 25th anniversary..."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Sarah from Pittsburgh, PA

"My boyfriend & I stayed at the Riu Palace Bavaro in October 2012 and absolutely loved it. I highly recommend upgrading to the VIP package - for just $100 or so more per person, you get a much nicer room (with free internet access) and private VIP pool. You can also get round-trip transportation to and from the airport. A lot of reviews complained about the food, but we thought the food was excellent, especially at the buffets. The Italian restaurant (Bambola) was also very good. Geisha (Japanese restaurant) was my least favorite - the shrimp & vegetable tempura dish is extremely fried and, in my opinion, disgusting. The staff were very friendly, and the grounds were beautiful. A lot of the staff didn't speak English very well (if at all), but for the most part we could communicate with them well enough to get by. I would definitely stay here again if I ever find myself in Punta Cana again. Great job, Riu!!!"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Darren from Decatur, GA

"I just have to say that this was my birthday trip and 7 of us went on the trip. No one had any complaints. In March five of us went to Santo Domingo to Don Juan Beach resort which I also rated. This was 500 times better than Don Juan. Yes 500 times better. The pre-paid transportation from the airport was excellent. The Punta Cana airport is open; no doors and it is very hot, so be prepared for that. Once we entered the hotel we got a refreshing welcome drink. The front desk staff was always wonderful and helpful. Yes, the rooms look exactly like the pictures on the website. The grounds are kept well maintained and clean. The rooms were very neat and clean. The mini bar had 4 bottles of liquor. The rooms were well stocked with large bottles of water, beer, sodas and club sodas. The food was awesome everyday. We did the buffet for breakfast and luch and did the ala carte resturants for dinner. We tried 3 of the ala cartes and they were all really good (Steak, Geisha, Itilian). There is a french place and otehr ala cartes. The swim up bar was wonderful along with the 24 hour sports bar. If you don't see the top shelf at any of the bars ask for it. They are usually hidden so they can push the local brands. We were not nagged by the local folks like in Santo. You were maybe a mile off the main road with 2 security check points to get on the resort. All in all I am ready to go back today, even though I just got back yesterday. Wonderful, relaxing and fun times. If you want to order room service late in the evening it is a half page menu with a club sandwhich & fries (it says chips), 2 deserts and a cheese and fruit tray. That is it for late evening. You can also go to the sports bar and eat some of the pre-cooked and in the cooler. There is a microwave for the hotdogs and hamburgers that are in the cooler. There are also nachos and cheese. OK I am done."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Debra from Charlotte, Nc

"We just returned from Punta Cana and wanted to say that it was wonderful. One issue to report, the refrigerator would not get the drinks cold. The weather was wonderful and the hotel is beautiful. Most of the staff spoke some English
And those that didn't, we found a way to communicate anyway. I would recommend this hotel to anyone considering it."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Tim from , VA

"We had a great time at this resort. The only problem we had was the internet went out a couple times during our stay, but no big deal. Will return."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jeanette G. from Bronx, Ny

"This was my 2nd time to punta cana. Hotel was great. the staff were excellent. the only problem was my fridge was broken and i tried to get someone to fix it the entire time i was there and noone came up. all i got was im sorry we will send someone up. but for 7 days none came. overall the food and the scenerio was awesome. would definelty go back."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jon Friesen from Grande Prairie, Alberta

"Been to Dom Rep # times and this resort is awesome. Best food ever and the Hotel is great. The staff was unbelievable and the beach was sweet as always!!"

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"We visited the Riu Palace Bavaro from December 17 - 23. We were married at the Riu Palace Punta Cana in December 2009 so we were returning to check out the new resort for our anniversary and my husbands birthday!! We had a great time. Our VIP rep was knowledgeable and friendly. We booked an excursion to Capcana through him, I recommend visiting Saona Island versus the Capcana excursion...we did the Saona Island trip a few years ago and it was great, Capcana was twice the price and subpar at best. As for the Riu itself, the hotel is stunning and the staff works tirelessly to maintain it. The food is the same you will find at the other Riu resorts, but by far the best out of all other All Inclusives I have ever stayed at. I only ate at one of the a la carte restaurants, the Taino steakhouse, I don't know if it was related or not but I ended up very sick about 2 hours After eating there. I had vomiting for about an hour, then felt better. It was strange, and I hadn't eaten anything else different that day. Anyways, we weren't exactly happy that the room we paid extra for was only available on the ground floor directly facing the pool. We paid extra for the Jacuzzi suite...which they only have these on ground, they have an 'ocean front jacuzzi suite' with 2nd floor jacuzzi suites...but that is the one you have to go through Riu or a rep, we asked how much to upgrade to that and they wanted $175.00 USD a night extra!! . We were in the VIP section of the hotel, which gives you a private pool, this was great!!! I don't like children much and there were rarely ever any kids there in the VIP. The pool bar was extremely easy access due to very few people here. However this area is very far from the food and entertainment areas. The staff was great. They were attentive and friendly. Lots of yummy drinks, ask and they will try their hardest to oblige!!! All in all a great trip!! When you leave you will be singing their song 'I want...I want to go to Riu!!' We are already planning our next trip to a Riu resort. Oh and join Riu class so that you get points for your stay that you can redeem for upgrades, gift shop items, etc on future stays!! :)"

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"Great resort! Staff were amazing! Food was great overall. A la Carte's need to look at ambiance. The general theme of the resort is bright, coloured, kinda 60s, it would be nice to tone it down in the A la Carte's, fine dining should be a little more intimate. Location of washrooms wasn't the best, you would think that there would be a washroom in close vicinity to the Buffet, but not the case. These are just a few minor things, it didn't spoil our vacation overall. Beach is wonderful! Lots of loungers and if you tip the guy that sells coconuts, he will reserve you some loungers every day you need them. If you like fish, you will love it. The freshest fish I've ever tasted and lots of of! Awesome!"

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"general very good only the bed is very hard,and little nose before morning

restaurant with service .in general...all ...we don't likes ....

excellent buffet!good champagne...

it's your advantage before diner or souper you give the cleaner for hand!it's better ! and in the gym, very better of cleaner after (life step..)... each training !

good personnel all includ! very sympatique!

thank you!!may be next years"

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"Downright awesome! Excellent service, courteous and polite staff and comfortable suites and adored the entertainment programs and cuisine."

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"We were told that the hotel opened recently but the steam to the sauna has not been installed yet. The jaccuzi water temprature was lukewarm in the mornings.The quality of the food at the restaurants and the service was very poor. We would leave the restaurants and go eat at the buffet. The Bavaro Splash snuba and snorkeling trip was disappointing because they took us to unprotected water with very poor visibility and no reef! It was a rip off. Otherwise, the beach is very nice, the nightly shows were great and the staff were very friendly."

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"Fantastic!!!"

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