Riu Naiboa - All Inclusive

The staff were super nice, and the rooms were decent, though the rooms and facilities could use plenty of improvement. I didn’t come to spend time lounging in the room. The reason to stay here is the location by Bavaro beach, with its white sand, blue water, and coastal climate. I visited two years ago, and the beach proximity made this place great.

The hotel’s grounds are pretty, the pool was amazing, and the bar above the pool was a nice spot. It’s about a three-minute walk to the beach, passing local shops, and the disco club is close by too. The pool parties were fun and welcoming for everyone over 18, and we wished we’d made it to more. Entertainment was excellent, with talented dancers, performers, and singers. There were lots of activities, like yoga, darts, Zumba, bean bag toss, and water aerobics. The instructors were friendly and encouraged people to join in. Staff at both bars were quick, the drinks were very good, and everyone at the resort was friendly. They’d dance with you if you asked, and we felt welcome. The cleaners even made us a towel swan and heart, and maintenance was fast to respond when something went wrong. The first room card we got didn’t have a scanner, so we had to move to another room. It had no water or drinks stocked, and the wifi didn’t work the first night. The room itself was disappointing: the floors were dirty, picture frames hung unevenly, the shower had mildew, and the supposedly clean sheets and towels were stained. We were on the first floor; it was quiet, and we liked the view from our balcony, although we couldn’t see the pool. The buffet repeated the same food every day and night and lacked flavour and variety. The fruit and ice cream were great, though, and the resort restaurant served very good food. If the rooms had been cleaner and better kept, we’d have enjoyed the stay more. If you’re into being outdoors, activities, drinks, swimming, and the beach, this hotel offers that kind of holiday.

If you’re looking for late nights and a party, you may like this place. The music at the bar was so loud that it carried across the resort, even to the fourth floor. I couldn’t sleep before midnight or 1 am. They also played very loud music at the pool for a few hours a day, though we went to the pleasant, quiet beach instead. The rooms had comfortable beds, were nice and clean, and had good showers and a free minibar with liquor. Staff were lovely, and the resort itself was beautiful, with a clean beach and bar nearby. Breakfast had a wide range of choices, and the Italian restaurant was okay. Lunch and dinner options were quite limited, but edible. Ubers weren’t allowed onto the property to pick us up, there was no wifi at the entrance, a 6-7 minute walk away, to order one, and taxis were very expensive. I wouldn’t recommend it if sleeping on holiday matters to you; if you’re here to party and won’t turn in early, then go for it.

The check-in was great, especially thanks to ABEL, who was always ready to help, answer questions, and suggest restaurants and tours. He was the only good thing about the hotel. The rooms were disappointing: outdated, with worn beds and pillows spilling their filling. The food was awful. I ate pizza and fruit for the whole week. There wasn’t any real daytime entertainment. Honestly, don’t waste your money.