Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana - All Inclusive

The staff were consistently friendly and attentive, the one bright spot, and the reason this isn’t a one-star review. Everything else made this a poor choice for the quality stay we wanted. Our room was visibly dirty from arrival, with urine on the bathroom door, a toilet that wouldn’t flush, general grime, and a half-finished bottle in the minibar. It was never restocked unless we asked. The bed was uncomfortably firm, and the room felt well below what the price should get you. Food was mediocre at best. The beach was pretty but small and crowded, with little space to relax. The atmosphere felt chaotic and impersonal, as if they cared more about volume than the experience. If you don’t want to drink heavily, there’s not much to do. It caters to a party crowd, and anyone who isn’t into that may feel out of place. We left early and went to another resort. It may suit spring breakers or people looking for a rowdy all-inclusive, but not travelers after a clean, relaxing, quality experience.

The staff are what make this resort five-star. They were attentive and accommodating, and so funny and upbeat that they made the stay memorable. I’ve stayed at much more expensive resorts, but none had staff who came close to the hospitality we experienced in Punta Cana. They made us want to visit again. The resort is a fantastic deal for the price, with a lovely beach, beautiful property, solid food, and drinks always flowing. It’s not perfect: our toilet was wonky, and there was a bit of mildew smell in the room. Gracias to the staff for making our trip so much fun.

We loved the lively entertainment, from pool-bar dancing and beach activities to afternoon happenings and evening shows. The Riu party is a must, and the music gave the holiday a fun atmosphere. There were things to do, but also quiet spots to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Buffet food was very good, with lots of fresh options, and the restaurants each served different dishes: steak house, Japanese, Spanish, and Italian. The presentation was impressive and the food was good. Our room was spacious, comfortable, and well maintained, with excellent daily housekeeping. From arrival, the professional staff greeted us warmly and took care of the details. Riu Palace Punta Cana combined comfort, luxury, good cuisine, and great hospitality for an unforgettable stay. I highly recommend it and would happily return. We definitely will. Thank you for making the vacation so enjoyable and fun. xoxoxo

The service was top-notch at the bars, pool, and buffet, and the staff were attentive. Buffet meals had lots of options and were great; I never got sick. A tip: take probiotics for a few weeks before the trip. The pool was excellent, with good service, and we could still find empty chairs around 11 a.m. The beach itself was perfect, but much busier, and all the chairs were taken unless you got up early. Everything was kept clean, even the outdoor bathrooms. The random alarms going off during the night were the only other downside. This Riu is much more updated than Riu Bávaro, unless Bávaro was renovated recently, in which case the difference is huge. The rooms are the one thing holding it back from five stars. The beds are two full-size beds pushed together, fine for two people but potentially awkward for a family of four. Update the rooms and I’d be a repeat customer. We had a great stay.