Riu Palace Punta Cana Hotel - Punta Cana - Dominican Republic - Caribbean

We travelled to the Dominican Republic after having our trip to Mexico was cancelled due to the swine flu epedemic and I was not looking forward to going as we had our mind set on Mexico (went to Riu Tequila in 2007). We changed to Punta Cana & the Riu Palace just days before flying as the hotel looked fabulous in the brochure.

On arrival we were not dissappointed. The hotel is massive, the lobby & reception is very grand with fountains & paintings all over the place, the check-in took minutes & our luggage was transported to our rooms by the ever helpful bellboys (a $2 tip & they were happy!). The room was a “junior suite” & comprised of a king-sized bed, big bathroom with hydro-jets in the bath along with a shower. There is the fridge & optics, beer & water & soft drinks in the fridge, replenished daily, if you run out, just phone reception for more. There are three steps  down into the sitting area which has a settee & satellite TV ( was able to watch Newcastle matches live! ).

From there, you go out onto our balcony that overlooked a tropical jungle. Downstairs we walked out to ponds & fountains before heading down to the pool areas, one infinity pool leads onto the big pool with swim andup bar, you get fresh towels everyday to use on the beach or pool area. Then down to the piece de resistance: miles & miles of powder white beach & electric blue Carribean sea!

There are plenty of sunloungers on the beach & in the pool areas and waiters serve you refreshing cool drinks on the beach & by the pool. Plenty of things to do by the sea, I learned how to sail on a hobbie-cat ($25 for first lesson then free every other day), wnt parasailing, rode bannana boats etc.

The food was good with a buffet restaurant ( breakfast, lunch & dinner ) & 4 other a la carte restaurants that you have to book. Lunch is also served in the La Altagracia restaurant by the beach. Being a guest of the Riu Palace allows you to use the facilities of the 4 other Riu hotels in the vicinity for lunch & drinks, although they cannot use the Palace’s facilities!

Daytime activities are encouraged by the hard working animation staff but a polite no & they will pass by. The nighttime entertainment is put on by the hotel & is OK, if sometimes amatuerish. But after a long day sunbathing, sailing, drinking and people watching we were whacked by around midnight anyway.

Would definately return here, but now I have been in a “Palace” I would like to try the Riu Palace in Playacar.