Riu Bambu ClubHotel

The Riu Bambu is a good resort, but not a 5 star! My travel agent was right when she said, "knock one star from all ratings in the islands and it will be closer to North American standards". It's a solid 3.5 - 4 star. We were at the Riu from July 7 - 14, 2003. The Bambu can be summarized best as follows: 1. Beach - Beautiful, you will love it. Goes for miles, water is clean, plenty of shade from the palm trees when you need a break from the sun. Get to the beach early though, or all the lounge chairs and shady spots will be gone! Some sea weed when we were there. We did speak to some people who said that the beach in Varadero Cuba was cleaner and nicer. 2. Staff - The Staff are great. Just ask and you will receive. Very friendly and helpful. Will help to know some Spanish, because few speak English. Being of Italian heritage, I found myself speaking Italian to the Staff. 3. Pools: Pools are great, water is clean, swim up bars are also great. Again though, not enough lounge chairs around the pool. If a chair comes free, it is scooped up in seconds! Get there early or you will be out of luck. People claim the chairs by throwing their towels on them and keeping them there all day. 4. The Resort / Rooms: The resort is very clean, lush, and well maintained. The rooms are nice. We found the beds to be uncomfortable, but that is a personal thing. A 5 minute phone call back to Canada was $2.00 U.S. Showers are great .. always had hot/cold water. We spoke to many people who said they had these tiny little ants in their rooms. Also, when it rains, these flying ants appear, a number of which made it into our room. We had to call the maid service to get them cleaned out. 5. Food: This is where things went sour for us. The food was plentiful, lots of variety and tasted great, however we all got sick .. both ways! At first we thought it was just us, but we met a group of 22 people, all of whom got sick as well. We also met people who stayed at the Riu Palace next door, same thing. On the way back to the airport, everyone, and I mean everyone .. was talking about it. I don't know if it was a bad week or what, but I highly suggest you bring your medications (you know which ones!). Also, if you enjoy your breaky, make sure you are up by 10:00 and eat at the Colonial, otherwise you have to eat at Mamajuana, where the idea of breaky is cold cuts, cheeses and a croissant. Try the Steakhouse, it is pretty good and a diversion from the buffet. We tried the Mediterranean Restaurant .. could take it or leave it... average at best. 6. Entertainment: Sorry, but it was lame and cheezy. We watched three "Super Shows" as they call them and left early each time. To give you and idea, they had different themes (one night Academy Awards, other night Pop Stars) where a bunch of performers "lip-sinked" their way through popular songs. No live singers. All the performers were Dominican, so just imagine a Dominican Celine Dion singing the Titanic Song, or John Travolta & Olivia Newton John from Grease. It was lame! In addition, the host is particularly annoying (for those who have been there .. "I love my job" .. you know who I mean!) and each show was introduced in five different languages. Just the introductions took 15 minutes. 7. Punta Cana Airport: Its not enclosed, so get ready to breathe in the jet fuel while waiting for your departure. Its a high before you go! Overall, this is a good, solid resort and would recommend it. Bring those medications! However, to suggest it is a five star, don't think so! Those people who rate this resort 5 star, have never been to a real five star. Either that or they were on their honeymoon (lots of those) or with their boy/girl friends on their first trip together (lots of those too) and the 5 star rating was attributable to "other" factors. This is a good 3.5-4 star at best. You will have a good time. Enjoy!

5 stars Nah. 3.5 is nearer the mark. It a hotel / complex that whilst it tries hard perhaps tries a little too hard. For those wanting water aerobics in the pool at the same time everyday with the same music everyday its fine. For those looking for pure relaxation and a get away from style break I think id try elsewhere. The beach is great the water clear and there always seems to be enough space to and shade to suit all tastes. The food depending on the length of your stay can be good. We spent two weeks there but in the 2nd week found all the food to be exactly the same as the first. We had rather hoped for some exciting seafood but were generally disappointed on that front. We both found ourselves being ill during our two week break. myself consistently and my girlfriend was bed ridden for two days towards the end of the 2nd week. Overall a good break but not great. When you look at the cost vs. what you get its excellant value. Personally next time Id prefer to spend a bit more and get something special!

I don't know where to start the setting is paridise the food is lush and the people are friendly. I couldn't find a fault with the hotel and its staff. The excursions are definatly worth a look especially the catermaran (but take the suncream!!!) I shall definatly be returning!!!!!.

This is a great family spot, my children really enjoyed the pool, activities and shows. The food variety was very satisfying and you also have the option of booking the steak restauraunt which was good. My only complaint was that the beer sucked and on the drink list it says they serve another type which I believe was Presidente which is a decent beer but the one they had tasted like it came from a rusty tin can man! I don't know how we Canadian and Germans put up with this "Scheisse bier", mench!!! If you want a stronger drink just ASK, or go to Jamaica mun! The great thing is that if you want to party there are other bars at the other Hotels which are opened later for the party crowd. I really enjoyed the beach and water activities. There are some great little quiet spots off the pool side if you want to read out of the wind on a windy day. Pretty much everything I liked has been covered. It's funny reading all the comments about the europeans in speedos and topless, wake up man the american culture is way behind and far to reserved and if you are of european decent you will understand that this is the norm in europe! You know you can never please everyone and what gets me is the people who are never pleased, just because you want to be at the best resort and are not, perhaps one day you will be able to afford it and then someone will care! And if you don't like the tiled flooring why don't you put doors all over the hotel to stop the rain from coming in during a storm, carpets would get drenched and mouldy and stink and then you'd really hate it! Hummell Hummell, Moin!!!!

i really dont understand most peaples complaints!i mean if ya go to a dominican hotel your conna eat dominican food!also DO NOT WORRIE ABOUT WATER ONLY TAP WATER IS DANGEROUS!watever the case is if you get sick it will be only for a day or two!the food is completely safe they wash it in filtered water!the staff is exellent and always trying their best!they activities are great!i really recommend this hotel!

Honestly, I can not believe what some people say about the "Riu Bambu". I have been there 9 times in the last year and a half and the place is"simply gorgeous". Some people say they don't tip...well you should! They do not may 50 a month that in in Cuba. They make about 250.00 - 400.00 Canadian. The food is more designed for Europeans, because the majority of the tourist are..Europeans. The lush vegitation, great food of all sorts at there. There pool has a small jaccuzi in it. They have 3 bars (La Plaza) (Mamajuana) (the pool bar) You can sit in the pool to drink. Also they have a wonderful outfoor and indoor playground for children from 9-12 and then from 3-5 I believe. The beaches are clean, the staff are so sweet and will go out of thier way for you. If you need something from reception you call and you will get it. The medical services are excellent. Cindy the Sunquest rep is always at the hotel day and night. If you have a question she is in the Office in the day and at the Nightly enterainment nightly. She is from Toronto and now lives there working. The men are fantastic! As I should know, I married one. So you know, Dominicans in general are all full of positive enery and they really do apprieciate the tips $$. They say in your all inclusive package that tips are included, well that's Bull. The hotel gets the tips the staff don't, so when you go there please remember, they enjoy T-shirts, CD's, Tips $$, Cream, soap, toothpaste..etc all the basic stuff we take for granted. I would also like to add that I have also stayed at the Grand Paradise, Occediental Gran Flamenco, Riu Bambu, Iberostar and a few other's. If you have any questions regarding this please feel free to contact me via e/mail.

My wife and I spent 5 great days (3/30-4/3/03) at the RIU Bambu and will definitely return. We got a great package deal leaving from Baltimore. The resort has just about everything you could want and is located next to the other RIU hotels which, other than for the RIU Palace, we could eat/drink at and enjoy their amenities. We found however, that we really liked the Bambu best.The beach was one of the nicest I've seen (including some of those in Hawaii and Cancun). Loved the palm trees on the beach which enables you to get out of the sun but still enjoy the scenery. The pools were fantastic with their swim up bar and all around the pool area are palapas (thatched huts) with lounge chairs to get out of the sun.Staff was very pleasant and helpful although most don't speak english. Buffet meals were pretty good but most of the servers who cleared the tables were't very interested in the guests and not at all cordial; however, the full table service restaurant (which we recommend) was excellent and the waiters very friendly. We believe in leaving tips (though not required) for good service, so the bartenders, maid, full service waiters, matre'd and some others were tipped on a routine basis.Americans appeared to be in the minority at this resort so there were lots of people smoking. We were thankful that smoking is not permitted in the restaurants.Be prepared for bare breasted women and men in speedos at the beach. Unfortunately most of the topless women and men wearing speedos should have worn a tarp since, in our opinion they were in no shape to share their assets with the rest of us..but it was entertaining!:)Room was very nice but not lavish. Small refrigerator in room had no ice (probably because you're not supposed to drink the water) and no wash cloths are provided. Other than for those minor inconveniences the resort and the weather was great.

Just returned from the Riu Bambu. Our Family of 4 (including 2 children) had a wonderful time. The Hotel gounds are very lush with tropical palms. The hotel itself is immaculately clean. The staff go out their way to be courteous. They appreciate when you initiate a simple "Hello". The Beach is as good as you will find anywhere in the world. Populated with more Coconut Palm trees than you can imagine. Looks like something from the South Pacific. The Beach stretches endlessly. All those other hotels in the brochures for Punta Cana will have the same beach. Enough shade or sun for your liking. Pool is also a popular place. Kids as well as adults love the Swim up Bar. Food is plentiful. Enough variety of vegetables, meat and other trimmings to keep everyone pleased. No one got sick that we were aware of. We fell in love with the Passion Fruit offered daily. Helps to coat your stomach with a tablet of Pepto Bismol in the morning because you will eat more than you do at home. Kids entertainment was loved by all. We have been to many Carribean destinations and we highly recommend this one.

my wife & i are planning a trip to the " bambu" on may 31 , for the sixth time. it is the best value for the dollar. the people & staff are great, & will do anything to make your stay the best. the food is agood variety,& the refreshments are the best. [ e.g. the rum] the shopping is a lot of fun and you never pay full price. all in all i would rate the bambu a nine star.

I stayed with a friend at the Riu bambu hotel during the first weeks of may. We had a warm welcome which was accompanied by a welcoming drink. The rooms were excellent, mini bar was taken care of nearly every day, rooms very clean, nice staff, excellent food, beach clean, nice carribean atmosphere, shortly 100% to recommended !