Holiday Reviews > Caribbean > Dominican Republic > Puerto Plata > Puerto Plata Hotels > Riu Merengue ClubHotel > Read Reviews
Riu Merengue ClubHotel ReviewsPage 1 2
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs C Heslam |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Have just returned from a 2 week holiday to the Dom Rep, staying at the Clubhotel Riu Merengue. We had heard rave reviews about the Riu chain and this hotel certainly came up to the standard. We were in a party of 40 people, attending the wedding of my nephew. When we got to the airport we were a little concerned that we were being picked up by a stranger, not a holiday rep, but the transfer to the hotel was no problem at all. Upon our arrival we were greeted by friendly reception staff (oh and a cocktail too!), who ran through the procedure of getting room keys etc very quickly and efficiently. We even had stickers with our room no on in the arrival pack, which we just placed on our cases and let the bell boys deliver them (we gave them a tip of $1 which is a lot of money to these people).
The rooms were more than adequate for our stay: 2 large double beds with enough room to put in a cot should the need have arisen. Maids came in every day to make beds etc and different towel art was left every couple of days or so. The mini bar was also replenished every couple of days (we have never been to a hotel where you could use the mini bar and not be charged for what you have used).
The food was out of this world and you could help yourself to as much or as little as you liked (there was somethng for even the fussiest of eaters), it was your own fault if you went hungry - ok so it was repetitive but what do you expect when you are there for 2 weeks? We had a Mexican night and also a Dominican night which gave you the chance to taste food from different cultures.
The animation team were fantastic - Mickey Mouse, Cheeky Monkey, Bad Boy, Minnie Mouse to name but a few, they always came up once or twice a day to see if everything was ok or generally to have a chat and a laugh.
We went on a couple of excursions: Jewel of the North and Monster Truck Safari. The Jewel of the North took us into a tiny fruit plantation and we also saw a typical Dominican house. We were able to buy souvenirs of carvings and also smaller items. One tip - take some small denominations of money with you as the children will give you a flower and then ask for a $1 for it. We were also taken down a mangrove (where we saw vultures and other wildlife) to a small beach where we spent an hour before going for lunch. It was then on to a larger beach where you could surf if you wanted to or just top up the tan. The Monster Truck safari was just what it says - a safari through the sugar plantations. Again we claled at a fruit plantation before going on to a typical primary school and again a typical Dominican house - be warned that for this trip you may need to take some sweets or pencils and books with you - and watch out for the children on the sides of the road - do not throw sweets to them - only give sweets to the children when you stop at the school. Anyway from the school we moved onto a typical Dominican lunch at a ranch. Here, after lunch you could swim in the freshwater river or just sit and watch the world go by or listen to the band playing for your entertainment. On the wayback in the afternoon we stopped off at a . Here you could buy rum (you got a taste of a drink called Mama Juana (a very potent drink) or 151 (which could be likened to paint stripper it was 75% proof)) or tee shirts or just small nick nacks for souvenirs.
The only down side was that the hotel let the locals in on the weekends. This is supposedly so that the hotel can be seen to be giving something back to the community. The locals can be very rude; we had an instance where children were seen urinating round the swimming pool, and after the fourth time of this act being performed, a guest directed the parents to take the children to the toilet, even pointing them towards it. The parents just laughed in their faces. They also pushed into the queues in the restaurant.
All in all the holiday was just out of this world and we are cetainly thinking of going back, maybe in 3 years time for my 50th birthday.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
May 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs C BEXON |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
This is the first time we have been to the Dominican Republic, we will definately be returning.
The hotel was excellant, the food fantastic, so are the staff. The maid service was also excellant, every member of staff could not do enough for you. It has been the best holiday we have been on, and believe me we have been on many. We usually go with Thompsons so this was the first time with Thomas Cook, we will definately be using them again.
If you are thinking of going take my advise and book you will not be disappointed.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
May 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr D Holden |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
I cannot praise Riu Merengue too highly. Absolutely everything is done to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. The staff are so friendly, you almost want to invite them home with you. The food was excellent, the rooms clean and welcoming, and the setting just sublime. I would happily recommend this hotel to anyone.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Sunquest |
| Submitted
By: |
Ms Kelly, L Patterson |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
This is by far the best place I have ever been to. I just returned home yesturday and I miss everyone already. The staff are far beyond words that could explain just how well they are at their jobs. The animation team is incredible and I would pay even just to go and see them all over again. Blacky Blacky, Peakacho, Elvis, Franchesca, Chiki Monkey you guys are amazing people and the resort would be nothing without you. The room was nice and kept clean all the time, the food was endless and with lots of variety, all the activities kept me busy all day long. From laying in the sun to aqua fit in the pool, the beach party, cocnut party, the stage peformances at night, the disco, salsa dancing, the animation teams high energy all day long, the song on the bridge "I want to go to riu", playing bingo for rum and coffee...lol, archery, banana boat rides, endless drinks and gorgeous weather I could not ask for anything else and I will be back in 2 months. I WANT TO GO TO RIU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Feb 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss P Saunders |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
This holiday, is a holiday of a life time, all the people there are really friendly the cleanliness of the hotel was emaculate, it was fantstic, we have even booked to go back in august, the animation team were the best part of the holiday all so friendly, they made you feel happy, i really like Franchesca, Blaky Blaky, Mickey mouse, Elvis 69, Pikachu out of the animation team. The people in the resturant are all nice i like, lilo, Nicholas, Oscar the omlette man and finally to sum the holiday up i give it 10/10 amazing !!!!
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Feb 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr Josh Kirkham |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
leaving a comment to say i really enjoyed this holiday i did not want to come home it was that good i am defently going back to this hotel becuase its a place to have fun. the animation team are brilliant and very funny and do brilliant entertainment i rli like pikachu , micky mouse , dee dee, franchesca, elivis 69 and blacky blacky. the food was brilliant i really liked the food and how it was set out its the best all inclusive i have ever been on. the are very helpfull and respectfull. every body tou just have to go its a brilliant holiday.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Dec 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr S Scott |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
This was by far the best holiday we have ever had.
The flights were very good from the excellent leg room to the food and the £5 entertainment upgrade being a brilliant and must have addition.
Transfers were prompt and well organised.(watch out for the porters expecting heavy tips for carrying your bags 20 feet)
The hotel.... well, words don't do it justice! perfect for all age groups. Food was fantastic with such a large choice. Staff were amazing, always happy to help and so polite. The room was once again brilliant, spacious, clean, (free mini bar!). The entertainment was very good, interactive, and hilarious.
The hotels location was very good, excellent clean beaches and not too far from the local town and the airport.
I recommend booking the organised excursions, ocean world is great (swimming with sharks is amazing), paradise island another must do day trip.
Overall, the hotel is amazing, I would recommend it to anyone travelling to the Dominican Republic.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Dec 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Oribitz |
| Submitted
By: |
Ms KK K |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
We stayed at the RUI Merengue for 5 nights and 6 days earlier this month and everything was wonderful.
The hotel staff was courteous and helpful, the hotel was clean, the food was ok, better some nights than others, there were guards on the beach at night, and we felt very safe.
Two things to know, the electric current is 110v but the outlet is concave and you will need an extended to use your blow dryers and such.
The other thing is the bathroom window in the shower, although it's a cloudy window you still will provide a peep show for other walking by, some people put cardboard up for privacy.
I would go back in a heartbeat!
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr S Bennett |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
The flight, hotel, and food were all excellent. Service levels at the hotel were second to none.
We upgraded the flight and the extra leg room plus choice of food, free bar, and other additional goodies was worth it for such a long flight.
Despite it being the hurricane season the weather was very good.
Not a lot to do outside the complex apart from organised trips so if you like to do your own thing then this is probably not the place to go.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
MyTravel |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss H Towle |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
This is one of the best holidays I have ever had!
There are a few things to watch out for though, when you arrive at Puerto Plata airport be careful as there are 'porters' who take your bag off you and put it on to the Coach, they then demand $20 for taking it out of your hands and on to the coach, I saw so many people giving them the money because they didn't know what else to do, give them $1 per bag, that’s what we were advised be the rep after the event! This was the only time we were hassled for a tip.
The hotel is Clean, friendly and relaxed and the Animation team are out of this world.
We are not really into Aerobics by the pool and drinking games which worried us when we first got there, and this does happen next to the pool every day, but as soon as you get on to the Beach they do not bother you in the slightest, which was perfect having the best of both worlds.
The entertainment in the evenings was great and again the Animation team were hysterical to watch.
The beach is beautiful, and the sea very warm, all non motorised Water sports are free, just be careful of the Sea Urchins on some of the dead coral.
You need to be up early to get a bed next to the pool but not by the beach sometimes we got there at midday and we found beds easy.
Go to Ocean World and swim with the Dolphins, prices are so reasonable, and its only 5 mins away from the hotel.
We would definitely go back to the Riu Meringue, the food is fantastic, people are lovely, and the beach is heavenly!
All I would say if you fly with MyTravel upgrade your seats as there is no leg room in the standard seats but for £100 each for one way you can upgrade and it is definitely worth it.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Aug 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Airtours |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs V Malik |
| Overall
Rating: |
2/10 |
| Comments: |
This hotel is listed in brochures and internet sites as a five star but is far from it.
The rooms consist of two, 3/4 beds pushed together with parties of up to four expecting to share them.
The a la carte restaurant is a joke - poolside bar during the day, with tablecloths added on a night - and a la carte it aint! Cold, help yourself buffet to start and just four main courses including chicken and chips of all things, that remained the same throughout our two week stay.
The place is crawling with ants, the entertainment insulting and the drinks are all watered down to a large extreme.
If you are looking for a 5* Caribbean holiday, this isn't the place for you - what you will get is no more than 3* at 5* prices and the sister hotels, Riu Bachata and Riu Mambo are identical.
Overall, Benidorm in the Caribbean!
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Aug 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr A Challis |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
On visiting this lovely hotel in August this month, all inclusive was well worth every penny with our two lads of 15. Drinks and food were endless. All the staff were very friendly and couldn't do enough for you.
Hotel accommodation was excellent, night entertainment was great, but nothing for 12-16 year olds but that was not a problem our lads still enjoyed their first time to Dominican Republic. They met some lads there and went off to Caribbean Street to play pool most nights.
Beach was lovely, weather was brilliant and we also met some lovely people there too. A must is the day trip to the outback safari to see Dominican Republic countryside and local school.
A big thanks to the whole staff at this hotel they were generally friendly 24/7 and made our holiday, always with a smile and have a laugh with everyone especially cheeky monkey.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Aug 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Portland Direct |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs S Golland |
| Overall
Rating: |
3/10 |
| Comments: |
Having spent 2 previous years at the Riu Tequila in Mexico we presumed that going to another Riu Hotel with the same "T" rating as Mexico would be of a similar quality. Unfortunately having just returned from the Riu Merengue in the Dominican Republic we can honestly say that the quality in the Dominican Republic is not as high as the quality in Mexico.
We were very disappointed when we reached the hotel which looked like it was in need of a makeover. The pool area was an insufficient size for the hotel and unfortunately thefts from our balcony by French residents became a daily occurrence rendering use of leaving beach equipment on the balcony impossible. Complaints to the Manager and Head of Security even when we actually caught the French residents stealing fell on deaf ears and nothing was done. The water sport equipment which was supposed to be free (not including motorised water sports) was damaged, old and unusable. The company running this part (Scuba Caribe) had very rude staff managing the equipment. In Mexico there were Hobie Cats to use which were of very good quality and the staff very helpful and kind. The same cannot be said of the staff in the Dominican Republic. Although the equipment was supposed to be free they proceeded to try and charge for lessons (even a basic lesson in how to use some of the equipment) which had not been the case in Mexico and they steadfastly tried to push us to purchase the insurance, again this had never been the case in Mexico.
How Thomson/Portland can possibly rate the Riu Merengue in Dominican Republic as the same rating as the Riu Tequila in Mexico is beyond me? I will never visit the Dominican Republic again and presume that the reason that the quality is so much higher in Mexico is due to the abundance of Americans visiting Mexico. As we all know Americans like very high standards and I am sure that the reason that there seemed to be no Americans staying at the Riu Merengue is due to the fact that the quality falls below what they would expect.
On the whole the holiday we had was reasonably good however I feel that my assumption that all Riu Club Class hotels are the same is not the case and I would only now go on a trusted recommendation.
The upside however was the the hygiene was extremely good but this could be due to the fact that in previous years quite a few hotels in the Dominican Republic have had very serious outbreaks of food poisoning Riu hotels numbering some of these hotels.
In a nutshell, too many English and French were staying at this hotel - the French being particularly rude and having very badly behaved children.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
May 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs E J Wood |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Flight was fantastic with new aircraft more leg room, was a long flight but can’t complain.
Hotel was fantastic food and drink served all day, entertainment team fab especially macho man, cheeky monkey was funny.
The staff work really hard they are there all day everyday and always happy, nothing is a problem for them.
The only thing that disappointed me a little was at the airport when we arrived the porters just took our luggage off us and took it to the coach which is fine but then they expect tips galore.
I don’t mind tipping but would like to do it on my own accord and not be asked for money. But other than that the holiday was fantastic, went to ocean world to swim with the dolphins which was amazing I recommend it.
Be warned photos are expensive to buy, but worth it for the memories.
We had towel art in the room when the maids made the bedroom which was everyday, you get your free towels for around the pool.
Weather was very hot and even burnt when it was overcast, so be careful it can be deceiving, we had a few thunder storms but they went a problem as it was so hot in the temp anyway.
I would recommend this holiday to anyone, perfect beach, pool staff; everything really, can’t wait to go back again.
|
|
|
|
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
P A Stephens |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
We flew with First Choice on the 2nd March this year. As with previous holidays with them, the flight was excellent with good, roomy seating and attentive airline staff.
On arrival at the Meringue, we were given a rather nice refreshing (non alcoholic drink, I think!). Then we were all given room keys and directions to our rooms.
Ours was a little way from the main Reception area, but we were very happy there, as it was very quiet and peaceful.
The staff are so friendly and polite, and are always smiling. We were very lucky with the weather, it was perfect, and we came home with a much admired tan!
We spent most of our days on the beach, just being lazy, swimming now and again, and feeding the friendly fish that came to the shore.
The food was plentiful and there was quite a variety each evening.
One thing I did do, was to swim with the dolphins at Ocean World. At the grand old age of 65, I had achieved a life time dream !!
We would go back again, and hope to do so early next year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
