More Traveller Reviews of ClubHotel Riu Bachata
Amazing Trip!!!
from A TripAdvisor Member
Me and my boyfriend (ages 25) just returned from a wonderful vacation at the Riu Bachata. We did the Riu Roulette and ended up staying at the Bachata which was great. The weather for the first few days wasn't so good and was unusual for this time of year, but was caused from storm Odette. It cleared up later in the week and we came home nice and golden. I can't think of one bad thing to say about this hotel, all 3 Riu's were beautiful and each had something different. We enjoyed the pool and the swim up bar at the Bachata a lot. We went on a scuba dive which was full of amazing fish and underwater life. It cost 80 US, but was well worth it. We also went to Sosua Beach which was like a paradise!! The beach at the resort is pretty, but very murky and the bottom is yucky. The beach at Sosua was clear and perfect for swimming. We also went for a horseback ride in the mountains and along the beach, it was only 20 US each and was 3 hours long. We found this deal through the locals that have shops set up along the beach on the edge of the Bachata property. I can't say enough about the kindness of the Dominican people! They could not do enough for you to make your stay enjoyable. The nighttime shows were ok, sometimes a bit cheezy, but still fun. One word of advice watch how much alcohol you consume, because believe me it is different then our stuff here! You dont want to waste one of your days with a hangover. We went to the disco "Pacha" and it was a blast, a good mix of music and people and it was a fun night out.The food there was really good, I never got tired of it...we tried both the a la cartes and ended up wishing we had stayed at the buffet. They were just ok...although the Mediteranean was way better than the Steakhouse. My boyfriend brought his baseball glove and ball and he was an instant hit! The locals love baseball and he had a blast playing with them and he made quite a few friends. Anyway, this is a great place for anyone of any age. Trust me you will not want to come home! Email me if you have any questions.
Great Vacation - Five star review
from WendyLB
My husband and son and I spent a week there last April and we had a great time. The resort was spotless, the food good, the service professional and the beaches was fantastic. The water was great, clear blue and there is a reef where fish swim. My son and I had fun feeding the fish. This place was bar none. Definatley a five star. We will probably go back there.
Bachata Nov 15-22
from A TripAdvisor Member
Spent a week at the Riu Bachata from Nov 15 to 22. While it was my first time at an all-inclusive, I was impressed with the cleanliness and friendliness of the staff. The resort is must nicer than the Mambo and Merengue. The buildings are nicer and the pool area is much better. I didn't bother going to the beach area as it was not my thing. BTW, there's way too many palm trees on this beach! The food was adequate, if not inventive, but not great. In all of the brochures I read prior to arriving, it described that men must wear long pants in the main dining room...not true....bermuda shorts are completely acceptable. The rooms are nice and the mini-bar in the room was a pleasant surprise. Having 4, 40 oz bottles of booze hanging upside down in the room along with mix in the fridge was very convenient. Even though the weather was up and down, I still enjoyed the resort. I didn't venture outside of the 3 resorts although lots of people I met did. I'd highly recommend the Bachata for a very relaxing vacation.
Riu Bachata- Amazing !
from VegasJetsetter77
My boyfriend and I have just returned from a 2 week stay at the Riu Bachata. We were very unlucky with the weather (only had about 4 days of sunshine out of a possible 14) but we still had a fantastic holiday.The rooms are very spacious, and have plenty of wardrobe space and loads of room to move about. Fridge stocked every 2 days with Beer, Diet Coke, Coke, Water, Soda and Tonics, plus Optics were refilled if required. We only drink Diet Coke and upon request they stocked our fridge with Diet Coke instead of Coke which was nice.Hotel is spotless, they even have people employed to sweep leaves, pick up leaves that have fallen and to collect the mowed grass!The Animation Team do pester you to join in with the daytime activities and sometimes will not take No for an answer but if you are firm with them (or pretend to be asleep on the Sun Lounger!!) they will then leave you alone. Entertainment here at night time is ok but we found the Riu Merengue had more of an 'atmosphere' so would often stroll down to theis neighbouring hotel after dinner.Beaches were nice, one is a watersport beach and does have Beach Vendors, so best to use this purely for activites and no sunbathing as water is dirtier than the other beach due to Mangroves (protected trees) being in the water. Other beach was lovely, water warm and clear but shingly but we spent most days by the pool as handy for drinks and if we needed to pop back to the room.Food was fantastic, don't think I will ever eat as well again. They cook eggs etc on the spot for breakfast and so much choice, you didn't know what to have each day! A la Carte Restaurants were ok but we preferred the Bahia Le Maihmon which was the main place to eat. We had the same seat for 2 weeks and never got moved.Trips worth doing -Sosua - Lovey beach if its a nice day!Paradise Island - Out of this world, Caribbean White sands and clear turquoise waters. It is one tiny sand island in the middle of the sea. Remember to take an underwater camera as the snorkelling is amazing. James Bond style speed boat ride there, racing another boat, which literally rides the waves, I was a bit scared but it was good fun.Dolphin Encounter at Ocean World -This costs avout £75.00 each but you get to Touch, Cuddle, Kiss, Feed, Dance and stroke the Dolphins, once in a lifetime experience and more "hands-on" than the swim. One advice though on this is to take an Underwater Camera as they split the group into two and video/take photos which prove to be very costly. Ask someone nicely from the other group if they would mind taking pictures of you when you are in the water and they are spectating as this will save you a lot of money!All in All this was a fantastic holiday and well worth the 5 star rating, (ignore all the comments!) and whilst I would not go back to the DR for a while, I am def looking at staying at the Riu chain again, they make you feel so at home and cannot do enough for you!
Fell a little short
from A TripAdvisor Member
A good relaxing holiday that just did not quite meet expectations. This was our second visit to Dom Rep, having stayed last year at Iberostar Costa Dorada. Considering they are both given the same star rating, it really wasn't in the same league. Rooms are excellent and spotlessly clean.I liked the fact that you didn't get tagged with an all-inc bracelet. The a la carte restaurants are frankly poor - whoever heard of a Steakhouse with only one steak on the menu. Chicken and chips is not what I call a la carte dining, tasty as it was. The buffet restaurant offered a good range of choice, but it is hugely chaotic. There are 2 evening meal sittings, 6.30pm and 8.30pm. If you go to the later sitting as we did, know in advance that you will not get seats inside the theatre to see the evening shows. This is quite important if you get the sheer amount of rainfall we experienced.The 6.30pm diners have comandeered all the tables and chairs by the time you're finished your dinner. Having said that, the entertainment was provided by an enthusiastic bunch but most of the shows were woeful.This is not a bad hotel by any stretch of the imagination, but 5 star ? I don't think so.
Loved Bachata
from DWilliamsRincon
Visited Riu Bachata 7 Nov 03 for three nights. Riu Bachata, was more beautiful than expected. Service was wonderful, the maid did a wonderful job. Visited Puerto Plata, people were very friendly, don't smoke but brought some wonderful cigars back and some good rum. Prices are a little high but well worth it. Did not have to tax to leave country just to enter. Having two sister resorts near makes it really nice. If you could not find sometime to eat you really have a problem. Would recommend Riu Bachata. Would like to return in the future. Don't think their customs or American Immigrations liked me. They just could not leave me alone although born and lived in the USA all of my life.
wonderful vacation
from A TripAdvisor Member
We just returned from a week at the Riu Bachata (November 8 - 14) and we had a fabulous time, weather not withstanding. 2 days of heavy rain, ugh, but otherwise it was lovely most days with rains just at nighttime. Our room was spotless and the cleaning crew kept it perfectly. The food was abundant and we didn't care for the beef but there were plenty of other things for us to eat - chicken, fish, pasta, etc. The fruit and salads were wonderful, and the desserts were passable but not to our liking. The beaches were beautiful and not crowded, and there weren't any broken chairs like in other places we've stayed. The pools were pretty and also well maintained. The "animation" crews worked hard providing a good time for those who wanted to participate in the contests and games that they offered. As for the drinks, either the liquor was watered down or else perhaps the alcohol was very low proof, but we really didn't get buzzed even though we had plenty to drink. It's probably just as well! We took advantage of lots of the things onsite, such as kayaking, the disco, the evening shows and everything was really a lot of fun. I saw several of the other resorts which weren't RIU and they weren't nearly as nice as the Riu Bachata. I would certainly return to Riu hotels again. The cleanliness, the value for the money, the staff, and the friendliness and professionalism of the whole organization were excellent. Other guests mentioned how much they enjoyed their visits as well. Maybe next time we'll stay 10 days or 2 weeks. Susan & Tom from NY.
the best holiday ever
from A TripAdvisor Member
This was mine and my boyfriends first holiday in the carrabean. It was the best holiday i have ever been on. We went in July 2003 for two weeks and didnt want to come home. Ignore the people that winge about the smallest things, because we had absolutely no problems. The only problem we had was that one night our toilet leaked, but it was fixed in the orning with no problems. The swimming pool was great, the beach was fantastic and the staff were so friendly. Donkey, we love you!!! I would definately recommend going on the catermaran trip to go snorkeling, it was a fab day. We met loads of other young couples ( I am 19 and my boyfriend is 25).
excellent
from A TripAdvisor Member
i stayed at the riu bachata for two weeks and loved it. the pools were great an were the reps and entertainers. the only downside was the amount of spanish people
Top holiday - ignore the perfectionists who moan at the smallest thing.
from A TripAdvisor Member
You want an honest opinion of the place in summary? Here goes: Holiday - Thomas Cook, Gatwick to Puerto Plata 27th Oct - 10th Nov 2003. Girlfriend and I (25 & 27) Checkin/out - took 5 minutes to check in and one minute to check out. Food - Superb. Crayfish and prawns as specials, veal, chicken, pork etc for the evening. Huge selection for breakfast and the lunch goes most of the day in case you need a snack. Drinks - As much as you want, how and when you want. Cocktails (try the Dr Funk), Johnny Walker, Top brand vodka's as well as the local rum which is actually really nice Pool - Can you moan at underwater beds, a separate Jacuzzi as well as 2 huge swimming areas with volleyball/water polo nets one end and a swim up bar at the other? Rooms - large rooms with a cabinet which holds 4 bottles of spirits and a fridge with beer, water and coke. It gets replaced every two days. Balcony with views if your lucky. Beds that are just too big! Cleaning - one of the guests walked in on the maid cleaning the phone with a toothbrush (not theirs I might add). Need I say more?!? Weather - we had 2 days of rain and the rest was sunshine. Enough to get a great tan. Beach - 2 beaches, one of which is secluded. The other has volleyball and football as well as palm trees. Rocky cliffs at either end. Nice to relax and get a bit of a breeze. People - They cant do enough for you. Elizabeth in the pool bar works hard all day to make sure everyone has a full glass. Smiles and 'Hellos' are everywhere. Nightlife - not much to do. Hotel entertainment isn't much, but most people are to tired to go out. Casino is good although you have to stand your ground as the Germans have a tendency to push people out of the way in roulette. Tours - White water rafting is a must. So is the monster truck day out. Scuba diving was poor due to the average visability which is usual at this time of year.
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we stayed at the Riu Merengue just next to the Riu Bachata but much preferred the Bachata. We spent all but 2 days of our 14 day holiday at the Riu Bachata. The atmosphere was lovely, at weekends it did get slightly busy but this was not really a problem. The staff were so... more