Holiday Reviews > Caribbean > Dominican Republic > Puerto Plata > Puerto Plata Hotels > Riu Bachata ClubHotel > Read Reviews
Riu Bachata ClubHotel ReviewsPage 1 2
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr M Ashcroft |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
I would definately recommend this hotel to anyone.
There is pretty much everything in this hotel, especially as you can use any of the facilities in any of the three Riu hotels in the complex. The beach isn't very long or deep as you can see in the pictures but it is bueatiful and there is plenty of sun - and sun loungers. The pool is very well presented and there are loads of loungers, although it never seems to be busy or over-crowded. The swim-up bar is an interesting novelty as well, for both adults and kids!
The food is very good, as with most places in the Dominican and Egypt etc check the chicken but apart from that excellent. My partner is a vegetarian and there was plenty for her to eat. There is the usaul salads, and they cater for the English with pizzas, steaks and chips but also traditional Dominican dishes, fish dishes. There is loads of variety, I often had to have two 'main' meals simply because I wanted to try it all!
The room was very clean and looked after. They include a mini bar with water because you can't drink out of the taps and there was also a minibar. Although we don't like to drink a lot it was nice knowing that if we wanted a drink we had four optics with rum, brandy, vodka and gin in. The mini bar also includes tonic, pepsi and club soda and is restocked every two days.
The staff are very friendly and one of the highlights has to be the quality of the entertainment/animation team. They put on a range of daytime activities from kids clubs to bar games, from french boulle to beach volleyball. In the evening they start with a mini disco for the kids and then entertainment for the adults later in the evening, and there dancing is amazing!
The excersions are very good in the Dominican as well, having been there a couple of times we've done a lot of them and have enjoyed them all. One of the best bits for us coming back was that the beach or complex has no tellers that got very annoying when we stayed in playa dorada.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Sunquest |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs D Oliver |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Just came back yesterday from this resort and had a great time. I previously read many reviews and found most to be very positive, but a few negative. I was a little concerned, but once we got there was very impressed.
The staff were all very friendly, helpful and pleasant. The food was good and the entertainment staff were always friendly, interacting with all tourists and putting on some good shows. (Minnie Me, Blondie & Power69 were all awsome) There is no table bar service, beach service or poolside bar service, but the bars are all close to the main activity at the resort. We did both the Italian & Steakhouse and they were both good. Although tips are included, we are big tippers and found that tipping the housekeeping staff, bartenders and waiter/waitress always was appreciated and a little added service was given back. The resort offers some great things for kids, and most of them were having a great time.
The beach is good, a little rocky in some spots, but if you want white sand beaches then Punta Cana might be better.
The little shops at the end of the beaches have staff that are very pushy. On Sunday the resort opened the lobby to serveral local jewellry/art vendors and these tables offered the same items, if you wait until close to 8-9pm, the vendors are willing to negotiate very freely the prices of their goods. Example: a painting I liked went from $75 to $40 in minutes. The shops on Caribbean Street are reasonably priced and have some very nice things.
We did the Mega Truck tour and it was an exceptional day. If you are interested in learning a little about the Dominican people and culture I highly recommend it. If you do the tour, take a bag of coloring books, crayons, pencils, notebooks, pens, shampoos, and candies (although I read somewhere not to) etc. The children appreciate it and the smiles when you hand it to them is priceless. The video they offer for sale at the end of the excursion is well worth the $30.
We did the ocean World excursion and it was nice, but something I wouldn't do again. The bus leaves the hotel at 9am and doesn't leave the park until 5:30pm. For a small adventure park, unless you have kids and tonnes of money, this makes for a very long day. By about 2pm we were ready to head back to the resort.
I would recommend this resort as we had no problems with anything. Although we had access to the other two resorts, other than walking the beach, we didn't find it necessary to utilize them, as our resort was great.
Although the flight booked through Sunquest was changed at the last minute from a direct flight to a non-direct flight and time changes, which I was very dissapointed about, the resort and vacation made up for it. (flight 1/10)
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs H Bowering |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Stayed at this fab hotel exceptionally clean. Animation team brilliant excellent entertainment every night, staff very friendly. Monster truck safari brilliant take; soaps, shower gels, books, pencils and paper for the kids they are very grateful.
Saona island trip brilliant, very long day and not good for people with walking difficulties as there is quite a bit of walking especially down 300 steps to river to get steam boat, then speed boat very good and very fast, guides are excellent and want everyone to have a good time so they fill you full of rum. On saona island not much to do which is the whole point relax in the Caribbean sea which is different to the atlantic side of island, back home by boat again and then plane back to Puerto Plata.
Take lots of spending money harrison's jewellers on carribean street great very nice staff helpful, but not pushy. Even though this hotel got full of dominican families at their national holiday which made it very busy it was only for 2 days and then back to normal. I would definitely stay here again. Ladies take hair gel mine was very frizzy and big, only downside to whole holiday.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs S Lofthouse |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
I have just returned from a last minute holiday at the Riu Bachata and what can I say... FANTASIC.
Everything about this hotel is excellent I would recommend this hotel to anyone. All I can say is that I will be booking again for next year.
The food has an excellent selection with something for everyone. I found the steak restaurant to be a bit of a let down due to the quality of the steak but I understand that it’s the Dominican way.
The hotel staff where fantastic, very friendly and they couldn’t do enough for you. The rooms where kept very clean and the maids were always on hand if you needed anything else. The gardens where lovely and the gardeners were out everyday keeping it tidy. The seaweed was cleaned off the beach every morning. The whole resort was very clean and every time you enter a restaurant you are given an antibiotic hand cream to use.
The evening entertainment was a bit lacking but the animation staff try really hard and there is something different every night. The staff lay on different sports activities during the day but you are not pushed into anything if you don’t want to.
The hotel is right on the beach and we never had a problem finding a sun lounger. There were a few locals from the southern part of the island but they’re very friendly.
Beach pool was fantastic and was so refreshing to have a drink whilst in the cool pool water. I would thoroughly recommend trying this.
We went on 2 excursions which I would recommend to anyone.
Paradise Island: this was fantastic, a beautiful island which has some fantastic snorkeling reefs. The fish are everywhere. The speedboat ride was very exciting. Only one problem with this excursion was that it was just too hot.
Fishing: A four hour boat ride that took us along the beautiful coastline. The staff where very friendly with plenty of drinks and snacks also on hand. We caught a barracuda but with any fishing trip if the fish do not bite then there is nothing that you can do. Very exciting when they do bite and you have to cast your own lines and you are responsible for reeling the fish in, all in all a fantastic boat journey and there is room to sunbathe if that’s what you want.
Having the minibar in the room was great and made life a lot easier, it is stocked with plenty of drinking water. All the ice on site is made from purified water and is very safe to have in your drinks. The bar hosts special cocktails on a daily basis and I would recommend you try the different ones (in moderation) be warned if you sit at the bar they will top up your drink with rum regularly. All the measures are huge so be careful.
The hotel has 2 sister hotels very close by in which you can use any of the facilities.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs C Millard |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
We went to the Dominican for our honeymoon & thoroughly enjoyed it. The hotel was spot on. Very clean, very friendly.
Food there was loads of it & I would say if you couldn’t find something you liked & lots of it then there is something wrong with you! Drinks were all included not just the local stuff, although you did have to ask for the branded names if that’s what you wanted.
Rooms were spacious & clean with minibar & optics re stocked every other day.
The entertainment was amusing. As with all complexes it very amateur but this was some of the best in hotel entertainment, not too cringeworthy.
All in all I will return. Riu's are fab hotels & this was a fab complex. 1 warning you are right out in the sticks & therefore you could not just go walking in the evenings although the town is only a 10 min taxi idea should you choose.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr S Mungo |
| Overall
Rating: |
5/10 |
| Comments: |
Not suitable for ages 13-16 as there is very little to do, it’s either water sports on the beach or watching the shows in the evening.
The entertainers were called the Animation Team who worked very hard for pennies however, do not tip too much or you may be hassled a lot for tips etc. There is a bar pool which is nice to sit and have a drink but near the weekend the local people will start to arrive and things can get a bit chaotic.
I definitely recommend the Monster Truck Safari; you’re on a monster truck driving through the local villages who live in little shacks. I threw Liverpool F.C football shirts to the children and their faces lit up, it’s a real eye-opener.
Also, the freestyle Catamaran was amazing! highly recommended. you start off sailing over massive waves when the boat stops and you can get off and snorkel viewing all of the tropical fish and feeding them.
The evening shows are mostly dancing which can get quite boring but there is a kids disco for the little ones and a kids club were they play movies for the children in the evening whilst the adult show is on. The Animation team are very lively and friendly they provide you with all sorts of things to do in the day such as, volley ball, water polo, and table tennis.
Puerto Plata itself is a dead town, nothing really there just shops and a few bars or cafés. If you are a family with young children I would recommend this to you.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Portland Direct |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr J BROWN |
| Overall
Rating: |
7/10 |
| Comments: |
Having stayed at Bachata 2 years ago ( and the two palaces in Punta Cana last year), I looked forward to returning. This is a great resort midweek, but terrible at weekends as the locals are allowed in. Long queues appear in the restaurants and the locusts just barge in and clear the selectons. They also create a hygine and health & safety problem as they pay by the room and cram their whole families in. No wonder there was a lack of Americans - they wouldn't stand for it. I won't go back if this situation is allowed to continue.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr S Jackson |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
If all you want to do is chill out on a beach for two weeks then this perfect for you. This was my second visit to the Riu Bachata and I loved it just as much the second time as I had the previous year.
It really is the friendliest place on earth. The staff are so nice and will do anything for you.
They work so hard for the peanuts they are paid. No-one ever asked for a tip but I was so pleased with the effort they put into their work that I felt it was necessary.
Upon your arrival you get a sweet fruit cocktail whilst you check in. You are then given a sticker with your room number that you put on your suitcase. Leave your cases in reception and wander off to your room. The porter will deliver them to you usually within half an hour.
The views from the altar on the cliff edge are fantastic. Look back over the hotels which are mostly no more than two storey buildings and all you can see are the trees. You would never believe that there are three large hotels hiding back there.
The rooms are always clean and tidy. The minibar is superb. All you can drink optics with different mixers, soft drinks, water, and bottled beer.
The beaches are fantastic with a lovely sea breeze that keeps you cool in the hottest sun. I would suggest sea shoes at the Bachata as it is a bit rocky in the sea but further down towards the meringue and mambu, the sea bed is a lot softer.
The entertainment staff did a superb job in my opinion. I understand why some people said it was boring and repetitive but they put so much effort into it, working 12-14 hour days in the hot sun. I think they make the best of what they're told to do. It would be upto the Riu chain to update the entertainment programme. I found all the animation team to be very friendly and would often come and sit with you at the bar for a quick chat. Sexy belly, mini-me, Jonny, Elvis 69 and of course big momma really tried to make sure you enjoyed yourself.
I can't complain about the food in the slightest. The only problem I had was making the choice, especially at breakfast. There is so much choice and a lot can be cooked right in front of you.
Overall it’s a superb holiday location. You are out in the sticks so there isn't much scope for exploring on foot but taxi rides to local towns can be done (agree price before setting off). A lot of the trips are well worth the money. Paradise island is gorgeous. it's a very long day but well worth it just for the snorkelling.
Swimming with the dolphins was really a fantastic experience and worth every penny. If you're happy in water I would definitely recommend the dolphin swim rather than the encounter. The encounter is a smaller pool where you sit on the edge and don't actually get in the pool. I would imagine it's still a good experience but the swim was awesome.
I would definitely go back again and no doubt love every minute.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs A Jones |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
My partner took to the Riu Bachata for a surprise for my 40th Birthday and I have only good things to say about the hotel.
The location was right on the beach and the facilities where excellent both around the pool area and on the beach, towels were provided everyday and the rooms were lovely and big, with maid service daily and a fantastic mini bar including optics that were refilled every day.
The staff were only too happy to help you and the food and drink were excellent, not a great place to go if you’re on a diet,
You wouldn’t be able to resist the food.
The only negative I have if any is the evening entertainment was not that great although the whole team do try very hard to please you.
All round a fantastic holiday and will definitely go back next year.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Dial Direct Travel |
| Submitted
By: |
V Naughton |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
I visited this hotel in March 2004 and was one of the unfortunate guests to have come down with the stomach bug going round.
I spent 4 days in bed, hence why I was a little apprehensive when my mother booked this hotel again for her, my sister, 5 year old nephew and me.
What can I say? I did not encounter any illness what so ever and neither did anyone we came across. The food was plentiful and I would challenge anyone who says there was nothing for them to eat.
The animation team work really hard and long hours, but there was always something for us to join in with.
Rooms very clean and grounds too. Weather wasn't too good for 9 days but hey we were on holiday so we made the most of it.
We did the Ocean World trip (Dolphin Encounter) Catamaran Trip (I wouldn’t not do it again; I didn’t think it was worth it. Plus they sit you on the beach for food whilst all the locals watch you), Monster Truck Trip (great fun).
Tips: The shop inside is very expensive. UK mobile phones do not work where the hotel is situated and using the room phone is so expensive. ask reception and you can use the phones there a lot cheaper.
My last comment would be that a lot of people blame the hotel for bugs etc. The amount of people I saw refusing to have the anti bacterial hand wash on entering the restaurant was unreal.
And don't even get me started on the amount that would leave the toilets without washing their hands! And they have the cheek to blame the hotel for poor hygiene standards!
Overall a great holiday!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Feb 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr Gerald Ezard |
| Overall
Rating: |
2/10 |
| Comments: |
Give this a miss. It's a holiday camp dressed up as a 5 star hotel.
The food is mediocre, wine terrible. It's overcrowded, not enough sunbeds, and there's very little service other than the restaurants. Staff are good, management are invisible.
Maintenance is a problem, our toilet ran for three days till I fixed it myself. Beach is OK, entertainment is pitiful, OK I'm not Simon Cowell, but I was involved in the business and am very sympathetic to performers - there weren't any.
Rui desperately need to update this and address the problems. I won my court case.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Tinbug |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Best Holiday we have ever had. Food was brilliant. Something for everyone. Room was very clean, bar was checked and refilled virtually every day. Service at the bar was second to none. We tipped the barman on the first night and he made sure our glass was full at all times. Entertainment was first class, if you want to play you play, if you don't they don't give you hassle. Very easy going and friendly resort. Excellent excursions. We went on the Catamaran, brilliant day out. We also did Paradise Island. which was very good, not quite as good as Catamaran. Another good day out was to Swim with dolphins. Will never forget that experience. Well worth the money. We didn't venture out of the complex at night. Plenty to do with the 3 Hotels. Bachata is definately the best.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr Jaycee |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
We went to the hotel Riu Bachata for 14 nights and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute, me the wife and 2 kids aged 9 and 7.
The food was superb, the entertainers from animation were fantastic and they are really friendly and they have probably swayed our holiday next year to the same hotel.
We didn’t use Thomson to book our trips we used scuba caribe who are from the sports beach there, a lot cheaper and show you parts of the beautiful country you normally do not get to see.
100% recommend the safari jeep tour, where you get to see some of the locals which is a real eye opener... We just don’t realise how lucky we are.
The hotel is spotless and our room was cleaned every single day... From the maids to the waiters and even the managers walk around with the biggest of smiles all day... Amazing country and will be another holiday for our family next year.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Aug 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr G Jordan |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
Excellent hotel, very friendly staff.
Food was excellent - with a good range everyday and "themed" foods on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The entertainment team were full of energy and very good at their jobs.
There were drinks dispensers (rum, vodka, whiskey and gin) in each room with a fridge for mixers and plenty of clean drinking water provided.
I'd recommend the malaria tablets, and plenty mosquito repellent as there was plenty flying around at night.
Word of warning - this hotel has quite a few reports of a mystery illness which causes an unpleasant day or so on the lavatory. There were 7 of us in our party and we all experienced this.
Not sure what caused it as the hotel had people cleaning constantly and all the food seemed to be cooked fine. Despite the illness, this was the best holiday I’ve ever had.
If you’re looking for somewhere to just sit back and relax for a couple of weeks then look no further.
Even if you’re the more active sort, there are plenty of trips to see the "real" Dom Rep.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss C Barton |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Riu Bachata was the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed in. It definitely deserved the 5 stars.
After an 8 and half hour flight and coach journey it was lovely to arrive at the hotel and be handed a cocktail.
Staff then gave you your room and key and a map of the complex. The porters then carry your suitcases to your room for you.
The rooms were so beautiful. The cleaners had scrubbed the rooms thoroughly and made designs with the towels. There was a minibar with four spirits in, 6 bottles of larger, coke and water. It was fantastic.
If your ran out all you had to do was call reception who would top them up. There was so much, you never would as the minibar were filled everyday. The view from every room was beautiful.
We never had a pool or sea view but our room was overlooking beautiful gardens.
The hotel in general was spotless. Wherever you looked there were staff cleaning. They even touched up the paintwork on a daily basis. The pool was also cleaned daily and pool area was spotless.
The food was delicious. There was a large variety of food everyday. In the main restaurant there was breakfast, lunch and dinner and the other restaurant next to the pool was open for snacks, such as burgers, pizzas, fruit and ice cream.
You have to book the steak house in the morning for the following evening, but there was never a problem getting a table.
It was well worth it as well. You get a four course meal and it was delicious.
There were two pools, both were lovely. You could also use the pool facilities at the sister hotels next door however the Riu Bachata definitely had the best ones.
One of the pools had a beautiful waterfall in and the other had a swim up bar. The pool had sun beds in the water so you could sunbathe and be cool at the same time. This pool also had a Jacuzzi.
There is no need to take your own pool towels as they provide them for you and if it gets damp they'll replace it. The towels are in little huts and the men working in them are the kindest men I've ever met.
They gave all the ladies flowers in the morning and are always smiling.
The beach was a bit stony but if you walk down a bit further towards the next hotel the water is less stony. The sea was lovely and warm.
This hotel was definitely all inclusive. They were giving you cocktails to try all the time. If you didn't like it they'd give you another. There is also a facility to get your own drinks in the bar and restaurants.
The bars are open 23 hours a day so there is always chance to get a drink. The bar staff are all very friendly. In fact all staff are really friendly, are always willing to help at anytime.
The entertainment was excellent. Throughout the day there is aerobics, water aerobics, and volleyball, dancing lessons, darts and loads more. They are always a lot of fun as well. The entertainment staff are there entertaining you all day everyday. At night there are shows on the stage.
There is always a show on first for the children and later for the adults. They were great. When the shows have finished there is also a disco, or if that’s not to your fancy there is the 23 hour bar.
The weather at Puerto Plata was brilliant. Even though we went in hurricane season, it was fabulous. It only rained once in the whole two weeks and it rained for about an hour.
Everyone stayed on there sun beds and went in the pool as usual as soon as the rain stopped it was cracking the flags once again.
There are many trips with Thomson you can go on. We went swimming with the dolphins which I highly recommend. It was well worth the money and definitely a chance of a lifetime.
You could go swimming with sharks as well, which I will definitely be doing next time I go. I was told the monster truck safari was brilliant as well.
Calling home can be a bit of a problem as no British mobile network can get reception anywhere in the complex. However buy the Riu phone cards from reception as they are cheaper than the Thomson ones!
I would definitely visit this hotel again. It was amazing and I'd definitely recommend it.
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