Puerto Plata, Riu Bachata Puerto Plata

The hotel itself is of an extremely high standard, the maids are constantly cleaning and the same goes for the rooms! All staff are very very friendly and are always looking for ways to make your holiday special! The animation team are AMAZING! They are always full of fun-packed Carribean energy and their dancing is top-class! There is something to suit all ages from the daily dance classes to the fun volley-ball games! An amazing holiday, you are guaranteed to have the time of your life! =]

Very clean. Food was just amazing. Pool bar was fabulous. Beach was so close. Absolutely great entertainment. Views were very nice. All inclusive great deal for money. Drinks were good. This place is amazing I loved it! Best holiday ever. Don't go here looking for a lively holiday. Its very wake up, go to beach and STAY THERE! It was just great! Best Caribbean get-away iv been to ever! x

Our recent family holiday between Wednesday 14th June to Wednesday 28th June 2006 was spent at the RIU BACHATA FIVE STAR PLATINUM HOTEL in the Dominican Republic. The trip was booked through Thompson.

The holiday has two areas that as a result made this trip a distressing "holiday nightmare" and I can honestly say it was the worst experience I have encountered in my life, to date. Firstly there was a Basketball Tournament by a party of, I believe 500. The ratio of children to adults in this party was approximately 5 to 1 and their ages ranged from around 8 years old up to 16 or 17 (mostly boys). This created an atmosphere that was is in no way compatible with relaxation. This view was shared by every fellow guest I spoke to.

To say the hotel was overwhelmed with the guests attending this tournament is an understatement. A group booking of this nature should have suggested nothing less to the management of Thompson & Riu! The result of which, created an overcrowded and overwhelmed restaurant that resulted in no service and long queues for food. It was impossible to enjoy an evening meal due to an atmosphere that could be likened to a busy supermarket or military canteen. It also resulted in large groups of children, unsupervised, having the time of their lives running around the complex. I am not anti-child. I have two of my own!

These points were brought to the attention of the manager of the hotel, who stated that he was not aware of such a party attending the hotel until two weeks before they arrived, as bookings were out of his hands and done through travel agents. It seems bizarre that the website for this basketball organisation clearly shows a pre-planned holiday with Riu hotels logo, and also an advertisement for the Bachata within the booking details. I am also aware from a friend who was at the Bachata the same time last year, that the competition was held then! If only he would have told me before booking!

We spent a heavenly week at this beautiful resort and liked it so well that we are going back with our entire family in 2005. The staff was so friendly and helpful (without being pushy). The complex was clean and well kept. The food was great and never ending. If you are looking for a place to relax and be treated like royalty, this is your spot.