Riu Palace Bavaro - All Inclusive

Staff was friendly helpful and courtesy

The staff was all very nice. The food was top notch and EVERYTHING was included. No additional costs for any type of food or drink. The site is easy to navigate and there are plenty of pools, bars and locations for food\snacks.

The part that was the most lacking was the entertainment. There was really nothing to do. They have a casino, which is not something we enjoy so we did not use it. Other than the beach and the pools, there isnt much else. They have a stage that has the occasional attempt at entertainment, but is just isnt good. Bingo and games of kahoot are simply not acceptable for a large resort at this price point. These activities can be played in any small town dive bar. The only other negative is the fact that Bavaro beach, where the resort is located is a public beach. It is not private resort beach access. What this means is that the area is loaded with "vendors". You cant take 2 steps without somebody trying to sell you something or put some animal on you hoping you take a picture, THEN they tell you pictures are $60..!!

The resort is beautiful. Our room was always very clean, and the cleaning staff was nice and polite. There were plenty of food and restaurant options to choose from. The entertainment team was fabulous, they kept everything fun and enjoyable. I also loved the servers at the buffet, they were all very friendly, attentive, and polite throughout our stay.

We had a very disappointing experience at the steakhouse. We waited for over an hour because we specifically wanted an outdoor table. However, when our reservation time finally came, the manager tried to seat us inside instead. When I questioned this, the manager responded with a bad attitude and simply told us to wait even longer. I found this extremely rude and unprofessional, especially coming from a manager who is supposed to help resolve situations like this and provide good customer service.

The property is aesthetically pleasing. The landscaping is well maintained, the resort is clean, and the overall design gives it an upscale, relaxing atmosphere from the moment you arrive.

The property is visually appealing; however, several shortcomings detract from the overall experience. I stayed for seven days and purchased the elite package, but the level of service did not meet expectations associated with that tier. Housekeeping was particularly unsatisfactory, as it took four days for the room to be adequately serviced. The bed was not properly made, coffee supplies were not replenished, bath robes were not restocked, and towels appeared to have been arranged hastily. There were also notable issues with the amenities. Although the television advertises connectivity to applications such as Netflix, staff were unable to resolve functionality issues. The gym equipment is outdated and would benefit from modernization, and the spa is located across the road at another Riu property, which is inconvenient. Additionally, the entertainment offerings lacked authentic cultural elements and felt generic, failing to provide a meaningful sense of the local culture.