Riu Merengue All Inclusive

We got married at the Merengue and it was all we dreamed for.

It was not as good as we expected for this price. First of all, there was no Internet in the room, while it was important to us to have the access to the Internet. We had to go to the lobby to connect our laptop to the net. Secondly, there was impossible to sleep as AC was too loud (and inefficient either). Third, the exhauster in the bathroom didn't work at all, and after we complained we were told, that it work as it supposed to. It our opinion, it didn't function properly at all. And, finally, when we were about to leave, we weren't pick up on time. Actually, we had to wait an hour after the scheduled time before leaving the hotel. The good things are: food, friendly staff, we had fantastic trip to Ocean World and Show Bravissimo. Overall, we had good time, although not so good as we expected.

I really did not want to leave after seven days. This is the middle of three Riu resorts on northern coast in Puerto Plata, and I like to think the best. Lovely location with incredible landscaping, immaculately manicured. Two story buildings in lovely pastel colors are situated in gardens with tree lined paths leading to beach or reception or dining halls. The beach is filled with trees, palm and others, so you can sit in shade or sun. The beach faces Atlantic in northerly direction. Beach is raked almost daily to clean up fallen leaves from trees. Really impressive, the effort put into landscaping maintenance. There is a pool but I much prefer the beach. Pool seemed to be choice for families. There are talapas for shade if you like. The biggest decision you'll need to make here is when to eat. Dining is buffet style with lots of variety and freshly prepared foods. Chefs are at a number of stations cooking more food as needed. There are culinary themes during the week: Dominican, Chinese, Mexican. Fantastic pizza made in a wood burning pizza oven in the dining hall. Rooms are simple and kept nicely cleaned. Beds could have been more comfortable but each room has a nice terrace. Front desk very accomodating about a requested room change. We spent all our time outdoors in the glorious weather. The location is unspoiled and does not feel crowded. There are plenty of day trips you can take, but I was really into the beach and swimming and sunning. Very relaxing week and looking. forward to returning.

Where do I begin! Ok I booked this trip for my wife and I. It was her 30th birthday present from me and our overdue honeymoon that we waited to take for 5 years do to financial issues. She has never traveled by plane before. Lets just say the highlight of our vacation was the plane ride. When we got off the plane the person that took our bags to the van wanted me to give the driver a $20 tip which is crazy considering the ride to the hotel and back is included in our trip that I already paid for. The gentlemen only carried our bags about 100 yards and put his hand out for a tip which I expected. I gave him $5 and he looked at me and said whats this $5 more. I said to him for WHAT HELL NO!!!!!! We should have know right then and there that we should turn back around and go home. On the way to the hotel we almost crashed like 5 times and almost hit a women crossing the road. When arriving to the hotel we checked in and got our room key. When arriving to our room it was a disaster. Lets just say the bed was terrible. The best way to explain it would be that it was like sleeping on a worn out pull out couch. When asking to change rooms we were told that we would have to pay to change rooms for a cost of $125 per night. Needless to say we didn't have the money to do this so we had to stay in this room. My wife and I wanted to go home right there and then but we knew we couldn't. The next day we went to the beach which was not fun. The current was too strong for the whole stay and the beach was littered with trash from careless people leaving there empty glasses behind. To top it off the men working at the hotel were all overly aggressive on hitting on my wife which made us both uncomfortable. If a guy tried doing that here I would have said something but I didn't want to get into trouble in another country. We felt like we were trapped inside our hotel room for the rest of the vacation. I would have rather been in a jail cell in the US then in that room at this hotel. Oh did I say that there where prostitutes at the hotel as well..... and the food was the same stuff served every day. I got sick of eating the same reheated food day in and day out. I hope this review helps for I would never stay here if I had read a review like this one!!!!!!!

fantastic stay,friendly and relaxing enviornment,excellent food

This is a great resort... friendly and helpful staff, variety of food, fantastic location.

some staff seems to be bored and unhelpful, the food doesnt have any varieties except for a saturday (sat is when alot of local are in the hotel) breakfast is only eggs eggs eggs and pastries, the airconditioner in the room is weak.

Great

you had to buy water shoes or it was impossible to use the beach. We asked for a wake up call our last day which never came.

Great place, excellent staff, the food had "taste", the drinks were plenty strong (just want to make sure you make it clear to put the alcohol in the speciality drinks) it's off by itself so it's only resort guests in the whole area, great exchange privledges with the Mambo and Bachata. Shopping on site, never had to leave the resort (in a 2 week stay). Great entertainment staff, bar staff,waiters, etc. My only complaint was the mini bar was not regularly stocked (but that's probably because we got an extra gallon of water every day). Never tried the tried the alacart places as you had to book by 10am (not up that early the disco was too fun). All in all I would recommend and definately go back...