Riu Merengue All Inclusive

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.

Staff was friendly and accommodating. For the money it was a great value. The beach was beautiful and clean.

Had a grat time. Food very inconsistant. Dominican Nite had an awesome spread and should be available daily. Real singers not lip sinkers goes a long way. this hotel lacked actual singers but the dancing was great.

We went for a week in Feb 2013. We had a wonderful time. Our fav part for both of us was the waterfall excursion it was one of the most fun and exciting things we have ever done. The hotel was nice beautiful view and beach.

First, i need to Say that the staff is the best i've seen in years. The food is ok and the site is Clean . The ocean and the beach are not as Nice as punta cana or cancun, but that is puerto plata and we knew before we pourchasse it. Nothing to Say wrong exept for little things here and there, but hiven if it,s a 5 star in some ratings ask your self why it's half the price of a riu palace 5 Star and you Will have your answers.

My wife and I have stayed at the RIU Merengue more than once and each time we enjoy it more. I dont know how they do it but many of the staff remember you from the year before. Speaking of the staff, they are well trained and very Pleasant. The bartenders and animation crew are very fun and keep you laughing. Check in is a breeze. The food in the dinning hall is plentiful and you can always find something you like. Alberto does a great job manageing it. The rooms and grounds are very well kept, there are people cleaning constantly. The beach is nearly a mile long and raked clean every day. The ocean is alittle rocky in spots but still very functional for swiming and the free water sports. We will be going back next year and taking some friends with us. sincerly enjoyed it Randy in Iowa

I arrived to Puerto Plata on Friday April12,2013. On Friday we tour the hotel premises,which is beautiful, and had dinner at the buffet. Later that evening we went to Pacha, a club on the hotel premises which was okay, as per request they will play any music you want to hear. Saturday Morning we hit the lovely beach and pool made reservations to eat at the specialty restaurants and schedule a spa session and daytime activity. In between all this planning we kept going to the bar and having shots of mamajuanna.We also linked up some really cool Canadians and party in downtown Puerto Plata that night at a Merengue Club, that was really exciting we drank BRUGAL and dance the night away. The whole club was singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY! well in there language of course is Feliz Cumpleaños!! Sunday was our last day we had breakfast, we went riding into the country side of Puerto Plata on the 4wheel bikes, that was fun,when we were done with that it was spa time,this was one of favorite activities, i had the best massage ever! When we were done we went into the beach water and enjoyed the sunset.Later that night we had dinner at a specialty restaurant and the wait staff brought out a birthday cake and also singed Feliz Cumpleaños!! Later that evening we headed back to downtown Puerto Plata and dance the night away. This place is a Great Resort, As along as you have Great people around, you will Enjoy yourself just as i did! This trip was just the way i wanted it to be Relaxing and FUN!!

Rooms need updating. Rooms were Very small. Beds were hard. Outside was nice. Well except that you could see thru the shower windows. Grounds were very nice. Very well maintained. Food was the same choices. First night there the food was great after that it seemed to have very few changes. Same food for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was always the same choices. Beach was beautiful. Lots of chairs to lay on. Getting a towel after 4pm was impossible.

The food was OK, found most of the staff friendly but made no atempt to try and understand you. Housekeeping lady was very nice and the pool people went out of their way to find you room around the pool. Did not like the fact that they only put 3 bottles of beer in your fridge every other day and only pepsi and diet pepsi as the other beverages.

This was my third time at this resort and was a little bit disappointed compaired to the last times. Reasons to be disappointed: Cocroaches in the the room. Alcohol very watered down. Rooms very musty smelling. Info on excursions limited. Windows in showers provide peepshow to all passerbys! Shows were pretty cheesy. However, the staff is excellent and very friendly. I hated the location of the room they put me in and had me moved the next day. The surrounding is beautiful. Walking the beach and snorkeling type vacation. But pretty sure this will be my last time at this resort. Oh, and beware...if you buy alcohol in the airport..duty free, make sure to put it in your luggage if you have a layover...all of ours was taken when we had a layover in Miami...total bummer!