The RIU Merengue is the best hotel I have ever stayed in.

The AI was fabulous, we had no complaints about that at all. The other reviews are what the place is.

I would go again and be spoilt, the people are so friendly and helpful.

The only things that annoyed us were the mobile phones, they do not work because there is a mountain behind the hotel, they need a mast there. The Internet not owned so I was told by the Hotel is expensive,

This hotel is amazing; the cleanliness is really good, everytime you enter the food hall you have your hands squirted with antiseptic gel, the same as when you leave the toilet. So you have no worries about stomach bugs, none of us had a problem with this.

The food was nice, but it became very repetitive. But still was nothing really to complain about.

The location of the hotel was quite secluded, we never actually left the complex apart from when we went horse riding (a definate must do), you can do this along the beach or up the mountains. If you want to canter and gallop (go fast) with the horses then the beach is the one, if you want to just have a slow walk with the horses then the mountains is the one.

The staff in the hotel cannot do anything more for you, they are so friendly, the animacion team are so funny and romeo is crazy, cheeky monkey is so sweet (oh my god, wow, I love you baby).

Entertainment was good, they all work really hard.

We are going back to this hotel again next year, everything you want is in this hotel; if you are looking for a relaxing but lively when you want it to be holiday then this is the place to be.

The sports beach is really good for 16-30's, it has jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat, canoeing, pedalos etc.

My wife and I stayed at the Merengue for the first 2 weeks in September and it was the best holiday that we have ever had.

From the minute that we arrived at the hotel reception until the coach turned up to take us back to the airport, we had nothing but positives to report.

The Hotel staff, reception, bar staff, waiters, maids, gardeners, and of coarse the animation team, were all first class and all made you feel as if they were only there for you.

The food in all the restaurants was excellent and the main buffet restaurant had many themed nights, the Mexican night was our favourite, not just a couple of tacos and a tortilla, but a fantastic array of Mexican cuisine.

The entertainment, (animation), team were brilliant and worked absolutely tirelessly. Most of the time the evening entertainment was based on audience participation but they did put on a couple of 1st class shows throughout our fortnight, Africa show, Michael Jackson, Madonna, etc.

The Caribbean Street Party wags our favourite night.,
We thought that the beach parties/BBQ's that were held in the afternoons were great with local dancers/musicians and beach games, very entertaining even if you just like watching.

Although they was always something going on around the beach/pool, you could always find a very quiet and secluded spot if you wished to just relax and read or listen to your music.

We went snorkeling every day and saw a variety of exotic fish and coral as well as organised SCUBA diving which was amazing.

Of all the trips that we went on, the trips organised by the hotel vendors,(not the tour operators), were the best and the best value. We went horse riding 3 times, quad biking, taxi tour, etc. every trip was organised for us by SCUBACARIBE, (thanks Felix ) and each trip was a personal trip, just us and the guide, so we rode for hours along deserted beaches, paradise.

We always took sweets and crayons for the local kids that you meet when you are out, they are always so grateful and accept your gifts with a big thank you and a smile although they never ask or beg, just wait to be offered.

Rooms are comfortable without being luxurious. Mini bars and optics are excellent. I read before I went that you get restocked every other day, well I found out that for a $1 tip, you can get extra beers etc every day, excellent!!

We also left the maids a small tip most days, and in return we had lovely clean rooms and towel sculptures every day, a real nice touch.

We were so impressed that we have already booked to return again next Aug 28th as I could not bear to go somewhere different and be disappointed, can't wait!!!

Allister and Coral

Fab! Our only complaint was we had to come home and the weight we gained as a result of the fabulous food.

The staff at the riu merengue go out of their way to ensure your holiday is memorable and enjoyable.
You are never stuck for something to eat and the menu was very varied. We have been all inclusive in the past and this hotel far exceed the previous hotels menus. This hotel even offers a waiterless bar, which means you can just help yourself to soft drinks, water, hot drinks, beer and wine when ever you want, of course there are still attended bars, where the staff are always pleasant and happy to oblige.

The hotel does get busy at the weekend, when weekend guests visit, but it was not a problem. It

The Riu Merengue is part of the Riu Puerto Plata Resort and guests can use facilities in all 3 of the hotels. The sister hotels of the Bachata and the Mambo are the same as the Merengue. I do not feel it matters which of the 3 hotels you have chosen to book and sleep in. All the hotels rooms are in 2 storey blocks with a few rooms at the Bachata being 3 storey. The Merengue has 544 rooms and have air conditioning plus a ceiling fan. Our room had two 4ft double beds pushed together and an en-suite bathroom. There was ample storage space and a free safety deposit box. The mini bar is restocked every 2 days and contained beer, pepsi, diet pepsi, soda, tonic water, drinking water, gin, vodka, brandy and rum. The patio had 2 plastic chairs and a small table.

This is an all-inclusive resort and the food is a self service buffet affair. Take as little or as much as you want. Food is available from 07.00 until 02.00 from various locations. There is food to suit everyone but it did not excite me like the food does in Tunisia and Turkey. I thought the bread was poor quality with very little choice. I did not like the baked beans, tomatoes and the wine was foul. The beer, cocktails and rum was OK. The potatoes, fresh fruit, milk shakes and coffee were gorgeous.

The entertainment was poor with lots of mime and dance. It was very happy clappy, all "come on, come on, yep, yep." with long winded silly games.

The hotels are set in lovely gardens, there is no traffic. The paths are good with adequate lighting. There are plenty of fire hoses and water points. The gardens are well maintained and all the buildings are in good order. I have no health and safety concerns at this resort. There are some shops within the resort selling anything you could want. There is their own little high street named Caribbean Street but prices are high. We forgot to pack some shower gel and paid a staggering

We have just had one of our best holidays for years.

The flight with First Choice was almost a pleasure. If it is possible to enjoy a 8-9 hour flight then this was it. Food, drink and entertainment are all very good as is the leg room and the wide seats. Why can't all flights be like this? Visa regulation forms can be completed on board then just pay your US$10 entry tax to a booth in the corner before going through immigration. The whole flight was through customs, on the coaches and away within 40 minutes of landing. 45 minutes later we've checked into the hotel and we are enjoying a nice cool drink at the bar.

The Riu Merengue has some 70 low rise apartment blocks which which have 4 rooms on the ground floor and 4 rooms on the upper floor. All these apartment blocks are situated in beautifully kept gardens joined together by avenues and alleyways lined by palm trees. The rooms are kept spotless as is the whole hotel.

The food is also very good and you will not have a bad meal. Breakfast and lunch can be taken at any of the three hotel restaurants, there are six in total. The evening meals are taken in your own hotel either buffet style or at the two al a carte restaurants which are bookable each day.

The staff are outstanding always helpful and smiling giving excellent service. A few small tips and your set for life.

The entertainment at night is again very good and you are encouraged to join in if you wish. The Michael Jackson tribute night was absolutely great. The entertainment team also work tirelessly throughout the day with shows and games, just join in.

We stayed at the Merengue for our honeymoon on a all inclusive package. We were a little preturbed that because we had booked our holiday early, we clearly paid a lot more than a lot of other people who were there.

On arrival we were greeted by friendly staff, who brought our luggage to our room. as a honeymoon couple, fruit and bubbly was promised to be in our room, we didnt get it.

The hotel is very clean but we would refute the claim that it should have a 4 or 5 star rating.

The food is always fresh but very very repetitive. If you like fish and chicken you can't go wrong, salad and fruit is in abundance, bread very stale, soup sometimes good sometimes yuk! as for the dessert, I have never tasted so many choices that taste exactly the same.

The complex is split into three, the mambo, the merengue, and the bachata, the latter being the most lively, we visited the bachata a few times to lift the boredom at the merengue.

We were expecting golden sands and crystal clear water, we got neither. If you intend going in the sea, take something to put on your feet, its full of rocks and seaweed. If you want to use the water sports, the kayaks are free, the dingy costs $25 for a lesson, as does the wind surfing. dosn't sound free to me either.

The staff are very friendly and helpful. The guys on the bar were great (think the tip worked).

If you like dancing then the entertainment is for you, if you dont then help yourself to the free drinks, and plenty of it cos apart from two nights thats what's on offer.

The team, including cheeky momkey work their socks off, but if people dont want to join in then what can you do.

Treat yourself to the jungle safari, its well worth the money, as was the white water rafting.

One word of warning though! Make use of the room safe, several people had currency removed from their rooms, so ensure you use the safe and take the safe key with you at all times.

To sum it all up, we were looking forward to our break, and maybe our expectations were a little high, but we are a well travelled couple and feel that for the money we spent we expected a lot better.

We might go to the dom rep again, but we definitely won't go or recommend the riu complex to anyone we like.

Our first visit to Dom Rep was disappointing to say the least!

The entertainment was very poor in the evenings unless you like ballroom dancing. Choice of drinks & cocktails was good although the wine was like vinegar.

Food could have been better for 4/5 star hotel, the bread was stale and the sweet choice was very poor.

Most of the staff were pleasant but not necessarily to be trusted. Money went missing from our room and as we found out we were not the only ones.

Also as for rooms with sea view - nice view but no sleep as very noisy between 11pm and 3am due to disco revellers.

Our First Choice rep was only interested in taking money for excursions and not dealing with problems.

We would visit Dom Rep again but definitely not this hotel.

We have just returned from a lovely 2 week break at the Riu Merengue, the longer we were there the more the hotel "grew on us". Our room was immaculate, and cleaned to a high standard. We had a fridge with cold drinks,and optics with spirits at no extra charge.

We had no problems with money going missing from our room even when we left the odd few dollars in pockets and in drawers. However it is important not to leave your safe key hidden in your room, as we heard that some guests who had done this experienced losses from their safe !

We are quite fussy eaters, and are used to a high standard of food on our holidays (we usually go on cruises) However I can honestly say the food was excellent. There was a large choice, every night, something to suit everyone. The entertainment team, took a bit of getting used to,they are a little bit "in your Face" so to speak, but they really work hard and do try to please and entertain you, some nights entertainment were better than others. The beach party was a particular favourite of ours.

The location is a bit isolated, so we were glad that we could wander down to the other 2 hotels in the complex. Kayaks, pedaloes, and sail bots are free, you just have to book, by ringing from your room. Sports competitions were organised daily, such as boules, water polo, and all sorts of fun and games, even if you did not want to participate they were fun to watch.

We really had a great relaxing holiday and would definately recommend it to anyone. Just one moan though the mosquitoes there can make a mess of your skin, so take insect repellent and long trousers for sitting out on an evening (dress code seems to be very casual on an evening).

Just returned from an outstanding two weeks holiday in hot glorious sunshine at the Riu Merengue In Puerta Plata Great Value for money.

HYGIENE. Having read the some of the reports ion this site about the RIU complex we were apprehensive but once we arrived we couldn