We just returned from our second trip to the Riu Bachata and would still highly recommend it. I did a review our first time, and stand by pretty well everything I said there. You can find it here:

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g147290-d265694-r6817997-ClubHotel_Riu_Bachata-Puerto_Plata_Dominican_Republic.html

The only slight disappointment was the quality of food at the a la carte restaurants. It was certainly nice to be served in courses but overall the food wasn't great.

Another downside was finding some glass in a few areas where glasses are used for drinks. While it was clear that there was a clean up, in two cases I saw the clean up wasn't sufficient.

We would not hesitate to return.

Don't listen to reviews about this hotel being a bad place to stay. If your looking to be waited like your a royalty or something, then you may want to look for a place in another world. YOUR ON VACATION.....NOT A CELERITY. The staff is there to serve you, not to be your slave. Staff was excellent, rooms are clean and the food was great (stay with the buffet, a la carte is nothing special...but what resort is). It could use a little less trees in the pool and beach area to catch more of the sun. You can use the beach in front of the other adjacent RIU's which have more of a beach area.They are always holding some type of entertainment from morning to night. A big plus about this place.....NO TIME SHARE PEOPLE bugging you every time you take a step. For the price a great place to stay, would return to this place no questions ask.



Al
Ontario, Canada

Check in is very quick and well organized, we were in our rooms before we knew it! This resort has definitely figured out how to register a bus load of tired travelers efficiently. We were travelling with our three kids and found our rooms were separated by about five rooms, although on the same floor. We immediately went to the front desk to ask for adjoining rooms. No problem they said, we were offered two more rooms side by side. Best front desk experience we have encountered. We enjoyed the pool areas, it was always possible to find a lounge chair and there is a bar nearby as well as roving waitresses and a hilarious "drinky drinky" waiter on a bike who roamed the pool ready to serve. The waiters at the buffet are good, our favorite was Emilio, what a nice man! And very efficient. We ate all our meals outside on the veranda overlooking the ocean, beautiful! It is nice to walk along the path to the "sister" hotels and we often used the bars at the Merengue at night. The bartenders were great, especially Speedy Gonzales and Sexy Boy.

The only negatives were the beach, which was very shaded with many trees and always windy (which in all fairness is the area, not the fault of the resort) there is also a very strong riptide so we were not able to swim and snorkel in the ocean, which is a definite negative for us.

Also do not bother waking up at 7 o'clock to book either of the a la carte restaurants, they are NOT worth it! Stay with the buffet, there is something for everyone.

Bottom line, we enjoyed our stay and found it worth the price we paid.

Four of us travelled to the Riu Bachata. We needed a "cheap" vacation and had been to the Dominican before (Punta Cana). Albeit Puerto Plata isn't as nice in terms of beaches, scenery, etc. than Punta Cana but the Riu Bachata made up for everything the area might have lacked!! It was the best value for the money we have ever had & we doubt we'll ever get that value again in any other resort out there. If you're looking to get away without breaking the bank, you won't be disappointed at the Riu Bachata!!