Name: Riu Taino Hotel
Address: Playa Arena Gorda, Bavaro, Bavaro, Bavaro, 1, Dominican Republic
Rating: 7

Elevator/lift

General

Minibar

Rooms

Restaurant

Meals

Conference Hall

Business

Location

At the hotel

Room amenities

Arena Gorda Beach

Iberostar Golf Course

White Sands Golf Course

Princess Tower Casino Punta Cana

Cortecito Beach

Cocotal Golf and Country Club

Palma Real Shopping Village

Macao Beach

Sirenis Aquagames Water Park

Punta Cana International Airport

Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park

Cap Cana Golf Club

Punta Espada Golf Course

La Romana Airport

Riu Taino Hotel

Bavaro

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

Before we travelled to we were both a little anxious about this hotel as some of the reviews were pretty bad and so our expectations were low. Rui Naiboa rates itself as a 4 star but realistically it is only really 3 star.
The room we had was perfectly adequate although a bit faded but we found the beds comfortable and the linen clean. The cleaners did a good job and we had no complaints about the cleanliness. There is only WiFi in the lobby area and not in the rooms which is a bit of a nuisance and in this day and age should be available.
We found the food good with plenty of choice each day and although not top quality was perfectly okay and enjoyable. The food at the beach bar was not the same standard and could be better for choice but was okay for us at lunchtime as we didn’t need too much.
The pool at the hotel is lovely, very clean and lots of room. There are small touches that could be done which would make a difference such as the broken tennis table being replaced and some of the Sun loungers need replacing especially on the beach.
The entertainment team work really hard to give people a good time but it can be noisy around the pool in the afternoon especially which may not be for everyone. The evening entertainment is okay but again wasn’t for us really but we did appreciate how hard the staff worked. The staff at the hotel are mostly really good, work hard and very friendly.
In conclusion I would add that based on the cost we paid, this was good value for money and was okay.

Better than expected

Was there 7 days from Saturday March 3rd./2018 to Saturday March 10, for the school break myself the wife our daughter and our 9 year old granddaughter. Bus shuttle is about 30 min.

 Reception desk was efficient Luis took care of us, we asked him for a cott (bed) for the granddaughter and we got it in 30 min.                 
 The pool is nice and well managed, people start reserving their chairs at 06:30 am.
  No reservation needed for the 2 restaurants à la carte after trying them we went to the buffet every day much easier and plenty of tables, staff was very friendly our waiter Eleziel was great with us.
  Buffet is good but always the same, also kind of sad no egg counter to have your omelette the way you want like a lot of other hotels.
  The beach takes a good 10 minutes walk. 
  The water parc is a 5 minutes walk, really good but be careful with the blue tube a little   dangerous for little kids.
   The bar is opened late, Tuesday I tried calling the front desk on the phone for the noise music and drunk teenagers screaming and laughing at the open air bar by the pool, but no answer had to go down to the front desk and complained in person at 02:15 in the morning to ask the attendant if they could take care of the disturbance, his answer was that security did ask them but the group would not listen, I told him to try again, finally the disturbance stopped a little after 02:30 in the morning and we finally had a chance to fall asleep.
Best advice do not get a room on the pool side, if you do on a good day you will not be able to sleep because of the disco pool bar until at least 01:00 and on a bad day 02:30 in the morning the noise is unbearable.
The room was good and cleaned every day. The resort is old but they keep it in good condition.
Not sure I would consider this resort a 4 star maybe if it was a beach front but 10 minutes walk and no body showers at the beach just 2 foot faucets and a lot of broken beach chairs, I would grade it closer to a 3 star. But for a family with a tight budget I would recommend it. We tip all the time, we do it because it means a lot to them, but they don’t expect it, the majority of people don’t tip and the service is just as good.

Nice but very noisy at night hard to sleep

This hotel is very expensive now. I would rather have stayed at Occidental. Hotel is getting run down. Mattress are limpy. Bathrooms are run down. Glass shower doors are broken.  Food is same every day. Alcohol is not alcohol. Only local beer. Staff is still friendly though.  Entertainment is all in spanish every night. Very loud. Buffet and one specialty restauarant. No work out facility.  I would not come back again.  Dont pay more than $800 per week.

3rd time No Charm

I booked this resort with a very open mind . I knew it would be cheap but did not think it was going to be so dirty. They only offer house alcohol like not even Brugal or Barcelo. They offer only some weird brand called Tremols which smells like Gasoline. Rooms are very outdated and smelly. Lobby is super dirty and the minute you walk to the pool/Restaurant area , there are pigeons flying everywhere and are after your food .  Not sanitary at all.

For 160$ I switched to the Riu Bambú and enjoyed it much better. I have no idea why, but it was like day and night in regards to cleanliness- I was not looking for 5 stars but I’ve been to Punta Cana like over 10 times and this place is the worst. Stay away unless you are going for a weekend and just to enjoy the beach. 

Not so great 

Have stayed at the Riu Macao twice and decided to try one of the other hotels in the complex.
The rooms were very dated and worn. The first rooms we were provided were directly above the loading dock, which smelled of garbage. The glass blocks in the shower were cracked in both rooms; the grout was worn out and the general condition of the rooms was poor.
The deal moved us to another room which was also worn and directly above the entertainment stage. We decided a third move was not worth it and stayed in the second set of rooms. Unfortunately, the entertainment was very loud each night, meaning we did not sleep well.
Food choices were the same each night, which became boring, really fast.

The pool is very nice and the staff was accommodating. I just think this resort needs a make over.


Didnt live up to expectations

I'm not an "all inclusive" expert.  However, I've been on enough vacations- to many different destinations (resorts etc) to know what one should expect. (Pros) The staff are friendly (language barrier evident), the entertainment was great!, beautiful beach, cute shops, and enjoyable excursions- snorkelling is not like other Caribbean destinations-but a fun experience. Naiboa was a nice (small resort), The club was interesting (haha) enjoyable!. (Cons) Very dated rooms (need repairs), a/c didn't work for the first day, power outages, no wifi in the rooms or option to buy.  Same food every day!...Do not expect any real food other than the designated times- no room service! or place to buy food for late snacks! like the other resorts.  Pool closes too early- 6pm.  If I knew what I did now, I would spend a few extra $$ on Bambu.  More English speaking guests, and better amenities/food options.

Many Pros, and Cons!

My husband had a back problem and was unable to walk when we arrived to Naiboa Feb 1, 2018. Front desk manager [--]  stated had no wheelchair and offered private services of $31/ day. Mr. [--] his assistant was making  external phone calls to arrange it for us. On arrival to Naiboa my husband walked to our room (372) using handle of his suitcase, same way we got to beach and back which worsened his condition. We rented electric scooter the next day out of necessity total for 8 days. got $1 dicsount/ day. Total 240$ US. ON DAY 6 we realized that there was always a wheelchair in Naiboa for situations like ours. We saw othe people using it!!! When my husband spoke to Alexandro assistant of director and director himself we were offered and accepted accomodation of going to Riu Bamboo hotel for our last 4 days of vacation. My husband was asked to sign paper in which was indicated that we were leaving due to better accomodations in Riu Bamboo.They promiced to make internal investigation. That is all . Thank you for reading.

Very first day Front Desk Manager Pascual [--] denied essential service in order to take financial advantage of us

We arrived on January 21 for 14 days with our three kids ages three and under. 

To start, the hotel check in, lobby and grounds were all clean and well maintained. Check in was easy and fast. 

We were not given any info on check in regarding kids activity/ program etc. 
We booked this hotel for three things 
1. The Riu brand experience 
2. Kids program/mini club 
3. Fitness Centre

We were completely dissatisfied with all three. 

The mini club listed in the hotels PDF sent by my booking agent did not exist. There was a hidden abandoned building that held sparse art supplies not a program areas for kids.  When we approached management with our concerns the response was rude, unprofessional and not accountable to what was on the hotels information. There was also another family with young children addressing the same concerns at the time, they were also dismissed with no solutions offered. 

The gym IS A JOKE. Rusted and broken equipment. A broken water tank. Literally looks like it’s out of a jail scene in an 80’s film.  Not at all Riu standards.   Needless to say we used it once or twice. 

The overall experience was ok, food ok, the water park saved our kids holiday but if you are looking for a quality balanced family holiday with options for mini club, babysitting etc this is not for you. 

We will not be returning and 
NEVER TRAVELING WITH SUNWING VACATIONS AGAIN

Dissatisfied-NOT A RIU QUALITY HOTEL

If you want a gorgeous beach, this is the place. This is a smaller, dated resort, but very clean, good service, good food if you are not picky as there are a lot of choices at the buffet. Because it is smaller, there are no lineups or need to save beach/pool loungers.
If you like to visit the gym on holidays, this resort is not the place to go as they say there is a gym, but it is not usable in anyway (equipment does not work and it is filthy) and if you like good wine, bring your own or buy some from the market, as the wine on the resort is of very poor quality (more like juice).
WIFI is ONLY available in the lobby, not in any rooms.
Osvaldo is the most amazing bar tender at the pool bar and there are also some other great service personnel. The entertainment personnel are very inclusive, fun, kind and outgoing. They do a great job. & most of them speak English
Great for families too. One shallow pool, waterpark & daily activities for kids.
Great resort for the cost. It is not a 4 or 5 start, but great for a 3 & 1/2 star. It is unfortunate that other reviews are so negative.

Gorgeous Beach

Spent a long weekend,at this resort with 2 small children. It was perfect walk to beach area and great fun at waterpark, full acess everyday. Kids enjoyed it so much they did not care for beach. Food was decent and great for kids taste and hotel staff was very accommodating when I request crib it was brought right up. Loved our stay and already planning our next trip. 

Riu Taino Hotel

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