We stayed at the Riu from June 23rd-June 30th. We had booked the 6 golden apple square deal through our travel agent. We did not know where we were staying until we landed. We had heard that 90% of those who book the 6 golden apple square deal stay at Dreams so we were looking forward to staying there. Well, we land and the apple rep tells us that we are staying at the Riu palace. We were disappointed because we had read the reviews on here but decided to make the best of it. Check-in was fine. We were told to come back in an hour and our room would be ready. We did try to approach the apple rep at the hotel to see about the possibility of changing hotels but she said in a very firm voice that you booked a square deal which means that we pick the hotel not you. Okay then, thanks. We walked to the buffet near the pool area for lunch and realized that the reviews regarding the very bad food were very accurate. Everyday for lunch we had pizza and french fries. There was a salad bar that looked okay but we were warned not to eat the salad because they wash the vegetables in the water. Everything else on the lunch buffet was pretty much unidentifiable. There were also hamburgers and hot dogs but they were sitting in a vat of grease. We tried to eat a hamburger one day and it was full of gristle. The fruit selection was okay and we ate that as well.

We returned to the check in desk and the attendant told us that our room would be ready in 10 minutes. He gave us the key but told us to wait to go to the room. We had a drink at the lobby bar which was very nice. The drinks throughout the whole trip were pretty good. The wine and champagne they served were also very good.

When we arrived at our room the housekeeper was still in the room but finishing up. The room was a nice size with a king size bed and sitting area. We had a balcony that faced the courtyard and you could see the beach if you looked to the right. The room was clean. The bed, however, was rock hard! We did not sleep very well any of the nights because of how hard the bed was. Also we had to request extra pillows because they only provided three very thin pillows. We also had to request extra towels and toilet paper. The housekeeper came to turn down the bed three out of the seven nights we stayed. We left her 2-3 dollars a day.

The pool is not that big but we always found chairs with no problem. We did not have a problem getting towels but we did bring our own as well. The beach is beautiful. It was much cooler on the beach with a nice breeze than it was by the pool. The water was also really gorgeous. There was always someone coming by to offer you drinks.

The entertainment staff works really hard all day long. The water aerobics in the pool was fun. They also ran other activities such as horseshoes and ping pong.

The only thing to do at night is to attend the show that is at 9:45. Other than that there is no nightlife and nothing to do besides going to the casino which is very seedy and rigged!

We tried all five of the restaurants and the food at each of them was okay. The service was very good at each of them but the food was really very average at best.

All in all, it was a relaxing vacation. We enjoyed the pool, the beach and interacting with the friendly staff and other guests at the hotel. The food was not enjoyable however and we probably would not return for this reason as well as the fact that the beds were sooo uncomfortable.

Returned from the Palace on June 23rd. A fantastic place to stay.
Having read other reviews before we went we were wondering if we had booked the right hotel for us. But on arrival we were not disappointed. We really enjoyed very this hotel had to offer. Having been to the Dominican Republic 4 times we felt like we were in 5 Star accomodation. We only had a slight hitch. It rained from midday till the early hours for one day. Returning from our evening meal we found that our room in the living room area to be flooded. We were on the top floor!!! We moped this up and went to recepetion the next day and showed the hotel manager, who looked at our room, and moved us straight to another room which was much better and a great view of the beach and sea. We were treated to well and enjoyed 2 weeks of relaxing. So don't believe very you read go and enjoy it. All in all I have stayed at other Riu Hotels and this is a wonderful Resort. Beds are fine I slept and the food always has plenty of selection. We never went hungry or couldnt find something we didnt like. Always plenty on offer. This had to be one of the best Holidays that we have taken.

We just returned from the RIU Palace and it was amazing. I think it is very helpful if you speak Spanish as a lot of the help doesn't speak English and they can be Standoffish. Look for Froggy and Danella for dancing and the nightly shows. I recommend Sir Oscar for dinner and don't even bother with the rest. The Steak and Seabass were wonderful. Japanese service takes forever and there is a lot of pork at the Brazilian. The buffets are good and love the cheeses with figs and the smoothies in the morning. If you are going to dinner go early so you can catch teh shows as they are a lot of fun. The beach is so incredible and we brought big insulated mugs and drank mojitos all day by the beach and then hit the pool bar in the evening. Ask Octavio for his special drink, its like a mudslide with orange and banana. I highly recommend taking a trip to Isla Soana (but it is a 2 hour bus ride to get there ) and for sure take the catamaran as that was our fav. part. You might want to bring bug spray to the Isla as there are a lot of mosquitos there though. Walk to the markets to the right of the hotel. Definitely barter and there is an ATM in the Bahia Principe next door or one in the empoloyee area of the RIU that the club/casino will take you to if you ask them. I had my bday there and they were awesome. They brought me up on stage one nigh and sang to me. Then on the catamaran they sang again and doused me with beer and we all danced (super fun), then that night we ate at Sir Oscar and they had a special table for me with flowers and a candle and they turned the lights out and al came out wiht a special cake and they sang. It was amazing. You will have a great trip. If you do order room service just get french fries with cheese, everything else is pretty bad. OH, and try the BRUGAL in your room. It is the smoothest and best rum we have ever had. Of course, try MamaJuana too and they will bring champagne to your room if you ask for it. We did tip now and then as they all work long and hard and they deserve it but they don't expect it. Have a blast!!!!!!!!!!

The hotel is absolutely beautiful and the beach is to die for. The pool is great and the pool bar is good. The rooms are fantastic and kept clean. The lobby is huge and all the employees at the hotel treat you great. Bring lots of cash because the closest ATM machine is far away at another hotel and will only give you pesos when the machines are working. Stay on the grounds because the surrounding areas are not pretty. Everything was a 10 except for the food. The food at the Riu was horrible. We are not picky and will eat almost everything, but we had a very hard time with the food at this hotel. Not much night life except for the casino which was very small and seedy. This casino also allows the locals. I was not comfortable at the casino with my wife and daughter. We loved Punta Cana but would not go back to the Riu due to the food. Friends of ours stayed at other hotels in the area and said the food was great.