Club Hotel Riu Merengue, Puerto Plata

We stayed at the Riu Merengue in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in January 2004. This is classed as a five star all inclusive, and is located on the North coast of the island. Distance from the airport is only about 30 minutes, so it's not long before you are settling in after the gruelling flight. Check in was quick, there weren't too many other arrivals at the same time thankfully. We were handed a nice welcome drink and wandered off to find ...
...some kind of map, but it would have been nice to have been shown to the room, as it was no longer daylight but of course we found it. As soon as we got into the room we poured ourselves a drink from the drinks dispenser. Cuba Libre (rum with coke) of course, since it's the national drink. We checked out the room, it seemed like everything was in order, complete with all the usuals you'd expect in a hotel room, plenty of storage space for clothes, ...

Kingseany 14.02.2004 (09.01.2005) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Club Hotel Riu Merengue, Puerto Plata

Me and my partner went to the Riu Merengue hotel in Puerto Plata in June 2004. I remember stepping off the plane and thinking that I had never felt heat like it before - it was glorious. The porters at the airport are quite persistent, so make sure you are firm when you say no to them. If you do want their services then expect to pay about £2 for them to carry you bags 20 feet! The coach ride to the hotel was relatively comfortable. Most of the scenery ...
...majority of the Dominicans have smiles on their faces. When we pulled up to the hotel I was impressed. The hotel lobby is open plan and very well decorated. The outside space is full of palm trees and well looked after grass and plants. The hotel buildings are no taller than two storeys, so your eyeline will not be disrupted by ugly multi-storey buildings. The buildings are tastefully decorated, although you can get confused with the signs, and ...

haysiefantasie 19.09.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Club Hotel Riu Merengue, Puerto Plata

I have just returned from the Hotel Riu Merenge and what a disappointment! 5* it isn't. There are just two restaurants to choose from, one a buffet style restaurant where youa re waiting for up to 15 minutes on occasions to get seated and a 'a la carte' restaurant, which is far from a la carte. the rooms consist of two 3/4 beds pushed together with families of up to four people having to share and the only air conditioning in the place is in your room itself, so eating is very uncomfortable. The hotel shop is beyond extortionate and there is a real lack of anything to do here - the entertainment is so poor its insulting. Benidorm in the carribean is the most apt description! ...

vICKYMALIK2 14.09.2007
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Review of Club Hotel Riu Merengue, Puerto Plata

I went with my partner 2 years ago to the Riu Merengue hotel in the North Wes of the Dominican Republic. The hotel is 5* and is superbly presented. As an all-inclusive hotel it has great qualities. The food is widely varied and of good quality, the staff are attentive and friendly, drinks are free until 2am, and there is a free minibar in every room! There are also a wide variety of trips away from the hotel such as snorkelling, river rafting and ...

ndgandy 05.01.2001 (31.12.2000) · Read full review
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Review of Club Hotel Riu Merengue, Puerto Plata