Hotel Riu Naiboa - All Inclusive

“Happy Birthday to Me”

Celebrated my birthday. The resort was wonderful. The staff was great especially Ana Marie. Food was okay, but not the greatest. I wish I had had a map of the hotel. I didn’t know about or where the bakery, waterpark, casino or the gift shop was. Discovered them by accident and got lost. I had a v… more

Celebrated my birthday. The resort was wonderful. The staff was great especially Ana Marie. Food was okay, but not the greatest. I wish I had had a map of the hotel. I didn’t know about or where the bakery, waterpark, casino or the gift shop was. Discovered them by accident and got lost. I had a very nice, peaceful time. Will go back 🌹

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“Good alternative to Turkey, but with room for improvement”

We stayed at Riu Palace Bavaro from May 10 to May 15, 2026. Our group consisted of 2 adults and 3 kids (aged 21, 17, and 14). We spent 4 full days here. Overall, we would rate this resort a **6-7 out of 10** for the Dominican Republic. It’s a decent alternative to Turkish all-inclusive hotels, thou… more

We stayed at Riu Palace Bavaro from May 10 to May 15, 2026. Our group consisted of 2 adults and 3 kids (aged 21, 17, and 14). We spent 4 full days here. Overall, we would rate this resort a **6-7 out of 10** for the Dominican Republic. It’s a decent alternative to Turkish all-inclusive hotels, though it has its flaws. ### Booking & Transfer We booked everything directly through the Riu website. They offered an excellent round-trip private minivan transfer for 6 people for just $67 total. Our flight was delayed by 4 hours, but the driver was there waiting for us when we landed. For the departure, they arrived 10 minutes early. Super convenient! ### Check-in & Rooms We booked two Junior Suites (each with two queen beds, meaning two people had to share a bed). We emailed the hotel in advance requesting rooms close to each other and in a quiet area. Unfortunately, nothing was ready when we arrived. Check-in took about an hour. Room 2067 (2nd floor): Not quiet at all. It faced the main alley and the main restaurant, so there were strong food smells on the balcony. It was also close to the amphitheater, making it very loud in the evening. On the plus side, housekeeping here was amazing (they made towel swans!). Room 3092 (3rd floor): This one faced the park. It was quiet and got the sun only in the morning, which was perfect. No towel swans here, though they decorated with flowers on the last day. The AC worked fine, but the controls were tricky—we couldn't change the temperature (one room was stuck at 24°C/75°F, and the other at a chilly 20°C/68°F). Whenever we had issues with housekeeping or the minibar, we messaged via the hotel app, and it was resolved quickly. ### ⚠️ The Biggest Negative: Roaches Unfortunately, there are cockroaches in the hotel. We saw them in both rooms and in the hallways, even during the day. The housekeeper actually chased and killed one right in front of us. It's good that the staff reacts quickly, but seeing them was very unpleasant. ### Food & Restaurants Having read previous reviews, my expectations were low, but the food turned out better than expected (**7-8 out of 10**). Main Buffet: We experienced Dominican, Seafood, and Asian/Sushi themed nights. I really loved the cheese selection. However, the fruit was a disappointment (mango, strawberries, oranges, and pineapple were okay, but the watermelon was tasteless, and the papaya and passion fruit weren't great). The omelets were also mediocre; only the fried eggs were good. (We usually go to Turkey, where omelets are perfect). A la Carte: We didn't visit them. The Mexican (Agave) and Steakhouse looked very crowded and noisy. The Crystal and Italian menus didn't appeal to our kids, so we didn't bother waiting in line. The main buffet was varied enough for 4 days. Late Arrival & Snacks: We arrived late on our first night, and the buffet was closed, so we ate at Americano Country. The burger was surprisingly good—soft meat and not undercooked at all. The food court during the day is okay for a quick bite, but it doesn't compare to the main buffet. Mimosas and Sangria are offered at the buffet entrance every morning by very welcoming staff. ### Service & Bars Service is a hit-or-miss 5 out of 10. Some staff members work hard, while others just stroll around. Tipping didn't seem to motivate them much. Also, it’s hot outside, and there’s a strange, unpleasant smell inside some areas. The bar service near the evening shows was great—servers constantly walked around offering drinks. The Lobby Bar was a bit slower. La Yola (Swim-up Bar): The worst bar at the resort, and the crowd there matched the chaotic vibe. Pools, Water Park & Gym The resort has several pools, but only one is truly convenient; the others are small and hidden. The main pool is on the smaller side (compared to Turkish resorts) but doesn't smell like chlorine. Shaded loungers are hard to find, and the umbrellas don't protect well from the sun. The Family Building is the furthest away (about a 20-minute walk). However, it has its own pool, two kids' pools with small slides, and an adult water park. The mat slide was really fun! There are drink dispensers there and plenty of shaded loungers with very few people around. In the same area, there are tennis courts. The doors were open, though I didn't see any rackets. Honestly, it was too hot for anyone to want to play anyway. Gym: My son went to the gym and said it was very small with outdated, old fitness machines. On the positive side, they do provide water and towels there, but the gym itself definitely needs an upgrade. ### The Beach & Sea The beach definitely needs improvement, and finding shade for a family of 5 under the trees is a real challenge. We really lacked proper awnings or umbrellas. Seaweed & Boat Nuisance: In May, there was a lot of seaweed in the water and on the sand. Also, once the boats start moving, there is a strong, annoying smell of gasoline right where people swim. The Swimming Area Dilemma: The layout of the swimming area is very poorly organized. Where the seabed is perfect, all the boats are parked. If you walk along the beach to its boundary (which takes 10 minutes at most), there are no boats, but the seabed there is awful—there is a terrible underwater stone plate, and I almost broke my leg on it. Crowds in the Water: Because of this, everyone is forced to swim only in the section where the boats park. As a result, the water is very crowded, and it's hard not to bump into other people while swimming. ### Entertainment We watched the "Las Vegas" show once. Honestly, for a hotel of this level, we expected professional guest performers rather than local amateur-style shows. ### Summary Four days weren't enough for me—I didn't even make it to the coffee shop (though my husband tried the cappuccino there and didn't like it). It was a good vacation overall, but the hotel definitely has areas that need improvement, especially regarding pest control and beach management.

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“First few hours at riu palace bavaro”

Only here 5 hours so far lol. But I must say. Our 2 bedroom suite as a family of 4 with 2 kids is awesome. Also the food court is a hit with my 8 year old who likes cheeseburgers, fried chicken, hot dogs and pizza. I know..all the unhealthy stuff but at least he will eat. They were cleaning the lit… more

Only here 5 hours so far lol. But I must say. Our 2 bedroom suite as a family of 4 with 2 kids is awesome. Also the food court is a hit with my 8 year old who likes cheeseburgers, fried chicken, hot dogs and pizza. I know..all the unhealthy stuff but at least he will eat. They were cleaning the little seaweed. Beach is still beautiful. Check in was quick. I will update again when we leave friday. Alot of pools! Alot of people cleaning the grounds in general so far.

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“Very good”

Very big resort. No elevator so going up and down the stairs in a Boot wasn't good at all. Walls very thin. The bed wasn't the best but I made it work.