Riu Palace Punta Cana

Star Rating: 5 star

in Punta Cana, Bavaro, Dominican Republic

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

Riu Palace Punta Cana in Punta Cana, Bavaro, Dominican Republic

Riu Palace Punta Cana details

Big and bold, this palatial hotel combines luxury comforts with one of the Dominican Republic’s finest sandy beaches.

This hotel is exclusive to Thomson in the UK, and when you see it you'll understand why we wanted it all to ourselves. Briefed to build a lavish hotel, the architects pushed the boundaries by adding all manner of sophisticated flourishes. From the outside, it’s pure white and tipped with colonial-era domes and turrets. Inside you’ve got a carousel of interior décor styles that demand attention.

Everything starts with the lobby - black-painted columns, colossal chandeliers and stain-glass ceilings. The restaurants are something else, too. There are six in all and they’re completely different. For a taste of Japan, book a table at the paper-screened Yokohama to pick through platters of sushi and sashimi. The à la carte steakhouse meanwhile goes back in time, with Louis XV salon chairs and lots of wood panelling. Show cooking is a feature of every one, too.

For palatial design though, it’s hard to beat the main pool. Peeking out from between the hotel’s two wings, it’s got a domed swim-up bar and four adjoining whirlpools. Beyond that, there’s a children’s pool and a series of elegant fountained ponds. The beach is back in the other direction, where soft white sands are trimmed with palms and the light blue Caribbean.

The bedrooms are all classed as junior suites and come with more of the same finery. Dressed in a peaches-and-cream colour palette, each has its own sitting area coupled with a balcony or terrace, plus rich-dark wood beds and handsome furnishings. In terms of facilities, you’ve also got satellite TVs, minibars and bathtubs with hydromassage jets.

Location

• In Riu Punta Cana resort on Arena Gorda beach • 30km to Punta Cana airport

Transfer time

45 minutes

Swimming pool

• Swimming pool with adjoining whirlpool bath • Sun terrace • Sunbeds, towels and parasols by pool • Swim-up bar • Pool drinks service

Meals

• Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in main restaurant • Themed buffet, 3 times a week • Speciality restaurants including Japanese, grill and steakhouse, fusion, Brazilian and Italian • Bar use, lunch and snacks from 2 sister hotels in resort - excludes Riu Palace Bavaro and Riu Palace Macao

Activities

• Gym, sauna and whirlpool bath • 4 tennis courts in resort • Windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and snorkelling equipment • Introductory scuba diving lesson in pool • Table tennis

Entertainment

• Hotel-run daytime and evening entertainment programme • Live music • Entrance to Riu Palace Macao Casino • Lobby bar • Lounge bar with terrace • Sports bar

Other facilities

• Free Wi-Fi zones throughout • 24-hour room service • The following facilities are not included in your All Inclusive package: • Spa with massage and beauty treatments • Hairdresser • Souvenir shop • Boutique

Room facilities

All rooms have air-conditioning, lounge area, satellite TV, phone, radio alarm clock, minibar, optics, iron and board, 24-hour room service and balcony or terrace. Standard rooms are Junior suites which sleep 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children up to 12 yrs with 1 king-size or 2 queen-size beds.

Rooms:

612

Lifts:

Official rating:

5 Star

Special Offers

Honeymooners receive a bottle of rum and fruit platter upon arrival.

All Inclusive

24-hour All Inclusive
• Full Board • Snacks • 24-hour room service • Selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks • Activities as listed • Entertainment as listed • Other facilities as indicated • Facilities that do not form part of your All Inclusive package may incur extra local charges, please see the A-Z Guide