We have just come back from two weeks at the Riu Palace Macao, Punta Cana. Check in was good and the reception staff were great. Room was ok,large enough but smelt foisty.
The pool was cleaned every morning but still appeared dirty. The beaches were beautiful and if you get a sunbed under the palm trees, with the breeze off the sea, it feels like paradise.
The meals were average, the Caribe restaurant seemed a fantastic way to watch the sunset and enjoy but the food was not good at all, so try and stick to the buffet, then go and watch the sunset on the beach.
The staff at the hotel were superb and always seemed to want to please.
The entertainment was poor and I took a fourteen year old girl and there was nothing for her to do, so not good for that age group.
The main thing that concerned me was, I got a upset stomach after a few days, and I have never have any problems, and when we got talking to other people they had too. In the end we put it down to the lack of hygiene with the glasses at the bars, as we all didn't think it was the food.
All in all, the holiday was ok, and definately the best out of the Rui chain along that beach, but how they get a five star rating then I will never know?

HOTEL,

This was our second time in the riu palace Macao,

food - really nice

staff - really friendly especially Super John
rooms - cleaned twice a day really nice

pool - very clean and easy to find beds

beach - picture post card.

entertainment - the kids loved it.

drinks - really nice

BEWARE WITH YOU BAGGAGE AT THE AIRPORT..

we got the transfer from hotel to the airport, the baggage guys removed and our luggage just as the vehicle was setting off one of the guys put my daughters hand lugguage back on the vehicle and the driver drove off. i went directly to our agent "Thomsons" who contacted the driver who returned 25 mins later with the bag. however every thing was stolen out of it. i.e Nintemdo and games. i challenged the driver who just raised his eye brows and drove off. the thomsons rep was not that bothered either he just said this type of thing happens in the DR and you just have to be carefull, this put a damper on what was i very nice holiday....

This would not put us of going back the the riu palace macao back i would think twice about the DR....

Stayed at the RIU palace Macao from July 31st until Aug. 6th. I read all the reviews about this hotel and was a little apprehensive when I first got there. If you prefer a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, this is the place to go. I traveled with my mother and my seven year old nephew. We all felt at home at the RIU. The staff was very friendly and the rooms were large and clean. The food was excellent and the themed nights were the best. Beach was clean, and there was always a lounge chair available.

This time we decided to add Dominican Republic to our travel map and indeed Riu was one of those we considered. This place is a big resort united with 4 other Riu properties. If you stay at Macao you can enjoy almost all of what the other four offer as well, while if you don't stay in Macao you can not visit this Palace. Let me start with the fact that the service of staff was close to perfection with no tips' hints whatsoever. I can not believe it's even possible to train people to do their job so well and punctual. Food was extremely well done and main buffet is a place to go. Bars and drinks were well done as well and of the highest quality possible. I think the guy posted a previous review stayed at the other Riu Palace there(there are two Palaces in a complex) and by mistake posted his review for Macao. I know that just because one day I decided to go for Martini's night(they have a special booklet for Martini's cocktails only). Guess what, it didn't take me long to take a break for that night, because I felt like this exercise can not be completed in one night after four of those. And to be honest I'm good at drinking, OK? So, the other guy was NOT at Macao for sure. Beach is beautiful and sand is nice, but not better then lets say in Varadero. Some weeds, but not much really. Absolutely fantastic layout with palm trees shielding you from the sun, great idea! Downside- the property is a bit old and NOT a real Palace nowadays, perhaps it stuck in between high end Riu and Palaces, but good enough to visit. Just don't fool yourself thinking- that's Riu Palace! It was for sure, but time has gone. It's still well above 4 stars in all aspects. Real problem for normal folks- air conditioner, it's like on saving mode all the time, not good enough for me. Pool is great,never crowded. Absence of pool-up bar- well I don't like swimming in mud film and to me it was a plus. Besides before you think you want something they are all over you asking what do you want to drink, so I was trying to be creative asking for different stuff and was always happy. Resort is sparkling clean by the way, if it matters, as well as beach, water and so on. Fantastic people from England, Canada and USA- I just had a blast with them in a bar, as well as all other members of my family. Surprise this place is good for all ages, we had 39, 35, 15 and 3 years old and all of us had lots of fun on our own. Huge number of sunbeds, so Germans could use all their towels' war tactic and still no problems. I think they were puzzled a bit. Some problems with language barrier, I don't speak Spanish and I'm really curious if they think it's that common language in developed countries. I don't think so. Anyway, I didn't care too much.
Overall- if you are thinking to go to Riu there - go for this Palace if you can afford it, Bamboo is noisy and crowded. Besides you can go there from Macao- they can not! Others are lower quality.
Now, HERE IS A WARNING SHOT!!! Be careful in casino. It's located within Riu property, almost in Macao, but it's not under their management. The crooks out there are setting people for a strange game offering free chips at the entrance. The game consists of numbers' map and a set of small balls to be thrown in a basket with holes correspondent to different numbers as well. The idea of the game is to get 100 special points without quitting, because if you do- you lose. It's a game located to the left of poker table. DO NOT play this game at all cost. Several people from different countries were pulled into this game and before they realized they had their credit card maximized. I caught them taking one ball out of the game and it was a scandal. Please be very aware of this particular tricky game and you will be fine. If you like playing roulette bear in mind they like changing balls to the ones with different weight, if they feel you are doing well. So, be careful in this casino. I still beat them, but I was a manager in a casino long time ago, so I know where to look. Most of their tricks are banned in North America and Europe. Who cares in Dominican Republic?
Another warning for their disco called Pacha. Also, it's within Riu complex, but set as sort of independent and locals are allowed there(as well as in casino). Now, lets just say there are escort girls out there in numbers as well as their machos. Warn your kids if they go to stay out of trouble.
Overall not to bad at all, will we come again? If we decide to go to Dominican Republic we will not hesitate to book Macao again, but we really want them to work out air conditioning problem.