Riu Bambu - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

5201 reviews

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  Money stolen from safe but overall a good stay

  I knew this was going to be a hard review to write because I didn't want to let one bad apple ruin the entire trip. We did have our safe broken into and several hundred dollars was taken. We went to the front desk and filed a complaint and went with the Riu worker to the police station to file a report (part of the process IF you have any chance to get your money back). She was VERY helpful and nice! They said they have insurance for scenarios like this but we will wait and see. The staff was excellent! The men in the main buffet including Narcy were so friendly and accommodating! We traveled with two young children and they were so sweet to them. The kids pool was perfect for them and we went to the waterpark which was just a couple minute walk out the back door exit of the property. The food was fine...I did get sick for a day and a half but I was the only one out of 6. It's got to be very hard to feed that many different nationalities and make everyone happy! We had 5 false fire alarms one night and two the next but hopefully that doesn't happen for everyone. The resort is big.....at first you think you may never find your way because the buildings and paths look similar but you will get used to it. It's a good trip for the money! We don't live a 5-star life so I don't expect a 5-star vacation nor do I want to pay for one. They did put a new safe in our room before we left so hopefully the next person that stays in that room doesn't have the same problem.

  Feb 09, 2026
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  Riu Bambu review

  The Riu Bambu was an OK resort but not great. The restaurants were good when they were open. The Japanese restaurant was undergoing reservations so we didn’t get to go there and the other restaurants have one or two nights a week where they close. The food was pretty good everywhere except for the sports bar where it was awful. That’s the only place you can get 24 hour food and it’s hotdog dogs or hamburgers that have been sitting out for who knows how long. The staff were nice enough however, the front desk really wasn’t very helpful. I tried for three days to get a working coffee maker to no avail. Our room was clean and the maid service was good however, every single drawer in every cabinet was broken and unusable. The Hacienda’s are a bit noisy and when people come back to their rooms, it can be quite loud. Also three of the nights we were there the fire alarms were going off for no reason that all times of the night and the front desk seemed unable or unwilling to do anything about it. This was an issue for other guests to the hotel as well. We went there because that’s where our adult kids chose to go because it was a little bit cheaper, but I wouldn’t bother going back.

  Feb 09, 2026
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  Riu Bambu

  So..is the hotel perfect - no. Is it good value for the money - yes. Rooms inside have everything you need (although my TV remote was missing but wasn't bothered anyway). We had 2 rooms and both rooms had a drawer which had come off the runners, again not much of an issue. Both rooms needed the room cards resetting once, this is a common problem we find but just a pain as it's always late at night when it happens. Anything needed though was sorted swiftly by reception and on the one time we mentioned something to our rep it was sorted and we received a small gift rom the hotel for our inconvenience. Restaurants - the main buffet is noisy (go outside if you can), but we find that the case virtually everywhere, food is plentiful and can always find something to eat. The speciality restaurants you can just turn up to no booking, which we thought initially was good but you need to turn up early as they only cater for 150 people and when its gone its gone. the food in the speciality restaurants was good however, and in some they cook the main meal course fresh meaning its hot when you get it. Pools are fine no issues. Swim up bar pool was closed for maintenance when we were there for 2 days but as it was mostly resided in by loud, raucous types (not mentioning any general nationalities) we avoided it. Beach lovely can always get a sunbed on it, waves great fun and can be quite big! Beaches in Dom Rep are public so lots of 'looky-looky' people but a gentle no usually sufficed and we didn't find it off putting. Was our 3rd time in Dom Rep and 2nd time at this hotel. We feel we are done in the DR now, but do some trips anything by 'Bavaro Runners' is great value and meticulously organised, their 'Countryside Safari' was a great day out possibly one of the best trips we've ever been on as there was no wasted time, we just went from place to place no messing and the lunch was fantastic with Rum included/mandatory!

  Feb 06, 2026
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  Mixed feelings

  We went to Riu Bambo for a week at the end of January. The resort layout and the beach are great. There are 3 pools and plenty of sits available. Unfortunately this is all that I found satisfactory there. The cooked food was bland and plain not tasty. The labels on the top of the buffet often do not much the actual food. Soups are unlabeled and you have to guess what it is. Coffee is undrinkable. Meats often very tough to chew . Once I noticed a cook frying fish and touching it with his bare hands , no utensils. The salad and cheese bar was very nice and provided alternative to escaping the cooked food. Public washrooms poorly maintained . The rooms are old as well as beds . The walls do not protect from noise - you can hear your neighbour flushing a toilet. Staff was nice, they try their best and it shows. I would gladly go back there if they can do something about the food , coffee and some renovations. I would not give this hotel more then 3 stars, which is too bad as the grounds are perfect. Nela K. Toronto

  Feb 05, 2026
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  Fantastic hotel

  The food, beach,staff, entertainment and hotel was all perfect. The rooms are a little tired and could do with a makeover. However I only shower and sleep there so no impact on my holiday

  Feb 05, 2026