Our group of eight checked into the Bambu April 26th for a Spring Break week. This was my second trip to Punta Cana and it was better than the first! For all of you who spend your vacation taking pictures of peeling paint and mold in corners....too bad for you! I don't think I have ever stayed in a hotel in the US that is as clean or strives as hard to please as the RIU's. This is my third RIU stay and I will continue to go RIU!
All the staff were eager to please us and we were very happy to let them know we appreciated their efforts! (TIPS!) They work eleven days straight then get three days off. For the most part they don't see their families for eleven days! If you take the bus from the airport you get a glimpse at the living conditions for the average Dominican!
I read one reviewer who said there were reports of theft....personally we didn't hear any such thing and if it is true it was probably another tourist who did it!
I would recommend for the party people like my group that you bring insulated cups for the beach.
We did one excursion on the Kon Tiki party boat. It was a blast!!
The best dinners were the two nights we ate at the Caribe Grill.
Don't miss the street party on Thursday night.
It is your vacation so you should enjoy! If you spend it nit picking shame on you!

We just got back from a week at the Riu Bambu, April 26-May 3rd, a group of 4 couples. I had been reading previous reviews, and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised. We had a speedy check-in and were even able to get all of our rooms in one building, which was great! The rooms are alittle outdated and small, but they were always clean, and everything was in working order. We asked for extra pillows and blankets, and got them right away. The food was okay, and there was always plenty of variety, but breakfast was my favorite meal. Make sure you make reservations for dinner at the Caribe Grill because the food is really good...but make your reservations by about 7:15am, otherwise you will miss out. They book very quick. We also tried the Steakhouse resturant, but wasn't very impressed with that. The wait staff, bartenders, and the animacion team work very hard and do such a great job. If you tip them, they work even harder for you, which we gave small tips all week, even to the maids! The beaches were beautiful, and there were always plenty of lounge chairs and shade. I won't say this place is perfect, but I found very few negatives to mention. I can only say, that I hope you enjoy this tropical paradise, as much as I did! Don't forget to visit the Carribean Street festival, on Thursday night, its alot of fun.

We have just returned from a week at the Riu Bambu.Group of 14
Beach was great ,full sun or shade alot of palme trees
Pool could be bigger and cleaner
Rooms could use a face lift,A/C was noise hard to sleep
Dinning staff was ok after you tip them.
Food is under cooked most of the time,same food day in day out
This was my second time back.I have to say 7 years ago it was a 5 star today i would say 4 star at best
It needs a face lift (paint , new chairs,new beds and better showers and bathrooms closer to the beach also a beach bar.
Night shows the same as 7 years ago could be better.
Most staff were friendly.
Would not go back to the Riu Bambo,but love the beach

Dont go for goodness sake!! we have travelled all over the Dom Rep and for a four star plus platinum hotel this is terrible. If you do not believe me check out the photos....

Our Thomson Rep "Mark" was a complete drip, he was useless.... In the end we had to pay $540 each to move became one of the most expensive holidays we have had to date. Don't book here whatever you do, go next door to the Riu Palace and save yourself the heartache - Trust me!

The pool was filthy the food was terrible flies all over it - the plastic chairs and awful entertainment stage was dire... Lots of thefts reported also whilst we were there.

Our room stunk of rotton fish and damp, we have flies all over the windowsill. Dirty Curtains I could go on and on ......

If one person decides not to book then this posting would have been worth it!

Please listen to this review and make your choice - I did not listen to the previous reviews and paid the price - always trust the Americans they know a good hotel!!