⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We are now sadly just getting ready to leave from an absolutely fantastic stay at Riu Republica in Punta Cana, and I honestly wanted to share our experience because, after reading some of the reviews online before travelling, I did start to wonder whether we had made a huge mistake booking this hotel. Looking back now, I can honestly say that all that worrying was completely unnecessary!
Yes, the hotel has a few bits and bobs that could do with some attention, but absolutely nothing that affected our holiday or stopped us having the most amazing time. Our room was clean, comfortable and tidied every single day. Housekeeping came in daily, with fresh bedding and towels, and you could genuinely smell the bleach and cleaning products, which reassured us that cleanliness was being taken seriously.
The grounds are absolutely vast, with beautiful, well-kept gardens and plenty of space to find your own little spot. One of my favourite things was simply lying underneath a palm tree in the glorious Dominican heat — absolute perfection!
And here’s a BIG bonus that deserves mentioning… THERE ARE NO SUNBED WARS! No getting up at stupid o’clock to throw a towel over a sunbed. There were always plenty of places to choose from, which made pool days so much more relaxed!
A very special mention HAS to go to the wonderful waiters at Mangu Restaurant — Matius, Miguelo and Daniel. These three gentlemen deserve to be recognised. They were incredibly kind, welcoming and hospitable and made every visit to the restaurant something to look forward to. They were always smiling, laughing and having fun with us, while still providing fantastic service. They made our dining experiences relaxed, enjoyable and genuinely memorable. People like this are what make a holiday special, and we really hope the hotel recognises what a fantastic job they do.
The entertainment team also deserve a huge mention. There was always something going on, whether it was at the Latin Theatre or the Garden Theatre, and the atmosphere was brilliant. The great thing about Riu Republica is that you really can make your holiday whatever you want it to be. If you want to party, you absolutely can. If you want to relax around the pool or on the beach, you can do that too. It really is suitable for people of all ages.
And yes… if you’re unlucky enough to be near the route back from the club, you might hear some people coming in at 4am and being a little louder than they should be! But let’s be honest, that’s no different from being back home when the pubs kick out. You’re staying at a lively, adults-only party resort — a bit of noise is part of the atmosphere!
The trips are another story altogether. If you’re staying here, DO NOT miss Saona Island and Coco Bongo. They were absolute highlights of our holiday and created memories that will genuinely last a lifetime.
And a HUGE thank you to Danny Boy, our guide on Saona Island. What an amazing gent! He was brilliant from start to finish, full of personality, helpful, funny and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Danny Boy, you were a legend and definitely helped make Saona one of the highlights of our trip!
Tipping isn’t expected around the hotel, but it is very much appreciated, and we were more than happy to tip the staff who went above and beyond for us.
So, to anyone reading the reviews before booking and worrying that you’ve made the wrong choice — DON’T! Go with an open mind, enjoy the Dominican sunshine, embrace the atmosphere and make your own memories.
We have honestly had the BEST holiday and would return in a heartbeat.
Thank you to all the wonderful staff at Riu Republica, especially Matius, Miguelo, Daniel, Danny Boy and the fantastic entertainment team, for helping make our holiday so memorable.
Until next time, Dominican Republic… 🇩🇴🌴☀️🍹
Five stars from us — and memories that will last a lifetime! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
