Riu Bambu - All Inclusive

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

4799 reviews

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  Don’t Believe the Negative Reviews!

  I am a 50+ man who has worked at Hilton and Marriott (Director of Marketing). Over the years, I have stayed at hotels ranging from Red Roof Inn to JW Marriott & Ritz Carlton. In the past 3 years I have stayed at All-Inclusive resorts in the Caribbean that carry the Hilton and Marriott brand names. With that said, I seriously don’t understand all of the negative reviews for Rio Bambu. I am here now (3rd day). I’ve had good dining experiences (both Specialty & buffet). I had a great steak cooked exactly how I asked (medium) last night along with a decent red wine. The buffet lunch I had exceeded expectations. The only disappoint was the pizza , which didn’t have any flavor and crust was not cooked enough. My made-to-order omelette yesterday and fried plantain was delicious. The two Rui parties (Friday Pink Party & Saturday Neon Party) were both lit, even for an old dude like me. Regarding my room, I was expecting an old, out-dated room but my room was renovated, clean, and had a comfy king bed. Only complaint is the tv, which had fuzzy reception, like some of the reviews stated. But I did not come here to watch tv. The drinks, while served with lesser-proof alcohol (probably a good think considering the level of drunkenness I witnessed), is probably a good thing. Just ask your bartender to add more alcohol, if you want a stronger drink. So to wrap it up, don’t believe all of the negative reviews; not sure what’s behind that because it’s ridiculous! I’m not saying this is the best AI resort at which I’ve stayed. But the value you get for $170/night is strong. I’m used to paying $350 MINIMUM per night.

  Apr 27, 2025
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  2nd Visit

  I took my son for a second trip to the Riu Bamboo for Spring Break. It's really one of the easiest destinations for a short trip to the Caribbean. We stayed for a week. The Riu Bamboo is a very family friendly place, plenty of pools and a great beach. You can find the tour operators every day near the stage, we did a trip to Santo Domingo to see the sights for a day and a beach buggy, cenote swim on another day. The room could use an upgrade. Closet and drawer doors may not open/ close and you can see some wear and tear. The housekeeping staff is excellent! They go above and beyond to clean and make your room look great every single day. The rest of the staff is great too: Bartenders, servers, entertainers, they always have a smile for you and make you feel welcome.

  Apr 26, 2025
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  MyBday2025

  JUST DON"T STAY HERE. IT IS a Terrible hotel. The worst. I don't even know where to start. This Hotel was one of the worst places, I have stayed in my entire life and I have traveled to many places in the world ( France, Italy, Mexico, croatia, the Caribbean, Africa). The buildings are very old, the rooms outdated and with a lot of problems with the infractures ( like water leaking from the sink/shower/slow shower pressure etc.) The service was terrible every where in the entire hotel. The restaurants had the same food every night and nothing typical and the people working were not very nice or friendly at all. they all seemed to me annoyed when questions are asked. The front desk were not helpful at all when I complained about the room, I was offered a change to another room but much smaller and further from the beach/restaurant area. As for the aemmeties, the same applies they did not do the room on its totality and I had to constantly ask them for things like towels. The bars/bartenders also looked upset and at times very rude. It is worth mentioning that the alcohol was very low and cheap quality. The Gym if you can all it a GYM was very simply, tiny and just not a gym with much equipment. The daily entertainment like classes such as yoya, zumba were all also mediocre and very short, like 20-30 minutes. The instructors had no experience, but what is worst they had a negative vibe. Who teaches a yoga class with that attitude. The beach area was always very busy and they allowed people to save their chairs for hours even if they are not seating there. At no point we had anyone come to see if needed a drink or any help moving chairs around. The only pretty or nice thing is the hotel green, palm tree area and of course I guess they are known for the night party which attracts people from other hotels with a entrance fee to get in. Note: I was unable to upload a video showing all the water running from the shower/sink into the room. Not sure if this platform allowed but it was bad I had water all the time in the room

  Apr 26, 2025
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  4 Star Trip in a 3 Star Hotel

  Family trip with 15. Lots of fun and great for the kids with the splash park and mini one for littles. Kids shows were such fun for them. Every night they would say, "We gotta go to the show!!" Pools are great and the party pool / bar is beside but separate from the one the kids could use. Pools open 24/7 ! They alternate shutting one down at a time to clean. The beach is not cleaned of seaweed like it used to be. As with all resorts chairs are plentiful but occupied early. Shaded areas at the beach work and later in the day we'd grab pool chairs. Salt water pools and showers to rinse from the beach. No beach service tho but you get what you pay for. Bar servers are not friendly unless you speak spanish, even with tipping, but hotel staff and dining staff are great! Checkin/out easy. Rebuilt according to their website in 2017 only meant the reception/restaurants and pools. Rooms are behind and need updating. Only showers no tubs. A bit confusing finding rooms even with signage. Son's room's A/C didn't work right even when staff 'fixed' it. Cleaning staff excellent and accommodating. Restaurants great and buffet. Food excellent. Chili's not air conditioned but was it broken?? (We did get a great deal for the trip tho' and sun/sand and palm trees are worth it !)

  Apr 25, 2025
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  W and R

  Great vacation, great service. Very clean. Very helpful staff. No problems with AC, water and other stuff.

  Apr 24, 2025