Sol Turquesa Beach: Unique Resort!

Overall well maintained. Exceptions were the men's room in the main lobby (could use an overhaul). We had several partial rain days which affected the beach. Lots of debris natural (sea weed) but also cruise boat garbage. The hotel was slow in cleaning it up, which was a shame, as the beach itself featured beautiful white sand. All the pools were extraordinary. The Multiple levels were unique and well maintained. The setting is not typical. There is more indigenous landscaping than usual. Less p [... read more]alms, more natural plants resulting in more variety of birds. Accommodations good, typical rooms for the money. Clean and any requests taken care of immediately. Food is standard, could offer more variety but hearty meals. Bar is 24hrs. always can get a snack. Staff were extremely friendly, and when possible, often went out of their way to accommodate our requests. Our vacation was in mid-november at low season. Two adults and our 12 yr old son. We didn't take advantage of tours as we were only interested in the sun, surf and food. Other than some minor deficiencies, overall a great vacation. The staff were very efficient and helpful and overshadowed any of the deficiencies. I would not hesitate to recommend.

Riu Playa Blanca: Good resort

Great view 75% or more had a good view of ocean and pools, food was excellent good variety, most of the staff spoke English. Hotel was clean, we were greeted with drinks with Rum as soon as we got off the bus, The airport was 10 minutes away and very small, almost perfect, on the return trip we could not hear the person calling out the row numbers to board the plane . They need to invest in a PA system at the airport. On our excursion to the Panama canal it was good but we spent too much time on [... read more] the bus and not enough time at our actual destinations, Oh well so its not a perfect world . The shows at night were 90% Spanish, its to be expected being in Central America.

Riu Playa Blanca: Very nice resort

This is my very first review. We travelled in Nov (13-20) - the rainy season so we didn't have great weather. Rainy and overcast most of the 7 days. We still had a good time. We travel in a group of six so we were able to keep entertained when the weather was bad. The hotel was modern and most of the ladies would using the facilities would say that they decor was very nice (great pics of handsome men in the rest rooms) (Many women commented on this heehee :) They do not have may water sports. M [... read more]y husband is a diver and they wouldn’t go diving the second or third day we were there due to the tides, the next few days they wouldn't go because they only do shallow dives and the water was too churned up so visibility would be very low. He was extremely disappointed. They do not have windsurfing or sailboards - very few water sports. They are still new with the all-inclusive resorts in Panama so I suspect this will get better. The rooms were very nice and very clean. We had no issues. The in room bar was full, fridge was full. They only refill every second day but if you ran out of water, reception gave you what you needed. Rooms were completed early each morning although there was one day that the cleaner hadn’t been to our room by 2:30pm. I used the gym everyday - everything was in working order and there were multiples of the equipment so you didn't have to wait long for a machine. (Three treadmills) It was clean and tidy. I only coded the beach and pools as average but really - the pools were great - the beach was average. It was a lovely long walking beach but the water - when we were there- was all dark and murky due to the weather. We never swam in the ocean on this trip. The sand was marble - black volcanic sand and brown sand. It was pretty on some occasions – sometimes it just looked dirty. We were there in what they call low season – so there were plenty of chairs around the pools – mind you – we were at the pool early each morning (7am-ish) We didn't see people wandering looking for a place to sit. The food was good – basically, I was told to expect "Cuba" type foods - bland etc. We were all quite surprised and pleased. The only disappointment was that dessert was the same everyday even in the a la carte restaurants - no specialties. We were disappointed with the fact that the hotels catered to many local Panamanian people on weekends. Unfortunately – we struggled at the pool with them. There were multiple groups and each of them felt they had to compete with their music. The pool bar played music and three other groups thought theirs was better. It was quite annoying and very loud. On the Wed (our trip ended on Friday) there were approx. 900 people that came in for a reunion – they were not as loud as the Panamanian people were. One evening we were having dinner at the Steakhouse – after dark - and one group was still in the pool hooting and hollering while we were all trying to have a nice dinner (7-8pm). We struggled to get a late check out – you have to be out of your room by noon but your bus to the airport doesn’t leave till 3. They really need to plan better for those situations – we were finally able to get one but only after insisting. We were given 1:30pm. We took one excursion – to see the Panama Canal. It was a very long day – left at 4am and took 3 hrs with traffic to arrive at the boat. We arrived back at the resort about 5:30pm. To me it was exciting – I love the history of it all. To some others – it was boring and long. Bring some snacks – the breakfast they offer is terrible (bun with butter, banana and cut up pineapple – they call is continental – of course this is not how we know it!) Lunch was very good. They had lots of water and pop (soda). Recommendation: -- not sure if I would recommend anyone to go to the pacific side – I think I would go back but this time I would look for a resort on the Caribbean side. I would go back again in Nov – but you take the chance of the weather – the week before us – the temps were in the 40s and it was all sun. You never know. Overall we had a great trip – relaxing. This is what we were going for!

Riu Playa Blanca: Lovely resort

Everything was very clean and staff very friendly, only bad thing was the entertainment was terrible and the lack of things to do. Ideal location for just relaxing. Beach was not very good but you have to consider where we were.

Riu Bambu: Good value for money

Friendly staff, amazing food, and clean facilities. My only complain was the rooms were dated and definitely required some upkeep. Beach was beautiful and absolutely recommend the massages at their spa.

Riu Playa Blanca: Solid 3.5 star

Overall we had a great time st the resort. Some things to note; Rooms are big and very nicely decorated, if u plan on watching tv, there is only 2 English Chanel's, we didn't, so didn't care. Bars are great, with a lot of different options, they even make Canadian Caesars! Pools are spacious and nice, lots of availability of loungers and spots with shade. Beach is not white sand and the water is murky so not great for swimming, lots of jellyfish. we traveled during their Independence Day, so the [... read more] resort was absolutely packed with locals, and quite loud and crazy... Wouldn't recommend traveling there during this time (Nov 3). Good was decent, you won't starve, but not as good or as much variety as other Riu's we have stayed at. Would rate a 3.5. We have stayed at 4 stars that were much better. Was worth the money we paid.

Riu Ocho Rios: Fantastic Resort

Everything at this resort was great! Clean rooms, rest rooms, dining assortment, entertainment all day and night, lots of excursions to choose from. Front desk service good. All staff friendly and helpful always! Lots of laughs for sure. The only thing that went wrong was our flight at sunwing was delayed 5 hours so did not leave hotel until 10pm at night. Had to check out at noon so wish we could have extended our room so we could rest or sleep as we did not sleep on plane ride home so pretty t [... read more]ired with no sleep. Will definitely return one day to Jamaica as our first time here,

Riu Merengue: Beautiful Vacation

The rooms were very clean and kept clean throughout the stay. The weather was perfect. The beach was clean and beautiful. The red flag was up for the whole stay, but still enjoyed the waves hitting the beach. The bathroom in the rooms should be updated and a better/levelled bar fridge.

Riu Ocho Rios: Second Returnee

This was my second time here on a boys gateway. The food quality and variety was great. Drinks were exceptionally great and a wide variety including wray & nephew. The staff very friendly, grounds well kept. Rooms nice and well kept. Beach great and pool area was lively. Most likely to return

Riu Playa Blanca: Nice clean resort

Generally good.food was not the greatest but there was always something one could eat. Very clean. Staff friendly. Check in and out quick and efficient. Beach not the best, sand black and brown. Pools enjoyable. Entertainment okay.

Riu Palace Las Americas: wonderful vacation

I HAVE BEEN TO THIS RESORT 3 TIMES NOW AND EACH TIME IT GETS BETTER THE PEOLE OF THE RESORT ARE SO POLITE AND THE GROUND AND SURROUNDING AREA IS VERY CLEAN AND WELL KEPT THE FOOD IS GREAT AND SO IS THE ENTERTAINEMENT WAS WONDERFUL TOO GO BACK AGAIN YOU WERE ONLY A 25 MIN. DRIVE FROM THE AIRPORT AND ALSO CLOSE TO OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT

Riu Santa Fe: Great resort wonderful staff

We stayed at the Riu Santa Fe and we all had so much fun, such an energetic environment! We also did some excursions with cabo adventures what a fantastic company. They had great organization and and always made sure everyone was satisfied. I definite recommend their company.

Riu Naiboa: GREAT TIME WITH GREAT PEOPLE!

love the place the food was amazing and the installations of the resort were amazing. even tough the beach is around 10 minutes walk. is a nice walk and you can get to chat with people from other resorts.

Riu Ocho Rios: great

It was a beautiful resort with lots to do for you and your kids clean and good food with lots of nice people willing to help had a great time and would love to go back I liked the 24hrs bar was one of my favorites and a casino can't beat that

Riu Vallarta: Awesome resort environment

I enjoyed every thing about the resort. They out on a show every night and disco on site at the resort. The pool area was split in two sides where the kids pool on the right and adult pool with swim up bar to the left. The only thing lacking about the hotel in my opinion was there was no room service for food and the wifi was very bad in the rooms only worked in the lobby.

Riu Vallarta: Decent place. 3 stars not 4.

We were promised free WIFI when we booked but they end up providing some very poor WIFI that barely connects and they tell you that you need to pay an additional ~$100 for a weeks WIFI. We never ended up getting it. There is no real after-hours food other than some old hamburgers and nachos sitting outside in the 24 hour sports bar all night. No room service. Other than that the food was decent and the cleaning crew was very nice. Some of the other staff running the activities were friendly but  [... read more]many were incompetent or did not speak any English. One of the ladies running the daily Ping Pong tournament had no idea what she was doing. The nightlife promotors were decent but you can probably get a much better deal going on your own. Not many servers during the day - you have to get your own drinks most of the time.

Riu Playa Blanca: Nice hotel but too many children in adult pool

too many children in the adult swim up pool bar area--no one would control them-there should be an area for adults only--the evening enterainment was mediocre--the staff was very friendly, polite and helpful--our oceanfront room was clean and comfortable

Riu Playa Blanca: this hotel is good

first of all too many locals waiting in line for drinks to be served, also if you smoke like it do and many others their is only one place to smoke which is down towards the ocean.youy cant even smoke off your balcony for if you get caught its a $500.00 fine. would not recomend this to any one. also it is too hot theirs no place to cool down in the pools they are hotter than a bath tub. over all it was ok the food was good.the alla carts were never opened only one through the week.

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Wonderful holiday

We stayed at the Riu Bachata from Oct 27th 2015 for q week. Beautiful room, beach and pool area. Staff was very friendly and helpful. A LA carte restaurants were delicious, the buffet was good but a bit repetitive but you won't go hungry there is something for everyone. Only complaint was the vendetta who take over the lobby one day a week, yiu have to pass them to get into the buffet and they are relentless. The prices start out ridiculous 65 $ for two wooden masks we ended up paying 16$ for th [... read more]e two !!! There are sand fleas or midgies some people call then my husband is covered in bites I have none apparantly some people are allergic some are not I guess I am one of the lucky ones I have since read deet off or tea tree oil keep them away. Great vacation all in all. Oh and the nightly entertainment is pretty good too loved the Michael Jackson show.

Riu Vallarta: Great Resort!!

Buffet selection and quality was amazing. If you miss booking at the a la carte restaurants. You wont be disappointed to eat inthe buffet every day and night. It's that good. Clean room , great drinks and excellent beach