The Riu Palace Macao was outstanding. It has just been remodeled so EVERYTHING was spectacular! We asked for a room upgrade (when we arrived) and were shown the room BEFORE we agreed - The room was the finest, view of the pool and beach and a very large balcony. The food at all the restaurants were well, I took pics of the food tables, I NEVER imagined doing THAT but that's how they presented their meals. Every evening was something different and unique.The staff from house keeping, to the pool bartenders were "the best." Two complaints - the door knob was in the middle of the door and we had only one room key. We managed. LOL

... although it was not easy in the beginning.

But let me stay in the right order. I have already been to this hotel 8 years ago. All of you now reading this should have noted by now that this is a mid 1990's building, which has been completely refurbished in 2012. With "completely" I mean what I say: Nearly no stone remained untouched (if some only by a brush giving them a different brighter color). A once for my taste quite appropriate colonial style hotel with much beautiful dark wood under palm trees has now been updated to a trendy and modern white - glass - marble look. I guess that this is what Riu-group is currently undertaking to undergo in some more of their hotels. ok, I may be old fashioned, but to be honest: I was shocked when entering the rooms. All white, an admittedly big bathroom/shower, but separated by cold looking glass bricks ... brrrr !! After some days I got more used to it, but to be honest, I liked the old look more. But others might think completely different.

What pleased me during the following days of my stay was the fact that fortunately not many other good things I had experienced eight years before had changed. First of all all staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Example: It was not even a problem to get a technician at 1.30 am (!) to have a look at our rattling air condition (which was in fact caused by our own carelessness not closing the balcony sliding door properly, so the magnet switch operating the air condition did not connect and lead to - audible - misfunctions). For business purposes and - I am honest enough - private enjoyment I need constant internet access. The WiFi network of the hotel works reliable and well all over the hotel & room and - to my great amazement - was even available on the beach ! The beach fortunately has not changed and for me still is the best piece of coast in Punta Cana, and I know the major part of it. I especially like the dense palm tree forest, which does not make any kind of additional sunscreen necessary. So that all brought me to peace with the change in optics above.

Some admittedly minor remarks, more pointed at the hotel management (hope they do read here ?) than a real heavy point of criticism: The food in the restaurants is very multifaceted, but the wines in the restaurants have not changed :-( They are still as unswallowable as eight years ago. I obviously understand that Riu cannot offer Lafiite-Rothschild on all-in terms, but reading that the bottles were Italian and Spanish table wines bottled exclusively for Riu group, I cannot understand where they do get such miserable quality nowadays. Maybe Riu should speak to their wine procurement agents, there must be better quality available at no higher price. The fact that I watched waiters joining bottles of different origin does not help the case either ... :-) The bars are excellent, but the Caipirinha tasted considerably fresher and fruitier at the bar of the Riu Bambu ... the Macao Caipi is somewhat sour and murky. A last word on the option to lose some of the calories gained from eating and drinking as outlined above: The Fitness facilities. There is a gym on Caribbean Street, which is a joke. Run down and badly equipped. Only after some days after arrival I learned that Macao guests were allowed to use the gym at the Palace Bavaro. Unfortunately this is much too small for the Bavaro, let alone being used in addition by Macao guests. In addition it had the atmosphere of a gambling joint, four (!) TVs running at full volume with four different programs. There is room for improvement.

Secret final tip: Go for lunch to the beachside "Krystal" a-la-carte restaurant. They have opened on most of the days during lunchtime with no reservation needed. By the way, they do not tell you this at reception either ...

All in all this remains to be my favorite Riu hotel in probably the most beautiful part of the Costa Coco ... will come again. :-)

We just returned after 2 great weeks. Everything was excellant. The refurbished rooms are nice and clean. The housekeeping staff do a wonderful job. The animation team are fun and they are not too pushy. If you say no they move on.The bar service around the pool was a nice treat. Salvadore is the best. He was very pleasant and remembered what you liked.He got many a tip from us because of this. The lunch buffet next to the pool had a large variety of food available. There were also sandwiches and fruit and salads and nachos available at the capuchinno bar. The main buffet is very good. Many choices every night. There is no reason to go hungry. Juan Pablo and Eusabio in the buffet dining room were amazing. They both are very good at what they do.We went for a relaxing trip and that is what we got. We did not see many of the shows because we were up at 7 every day and by the time the shows started at 10 pm we were too tired to stay up. The casino is very small with some older slot machines and table games. We both said that it was nice to be at an adults only and there were no vendors hasseling you. We defintely will be back in the near future.

After staying at the RIU Palace Cancun in August, we were expecting the same Riu experience in Punta Cana. Not even close. If you are looking for a beach only vacation, Punta Cana might be your destination, there is practically nothing else to do and nowhere else to go. The RIU Palace Macao is a nicely renovated hotel with clean and comfortable rooms. Ocean view rooms, you only have a partial view since it is a low rise hotel with lots of palm trees on the beach, so you actually don t get a clear view of the ocean. Staff was very friendly and even sometimes the entertainment staff too friendly with the mostly european tourists at Punta Cana.with lots of hugging and kissing probably uncomfortable for many. Food was excellent and up to RIU standards. Drinks were fine since we only had some cocktails and their local Mamma Juana shots. Entertainment and entertainment staff was dissapointing, they have this small very silly jerky dance routine that they keep doing everywhere and at all time. Shows put on are poor. Music at the pool was constantly interrupted with little music, so the ambiance was very boring, and if you travel in november, expect a lot of rain. Hotel is fine, but Punta Cana is a once only experience.