Dominican Republic is a country in which the sun always shines, and the thermometer column stably keeps at around 28-29 ° C even in winter in the northern regions. Therefore, its resorts are so popular among travelers. And the Dominican Republic is rich in luxury resort hotels. And one of those is Riu Merengue 5 *. Here I would like to talk about it in more detail.
general information
Club Hotel Riu Merengue 5 *, which has 24-hour all-inclusive service, is located in the resort of Puerto Plata. This is the northern province of the Dominican Republic, which only from the end of the 90s began to develop as a tourist center. Here, amazing nature, green dense forests, stunning mountains and, of course, picturesque beaches. The presence of a place where you can sunbathe and swim is most important for a tourist. Therefore, it should be noted that the hotel has its own beach. Palm trees grow right on it, under which many tourists like to relax in the shade.
It is also worth noting that Merengue, together with the nearby Riu Bachata Hotel, forms a single stylish resort complex. And - most importantly - guests of one hotel can use the services and infrastructure of another.
About service
So, directly in Riu Merengue 5 * there is free Wi-Fi and private car parking, concierge and messenger services, laundry with dry cleaning, a beauty salon with a hairdresser, a boutique and shops, a 24-hour reception and a storage room. For an additional fee, you can visit the Internet room with computers if you do not have a laptop with you. But that is not all. It is also worth knowing that in Riu Merengue 5 * they provide wedding services.
You can also note by attention what services Riu Bachata has, once guests staying at Merengue can use them. There is a car rental service, a playroom for children and a mini club. However, baby care is also provided at Merengue.
Leisure activities
Riu Merengue 5 * has a professional animation team that organizes an interesting entertainment program not only for adults, but also for children. The smallest will definitely enjoy the RiuLand club while their parents have fun. By the way, 6 days a week a Pacha disco is organized here (admission is free). If you wish, you can go to the casino "El Millon", located in the neighboring hotel.
Also at ClubHotel Riu Merengue 5 * there is a gym and fitness center, a billiard room, three professional floodlit courts. There are several pools. By the way, there are introductory diving lessons. The first is free.
On the beach you can play volleyball, windsurf, kayak, board or pedalos, snorkel. Also, while relaxing at the hotel, you can play golf on a professional 18-hole course. Or go horse riding. In general, you definitely will not be bored here.
health and beauty
On the territory of Riu Merengue 5 * (Dominican Republic) there is an excellent SPA-center with a health center. Here, guests are offered a wide range of body, face and hair care procedures, a full list of which can be found upon arrival.
It should be noted that there are magnificent massages. A variety of types are offered. For example, a restorative massage of the shoulders, neck, back and collar zone. Or combined, popular due to its versatility. Swedish and therapeutic aroma massages are also done here. Reflexology, lymphatic drainage, shiatsu, stone therapy can also be tried here. Not to mention healing and deep muscle massage. By the way, even here they make lomi-lomi (Hawaiian technology). And a four-hand massage.
There are many procedures for the face and body. Deep cleansing, skin restoration, mud and chocolate wraps, thalasso masks are just a small list of services. And, of course, here you can go for peeling, hair removal, manicure, pedicure, haircut or makeup. A sauna and steam bath are also available.
Bars and Restaurants
On the territory of Riu Merengue 5 * (Puerto-Plata) there are several excellent establishments where they are deliciously fed and treated with quality drinks. Take, for example, the restaurant La Roca. International cuisine is available there. Like in Los Almendros. But Italian delights can be tasted in the institution, which is called the Italian Restaurant. And there is also a steak house, based on the name of which it becomes clear that they cook an excellent grill and barbecue. By the way, even in restaurants they organize demonstration cooking.
Guests about refreshments
Reviews about how deliciously they feed in institutions are described in detail by the reviews left about staying in Riu Merengue 5 *. Guests assure - everything is fresh, high-quality and varied. European breakfasts - there are eggs in various forms (fried eggs, fried eggs, omelets), fried bacon and sausages, pancakes, pancakes, cereals, granola, crispy toasts and yoghurts. For lunch and dinner, many different dishes are served. There are soups, seafood, meat, poultry, fish, sometimes even served baked pig, hamburgers and hot dogs. Of course, there are a variety of vegetables, potatoes, spaghetti, sushi, pizza and rice.
Fruits are also abundant - from mangoes and papaya to grapefruits and melons. A lot of sweets - jelly, buns, puddings, ice cream, corn chips with sauces and Mexican snacks. Freshly squeezed juices from watermelon, melon, passion fruit, papaya, pineapple, orange and mix are also served. Kvass, lemonade, coffee, wine, beer - all this is also available. Anyway, there are a lot of drinks. Both non-alcoholic and strong. Bartenders know a lot of recipes, so, as tourists assure, you can ask to make any cocktail, and it will be served.
About apartments
Riu Merengue 5 * (Puerto Plata) has a fund that has just under 550 rooms of various categories. And it’s worth starting with the most economical options. That is, with 2-local standards.
The bright apartments, decorated in an interesting style, have a large 2-double bed, wide-screen “plasma”, a wardrobe, a ceiling fan, a minibar, a dispenser for strong drinks, as well as a safe, telephone and air conditioning. It also has a private balcony. Or a terrace (depending on which floor the room is on).
The autumn price of a weekly stay in such a room will be only 50,000 rubles. An all-inclusive night for two people costs about 100 euros. And in spring and summer, especially if you book in advance, it will come out even a little cheaper. That's because the hotel is quite large, there are many rooms. Because in other hotel complexes the fund is smaller, which is why early booking is more expensive - you have to overpay for the opportunity to be 100% sure of the planned vacation.
By the way, it is worth considering that the same apartments, but with sea views, will cost 18 thousand rubles. more expensive.
Other options
Hotel Riu Merengue 5 * still has junior suites and suites. In addition to the previously mentioned amenities and conditions, these apartments also have their own characteristics. So, for example, a bidet is installed in the junior suite bathroom. And the space is divided into a bedroom and a living room, in each of which - on a separate TV.
Suite in terms of conditions is similar. Only it is more spacious. If the area of the junior suite is 45 square meters. m., then it has a space of 50 square meters. m. And there is access to a furnished terrace or balcony. By the way, in apartments of all categories there are elite hygiene items (shampoos, shower gels, lotions, liquid soap, etc.).
On average, a night in “suites” costs 250 euros (per week - about 1780 cu).
Important Nuances
In Riu Merengue 5 * (Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata), guests can be offered connecting rooms. They are provided depending on the availability of free options, so if tourists know in advance that they need such apartments, then it is better to stipulate this nuance in your reservation request. Or call the property. Agreeing directly will be faster. The hotel also has apartments that are fully adapted to the requirements of guests with disabilities.
Also, if you want to visit massage rooms in the SPA salon, you need to reserve this service in advance. Since it is very popular here, and there are many who wish.
Check-in here starts at 15:00, but if guests arrived earlier and their room is free, they will be issued immediately. Eviction lasts until noon. But, as indicated in the descriptions, a late departure is also possible, but this must be agreed upon.
About staff
As the reviews left about rest in Riu Merengue 5 * (Dominican Republic) show , excellent staff works here. They greet the guests with some pleasant treats (for example, watermelon juice), and then they populate them immediately, since there are usually free apartments. Hand over an envelope with a map of the complex, the keys to the room and safe, as well as cards on beach towels and stickers for luggage. If you say a few nice words to the staff in their native Spanish, you can even make friends with the staff (that the tourist, if necessary, plays into the hands).
Animators are well done, as every person claims to go here not only for relaxation, but also for entertainment. The events are arranged funny and interesting, but no one is invited to participate.
Maids also do their work conscientiously. Cleaning, linen and towels are changed daily. Drinks in the minibar are constantly replenished. And they are free (after all, "all inclusive"). They also monitor the cleanliness of the territory well. And here it is huge and green. By the way, this is another plus. Guests say that there is where to go for a walk.
And in restaurants smart and polite waiters work. Which immediately clean the dirty dishes, she does not have time to free herself from food. And the tables are always served perfectly. In general, to find fault is difficult.
General conclusions
In general, as people who have been vacationing here say, the hotel is perfect for a fruitful, eventful vacation. In addition, for a modest amount. For the Dominican Republic, the above-mentioned rates are really small, given that the hotel serves all-inclusive.
And the hotel takes a good place. From here you can go on the most interesting excursions. For example, on the Samana Peninsula, where you can watch a variety of whales. Even humpbacked, but this is from January to March. You can go to the cold waterfalls, jump from a height into the crystal clear water and enjoy the scenery. Or go on a sightseeing tour of Puerto Plata. In general, tourists are advised not to forget about the cultural program while in the Dominican Republic. There is also something to see.
By the way, more experienced tourists recommend taking slippers for the sea with them. The sunset here is not very convenient, sharp. In addition, sometimes you can stumble upon sea urchins, and this, to put it mildly, is very unpleasant.
In general, it is worth going here. And do not abandon this idea because of the long flight, which takes almost 12 hours. As many people who doubted precisely for this reason claim, a vacation is worth it.