Hotel Riu Republica — Hotel in Higüey

We stayed at the Riu Republica from Jan 6-13, 2025. The weather was fantastic and the location to the breach also great as well as the many palm trees and the landscape - well maintained. I have read so many bad reviews of this place before we left, I wanted to cancel before, but we decided to give it a shot. Check-in went well with a helpful staff who tried to accommodate us. However, some of the front desk staff needs more training on how to be courteous and professional to every guest. The ROOM - was good - I have included pictures, so no mold as we expected - however, the smell of the room and hallways were bad. I brought a lot of Lysol and cleaned the entire room and bathroom + shower before we unpacked - it took the smell away from the room, however, there needs to be more ventilation and lighting in the hallway on the third floor during the day, as it's too dark for anyone. Also PLEASE INSTALL VENTS IN THE WASHROOM - it will help to eliminate the smell and humidity after each shower. Our shower leaked - which I fixed by unscrewing the shower head and screwing it back on, as I am still waiting for maintenance to show up. FOOD: There was always a great selection for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the menu was varied each day for the buffet - so something for everyone (vegetarian, non-red meat plus red meat). The a la carte - was poor - so we ate at the buffet every day after the first day of trying the a la carte. PLEASE LABEL THE FOODS THAT IS BEING SERVED. Since the staff does not speak English, it's difficult to know which ones are veg, red meat or not or what's in it for allergies. Your staff should know basic English like water, tea, hot water, and the food that they are serving. We didn't use the pool, as I love the ocean too much and not a fan of chlorine. The OCEAN: There should be a sign or warning to indicate that swimming is not possible due to the dangerous waves and the pull back into the ocean. I was picked up by a giant wave and tossed twice over towards shore where I hit my shoulder and sprained it (swelling) going away slowly, before being pulled back out to the ocean. Needless to say, I got heat stroke as I couldn't wear our hat in the water and the water pressure from that experience did a number on my ear drums. The staff at this place cannot make a proper margarita, pina colada or any drink - even virgin - they need to be trained. SAONA ISLAND TOUR: DO NOT BE PERSUADED TO TAKE THIS TOUR - IT'S OVER PRICED, SPENT 6 HOURS TO GET TO THE ISLAND, NO FOOD OR PROPER DRINK ON THE BOAT, except for the items that I packed. The FOOD AT THE ISLAND IS LIKE BEING IN A POVERTY STRICKEN COUNTRY - IT'S GROSS AND UNEDIBLE, THE WASHROOM IS DISGUSTING. The picture shows a beautiful beach - which is polluted with the speed boats - we came back with rashes and hives and have been sick since we left that Island. The native people are very pushy and the tour guide needs to be trained on how to be inclusive to everyone and don't lie to the tourist. If you decide to go, pack drinks and your food and eat breakfast since they pick you up at 7 - however, breakfast area is open - we didn't eat before leaving for the tour. PLEASE NOTIFY EACH GUEST THAT THE KEY CARD IN THE ROOM CONTROLS THE POWER AND THAT IT GOES OFF WITHOUT WARNING. WE CAME BACK TO OUR ROOM IN DARKNESS AFTER THIS HORRIBLE TRIP - SO WAS A BAD END TO THE DAY - WITH A RUDE PERSON AT THE FRONT DESK, WHO COULDN'T BE BOTHERED TO EXPLAINED THAT THE POWER TO THE ROOM IS OPERATED BY THE KEY ON THE WALL. The purpose of our trip was a little get away, as we did not manage a vacation for a few years. However, I will say that we will never return to the Dominican because of our experience here. So good luck to all of you out there. The grilled chicken served close to the beach is great when done well - so try it out. There was always food or we took snacks up to our room in case we got hungry at night, but never needed it.

ALSO THE STAFF HERE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO SMILE OR GREET YOU PROPERLY- there were a few staff in the dining area that was...

I will review everything and honestly. First I would like to say that overall, all things considered, you get what you pay for. This is a party resort, and it’s lower cost for a reason.

Rooms: my room was 2nd floor facing the outside property line in the “quiet” part. The view was mediocre for this cost and a let down. The room itself, there was water damage along the glass wall that separated the shower and the living room. There was water damage in multiple places actually. The rooms need a renovation, but as long as you do your research and know what you are in for, you will know this resort is “fine”. There was some bugs in our room, but I am not Someone who will beg and plead to be moved when I can just deal with it myself lol. It had the in room minibar, a plus. TV service was spotty. Ceiling fan was metal and squealed due to the rusting from the years of humidity. The wireless access point was hanging down from the ceiling. The couch was badly worn down and I wanted nothing to do with it. Again, all things you should think of when buying, if these are not important enough, then it’s a good place for you. If you are picky and wanted luxury, not a place for you and it’s not a five or four star.

Food: The food was “fine”. Nothing here was something to write home about. However, I was never super disappointed beyond repair; the food was good and served its purpose but the restaurants some need to rethink their purpose. The Italian restaurant was hardly that and was the biggest letdown. I wish I did not go. The buffet, breakfast, lunch was fine. The best dinner was ole the Spanish restaurant and the steakhouse, just don't expect anything exquisite, you are in the wrong place and we are not picky eaters and found it to be “fine”

Grounds: They really need to hire more people who clean the grounds. We walked around at 6AM and all the way to 2AM and let me tell you, the place was messy. Empty cups, empty cigarette boxes, the swim up pools had cups and junk on their tables, the loungers had trash or food or drink cups on them. It looked as if it was abandoned from being cleaned once the crews shift was up: this continued the whole five days we have been here. They do a good job however on grass, decor/lawn care. The areas in the walkways of the buildings were sloppy too. Hire more people for cleaning and tiding up but again, do your research and know what you are getting into. If you do, you will know what you are paying for and will not be disappointed. This is not more than a 3.5 star location, that has its high perks but the lows outweigh it all. The cleanliness of the grounds I found really turned me off. Garbage cans throughout with food plates, empty glasses and more piled on top and I saw this from early AM and still even into the late night.

Service: they want to make you happy and that is good. However, I don't know if once you put your “do not disturb” sign up they ignore you the rest of the day or what. I made that mistake once, but after that using the RIU app three more times I requested things that said it was “open” 24 hours but then the details said more like open until 10pm. My requests for extra pillows, blankets was unfulfilled until I went to the desk myself not via the app. My request for beer said it was completed yet no one visited my room.

Drinks: drinks were fine, but I found the flavors of each of the same drinks varied from bartender to bartender, but I was fine with the drinks. They have many bars to serve you.

Overall: I sent them an email saying I was coming and wanted to give them a good review. I have visited RIU aruba (fantastic). RIU nassau (good) riu jamaica (solid) and now here. The excursions I booked are the only reason my trip was spectacular. This hotel is 3.5 on its best days. I will not come back. If you want cheap value and are younger crowd, it’s for you. But I think they know that and don’t staff accordingly. The RIU puts out a great entertainment system for folks of all ages! You get what you pay for though. Never saw...

Honestly a pretty mid-hotel. Nothing spectacular and nothing even close to a 5* or even a 4* closer to a 3.5*

Rooms: I had to replace my keycard 11 times during my stay, many times I would walk to my room (on the other side of the resort) and be forced to walk back cause my keycard wasn’t working. This got to be a running joke in the group cause it was so bad. They mentioned it was likely due to my iPhone magnets, but we tested other rooms and it was perfectly fine. Rooms also smelled like mold and always have toilet troubles (luckily I know how to fix a toilet) I ran out of hand soap and conditioner 3 days in and it took 3 days for house cleaning to refill it.

Service: this is where I was HIGHLY disappointed. It only received a 2 star cause of my service in the buffet was incredible (only cause it was the same server days 3-7 after finding someone who actually wanted to have fun and stand out) service at the Al Carte was extremely poor. Greggord at the Spanish restaurant was EXTREMELY rude and made our dinner a terrible experience. His rude demeanour and lack of understanding that seeing half the restaurant empty and being told “30-45 minutes” was very confusing. Wouldn’t let us wait in the lobby and even closed the blinds so we couldn’t see in. When he took our order he said 4 words “food. Drink. Medium (steak temp) and you” we even attempted food at the Italian place and was again told 30-45 minute wait for an half EMPTY place. Half the buffet was gone and not being restocked (hour and a half before close) and we NEVER even had our “menu” items ordered. Just had to eat what was left in the buffet.

Drinks: you can only get basic drinks at all buffet/restaurants. No mixed drinks or slush drinks. This led to extreme bloat after drinking mimosas during all meals. Bar staff were also overwhelmed by the amount of people at time. Causing them to miss orders and make people wait 20+ minutes. I even had a gentleman named Felix give me 3 drinks with NO alcohol… I asked him kindly after if I could have some rum in my drink and he said “no, no time”

Food: if it wasn’t for the jerk chicken shack, the food here was extremely bland. I ended up just making sandwiches as the buffet items were either super dry (anything chicken was extremely dry) beef steaks were okay and actually cooked medium most times. Fruit was plentiful and tasted fresh. Lots of small bites for deserts. Couldn’t find anything at the buffet I was like “ooo, I’m having that EVERY day”

Entertainment: this is where it received its first 4*, the RIU parties were fun. It was a bit of a gong show getting there and getting back…. But the pink party was a highlight for the trip. White parties were fun as well. Unfortunately our beach party was cancelled due to high winds. Not something they can control. Cherries (night club) was fun but EXTREMELY loud and soooooooo much smoke from smokers.

Sports Bar: Idk if I would call this a sports bar, there was 2/7 TV’s that had actual sports on them… and they were all replays and not live games. Not to mention they had ZERO hockey channels available, which is super surprising as this place was backed with people from North America. Food was VERY bland but was edible enough for being the 24/7 food/drink spot.

Beach: beach was nice, LOTS AND LOTS of chairs. Didn’t need to get there early and leave a towel to reserve chairs. Could walk to the beach whenever and find chairs (maybe not the front.. but was chairs available) Jerk Chicken shack was 10/10. Best food on the resort hands down. Line up showed.

Overall, I was a bit surprised for this being a RIU resort. Felt like a knock off RIU. Poor service, mediocre food and staff that just felt like they didn’t care to entertain.

Not a place I would return on...