Hi Helen and welcome to HT!

I'm so sorry to hear of your unpleasant experience, not what you want from a holiday

You can read Helen's review HERE.

Pippy

Well, my parents came back and told me the story.

They think that this virus was brought into the complex by some Purto Ricans that came for a basketball competition. They said it literally started a day after they arrived and started to go once they had left. My mum was put on a drip for a day but was better after about 2-3 days. It wasnt anything to do with the food, obviously you have to be sensible and not drink too much and make sure food is hot etc, and its not cleanliness as the resort is spotless. Thomsan sent letters saying it was a winter flu type bug which is not true, the doctor has written gastro enteristis on his paperwork. On the down side it cost my parents over £200 for treatment but they can claim that back from their travel insurance. On the plus isde they said it was definatly caused by the huge group of Purto Ricans that came to the hotel and it was hopefully a one off. My dad said the hotel couldn't have done more, they had enviromental health officers in to check the food and water and that was all fine.

I was very worried about having my wedding out there in November but I feel reassured now that it will be fine. phew!!!!

Thanks for the update Amy..

i've been waiting for you to post details of your parents trip since you said they were returning today.
My family and I travel out to the mambo a week on tuesday, and i've got young children.. so i was in a slight panic about what we were going to be greeted with once there!!

i'm so glad it seems to have passed, and that your parents holiday wasnt completely ruined. 3 sick days out of 14 isnt great, but i guess it could've been alot worse!

Good luck with the wedding etc. I'll be posting a review when we get back if you want to read it!!

tallulahJ

Further information on gastroenteritis can be found HERE.

Pippy

Hi

I have just come back from the Riu Mambo. My friend and I were meant to be staying at the Bachata but when we arrived on June 21st we were advised of the relocation due to illness!

We were absoloutly fine at the Mambo, we even ventured to the Bachata for a few drinks. Neither of us felt ill and we even saw Thomson conducting a welcoem meeting in the Bachata just a few days after we arrived?! We had an amazing time and have already booked to go back in November!

Enjoy your holiday! You will love it!

Nat. x

Hi Nat,
Were you brave enough to eat at the Bachata? I think we will steer clear of there for the first few days at least.
Lorraine

Hi there

No we didnt eat at the bachata, not because of the illness just because whilst we were up there we werent really hungry!

I think you have the right idea though just avoid going up that end for a few days, you wont even think about it when your there!

Enjoy.

Nat

We have booked for the end of August at the Bachata, seeing all the negative comments posted on this,and other sites regarding the Bachata I sent an E:Mail to Thomsons outlining my concerns regarding the problems at the Bachata.

I have just received a detailed reply in which they have acknowledged the problem, the cause is being put down to a viral condition, (im no doctor but could'nt this cover a multitude of sins ) the cases of sickness has now been greatly reduced, an independant hygene expert from the UK was sent out to supervise the investigation into the health problems.

It will be interesting to see future reviews about the Bachata.

I'm not convinced about it being the basketball kids personally; they arrived while I was there and although this is the time it became most prevalent, by talking to people at the doctors things started before that.

Post mainly to say though that there was an article about the hotel in the Daily Mail yesterday including about the solicitors who are representing people who got ill at the hotel - they're worth talking to. Link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=394601&in_page_id=1770

Has anyone heard of any sickness in the Riu Bachatta in the Dom Rep? Do you know if it has gone now (I think it was in June)?

I am due to go next week!

Thanks

*Edit. Merged with existing topic. Pippy*

Hi There,

Just returned from our 3rd visit to the Riu Bachata.
I have added a review but just a quickie to say that once again no-one suffered from sickness of any kind. Eveyone we went with and met was 100% healthy.......unless hangovers count!!!!!

Anyway had a fantastic time once again at this fab complex, any q's just let me know - i'm happy to help!!!

Thanks claireuk, that's good to know.
The other half and I are off to the Bachata for two weeks on the 13th June - I can't wait!!

I just checked this post to see any new news on the Bachata. For the record, when we stayed in the Merengue (July 06) we went along to the Bachata for breakfast and lunch. There were 29 of us and everybody was fine, not counting a poisenous toe!
Lorraine

Hello,
Me my wife and 2 lads aged 8 & 7 are planning on going to Riu Bachata on either 10th or 24th September 08 we normally go to Menorca but having priced it including spends we can book this for the same price. This will be the first time me and my wife have been to the Caribbean and want to make sure we get our moneys worth.

I have read alot of good reports on it but i would like to know a few additional things, Will the kids club and activities still be going even though kids will be back at school when we go? And does anybody know if there will be plenty of other kids around for them to be friends with?
And the one big question due to this also being our first all inclusive holiday will we spend a lot of extra money?

Thanks in advance
Spartak

Hi There

I have been to the Bachata 3 times over the past couple of years and always during term time (send me the fine......so what!!)
The kids club is much more laid back then in some other resorts and there are not that many structured activities. It's mainly an area for the kids to go and hang out whilst being supervised. There are several games and things to play in the kids club area. We first travelled there when my daughter was 11 so she was a little old for it and other people with smaller children might be able to comment better. However, there has always been plenty of kids there each time we have been and my daughter has been more than happy swimming and playing around the pool. There is a mini disco each night before the main show.

Money - the only thing you will spend your cash on here is excursions or watersports such as jet skis and parasailing. Everything else is included. We took less money each time and spent it on snacks from the shop (be prepared to pay more for these than you would at home). We did spend money on tipping ($1 bills) and obviously the charges to get into and out of the country. The last time we did not do any excursions and spent less than £200 over the 2 weeks.
You will have a great time, this is a fab hotel!! The only reason we are not going back this year is we are going to Mexico for a change. Would not hesitate to recommend it!
Any qs feel free to ask!

Hi Spartak

Just read your thread, and you've probably booked your holiday already considering its almost the end of May now, but my family and i have just booked our hols for Sept, and having stayed at the RIU Mambo (Bachata's sister hotel) a couple of years ago, was desperate to go back. BUT the only thing that stopped us booking something in the carribbean was the weather.. It is their rainy season from July through to end of September. You may be really lucky and get no rain, but i thought you should be warned that you may get alot of heavy rain too. When we were there in 2006, we went the beginning of August, and we got heavy rainstorms about twice every 3 days. It didnt ruin the day by any means, as its heavy downpour but only for about 15 or 20 mins, but its still rain all the same! I'm sure you will love the hotel, and the other 2 that you can visit (mambo & merengue). Its a beautiful resort and the island is gorgeous too. To be honest i'm very jealous and hope you have a fab time!!