goin to bachata end of sept, abit worried read conflicting reviews on sickness there, anyone been recently?

Jags - by the sound of things, the Bachata is now back up and running smoothly again.

Haven't stayed there recently, but did stay there last year. One of the best hotels I've stayed in, Caribbean wise. Spotless, good entertainment, good pools - lovely. Even an all-inclusive 4 bottle gantry mini-bar in the room too! Bottles are mixed, but you can request changes - this is re-stocked every two days - also includes bottles of beer and soft drinks in the fridge too.

Rooms always cleaned regularly, food lovely and you have access to the other two connected Riu Hotels too, although not for evening meals.

Hope this helps? Certainly somewhere I'd visit again, that's for sure.

thanx jaybee,looking forward to hols never been to caribbean before. so heres hoping all is ok out there.

Check out other threads on this board about RIU's at Bahia Maimon/ Puerto Plata: Bachata, Merengue & Mambo.

Lots of up-to-date info on the illness that closed the place - now back to normal. A few people are getting ill but no more than other hot, tropical climates and not attributable to "The Virus".

Don't worry - enjoy.

Went to Dom Rep a few years ago and the hotel manager gave us some info on the old "dicky tummy" thing that seems to go round on tropical holidays. Food, Drink, Ice - didn't blame any of them. One of the main causes is eating lots of fruit (a known laxative!). How often do we eat pineapple, mango etc for breakfast/lunch/dinner? Not that often for sure. Another problem is people will eat lunch (chicken) then lie in the sun. The chicken begins to heat up again (see where it's going?) and breeds bacteria in your stomach. Stay out the sun for an hour or so after eating and see if it makes a difference. Also, drink plenty of water - dehydration doesn't help matters. Would come as a major surprise to folk if they hear just how much water you need to drink on a daily basis in a hot climate - it's several litres (not taking alcohol recovery into account!).

Good God - sounds like I'm preaching!!!!!

Its all good advice - thanks! Im off to the bachata in a couple of weeks. With all the threads that talk about the virus and people getting ill etc its actually distracted me from looking forward to the holiday! Think im going to take plenty of tablets etc, be sensible and just have a good time - the place seems to be back in order now anyway

Should never let reviews put you off. Don't forget, it's generally when people have a complaint that they look for somewhere to voice it! When folk are happy, they just stay happy. Bachata one of the best hotels I've been in. You also have (well, you did 12 months ago!) access to the other three Riu Hotels - they're basically connected. Bachata appeared to be best of the three. Lovely meals, rooms and hotel estate always immaculate - couldn't have been much better. Bars open 'til 12, with a nightlcub on the beach open 'til 2/3 am, so plenty to do. Entertainment excellent - check all three hotels for the night show - pick which one you fancy! Casino in Bachata too, although you have to pay for your drinks in there - don't stop you taking in drinks from the All-Inclusive bar just outside it though!

Just go, relax and enjoy your holiday - I'm sure you will!!!!! Any questions? Ask, and I'll help best I can.

Jay_Bee

still the same - only thing you can't share between the 3 hotels is your evening meal.

Never thought about the chicken at lunchtime thing before ... but there's so much to eat at breakfast / evening and food available throughout the day we didn't eat much in the middle of the day anyway.

Just got the brochures to book for next year (guess where we like to go!)

Deej - didn't think it would have changed much. Last year we had to wear wristbands, although they said it was a trial for a while - only in Bachata though, not the other two. Is it still the same? Think it was down to evening meal segregation - had only just started it when we got there.

Def a lovely hotel though - next time we venture Dominica way, we'll certainly pay it another visit. Been to Dom Rep three times now, and this was best hotel by far. Plenty to do and the entertainment was spot on. Off to Margarita at the end of this month for first time - hope it's as nice! Being Hurricane season, it put us off central Caribbean for the time of year. Generally visit Caribbean in May, having tried Mexico (twice), Dom Rep, Jamaica and now as far south as it goes!!!!

Hi,

Got back from the Bachata a week ago.

Hotel lovely, staff fantastic, weather superb, food excellent.

We were ill but it did'nt spoil our holiday, we needed antibiotics for the runs.

I certainly don't think it's a virus with us, but travellers tum, quite a few people said the same but it did'nt keep them in their room.

Take lots of imodium, pepto bismol etc and you'll be fine. Funnily enough it affected the women more than the men and they drank beer!!

Have a great time and send Donkey my regards.

Re wristbands.

Bachata still uses them but Merengue / Mambo don't - it's been that way since Bachata opened. Merengue used to have them but not for a few years now.

Merengue and Mambo used to have "sittings" for evening meal, where you kept to the same table each evening (a la carte restaurant except). I believe Bachata didn't use that system & you came along when you wanted. That was the reason given for Bachata having the wristbands before.

Merengue have now done away with the sittings and adopted the "anytime" approach ... but still the Bachata has wristbands.

I prefer no wristband - you don't feel like you're tagged & no chaffing. Don't KNOW why Bachata still has them but there have been a few occassions when wristbands have been waved at the Bachata bars & people have been able to jump the queue ...

Hi! Off to the bachata on the 22nd as I may have mentioned before!
I just wanted some advice on currency please!

Im planning on taking £200 (as is my girlfriend). This is to cover emergencies and maybe a trip etc. Whats best to take and causes the least hassle? Dollers or Pesos? Cash or Travellers Cheques? I just dont want to be ripped off.

Thanks

Hi Guys

thinking of booking Bachata for mid September as i' ve found a really good deal, but slightly worried as checking out weather reports from past years it seems to be pretty much cloudly through September....can anyone confirm this? i know all about the hurricane season etc but its a long way to go to look at clouds.....boo.

also can anyone tell me any more about the kids entertainment, club etc as taking my 10 yr old to carribean for first time.
Thanks!!!!

Hi,
We took american dollars with us, however the shacks selling souvenirs on the beach would have prefered pounds, probably because of the strength of the dollar.

We paid for our trip on the monster truck safari by credit card, the trips are quite expensive. Recommend this trip, we've done it twice now.

My 8 year old found plenty of children to play with in the pool and in the evening, choosing not to attend the kids club, however it is run by BIG MOMMA during the hours of 10-12 and 3-5. There is also a kids disco and games in the evening before the main show, the supervision is'nt that fantastic with kids coming and going as they wish which was a bit of a worry for parents of younger children, if worried you are better watching them from a distance to make sure they are ok.

If you've got any other questions, happy to help.

Thanks for the info

also......has anyone found any differences going with certain tour operators?
the price i am getting with Portland is very similar to Thomsons and i just wondered if there was any preference?
Also, i think they both use Brittania flights - havent travelled long haul with them before, also any reviews of the inflight service would be great - 9 hrs + 10 yr old = serious grumps!!!! seat back tvs etc????

Portland is owned by thompsons so it will be exeactly the same service, rep, flight and transfers. Therefore, just go with the one that is cheapest. Portland are the direct selling arm of Thompsons so usually prices are a bit cheaper - the same as Eclipse is with First Choice and Direct holidays is with Airtours.

Can't help with britannia - haven't flown long haul with them for years but as with all long haul charters except first choice, expect it to be pretty cramped and uncomfortable - just a means to an end really.

Currency - discussed in other threads, but note that Bahia Maimon (Bachata's resort) isn't near a town/ATM/Bureau de Change. You're at the mercy of the hotels for their rate if you need to change currency. Alternative is to take a trip into Puerto Plata town - get a deal with a taxi & make a day or 1/2 day of it.

Weather - again see other threads on this. You take more of a chance on hurricaines from June to November. Weather forecasts always seem to say cloudy / possible thunderstorms BUT it's not the same "cloudy" you get in the UK.

Kids - true the kids club & evening disco aren't like a UK play scheme with kids checked in & out. As long as they know where you are & know not to wander off they'll be safe. My 2 haven't had trouble making friends & then not too worried about the club. The sea at the main bay is very shallow & no strong current. Be careful with the sun e.g. t-shirts from 12-3 especially in the pool. Encourage them to drink plenty of water / sodas during the day.

I'm not convinced by Big Momma - some dodgy stories that the HT Moderators wouldn't like posted.

Brittania - Premium seats have TV in back of seat or laptop DVD players. Normal class has overhead TV's & is cramped (but I'm over 6' and find most travel seats cramped). 2 meals served but nothing to write home about - at least they break up the journey.

If anyone has stayed at this hotel please post a review HERE

luci

Hi Guys
took the plunge and booked the Bachata for September!!
Can you guys tell me about the evening entertainment?
What is it and how often, as i can only find it stated as 'several nights a week'
any info would be much appreciated as with a ten yr old we wont really be able to take advantage of casino or disco - just wondered what else there is to do at night!!!

Thanks