Hi all thanks for all the advice and tips found via the forum all came in handy whilst we were away.
We went to dominican republic for 2 weeks on a riu roulette and ended up staying at the better of the 3 hotels in puerto plata the riu bachata, we couldnt believe our luck.
Our room was kept spotlessly clean, had various shapes of towel sculptures, facilities were good, beaches great ( we found thw watersports beach the better of the two as its sheltered more and less busy and it has a bar!!!!!) food was excellent they had theme nights twice a week being Dominican and mexican nights but they still do other foods. We tried the a la carte resaurant, the steakhouse which was nice to get out of the buffet style for a change, very nice meal for a special occassion but book very early we found it immpossible to get in the second booking slot for 8-30pm even when we tried at 7-30am we had to opt for the 6-30 slot.
If you stay in the Bachata you have to wear a wrist band but it seems that didnt stop people.
Only a few moans
Watch how you spend your dollars- the shop in the bachata and would think all the others in the complex will gladly take dollars but give change in Dominican Pesos so spend them if you get them.
We got annoyed when we noticed residents from one of the other two hotels on the complex eating in the a la carte when it clearly says you must eat in your resident hotels for the eveing meals, this probably helps the fact its always fully booked for the 8-30pm session
As youve got 3 hotels in one complex we found everyone made their way down to the pool at the bachata and was really difficult to get a good sun lounger if you turn up later. Join the masses and get those towels out there on the way to breakfast or just stroll along to one of the other pools at the other hotels which seemed quieter and less busy.
Premium seats- we booked premium seats as it was a long flight but my girlfriend is a nervous flyer and specified this on booking. When we checked in our seats were in front of one another, no good for me to comfort my partner. We were given no options but to go back into economy and suffer. After our took the matter up with thomsonfly they told us that premium seats behind one another or across an aisle are together!!!! I can understand across the aisle but in front of one another???? Im currently in the process of complaining about this as ive paid and £100 each each way so im down £200 for sitting in economy and no one even offered us the free drinks we had paid for, they even made us pay for headphones!!!!
Now some do's
Do get your visa before you go we landed about 15-20 pm and another plane just landed before us their was a massive queue of people buying them there, we just strolled through in seconds was on the air condition coach just had to wait for everyone else.
Do take a thermal cup or mug seems daft but the plastic disposable cups they use are not only small but your drinks get warm! i saw a tip on here advising people to one but didnt bother but i will for next time and a bonus is they will fill it up for you!!!!!
Do watch your luggage weight on your return journey the Dominicans are very strict on this and its currently $12 per 1Kg overweight fee
Do shop about for your duty free at Puerto Plata airport with a few exceptions they all sell they same stuff ie fags and booze so look about for the better prices
If anyone wants helps ask me i may be able to help so much info but cant remember it all
Highlander,
Good to here you a nice holiday at the Bachata, we went with Thomson Riu Selection and were put in the Bachata on arrival, we were very pleased. Just a point about the evening meal....I believe when they ask you to eat at your own restaurant, they are only referring to the buffet restaurants. I could be wrong, perhaps someone else will have more information and confirm this. It would be helpful for me, as we are returning next year and staying in the Merengue this time.
Lorraine
Good to here you a nice holiday at the Bachata, we went with Thomson Riu Selection and were put in the Bachata on arrival, we were very pleased. Just a point about the evening meal....I believe when they ask you to eat at your own restaurant, they are only referring to the buffet restaurants. I could be wrong, perhaps someone else will have more information and confirm this. It would be helpful for me, as we are returning next year and staying in the Merengue this time.
Lorraine
We have recently returned from the Riu Merengue, we had our evening meals in our own buffet except from one night when we booked a speciality restaurant thinking this would be at the Merengue but was at the Bachata instead.
I must admit we did use the Bachata pool everyday as the pool at the merengue was quite dirty and the Bachata pool was much better.
Had a fantastic time at the Merengue but would book to stay at the Bachata if we go back to the DR.
I must admit we did use the Bachata pool everyday as the pool at the merengue was quite dirty and the Bachata pool was much better.
Had a fantastic time at the Merengue but would book to stay at the Bachata if we go back to the DR.
Hi
As a Dom Rep frequent visitor my experience with luggage is that Thomsons ( but not First Choice ! ) bang on at length about excess baggage charges but at Punta Cana airport but the check-in staff don't care about it at all. They just want to get you processed asap. They even share weighing scales between 2 check-in operators which makes it virtually impossible to assign weight to individuals when both 2 unconnected passengers both have bags on the same set of scales.
I suspect it is just Thomson's instructions to their reps to try and keep the weight down for the return flight and hence save them a bit on fuel costs.
But then maybe I'm just an old cynic
Scubaman
As a Dom Rep frequent visitor my experience with luggage is that Thomsons ( but not First Choice ! ) bang on at length about excess baggage charges but at Punta Cana airport but the check-in staff don't care about it at all. They just want to get you processed asap. They even share weighing scales between 2 check-in operators which makes it virtually impossible to assign weight to individuals when both 2 unconnected passengers both have bags on the same set of scales.
I suspect it is just Thomson's instructions to their reps to try and keep the weight down for the return flight and hence save them a bit on fuel costs.
But then maybe I'm just an old cynic
Scubaman
now you mention it scubaman i did notice the shared scales in puerta plata, but did notice the scales that were shared with our check in desk said -4 kg and it was empty on both sides helpful for some people
Hi Highlander - We have booked up for a trip to the DR next November (22 Nov for 2 weeks - we'll be on Honeymoon) We are staying at the Iberostar Costa Dorada. Not too worried about the hotel - there are some great reviews - what about the weather - how was it for you in November?
Sounded like youhad a good time though. Although the flight seating plan is a bit odd - wee too have paid for Premium seats and would like to be sitting next to each other - I suppose it is somethig we will just have to wait and see about.
4 Jan and already on coundt down for November - nothing like wich my life away
Sounded like youhad a good time though. Although the flight seating plan is a bit odd - wee too have paid for Premium seats and would like to be sitting next to each other - I suppose it is somethig we will just have to wait and see about.
4 Jan and already on coundt down for November - nothing like wich my life away
Hi Fi Fi
If you are flying Britannia you can reserve actual seats by contacting them direct.
Unfortunately the same is not true for First Choice Airline who allocate seats in order of bookings receipt and you can't find out until you check in, but as you have booked them early you should be OK.
Scubaman
If you are flying Britannia you can reserve actual seats by contacting them direct.
Unfortunately the same is not true for First Choice Airline who allocate seats in order of bookings receipt and you can't find out until you check in, but as you have booked them early you should be OK.
Scubaman
Thanks Pippy - will have a look at the link.
Thanks Scuba Man - we should be fine then - flying Britannia.
Thanks Scuba Man - we should be fine then - flying Britannia.
The weather was really nice with the xception of 2-3 very wet days in the second week and it was very wet hard to tell the swimming pools from the grass verges lol
Im glad you enjoyed your stay there! 
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