We have just returned from a fantastic week at the Hotel Merengue in Porta Plata, Dominican. We were worried as some reviews were not good. But I can honestly say that this is a first class complex of 3 Riu hotels, well managed.

The food was excellent, you can eat at any of the three hotels, drink at any of the hotels and the cleanliness is excellent.

The staff cannot do enough for you. Our room was spacious and we had optics in our large room, with a choice of 4 spirits and a fridge full of fresh water, cokes and lemonade.

We were also worried about taking malaria tablets. We did take them and found that we were fine. A good quality place and we would certainly return.

Returned last week from two fantastic relaxing weeks at the Merengue.

After reading the reviews on the 3 hotels we were a little worried about going, but no-one was ill at all.

The food at all 3 hotels were excellent,you can eat and drink at any of the 3 Riu hotels. We only went to the speciallity restaurant once as there was so much choice in the main buffet even for fussy eaters like my Daughter.

The hotel staff are very friendly and cannot do enough for you.

The entertainment team at all 3 hotels work very hard during the day and evening.

It was my Daugther's 8th Birthday and when we came into dinner that night one of the waiters that had been looking after us had decorated the table with candles, flowers and ballons and brought in a cake at the end of the meal with half of the staff singing Happy Birthday.

The rooms are set in beautiful surrounds and are were spacious and comfortable, we did not get round to using the optics though.

We used the pool at the Riu Bachata each day as this is bigger and has a swim up pool bar.

There is a photographer that goes around the 3 hotels taking pictures of you during the day and evening and you have the opportunity to buy them in the photo shop in caribbean Street for $6.99.

The shops in Caribbean Street are a little expensive but worth looking in.

I would reccommend this hotel to anyone and would go back some day.

After a coach journey (about

We\'ve been to RIU Merengue 6 times now. It\'s starting to show its age and looks a bit dowdy compared to RIU Bachata.

The rooms are in blocks similar to detached houses, with 4 on the ground floor and 4 on the first floor - nothing higher. The \"houses\" are spread round the grounds with lawned areas and mature palm/coconut/ cocoa trees that provide plenty of shade on the paths. You could be as much as 1/2 mile away from the pool/restaurant area.

The rooms aren\'t too cramped. With 2 children under 12, we ask for and get 2 extra put-up beds - no need for the little one to share with mum & dad in the 2 queen size doubles. There\'s just enough room left to move around &, after all, you don\'t spend much time in the room.

The pool is quite old fashioned - very angular. I guess it varies from about 4\' to 5\' in depth. There\'s a smaller toddlers\' pool at the side that\'s less than 2\' deep. There\'s plenty of sunbeds and shade around the pool.

The beach is just the other side of the main path that runs by the central area and pool. The beach is on a broad bay protected by a reef, so no big waves. The sand is quite coarse. The sea water doesn\'t get very deep so it shouldn\'t be much of a worry for older children. There\'s quite a bit of broken coral in the sand of the shallow water (not on the beach proper) and it is as well to have water shoes of some sort if you\'re going in.

Food is available from 7:00am to midnight and is of a good variety and quality to suit most national tastes. It can get a bit repetitive after 2 weeks, though. 2 of the bars open at 10:00 am and go onto midnight. The 2 other bars (by the main restaurant/ stage) open in the early evening, too.

The main restaurant used to be quite strict on dress code in the evening but is now very relaxed (some folk look like they\'ve just come off the beach!)

Entertainment during the day is for around 1 hour in the morning, break for siesta and start again around 3:00pm. It\'s as lively as you want it to be. If you don\'t want to join in just say no or go down the beach. Evenings have a kids disco with set music/dance for them to learn followed by a train song/conga line. Parents join in to make a tunnel - very sweet. There\'s usually a game later followed by dance routines or live music.

The main daytime restaurant/bar is quite dark inside and could do with an overhaul.

Superb location and facility. This hotel is the middle facility of three sister hotels which are adjoining.

You can eat and use the facilities of which ever one you choose, the only stipulation is that you have to take dinner in the hotel that you stay in.

The complex is right on the private beach and has its own sports beach where you can partake in all kins of water sports.

All the non motorised activities are free of charge. My friend and I spent many an hour out on both the single & double kayaks.

Whilst in the dom rep you need to go on the monster truck safari a trip not to be missed, we laugh aboutb the day often after nearly 2 years!

We would certainly visit again in the future one of our best holidays.