Hotel Riu Mambo

Not too recent, but I lodged a large group of dentists and dental students there for a mission trip in June, 2007. They loved it, and the group that is visiting this June has already asked me if they are going to be in the same hotel.

The Mambo, Merengue and Bachata are side by side in the same enclave. At night, we were far too exhausted after working in the free clinic all day to pay any attention to the entertainment, so I cannot help you there.

When I was there they had nightly entertainment which was your typical resort entertainment. The Mambo had good rooms and staff, you also have access to all three of the resorts during the day. You are required to eat supper at your own resort but you can have your other meals and snacks at either one. They have the best food that I have had in the DR, if you go hungry here there is something wrong with you. We preferred the Merengue pool bar because we found Yolanda the bartender there and just kept going back and giving her our tips. You can go to the back of the Bachata where they have the water sports centre and a little bar. The vendors also have stalls set up here if you wish to do some shopping. When you are on the beach at Mambo facing the ocean, to your right you will find more vendor stalls. The Bachata has the swim up bar but the Mambo has the best stretch of beach, so it all depends on what is important to you.

There is a switch by the door to the room that controls all electricity. The maids routinely turn that off after cleaning. If the guest doesn't figure out that the switch has to be turned back on, no electricity, no air, etc.

Rooms all have air etc, put a old card of some type in the slot, I used a Home depot points card and it keeps eeverything running.

Hi katch -- my husband &I will return to Riu in 2 weeks for our 10th time. Yes, we love it there! The entertainment isn't great, but is defenitely good entertainment. The animacion staff are the ones that really make it fun and they are good about getting the crowd involved as well. If you should have more questions about this resort, feel free to call e-mail me at fans4wild@yahoo.com!!

~Tara

Last June there was no internet in the rooms, but they do have a small, air-conditioned internet center near the reception area.

Charges are per hour or portions thereof.

I was there 2 months ago, The entertainment, the food at RIU MERENGUE is great.. My only problem is that it is non-smoker's nightmare. I wish they had non-smoking sections, like in the restaurant, bar sections etc..

Katch...even if they did...the best advice would be NOT to bring a laptop with you...you never know who's watching...besides, if you are on vacation...why tie yourself up to a computer at all???

Anyway, back to the original OP...I stayed at the Bachata a loooong time ago...and had a great time...food, room, entertainment...EVERYTHING was perfect...

I even went out to Bahia de Maimon to have fresh fish with the "Animacion Team" (there were numerous posts on that!) Cheap and really good fish!!!

MQ