Hotel Riu Republica – Adults Only

The decor is bright and contemporary with a blue-on-white color palette that’s tastefully designed, yet cookie-cutter. Every section of the massive center courtyard blends into the next. But amid the stark, all-white buildings, long, featureless hallways and walking paths, and bland landscaping, no singular feature stands out. It seems as though the design was pushed to the edges, literally and figuratively, so guests could focus on what the hotel does well: serve non-stop, all-inclusive food and booze. The vibe gets lively just after breakfast, grows raucous by early afternoon, then doesn’t let up until after midnight. Thanks to 10 bars plus numerous “pop-up” cocktail stands, the hotel staff ensures guests are never without a drink in their hands. Nightly entertainment includes theater shows, circus acts, DJ sets, and foam parties which are carefully designed to keep the party going. Guests must be at least 18 years old to stay here. Note that the legal drinking age in Dominican Republic is 18, so expect lots of American college kids taking full advantage of the law. 

The surrounding beachfront Bavaro district is one of Punta Cana’s most well-known and tourist-friendly. The neighborhood is a series of tightly interconnected roads whose sole purpose is to shuttle guests from point to point. The area is replete with all-inclusive resorts, world-class beaches, casinos, and golf courses. While it’s technically walkable, there’s little of interest in the surrounding area. For safety reasons, especially after dark, guests would be wise to hail a cab. Punta Cana International (PUJ) Airport is located 30 minutes south along a modern highway. The hotel does not provide free airport transportation. However, the area’s zone-based taxi rates are reasonable.

Room decor is bright and contemporary. The white color palette is punctuated with pops of ocean blue which feel cool and vaguely chic. But, the flatbox furniture, lack of decorative accents, and “plastic” finish on every surface feels cheap.

Floor plans vary widely between categories. Entry-level Standard Rooms feature 376-square-foot (35-square-meter) layouts, while Suites upgrade to substantially more square footage of up to 710 square feet (66 square meters). Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen satellite TVs, and premium minibars -- plus wall-mounted liquor dispensers. Wi-Fi is free, but the connection isn't always reliable. 

Bathrooms continue the same stark aesthetic for a look that’s clean and crisp, but sterile. Stand-up glass shower stalls and generic Riu-branded bath amenities are standard. Some suites upgrade to two-person jetted tubs. All units feature private balconies, however, they’re minimally furnished and few offer ocean views.

Some rooms, particularly in the new wing, are a long walk to the beach, restaurants, bars, and services. Rooms closest to the theater suffer considerable noise until well after dark on most nights -- but most guests are out enjoying themselves and not really trying to get to sleep early.

The sprawling property requires long walks between amenities, but guests are rarely far from another cocktail. The eight outdoor pools all feature swim-up bars, poolside drink service, in-pool bar tables, or all three. Most pools offer water sports activities like volleyball, foam parties, or poolside entertainment throughout the day, plus a large water park provides a degree of kid-inspired fun for adults. Every pool and the chairs that surround them fill up fast, and there’s little room to maneuver when the hotel is sold out.

The nine restaurants and 10 bars throughout the property collectively provide 24-hour food and drink service. The two main all-inclusive buffets are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- serving one of the largest varieties of mediocre food in Punta Cana. The remaining a la carte restaurants -- most with themed cuisines like Asian, Indian, Spanish, and Italian -- are part of the all-inclusive package. But, most only open for dinner within a narrow window of time. Since reservations aren't required, it's first come, first served and scoring a table can prove difficult for guests who don't arrive early enough.

The beach is fairly wide and well-maintained, plus drink service is available. However, with nearly 1,400 rooms worth of guests, the sand overcrowds quickly. Persistent hawkers and tchotchke peddlers don’t help matters. While there are private palapas, the lack of sufficient umbrellas means most guests are exposed to the Dominican sun throughout the day. As with most beaches in the area, the water is often choppy which is great for water sports but less than ideal for casual swimmers and snorkelers.

Renova Spa and salon is modern and full-featured, but reservations fill up fast. The small indoor gym is bright and clean with state-of-the-art equipment. Several dedicated outdoor spaces host yoga, Pilates, and open-air workout sessions. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, but the speed varies widely. Self-parking is provided in a staffed lot.