When I worked in the travel industry, one of the best things about the job were the high discounts on private travel and free work trips… a.k.a study trips to check out a new destination and or hotels.

During these work trips, we still had to ‘work’ of course, but if you do what you love, and you love what you do, you can’t really call it work right 😉

Most of the time, those trips where fully scheduled with presentations, meetings, checking out the best resorts, hotels, apartments, restaurants, things to do, airlines and basically everything else that had to do with that certain destination.

And now years later, we still do those things when we’re partnering with a tourism organisation or hotel with Woody World Packer & our Creative Marketing Business.

Lucky as I was, my first ever study trip went to the Dominican Republic! Only four days, but pure decadence staying in the prestigious RIU Palace in Punta Cana and checking out all the other RIU Resorts in Punta Cana, in collaboration with tour operator TUI.

Riu Resorts Refurbishment

Because it is quite a while ago I visited the Dominican Republic for work, I had to do my research. Turns out, all the Riu Hotels had a massive refurbishment, which is a good thing, as I personally didn’t like the interiors back then ( very old fashioned 😉 ) 

These days, The RIU Resorts in Punta Cana look so much better and even more luxurious after the refurbishment!

RIU Hotels in Punta Cana

RIU Hotels & Resorts has several hotels in Punta Cana which are all located inside the same complex: the ClubHotel Riu Bambu, Hotel Riu Naiboa, Hotel Riu Palace Macao, Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana, Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro and the Hotel Riu Republica.

They all have a 24 hour all Inclusive concept and offer many activities, entertainment, and free WI-FI.

Here are the Riu Hotels  in Punta Cana that I visited…

RIU Palace Punta Cana

Like the name already suggests, this Riu resort is actually a little Palace, including the long driveway. This is the hotel we stayed in during our work trip, and it looked amazing. Not a bad location to stay on your first ever work trip.

I was thinking ” And they call this work?! I have the best job in the world ” And I really had, and still have 😉

As soon as we walked in, we noticed that the place was massive! The hall was huge, as well was the chandelier. I couldn’t help thinking that I wasn’t very comfortable standing under that massive pile of glass and diamonds. 

When we were all checked in and sipped on our welcome drink, we checked out our rooms ( which also didn’t disappoint ) and the rest of the Resort. Colonial, classic and massive were my first impressions.

The pool was huge too, and so was the fountain, the garden, and basically everything you looked at. This wouldn’t be my personal choice of staying for my own holiday, as it is just too massive, but I can imagine if you want to go to a great Luxury all-inclusive resort, straight on the Arena Gorda beach in Punta Cana ( and believe me, that beach was snow white and very tropical with all the palm trees ) then the RIU Palace Punta Cana, definitely is a great place to stay.

What I really liked was the fact that the Riu Palace Punta Cana has several restaurants where you can have an authentic gastronomical experience. American buffets, an Italian restaurant, a Steakhouse and even a Japanese with great sushi!

RIU Naiboa

This is the smallest of the Riu resorts in Punta Cana. With its art deco style and cozy feeling, this is the best Riu hotel if you like a somewhat smaller resort and want to avoid the masses at the Riu Palace Punta Cana

They have a great pool and via ‘Carribean Street’ you are only a few steps away from the pearly white beach.

Club Hotel RIU Bambu

This is definitely the best Riu Resort for families travelling with kids. There are five swimming pools and two kids swimming pools to relax in. Club Hotel Riu Bambu offers an extensive entertainment programme with many activities for every age and there are many water activities and sports.

The little ones can go to Riu Land kids club and teenagers between 13 and 17 can join the Riu4U programme which offers many great activities.

Riu Macau

Like its neighbours, Riu Macau is also a large 24-hour all-inclusive resort, straight on the beach and offers many facilities and activities for everyone. Funny to see is that the furniture didn’t move an inch compared with years ago, but a fresh paint works a treat 🙂