best vacation, fiance stayed riu palace punta cana august 31-sept 7 2007. researched vacation months choosing resort, read hundreds reviews trip advisor sites, say riu palace punta cana lives 5 1/2 star review, check inwe arrived early evening, did not wait airport shuttle tour operator provided heard faster taxi, took taxi airport 30 arrived hotel hour half, greeted friendly staff desk recieved welcome cocktail taken room immediately, ray extremely helpful desk received upgrade 24 corner suites second day, roomour room great, air conditioning nice cold room clean, smell read hardly bad makes tropics guess humid damp, open air hotel corridors beautiful gardens palm trees flowers deal little bit smell nice foilage leave room concrete walls, lit air freshener smell gone, beds little firm worked backs, tipped cleaning lady rosa 5 dollars day brought colouring books markers kids, little money goes long way, mini bar stocked day, room service fast food decent late night snack, yummy chicken club, second room amazing, work upgrade highly suggest it.the staffwe really n't know people referring said staff unfriendly, amazing service, elvin buffet actually come feel fiance beer temperature half beer not ice cold away bring new, melo cesarin pool bar incredible, tipped day treated like kings, actually disgusted people did not leave dollar guys, working 40 degree heat long pants running butts provide best service smile people lined barking orders jjust walking away gracias, yes true staff not fluent english guess not canada united states visiting dominican, ca n't believe people think travel foreign country speak english helllllllloooo, foodthe food fine, did not sick enjoyed buffets, did try la cartes not good buffets, drinksthey shelf liquor just ask, not brands certainly, noticed tipped ask better alcohol, beachthere nothing say amazing, water incredible palm trees provided nice shade drink service beach well.the spaif chance spa sit cool jacuzzi people know, free charge refreshing, massages beach great, n't want complelely nude just wear peice bathing suit tell want bottoms on.night lifethings shut 1100 pm nightly shows, sit courtyard drinks quiet, looking fast paced night life want choose different resort, did nice shows night karoke nice woman got asked sing music did sing yes american national anthem person stood, patriatism country surrounded tourists world makes think appropriate stand sing national anthem, oh good laugh it.we planning going year, met people pool door bahia 5 years row went riu gift said bahia worth.if going riu just relax enjoy pampered.dawn-marie matthewsdawn_marie_76 yahoo.com,