We asked about dinner now, and where we could eat. Man told us only buffet as we missed making reservations from 8-11 am. So we ate a luke warm buffet of pasta, fruit, french fries, and weird pizza. Listened to music that night in the main courtyard. Was entertaining but not good. Then went to bed.
Got up around 9, got ready for beach and went to make dinner reservations. Walked in at 9:30, said they were booked for the night and told me to come tomorrow around 8 for a reservation. So we sat on the beautiful beach all day with tons of palm trees and a butler who brought soft drinks and water occasionally. Had to tip him if you wanted alcohol.
(After we were told no reservations this day a man walked in, gave the woman a $20, and she made him a reservation.)
Finally day 3, we got a reservation. Got up at 7 am, waited in line 45 minutes. Noticeably 23 people cut us in line. We were number 4 in line but after everything "cheated" there way through the line we got the last reservation at Krystal. Which was excellent and we ate there 2 times. Great food and a friendly wait staff.
We got up this early every day to be "butted" in line by all the Europeans who have never heard of lines before, each day going forward we did get reservations however.
We did not leave the resort. We went on the catamaran, costs $25 for a lesson, but it is easy so just tell them you have done it before. Then it is free. We also went parasailing, that was great. Ask someone on the beach about it and they will give you a much better deal then Scuba Caribe (The RIU sponsored team)
We had a great time on the beach and getting a tan, and all the reservation restaurants were great besides the Italian one. This was just the buffet served on a plate for dinner.
Things to know and bring before you go....
1. Bring a key ring for room and safe key, they give you a huge chunk of plastic with room number written on it. So if you lose it, your room could be broken into.
2. Tip money, and lots of it!
3. Patience
4. Voucher from when you booked vacation
5. Spanish dictionary because no one speaks English
PS. They take your picture at the airport because they try to get you to buy it when you leave. Also the men who "steal" luggage are employed by the airport so always hold onto it. They charge $5 a bag, even if you only walk a foot. They get mad when you say no and you take your luggage back. They play live music all around Punta Cana and rudely kick baskets at your feet, then when you look down, they whistle and yell "tippy tippy." Good luck to anyone who is going. I will not go to a RUI Resort again, but would gladly go to Punta Cana again. This resort was gorgeous from the outside and stunning with marble and tile everywhere, however the second you turned the corner it was disgusting. Oh and by the way tip the maid or you wont get towels or clean sheets ever. Ours stopped cleaning our room after the 3rd day. Each day we then had to call for towels and maid service. No pillowcases on pillows, no trash bags in trash bins and sheets were blood stained. YUCK! Apparently the service does not try to be good because they can always go to the resort right next door. There is no shortage of jobs there. Oh and if you are looking for kids free resort, they are everywhere here! It looks like in the pictures there are no kids. They are here and completely take over the resort. This place is so inexpensive that a family of 8 can go for $4k. for 8 days!
