Hotel Riu Taino

The hotel is situated directly on the beach of Arena Gorda, north of Cabeza de Toro and the Dominican village El Cortecito, in Punta Cana, the epicentre of tourism in the Dominican Republic on the eastern coast, stretching on 25 miles of fine sand. La Calle Caribeña and its series of shops and Dominican crafts is about 330 feet away. It takes about half an hour by car from the international airport in Punta Cana (22 miles) and three hours and a half to reach the capital. The town of Higüey and its famous historical basilica is 30 miles (1 hour drive) away.

The Riu Taino is one of the five hotels in this huge resort located on the fabulous beach of Arena Gorda, near the small Dominican village, El Cortecito. But this resort represents a real village whose main street is called Calle Caribeña - a succession of typical buildings in bright colours. This street offers a lot of souvenirs and services: billiards, photos, massages, travel agencies, paintings, jewellery and handicrafts. This hotel offers high prices because of the swarming resorts in the region of Punta Cana. There is a disco bar "El Pacha", popular in the region. The animation is the major highlight of this hotel; you won't get bored.
The clients of the Taino hotel have access to some restaurants and bars throughout the resort, at certain times... You may really need instructions for use. You can ask for explanations at the reception.

Located in the heart of a palm grove of 270 ft², the hotel club opened in 1991 and is composed of 90 (!) charming small bungalows all painted white, in colonial style, scattered like mushrooms in a maze of flowery alleys. The winding paths could quickly turn into a maze, but with the aid of signs and a strong memory, you can manage to move around. A "twin" hotel to the Riu Melao, located to the right, and the Riu Bambu, a few strides to the west, are also composed of bungalows, the Taino is located in the middle of a huge complex. It is composed of five hotels in total. Its floral and wood decoration and its beautiful lagoons with an aquatic bar at the poolside place it a class higher than the Melao. However, its size (double) makes it lose a little of the perceived conviviality.

A total of 360 rooms are scattered in small bungalows each housing four rooms. All of the rooms comfortable and have air conditioning (centrally regulated), a ceiling fan, a mini-bar, satellite TV, a safe, telephone (direct telephone for international dialling), a balcony with an anti-mosquito net, a hair dryer. But the overall setting is a little too dark, and the decor has slightly garish colours.

The customers of the Taino are accommodated on the all inclusive formula and do not have access to all restaurants in the resort... attention, the following information is important! A total of six restaurants are available.

Restaurants, instructions for use:
The Taino hotel has a main buffet, Las Arecas, which serves both international and local cuisine for all three meals of the day (dress code in the evening). The food is good, not exceptional. A snack bar near the swimming pool provides continental breakfast and a snack in the afternoon and in the evening. In addition, a pizzeria at the end of the Caribbean Street is located near the beach.
Moreover, the hotel's guests have access to restaurants and snacks at three other hotels in the resort: the Melao, Bambu and Naiboa. You can dine in any of the four main buffets.
However, in the evening the Taino has two restaurants that serve a la carte, but you need a reservation: a grill and a Mediterranean restaurant are located behind the reception. The restaurants are shared with two neighbouring hotels (Naiboa and Melao). The only inconvenience: large restaurants, away from the centre of the hotel. You will be pleased if you like grand architectures.

However, all bars are included in the service (except those of the disco bar and the Riu Palace Macao, the hotel neighbouring Taino), in addition to those at the Taino hotel: the aquabar in the beautiful lagoon swimming pool and, nearby the lounge bar of La Fiesta. And you can visit a total of 9 bars...

The hotel club enjoys the magnificent beach of Arena Gorda: a wide band of white fine sand, lined with palm trees and turquoise waters. It offers deckchairs in a quiet setting. The sailing club is hosted on the beach at the nearby hotel, the Melao. The advantage: the sound of the boat engines remains far away. The only incovenience is that you have to walk for several minutes, some 165 feet...