Hotel Riu Baobab

In January and February we stayed at this hotel for the fourth time. From the workers at the beach pool restaurant to even the managers Javier, Andre, Roberto, everyone there is so friendly that we are planning to spend our winter escape again in 2027. Big thanks to AZIZ SAMBA DEMBA SALOU JEANNE ROSE CODOU AND MAYA from restaurant Yassa. MALIK JUMA RUI WALLY who we saw at dinner. It was said several times that they consider us family; well friends (family) until next year. Also to Mr. Camara, manager of the restaurant staff, kind regards.

I would strongly discourage anyone from booking this resort, especially travelers coming from the United States. This was easily one of the most disappointing resort experiences we have ever had, and we have stayed at many resorts across Mexico, Punta Cana, and the Caribbean. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt cold and unwelcoming. The staff constantly talk about their hospitality, but in reality it felt like the opposite. My wife and I only speak English, so we expected some level of language barrier, but basic friendliness goes a long way anywhere in the world. Unfortunately that was largely absent here. Many staff members looked like they genuinely hated their jobs. Simple interactions felt like we were inconveniencing them. No smiles, no energy, and very little willingness to help. What made this even more frustrating is that, as Americans, we continued tipping for drinks and meals even though almost nobody else seemed to be doing so. Normally that kind of appreciation results in friendlier service anywhere else we have traveled. Here it made absolutely no difference. Every interaction still felt stiff and unpleasant. The food situation was honestly terrible. We dreaded meal times. Much of the food clearly looked reused from previous meals, and the quality was extremely poor. Everything was heavily catered toward European tastes, which meant there were only a few things we could even tolerate eating. After several days of forcing ourselves to eat the same limited options, both of us started feeling sick after most meals. We are not picky eaters and have stayed at many resorts before, so our expectations are reasonable. But the lack of quality here was shocking. The condition of the room was also unacceptable for a resort that advertises itself as high end. There were shoe prints on the wall above the bed frame. The drywall around the door frame was cracked and falling apart. In the hallways there were broken doors that made it difficult to carry luggage or even move around comfortably. It gave the impression that the property is poorly maintained and neglected. The entertainment and activities were also extremely repetitive and dull. The resort seems heavily geared toward an older European crowd. Every day felt identical. The same bingo games, yoga sessions, and basic dance shows with karaoke at night. If you are looking for any kind of energy, music, or fun atmosphere, this is not the place. There is no music at the pools, even at the one with the bar, which makes the whole environment feel lifeless. The only music we ever heard was a DJ set on the beach for about 1 hour in the evening right before the pool closes. We were genuinely excited for this trip and had high hopes coming in. Unfortunately the experience was so disappointing that we would never return to this resort. What makes this even worse is that this trip was partially covered by a voucher after I was hospitalized from food at another RIU resort in 2025. After this experience, we are honestly losing faith in the RIU brand entirely.

This was our second stay at the Riu Baobab hotel, and once again, we can say one thing – the hotel fully deserves its 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. The food was delicious, with a huge selection and everything was fresh. Everyone could easily find something they liked. The bars were also excellent – both in terms of food and drinks. We had a room with a beautiful view of the ocean and palm trees (room 6208) – the view was truly impressive 🌴🌊. The room itself was very clean, well-maintained, and comfortable. The hotel has heated pools, although we didn't use them because we love spending time at the beach. The beach next to the hotel is fantastic – very large, clean, and with plenty of space to relax. Importantly, security and lifeguards were always present, although they are discreet and unobtrusive, giving you a sense of security. The water park is a great attraction for both children and adults – it's truly impressive and offers tons of fun. The immense commitment of the managers and staff is also evident, as they take care of every detail of the hotel's operations. This made the entire stay truly comfortable. Thank you for a wonderful vacation spent with my family and my mother ❤️ We rarely return to the same place, but this time we will definitely see each other again. See you soon!