Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro in Punta Cana is just one of those quintessential Dominican Republic all-inclusive resorts. Everyone knows it, has been at least once, or knows someone that’s spent a wonderful few days enjoying the casual ambiance, signature restaurants and in-room liquor dispensers, beachfront settings, and enormous pools of this brand’s collection of resorts. And as part of a mega-complex with an all-ages playground of amenities, it’s top of mind for value, flexibility, and convenience. In short, it’s a classic.

But whoever said not to mess with a classic just didn’t have the access to the talent Riu Palace Bavaro did for their renovation, because just when folks thought they could already count on this property for a reliably good time, it just got several massive modern upgrades. In fact, according to our inside source, “This renovation is considered our biggest and most important to this hotel, bringing exciting new features that may be seen in other future renovations!”

We’ll walk you through the glow-up, Hotel Confidential-style.

Elite Club

One of the biggest and most dramatic improvements to Riu Palace Bavaro is the addition of their exciting new Elite Club category. A premium concept introduced just this past year, exclusive amenities and services make upgrading one’s stay levels above the expected.

Obviously, guests will have access to the Elite Club lounge, designated pool and beach space, premium-branded drinks at select bars, a special restaurant for breakfast and dinner, and dedicated check-in area. But they’ll also have rooms in premium locations, plus a welcome gift, upgraded mini-bar, bottle of wine, aromatherapy, and upgraded room service for that room. Additionally, Elite Club guests are able to use the RIU app to make dinner reservations at on-site à la carte restaurants, and are given an extended check-out time of 1 PM by default. Early check-ins are also granted if available!

This upgrade is available only at Riu Palace Kukulkan, Riu Palace Pacifico, Riu Palace Baja California, Riu Palace Jamaica, and Riu Palace Macao, in addition Riu Palace Bavaro, the latest addition to the Elite Club program. Riu Palace Antillas will be joining this list in mid-October.

Lobby

First impressions are so important, especially at a hotel or resort. After you get out of your transfer, the welcome you receive sets the tone for your stay. A great lobby with friendly service lets you know that can finally fully relax – you’ve arrived!

That’s why it was a priority for Riu Palace Bavaro to revamp their lobby to better reflect their customer service and upscale offerings. The free WiFi that’s available throughout the hotel starts here, and they’ve traded the high-shine stone and gloss for a toned-down quiet luxury. Inset lighting, a spiral chandelier, and soft, flowing lines in creamy tones offer a more relaxed and organic feel.

This extends to the Elite Club reception area, too, a semi-inset area for guests to decompress as they check in. The renovated lobby bar provides another option, with metallic accents and dark gray tones providing a different natural color palette.

Restaurants

A total of 32 included food and beverage outlets across the resort complex make every stay feel too short, even if guests hit up only the new ones. Casual dining is enlivened by the introduction of a food court with stations like an RFC (Riu Fried Chicken!), a wok station, pizza stand, taco bar, and an ice cream shop. It’s semi-open air, and elements like palm trees rising up from the center court to sunlight above.

The Asian, Italian, and signature Krystal fusion restaurant have also been redesigned, and boldly. Deep reds and fluid accents for the Asian restaurant; mid-century modern elegance modernizes the Italian one. Krystal and the Capuchino Patisserie and cocktail bar have elements of the latter, but all presenting as warm, more intimate spaces rich with forest accents. Also, the formerly casual, lime-green and memorabilia-decorated sports bar is now a sleeker hangout with caramel and burnished tones.

Then there are the new spots, like a whimsical pink ice cream parlor and “American Country” restaurant serving up all-American favorites 24 hours a day.

Rooms

Public spaces are incredibly important, but so are private spaces.

Friends, family, and adults-only accommodation styles have been defined with this renovation, making Riu Palace Bavaro even more of a crowd-pleaser and better destination wedding venue. These rooms have now been transformed into refuges, and not just the Elite Club accommodations. Previously, they were bright and vibrant with bold splashes of pink and purple on a white palette, but now, guests are treated to a spa-like retreat with taupes, sages, and light woods dominating the color scheme. New furnishings and flooring accompany the facelift the soft goods provide on a more material level, with thoughtful lighting and plush seating designed to soothe.

The adults-only swim-up rooms are available for Elite Club guests, but also, the new Friends and Family rooms with up to three queen size beds, plus a sofa bed, will be the ideal pick for groups of friends and families.

Amenities & Freebies

Lastly, the really good stuff: the added values.

RIULand Kids Clubs have always been big features at the brand’s resorts, but now Riu Palace Bavaro’s is setting a new bar with attractions like a cinema, cooking classes, kids water games area, and even more to turn the next generation of travelers into RIU brand loyalists. Plus, because guests at Riu Palace Bavaro are able to stay at one and play at three, Splash Water World access is also part and parcel for every stay, and the rollicking Riu Party program has a schedule for adults only as well as family-friendly events at the resort all day.

Finally, the new Indulgence Beachfront Bliss wedding collection brings us back to how ideal this property is for destination weddings, performed in an exclusive and unique oceanfront private venue fully equipped with a private kitchen and bars. All of that together will bring love all the way around.