i have just returned from the mambo so will give u the good bits 1st and if i can think of anything bad about it. that can come last

most important things 1st FOOD
BREAKFAST loads of hot and cold food to choose from

LUNCH/SNACK BAR about 10 choices of salad dishes/vegatables to choose from wih cold meats as well, burgers, hot dogs, pasta, chips,pizza and one other meat on offer.

LUNCH/BUFFET restaurant loads more choice but this can be similar to whats on offer in the evening.

EVENING/BUFFET restaurant all ways loads of salad dishes, vegatables, cold meats, pasta, fish and a few different hot meat dishes on offer as well. if you are a fussy sod like me u will always find somthing.o yeah lads chips everyday.
help yourself to white, red, rose, beer and soft drinks.
ALACARTE ITAILIAN/STEAK HOUSE nice food with about 4 main courses to choose from on each menu

YOUR ROOM
good size with a large wardrobe. bathroom is ok with a powerfull shower. i thought the bed was a bit uncomfortable but we arnt all the same r we.yes there is 4 optics with beer and soft drink in the fridge. we where in a party of 6 with 3 rooms in different blocks all the rooms where the same. nice balconies to sit out on and chill.

DAYTIME ENTERTAMENT
loads to do volleyball,water polo,table tennis,water volley ball, arobics,horse shoe french bowls with a few silly games thrown in, which r a good laugh to watch. the entertainment staff come round and ask 4 u to join in and if u dont they move on.

EVENING ENTERTAMENT
there r 14 differant shows to watch greece, michael jackson,tropical, african etc with a few audience participation ones as well. no they r not west end shows ,yes they do mime but they r entertaning and just a laugh. if u want somthing serious 4get it u might as well stay in your room and b borring.

BAD BITS yes i have managed to think of somthing. the tv reception is not good with only a couple of english speaking channels. thats all i can think of

WEATHER
even though we went in the rainy season we only had 2 afternoons of cloud/thunder/ rain. other than that glorious sunshine for two wks. slight breeze when you was on the beach. no breeze round the pool but lots of shaded areas.we kept an eye on the weather web sights that gave 10 day forcasts.all said the weather was not going to b good.dont take any notice they where all wrong in our case.

overall this is an excellant all round resort and deserves its 4/5 star rating depending what brochure you look in. i think the entertainment staff work so hard for u to enjoy your holiday. yes u will read some bad points but u can not please all the people all of the time. i believe i have good experience of hotels and have given an accurate review but it is only my opinion, go find out 4 yourself and enjoy.

My family (husband and 13yr old son) stayed for two weeks at the end of May. We had never visited the Dominican Republic before and were a little aprehensive.

I'd checked the weather reports for weeks and they said it was raining and thuderstorms all the time. While we were there it rained for one full day and occasionally in the early evening and during the night otherwise it was 40 degrees for most of the time.

There are lots of good reviews describing the resort and rooms etc, so I won't reiterate what they are saying. However all I can say that it was the best holiday we've ever had. We have always stayed AI all over Europe and in some really nice hotels but this one topped the lot. I've never stayed in a resort that was as clean and tidy, the staff can not do enough for you and seem really proud of the hotel. The animation team were excellent, I don't know what they get paid but it's not enough, best shows we've come across, the African show was the best, they deserve 110% for effort. The choice of food is amazing, never got bored with it.

If your hair is high maintenance like mine sort out a decent style before you go or tie it up. Don't waste space in your suitcase with straighteners and a hairdryer, they won't get hot enough. You can hire a hairdryer from reception for $20 which is refunded when you return it.

We went for a relaxing holiday and that's what we got, if you don't want to join in with the activites you don't have to and don't get hassled to do so.

Tipping is optional, we found the service consistant wether we tipped or not and it was always good. We spent about $70 on tips, don't forget to tip the ladies who dispense the hand gel.

We met some really nice, friendly people from all over the world although, I would say that the first week was better than the second when more Brits started to arrive and the behaviour of some of them made you feel embarrassed to come from the UK.

Don't bother the Thomas Cook reps unless you want to buy one of their excursions, they aren't really interested in any other queries if the cash is not coming their way.

The Monarch flight from Newcastle was terrible. The seat pitch is tiny and the plane is not equipped for long haul flights. We were delayed an hour and a half going out and three hours going back. When we go back we will probably go from Manchester or book through a travel agent who can sell us premium cabin seats.

We stayed with a party of 16 at this resort for 3 weeks over xmas and we were married on the 26/12/07, the hotel staff who were involved with my wedding gave 101% service for our entire stay.
The rooms.
We were upgraded to a suit at no extra charge and the whole party were in rooms close to ours,

The food
ok most of the time, xmas gala dinner 10 out of 10. Freddie the dining room manager sent food and drinks to our room on my wedding day for myself and bridesmaids he was fantastic!

I would recommend this hotel for anyone who wants a wedding in paradise.

I spent two weeks in the riu mambo with my sister(we are in our 50s) and my parents in their late 70s my mother is disabled, The hotel was wheelchair friendly. we had a fantastic time, there was no pressure to join in activities, the food was outstanding!!!!!. The whole place was very clean There was always a maid with alcohol gel for your hands on entering the resturant and leaving the toilets. You can choose which hotel of three to use except for evening meals. Would definately reccomend this hotel and am hoping to return with my husband next year.