Paradisus Palma Real Golf and Spa Resort: Beautiful resort but cold food and terrible service is a problem

WE are a well travelled coupled who have been to the DR many times and are well travelled through out the world. We stayed at Palma Real for two weeks with our family. Eight adults and three children. The grounds, common areas, beach, pools, rooms, location are all excellent. You could not want for anything better. I would say well above a 5-star resort. However cold buffet food, bribery vs tipping and poor service are what takes this to a very frustrating experience and makes it very hard to [... read more] recommend to anyone. Food and meals are a very big part of an all-inclusive resort for most people. This resort did not live up to expectations. The buffet is a real issue, everything looks great and there are unbelievable choices but.....unless you get food from the grill which is cooked in front of you all the other food is cold or luke warm. At breakfast cold bacon, sausages, potatoes etc. We did not eat lunch. At dinner all vegetables were cold. Some of the buffet staff are pleasant but others look and act like they hate their job. Specialty restaurants were great if you could get a reservation. Excellent food and service. They were always booked per the reservation clerks. In the two weeks we were there we only could get one reservation through our concierge and that cost $50 up front. Interestingly enough the restaurants were never full and after a few days we discovered with a little or big bribe to the maître d’ , she was always able to get you in almost immediately. Rooms are beautiful but the service is terrible. Sometimes the room would be made up....sometimes not. Sometimes you got the mini bar and water refilled and sometimes not. The same with in room snacks (aero cookies and DR chocolate bars), towels etc. They most common excuse was you had the do not disturb sign on your door knob all day. The other issue with this resort is that there are many levels of accommodation and memberships ranging from basic through Nikte, to Circle to Black Lounge to Privileged and on and on. Most areas are accessible to most guests but there are many areas and restaurants that are only available to the higher-level guests. It makes for a real class distinction. It also makes it very confusing as to where you are permitted to go. Especially in beach areas, lounge areas, pools and restaurants. Our accommodation was next to a Circle only area with a restaurant and bar that had a 100-seat capacity. In the two weeks, we only counted 3 or 4 people using the facility on a few days. Other than that, it was empty with a daily staff of eight just standing there all day. While we in the buffet…….Trying to get a cup of coffee from a server at breakfast was the biggest challenge of the day. My ultimate point is the difference between bribing and tipping. I have no problem in tipping well for good service, but it grinds me the wrong way to have to tip (bribe) before you even get the service. This is a resort that believes in and condones Bribery for its concierge services and access to its specialty restaurants.

Paradisus Palma Real Golf and Spa Resort: Not what it’s cracked up to be

Ok so overall we had a great trip but there where some issues The good Beautiful resort Great breakfast service (if you found the right area) endtito was fantastic Beach service was great thanks Raoul!! Adult only pool was great Buffet was mostly the same but good A carte (if you can get in). Great The bad Most staff didn’t speak any English Had to drag info out of staff on check in (is the room ready? When to come back?) Most staff didn’t seem very happy the first few days [... read more] Room wasn’t made one day The ugly Impossible to get a a la cart restaurant, and they were at maybe 50% capacity Had to us 30 min every day to try and get them. Only mangers to get to 4 Every time you try to get a reso there is none available or after 9pm Concierge was useless (3 of our group had them and they all failed) Too many levels (circle club, reserve, nikite reg). Concierge booked our group with a kid at adults only restaurant Kids in gym Kids in adult only section Overall will never return unless they fix the a carte mess

Paradisus Grand Cana: Amazing vacation at Falcons!

This is a fantastic family resort! We upgrades to the beyond experience and don’t regret it. The hotel is modern and well maintained and food was delicious. One thing to note is that evening entertainment is not the most fan but the do some activities. However, there are lots of activities for kids and adults during the day. The beach is a short ride away and the provide service every 5 min or so!

Grand Sirenis Cartagena: Not Quite as Promised

This resort is primarily geared to Columbia guests. Only the front desk staff speak English. No information on activities or facilities are available in English at the resort which made things a little tricky. That being said staff are all friendly and do a good job. The furnishings and decor are as pictured online. Very nice. The bed was comfortable and shower large and good water pressure. Food was tasty but we only had access to main buffet and lounge menu. There is an a la cart [... read more]e restaurant but we were NOT permitted to use it unless we paid for the meal. This is different than what was promised. There is construction of a new building happening adjacent to the hotel. Construction is somewhat noisy during the day but not ridiculous. However, there was a smell of sewage at times coming from the site. We were lucky that are rooms were not in the vicinity of the construction but half of the rooms are. Although, we did have a wonderful vacation, I would recommend that you choose another hotel.

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: Not a Wellness Resort

While you tout yourself as a "Wellness Resort" you do not entirely subscribe to this on-site. I spent almost my entire vacation trying to have NON alcoholic beer as a beverage at the various bars around the resort. Let me correct that...I would have been thrilled to have it at the lobby bar only. I was originally told that the resort had NON-alcoholic beer available and would also put them in the mini fridge. I received 2 the first night and 4 the next night. That was it. I was then  [... read more]told that it (NON alcoholic beer) was only available in very limited quantities to those that stayed at the Level accommodations. I was also told it was upgrade. I was also told that there wasn't enough in all the resorts around the area. Actually I was told a number of things. Originally I was told that I would be taken care of...then those people avoided me like the plague. But you see, I wasn't belligerent, I wasn't rude, I wasn't argumentative. I was asking to be given the same service as those of my group that had paid for an all inclusive experience with alcohol. But it fell on deaf ears. "They are taking care of it." was the my typical answer. Not sure who "they" were but THEY didn't take care of it. To be fair Ubaldo (the manager of the lobby bar) tried his very best to accommodate me but the management team above him seemed to stifle my requests. I actually ended up buying my own NON alcoholic beer from a local store. So I'm looking forward to the credit I will be receiving as a result. Plus the credit for not drinking alcohol but paying for it as part of my package. I'm estimating that it's close to $600 USD. Please refund my credit card accordingly. You are no more committed to wellness than any other all-inclusive resort. I made a life decision to improve my health and you made a corporate decision to castigate me for that decision. I was influential in the decision to host our group of 8 at your resort to satisfy both my friends needs and that of my own. You forced me to literally beg for a NON ALCOHLIC beverage...at a WELLNESS RESORT!!! Pretty ironic! This entire review is directed at the middle and senior management of the Melia Company and of the Punta Cana Beach Resort specifically. To say that I'm disappointed would be a massive understatement and an unfortunate mistake on your part. I look forward to my reimbursement and change to your corporate policy. Sincerely Dave Valcourt Rm 1921 (November 13-21)

Paradisus Cancun: Great Resort had a good time!

Pros: Buffet food was good and lots of variety Entertainment: Good Customer Service - Was very good, all staff members were pleasant and helpful Cons: Strong scent located throughout the main lobby so if you are sensitive to smell this may bother some people Water leaks from patio doors within the rooms during rains and winds causing a safety issue with slippery floors Interior rooms need repairs i.e. washrooms doors off tracks, patio doors seized Ceiling leaks throughout hallways fr [... read more]om heavy rain fall causing a hazard No condiments in the buffets you had to ask for salt/pepper, ketchup etc Any drinks you can never get them to taste the same twice, that seems to be a common with all inclusive Ala cart Restaurants - Hit and miss, frequently items were not available Beach area umbrellas were missing lawn chairs (14 empty) so a challenge to find a place to sit on the beach The beautiful turquoise water was turbulent, so be aware, this could be a challenge for some swimmers Be aware of staff trying to sell you memberships to the Melia resort Overall had a great time!!

Melia Costa Del Sol: Really great resort. Would definitely return.

This hotel is pretty great, I must say. Nice and well-kept grounds, public areas right outside the hotel (like the beach and beach board walk). If not right outside, a very short walk away. Like the Torremolinos city square is just 10 min walk away, where you'll also find the subway/metro station that will take you as far east as Malaga and as far west as Fuengirola where there is lots more sight-seeing to do (castle ruins, shopping, bio parcs, etc...) The room at the hotel is small but I mea [... read more]n, it's Europe so that's just the way it is. They use the space available very well. The dining experience was pretty amazing too. Food was top-notch and lots of options. Often we'd have to cut ourselves off because everything was so good and you often over-eat :p. Minor item was that although we had all our meals included as part of our package, it didn't include any drinks. You have to pay extra for wine, beer, mineral water and soft drinks at the buffet. Not a huge deal but having gone to several Club Meds and other all-inclusive resorts, it would keep the resort a bit more competitive if they included at least some drink options under the all-inclusive umbrella since other resorts often do. I'll also say, if you go in October/November like we did the weather is perfect (not to cold, not too hot). But the ocean water is icy cold. We did a few cold plunges, but you won't be swimming like you would in the summer months. The hotel has a pool as an alternative, but found they kept the temperature of it a little too cold as well. So if the hotel would heat the pool a bit more that would give a better option for the fall/winter months.

Paradisus Palma Real Golf and Spa Resort: Beautiful but...

This was a last minute trip for my wife and I and the price was great. We were in a garden view room but all of the rooms have some kind of view of the ocean and not many - if any - were on the beach facing the ocean so we felt good about that. It is a very large resort, but it was not that busy during our stay. The positive in that is that there were no large crowds, and it was easy to find a beach chair and a pool chair at any time of the day. The negative is that some of the restaurants were  [... read more]closed so we had only one option for breakfast and lunch... The buffets are really hit and miss; one day the food was just horrible. The lobby bar is fantastic and so is the Teppanyaki restaurant. The Mexican restaurant was not good at all but the Caribbean and steak restaurants were okay. There is no disco and the entertainment was not great. Communication on what was open, closed, and happening on the resort is very poor so it is a figure it out on your own type of place. The staff were lovely, welcoming, and accommodating. The beginning of November offered warm water and beautiful weather but there was a lot of seaweed washed up on the beach. They tried to keep it clean but it only took minutes for more to wash up. Not that big of a deal but it does shrink the beach a little cause very murky water. It was a very relaxing holiday all in all.

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: Great time - first time in Punta Cana

This was our first trip to Punta Cana. We chose this report as it was advertised as being - adults-only, quiet/zen, and with a good selection of restaurants. We booked The Level and in our opinion that was the right thing to do. We chatted with many non-Level guests and they had a very different experience: "limited or no service on the beach or at the pool, only one restaurant available for both their lunch and dinners daily (buffet at the beach), crowded golf cart service, delays getting r [... read more]ides to and from, limited access to information of activities, +++" With Level access you can book restaurants via your butler, and get daily schedule updates. Plus an additional "a la carte" for breakfast, lunch or dinner, plus the private lounger with indoor and outdoor seating, snacks and a full "help yourself" drink area, and lastly the rooftop bar - which was very nice to have. The room was clean and pretty (building 14) and close to everything we wanted. The cleaning staff were amazing and we never had to ask for more towels. Mini-bar service daily was never missed. With Level you can ride to and from everywhere in private golf carts, and they really make sure that you don't wait long. We did however think that we'd have access to the restaurants at the Caribe side, and we did not. So there were really only 4 "a la carts" available for dinners, and only 1 "a la cart" for lunch and breakfast. Restaurant quality I'd say was very good. Excellent service everywhere too. Entertainment staff were almost non-existent at first, but came around near the end of the trip (thanks Nelly!). We learned that some of the activites are not done by in-house staff, but outsourced. The spa is beautiful. The beach was nice enough, but not to Cuba standards, however better than anything we've stayed at in Mexico. Hi-lites: paint day, yoga, mud treatment at the beach, and the spa services (one 1/2 hour massage is included for the Level (non-wellness package)). Service in the Level areas everywhere was excellent. Overall this was a fun, quiet trip - which is what we wanted. If you want a party, don't go. If you want to chill and get great service (Level), it's a good choice. Big thanks to the restaurant and beach staff. And to Jorge at Level Concierge who helped us get the perfect room. And Butler Bernadino is fantastic! Do Google reviews for them, one by one, they love that. Almost everyone working at this resort deserves a huge thanks! I'd also recommend Tripcentral - we always book through them and they don't miss a detail - special thanks to Sandra T, Jim O and Danielle S.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Really bad resort, not worth it.

I recently stayed at the Melia Caribe in Punta Cana, and I was not entirely satisfied with my experience. While the hotel was not terrible, it was not up to par with what I expected from an all-inclusive resort. Here are some of the specific issues I encountered: * The hotel is starting to show its age. There were some areas that could use more maintenance, such as the pool area and the lobby. * The rooms were not always clean. I found spider webs on the ceiling fan in my room, and the AC [... read more] was very loud. * The service was inconsistent. Some of the staff was very friendly and helpful, while others were rude and unhelpful. * The food was mediocre at best. There were a few dishes that I enjoyed, but overall the food was not very memorable. * I found cockroaches in some common areas of the hotel. This was very disgusting, and it made me feel uncomfortable staying at the hotel. * The pools were not very clean. There were not enough staff members to keep the pools clean, and I saw several cats sleeping in the pool beds. Overall, I was not impressed with my stay at the Melia Caribe. For the amount of money you have to pay to stay there, I think there are better options available. I would recommend that the hotel management take some steps to improve the following areas: * Invest in more maintenance. The hotel is starting to show its age, and some areas could use a fresh coat of paint or some new furniture. * Improve the consistency of the service. All staff members should be trained to provide excellent customer service. * Improve the quality of the food. The food should be more consistently delicious and memorable. * Clean the pools more regularly. There should be enough staff members to keep the pools clean and free of debris.

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: very nice large resort

The resort is close and a short drive from airport a big bonus. The ground are beautifully kept and lacking of wild life. Check in was very smooth but the room was not ready. The room was very nice but the bathroom was so small. The main pool was large, too deep for most people, if you were not over 5 feet 5 inches it was over your head and the pool was very dirty every day, only seen someone clean it 1 time in the 7 days we were there, not impressed . The food was just ok and not very imp [... read more]ressed there either. Not much to chose from. The transportation in the resort was very good to get around from anywhere you were. Over all very disappointing .

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: Wonderful time here!

The resort was beautiful, the activities were so much fun, and the staff were incredibly kind. They treated my friend and I like princesses, and did everything to ensure we were having a good time! I would 100% recommend coming here :)

Sol Don Marco: Don Marco Excellent

Room furniture and furnishing could use an updated. Lounge area around check-in badly needs new couches. Have stayed at Don Pedro in the past. Upgrades in Pablo and Pedro looks very good. For the 10pm entertainment at Don Pablo , some were quite good and some not so good. For the 11pm entertainment at Don Pablo, solo singers do not suit the audience. A group that plays dance music was a hit. May not be appropriate these days to ask for gender...... This is completed on behalf of both spo [... read more]use. You can use my first name only and no other references.

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: Lovely vacation!

Upon arrival, we were checked in very quickly with no issues! The food at the buffet was very good with many options. The beach was wonderful with many spots with shade available. The only issue we had with this hotel was the seaweed at the beach. However, we know that every effort was being made to contain it as best as they could. Special shout out goes to the following hotel staff who went above and beyond to make our stay a memorable one: Remy, Moises, Benjamin, Ramon. Thanks to all the oth [... read more]er staff whose names I cannot remember but who were also instrumental in helping us to enjoy our stay.

Paradisus Playa del Carmen: Amazing trip

The Paradisus was a great vacation. Our kids loved the water park and pirate ship and the grounds were extremely clean and well kept. The alcohol selection is next level and the restaurants were really good. The buffet was just ok nothing special. The restaurants made up for it. There were tons of activities for the kids to do as well and nightly entertainment for them. Overall we were very satisfied.

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: Unbelievable stay one of the best resorts

We had an amazing time and will be going back for sure. Beach, Staff and Food was all above expectations. Room was one of the nicest we have stayed in. We are picky eaters and loved the food always found something we enjoyed.

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: Such a beautiful resort

The resort and this vacation was such a relief from tight packed work schedule. Martine did a great job in understanding the requirements and helping us identifying the right place for us. Looking forward to collaborate with her more in future.

Paradisus Playa del Carmen: Oddly inconsistent experience. Disappointing.

We checked in on a Friday night. We were escorted to smaller unkept check-in which smelled like sewage. We were offered drinks and I requested my usual but they only had cans of pop which I'm not used to at a 5 star resort. We were given verbal instructions on how to get to our room. The hallways were very dark and an elevator was out of service so we got lost and had to come back again to the main lobby - again used to being escorted to our rooms at most five-star resorts. On the walk to our ro [... read more]om there were beer bottles scattered on the floor which was not pleasant to see. We went to the Blue agave that same night and our server was so rude. I asked for a virgin margarita and he said "so just lime juice?" He cut me off when ordering too. The service did improve throughout the rest of the days but be forewarned, if you checkin at night you will be very disappointed as a first impression which is not a great way to start off an experience. The room service food is very inconsistent, when it was fresh the ceviche and steak tacos and rigatoni were delicious. if you go with kids, half of your restaurant choices are gone as they are adult only. You only get 3-4 choices so during a week long stay, it will get very repetitive. We got food poisoning from the hibachi place. The shrimp aguachile at the Mexican restaurant was raw (grey). The buffets have no fresh food station like pasta or omelet. They have no toys or rental equipment for you to use if you have children so you will have to bring your own. All in all of you have gone to other 5 star resorts you will feel so disappointed here. We did enjoy breakfast at The Lunchbox, Victor and Carmen were amazing. Carla at the kidsdom was so sweet. Manuel at the aqua park was a machine. Such hardworking staff overall. Everything switched up on Monday when more guests started checking in and managers came on site. Our room service did a pretty great job cleaning the room, organized things in the room wrapped up chargers which was a really nice touch.

Melia Orlando Hotel at Celebration: Great resort

The Melia Celebration was very close to all attractions and was clean and well-kept. We enjoyed the onsite restaurant and took full advantage of the happy hour they offered. Would definitely recommend this hotel. The only complaint I had was the room wasn't made up until very late in the afternoon.

Melia Puerto Vallarta: AVERAGE RESORT - PRETTY MUCH RUN DOWN ROOMS

Nice location the resort is located, however the rooms are very much of a run down overall. The bars are absolutely a mess Entertainment was good, the lobby normally is always a vibrant place, this was dead.