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.

Beautiful resort

The grounds are well landscaped. Pools are large and clean. Beautiful architecture. Restaurants were good. Beach needed to have seaweed removal. I would have preferred to have staff serve snacks to us on the beach when we are on lounge chairs. Not enough beach staff.

Great stay at Paradisus Palma Real!

My adult daughter and I had a really nice time. The room was perfect with a nice sitting area and lots of room. We split our time between the beautiful beach and the pool. The hotel made the Covid testing easy and stress free.

Great Experience

Rooms were nice. Restaurants and food was good. All the staff were friendly and helpful. The beach was beautiful. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would definitely go back again. We would have stayed and extra week, if we could have. Covid protocols at the hotel were done well, and they made it very convenient to receive our PCR test required for the return flight.

Beautiful resort but lacking management quality service

We spent a week at the Paradisus as I had read reviews of this resort being one of the best in Dominican to have a wedding and I wanted to do in-person research and possibly book the wedding. The resort is architecturally beautiful and all of the main areas, pool and beach are kept as clean as possible. The wait staff and entertainment staff were very friendly especially Imael at the lobby bar who makes the best happy coffee, Ruby at Gabi Bar, Alejandro, Darlin and Jairo from the entertainment  [... read more]staff. We had fun dancing with them most nights! But the hotel and management side of the resort doesn't work as well. The hotel rooms are nice but the washrooms are open concept - fine for couples not so great for friends or families visiting. There really isn't too much privacy. The huge bathtubs looked nice but didn't look clean enough to use. There were discolourations and marks on it. There is a definite issue with the phones as some of them don't even work. We had to use the phone in the bathroom to actually talk to someone. The cleaning service for the rooms did do a good job on a daily basis but I found the mini bar wasn't replenished every day. Our entire contact with the management team was really uninviting. When we checked in we were told we had a concierge who would contact us but no one ever did. We had asked for a room with 2 double beds but despite asking twice, we ended up with 1 giant bed and a roll-away bed (we were 3 girls in 1 room and we all wanted our space). On our 2nd night, my friend sleeping on the roll-away bed realized she had bed bug bites all over her legs. She had experienced bed bugs before so knew what to look for on the bed as proof. As it was late at night, we decided to wait till the next morning to inform management. They didn't seem to recognize the signs of bed bugs (rusty blood stains and fecal matter residue) but that could have been a language barrier. We asked for a new room and they were good enough not to argue about that. We met with the supervisor Emelin at registration and she initially did suggest they were mosquito bites but didn't push further when my friend said this was her 3rd time and she knew the difference. We were promised a new room that afternoon and once again I asked for 2 beds and the sofa bed to be opened up - we were not going to get another roll away bed. We had also asked about the concierge that was promised on day 1 and were told we actually weren't eligible for that service but they would give it to us now. We met with Reina who gave me her phone number and said to call or text her if we needed anything! That afternoon after spending the day at the beach, we went back to the lobby, picked up our suitcases and got escorted to the new room only to find we had 1 bed again (the beds are pushed together). We asked the person who escorted us and they said they would get someone to fix it. We then opened the fridge to get some water and it was empty!! We had to call someone from the bathroom phone but it is impossible to get through and talk to someone who understands. We tried a few times and we weren't sure if the person we spoke to understood as there was no clear response from them. I texted our concierge who said she would look into it and I walked back to the desk to tell them that we still don't have 2 beds and no water. It took 2 hours for our fridge to get filled! I understand that they might be short staffed after COVID but they are also only at 40% capacity. My concern is that the service issues is not a temporary issue. We went out for dinner and came back at 10 and we still had just 1 giant bed for the 3 of us. So we started again with calling from the room, texting the concierge (with no response from her at all) and we got the service in under an hour. The concierge never even responded to my message. The next message from her was the activities for the day received the next morning. We did not see her or receive any more messages from her for the rest of the week - not even the activities for the day! I also asked when I checked in to talk to someone about wedding inquiries. It was friday evening and no one was available till Monday. I had to email them to get an appointment. My email was returned by Monday aftenoon at which time we were waiting for water in the new room after having bed bugs! I emailed them back the next morning and told them the list of issues we were having and that I wasn't sure about having a wedding here anymore. They apologized and asked which resort we were staying at. I was sad that they couldn't even coordinate that information on their own! My friend posted her review on our 3rd day in and on the 4th day, we got told we were getting upgraded to the Reserve service - access to a separate buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch, the adult only pool and bar with premium drinks and 1 separate restaurant. While we really enjoyed all of the perks, the hotel did not see fit to give us this as soon as we reported our issues - only when we complained on a public forum. Lastly, there is a management practice that we really did not appreciate. The entertainment staff who we had so much fun with knew when it was our last day and literally were forcing us to give the hotel a 5 star review. I can't blame them for following the instructions they were provided but management has told them that if they don't get a 5 star review with their names mentioned, their jobs are in jeopardy. You cannot give the hotel a 3 star review but mention their names and give them credit. They went so far as leaning over you and hitting the 5 star button on your phone to make sure it gets done. This really turned me off the hotel management as the final straw. Exploiting their staff's connections to force a review. I can easily say that I will not readily choose Paradisus again because of all of this even though I enjoyed the sun, the beach and the food!

Amazing Resort - Not too big!

I enjoyed this resort totally - she grounds were superb. the short walk to the beach was great. The staff was amazingly friends and I would recommend this resort to anyone. The pool was great and the service was excellent.

Great Resort

We loved this resort. It came recommended from family and we were happy with our decision. It was great that they provided a baby crib. The only thing that I wish was different was the seaweed situation, however I think it was the time of year. I'd go back, and upgrade to the reserve

Fabulous!

Excellent Resort. The rooms are beautiful. The grounds are clean and well maintained. The water pressure is good. The staff is friendly and helpful. Gardens are well manicured. We would go back. Variety and taste of food is great. Entertainment is good. No misquitous and flies to bother us at any time.

Nice place,... but,....

This was our third vacation to Paradisus Palma Real in the last 6 years. Overall, we really like the resort,...but,it would be nice if evening entertainment was added. Also, being over 60 years old, each and every time, we had requested a room close to the beach,...we even reminded the staff upon arrival at the reception desk of the same. After waiting at least half an hour at the reception desk, each time we were told to come back in about 45 minutes,....even though it is already about 4 pm and [... read more] the room should be ready by now. When we returned, and given the keys, the room ALWAYS ended up at the furthest point from the beach. It is pretty obvious that staff either do not listen to your requests, or they do not care about what one is saying. Like I said, a nice place, but it is time to look at different resorts where 5 star rating means exactly that.

Great hotel room

Most of the employees were really kind and cared about your needs. The hotel room was really cool how there was a window to the bathroom so we could watch TV in the bath. The one issue with the room was that when we first came the bathtub seemed a bit dirty and also the shower was kind of weird that it had jets in the wall so it was scary to turn it on. I really enjoyed the drinks by the pool as they were all delicious.

Paradise Amongst the Palms

The resort is truly splendid. As big as it is it never felt that it was so. We were given an upgrade to Royal Service which provided us with access to the adults only beach and the use of the luxurious beach beds and unlimited towels as well as a private pool for adults only. We also got to use the private restaurant Palazzo for our meals. The chefs at that restaurant are outstanding. The Vichyssoise was amazing as was the chocolate fondant for dessert. Courses in between soup and dessert  [... read more]were ethereal. The 'amuse bouche' that was offered at the start of the meal was truly delectable. The service was congenial, efficient and friendly. The other outstanding dining experience was at the Fuego which requires reservations as well. Once again the chefs produced amazing culinary delights. Both restaurants are the best we have experienced in the many years of all inclusive vacations we have experienced. The buffet provided a myriad of culinary delights. It was a treat to have delicious, fresh and delicately prepared Indian food which was one of my favorites. The paellas and the fish grill which included Caribbean lobster daily which delighted my husband was also a terrific experience. The Royal Service was especially appreciated as there were many families with lots of small children at the resort in the week we were there. This is not to say that we don't love kids as we very much do. It was just nice to have the quieter and relaxing stay which is what we want out of a beach holiday. The gardens are beautifully groomed. The friendly gardeners work diligently all day long to groom the gardens. The garden room we had was close to the beach. The housekeeping staff was highly efficient. The rooms were always cleaned in good time and we did not lack anything.Bed was super comfortable. The beach is one of the longest walking beaches we have experienced in the many all inclusive holidays we have taken. It is easy to walk on and never felt crowded; we are over 60 so a good walking beach was a real treat. We walked for close to an hour in the morning and an hour in the late afternoon. Overall a splendid holiday. Not related to the resort was our experience with AirTransat. Sufficient to say it was not good. We did not even meet the rep for the hotel after being given a meeting time to which he/she did not show up. We did not even get a phone call, a name of the rep etc. Hotel lobby staff were not surprised. We will be looking to use other airline packages in the future.

Good time but not great...

The facility was good but not worth the extra cost. Very good service the first few days, but then we were lost in the crowds. Thank goodness we did not opt for the royal service. Felt it was royal service the first few days, then the crowds, the construction... Royal service people were overwhelmed with jack hammers next to the secluded pool? Music was so loud to cover up the noise. Very much felt that our service dropped off when we did not display interest in time shares or other purchases [... read more]. Food was good but some evenings were disappointing. When we attempted to escape the noise of the poolside, the lovely beach area was inundated with vendors who kept circling around. Hotel staff did nothing to prevent this. Seaweed was left daily to pile on the beach... Bavaro Beach is not what it once was.... as is the case of many tropical paradises... It was a very restful time in the room, quiet and pleasant. The supposed HD tv was nothing more than a very old projection that most days would not work. I think were done with the DR... Room safe did not work at first but hotel very quickly repaired. Felt our room was secure and the grounds very lovely. The view when you first arrive, in the daytime, is very beautiful as the lobby contrasted to the nearby ocean. Shared the first day that our shower drain did not flow well, was never dealt with. It was a pleasant and nice stay, but not worth the added expense.

Five Star??

For a five Star resort it was very disappointing,the chairs at the beach were so uncomfortable, cheap and old. Most of them were broken, something you find at a 2-3 Star resorts. No bar service on the beach, we're not alcohol drinkers but sometimes we like to have a latte or a water.The food at the buffet for most part was so so, the fruit was very scarce,basic fruits such as bananas only saw it once in the week we were there. After bringing this issue to the front desk guest service staff membe [... read more]r by the name of Ana Silvereo she suggested we upgrade,I asked Ana if this resort is a five star,shouldn't this already be part of it? Anyways we just wanted a comfortable chair on the beach and bar service, so we decided to upgrade to the "Royal Service" package which is now going to cost $90us per day for both of us, but as we proceeded to purchase this "Royal Service"package, Ana said to us sorry there is a big group coming in and that service is all sold out, you'll have to buy the other package "The Reserve" package for $120 per day. I feel she was only trying to sell us the more expensive package and was not interested in helping us at all. After we left we went to check out the Reserve side which was full of kids.. We wanted to be on the adult side which was the Royal Service side.We decided to go back to the front desk at the end of the day when Ana wasn't there to ask another guest service staff member to purchase this package which appenrately was "sold out" funny that when we asked him to purchase the package it was no longer sold out. After all of that commotion we finally purchased the "Royal Service" package and went and enjoyed our 5 star comfortable $90 per day chairs at the beach. Included in this package was 2 extra restaurants that were available to royal guests only. One was called the Palazzo. This was suppose to be an exclusive restaurant. We went there for dinner only to discover a cockroach crawling on the floor. My husband pointed this out to a waiter who stepped on the roach but left it there. In conclusion we will not be returning to this resort.. We have been to many 5 star resorts in Punta Cana and this is in no way a 5 star resort.

Not too bad ...

I traveled with my friend and her mom the last week of March. Our flight was delayed so we only arrived at hotel around 11pm. They had upgraded my friends but left me on the opposite end of the resort in a room by myself.. after much discussion and involvement of our sunwing rep Santo, they finally moved us close to one another. The front desk staff are not very obliging or accommodating as a rule... money talks I guess. The food was good as were the rooms. Nathaniel Fernandez was a drea [... read more]m in the beach, english was great and he made sure we were looked after. We played the towel game for chairs with security and had great loungers every day. The vendors in the beach as well as the picture with my monkey were a pain in the butt!! they were only allowed up so far and then at 5 they turned into drug dealers. not so fun. Beach was great as was the water.

Awesome resort

The hotel was perfect! It was very clean, the food on the buffet was amazing, the staff truly made this resort the awesome place it is. From the beautiful beach, the pool, the bars, the food, the people, the accommodations it was very difficult to say goodbye!

Amazing resort!

It was a great first experience! Simply breathtaking! The agent was amazing...people at resort were amazing! Very memorable trip in deed! I would highly recommend this resort in fact I am every time someone asks about the trip! We will consider going back with the family as many as possible...my niece is looking for a wedding venue so it's a good possibility that this is the resort!

Great service

My experience at Paradisus Palma Real was very brief as I had to change hotel because being over booked. José at the reception organised my transfert to another resort with great care and understanding of my needs. José thank you for your great service.

Very nice resort

The place was excellent, clean people and workers all good. Food was second to none. Would recommend this place to anyone. The only bad thing was when we left Sunwing were slow stopping resort to resort causing us to nearly miss our plane. they were calling for us and we were still in security line up. We were running

Amazing resort

The hotel was super clean. Food amazing. Service A+. This was our first trip to Punta Cana and we must say that this hotel is going to be hard to beat. Sungwing was a bit of a different. Tour bus took forever to get us to the airport amd sunwing almost left us behind because they were having problems with their system.

Great resort

The resort was really nice, rooms can use some updating and entertainment can be a bit better , the buffet was great! Food was awesome just a bit repetitive... the a la carte restaurants need too step it up ... food and service from ala carte was good but not spectacular... over all an awesome resort.. beautiful beach! And well worth it