Occidental Punta Cana: Be aware

Prepare to be a minority. 85% of guests are from Russia, behaving like they own the place, as well as entire Punta Cana. I believe that it's affecting staff in the negative way. Premises are beautiful and well maintained, all but bathroom by the theater, which is absolutely discasting. Food is more than adequate, drinks are not. Mohitos without the mint, just a sugary sirop. Intertament good two out of seven nights.Rooms are renovated, beach infested with seaweeds, WiFi is extra charge.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach: Chip Resort

Pros: Amazing Beach, probably the beat in Caribe Amazing Water Sport activities Cons: Horrible service everywhere Flies everywhere including main buffet Bad HVAC & Plumbing (old equipment & lack of good maintenance) Too many Russians & Quebecers (smoking everywhere and all the time, no place to avoid secondhand smoking)

Barcelo Bavaro Palace: Great vacation!

Barcelo Bavaro Palace is a very nice resort with impeccable grounds. Most staff are warm and courteous. We had a family room with a shared bathroom and 2 separate bedrooms. Location of the family rooms are a little far from the front desk and beach but the walk was nice. Kids club and waterpark are near the family section and that's very convenient. Kids had fun at the waterpark but just a warning that the floor is rough (so they don't slip) and my kids got scratches. Pools are wonderful with va [... read more]rious depths and sections with bubbles on and off. Beach was absolutely beautiful. One day of some seaweed accumulation but the staff are hard at work 2-3 times per day to remove. We didn't have much trouble finding lounge chairs on the beach or at the pools. Food was mostly ok and always something for everyone. Note that the staff in general is not super fluent in English. My husband is mexican so we were ok. Alot of Russian families and we found out that the staff also speak Russian. Menus and signage is translated in a few languages including Russian. One issue I found is they let people smoke in places like "indoor patios" of their restaurants that are covered and open up farther away. Biggest problem was the service at the Spanish restaurant la Fuente on our last evening. Server was inattentive, blamed us for ordering incorrectly, tried to take away my husband's plate after 5 bites and going to the washroom with the kids, poured water in my empty (never refilled) glass of wine, took forever to clear our plates, never asked how the food was, didn't take our dessert order and went to pour wine at another server's table... so we couldn't wait anymore with 3 little kids and got up and left without tipping. 2 other tables of 2 were either complaining or not getting their food. Unfortunately we didn't get the server's name. No free Wi-Fi but we managed by going to the casino and the pirates waterpark (to which we had gotten a free one day access pass). All in all we would recommend this resort and consider going again.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach: Awesome Place

This was an amazing resort. The restaurants and food were fabulous and beautifully presented. We loved that there were some low key activities near the pool (ping pong billiards, shuffleboard, bocchi ball, and some ta le games) that added fun to our vacation. Things were nearby and convenient. The little trains were available to take you to the Palace hotel next door. Entertainment was very good and located at both hotels which was very convenient. We are definitely going back.

Riu Palace Macao: Great Resort

It was excellent. The room was very comfortable. The pool was very clean went out at 930every morning and had no problem getting lounger chair. Out of all the resorts I've been to the Riu has the best food. The staff were very good . Overall I really enjoyed this resort and would not hesitate to go back.

Sunscape Coco Punta Cana: Staff are amazing

Just came back from a week at the Be Live Collection Punta Cana, a lovely resort, clean, staff is amazing very friendly always trying to get you involved with games and activities, food great, beach area was great, rooms where clean and taken care of each day. I did find language a bit of a barrier not all staff were easy to converse with. This resort is under construction and at times it was a bit of a pain. When leaving we dragged our luggage up to front only to be told we had to go to anoth [... read more]er area for checkout and getting on our bus for airport. Better signage and communication for changes would be a nice touch. I would recommend this resort. Had a wonderful relaxing vacation.

Grand Palladium Punta Cana: Beautiful resort

It’s an excellent result the grounds are well-kept who is all nice there’s a lot of activities around the pool area end up with really good there recently renovated rooms are excellent but the one in Vallartas or not as good as expected with five star resort overall were satisfied with the location and a very clean beach The Buffet foods are OK but alacart restaurants are better specially Japanese one entertainment was all right I will give four star For Palladium Punta Cana

Barcelo Bavaro Palace: Great vacation

This was our third visit to the Barcelo Bavaro Palace. This time we traveled as a family of six adults and stayed from Dec. 9 - 16. The facilities were as impressive as during our first visit and the staff was helpful and courteous. If your Spanish is limited, you will find that the staff's English has much improved. The beautiful beach was well groomed every morning, and there was sufficient aquatic equipment for our enjoyment; we went sailing every day. While the buffet restaurant was good, th [... read more]e specialty restaurants were all excellent; the six of us could not agree on which one we liked the best. We had a great time and are looking forward to our next visit.

Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: Good and bad

The renovation were very nice, the staff is friendly and very attentitive. The new sports bar and coffee shop are nice additions. The issues I have is it was suppose to be adults only and I paid for adults only but there was children at the beach restaurant that clearly states adult only as well as when I was out in my swim up there was children on the main path in front of me. We all were sick due to the food and our shower flooded and we told staff and they did nothing. Our air conditioning di [... read more]dn’t work as well, the unit beside us had there ac unit leak all over there room and the wall was all messed up and they left them in there which is ridiculous. They have some hiccups that need to be addressed.

Excellence Punta Cana: Beautiful Grounds

Clean grounds, great weather and not too big so easy to get around. Always chairs available on the beach and by the pools so no need to wake up extra early. Food was just ok and wine/liquors selection was not very good. Coffee shop was the perfect place for a morning latte or ice cream in the afternoon. There was 2 resort cats that would let you pet them especially if you have treats for them.

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Great place to relax

The resort is amazing and huge. The crowd was great. Beach was excellent. We stayed in Esmeralda so going to beach was easy as it is closer. Other resorts there is a buggy ride you have to take that could be a little painful with kids. Only thing I will add is they need to put pool tables in the bar area for adults. Tennis courts are so far from beach that you don't even wanna go to play after a dip.

Royalton Splash Punta Cana: Good Hotel Too Much Selling (Royalton)

We actually got upgraded to the Royalton and were very happy about that. In retrospect not sure I would have been happy at Memories so far from the beach. Here are my pro's and con's to help other travelers: Pro's -Everything was very clean and well maintained, even the bathrooms near the bar which sometimes can get messy -Room service was a nice option after a long day at the beach -Front desk staff were very accommodating and there wasn't the usual long waits to get service -Rooms large a [... read more]nd well cared for - clean and well cleaned -Beach and weather always good in Punta Cana, although we had a weird seaweed problem this time around -Really nice and clean pools -Water park was excellent! Fun, clean and no line ups. Con's -The selling of time shares never stopped. We met up with a family that thought they were getting breakfast at the Diamond club and were in for a 3 hour sales pitch. And no warning about the sales pitch. We got asked about the same thing and when I said no that was the end of the service from the concierge Marco. The family mentioned, the mother had to pretend to be single so Marco could get his points and when her mother said she had to ask her husband the manager was called in she showed her anger to the guest. -No lock on the doors i.e. deadbolt. So at night there was nothing between me and my young son and everyone who had a pass card. And every night they had a service when they came to our door to ask if we needed anything and a few times when I didn't answer they walked in with me in a towel just out of the shower. -The family mentioned above got charged 20.00 US when her 5 year old lost his wrist band because it was too loose. There was a big angry exchange. -My son sliced a big cut on his heel in the pool and the front desk staff didn't seem concerned. When later we were checking out I showed it to them and they were shocked how big it was. He was limping for 3-4 days. They didn't put anything into action to find the cause in the pool. I was also told glass was found in the ice cream and again nothing was don't about it. If they could fix a few of the issues listed above than I would recommend. Otherwise not sure I would go back. I detest being sold to once I paid for a vacation. To give context I've been going down south now every year for the last 36 years. Every resort has pro's and con's but I've never been sold after purchasing the package.

Sunscape Coco Punta Cana: Not what we usually get in Punta Cana

The grounds where very nice, staff very friendly. Rooms need some tender care and upgrading. The food was good, never went hungry. Enjoyed the Brazilian restaurant the best. The activities staff work very hard to recruit people to play the games. Lots of shade if you need it on the beach, not so much around the pools. Don’t know if it was the time of year or not but there was lots of sea weed and didn’t swim in the ocean. 20 min down the beach the water was beautiful. Stayed dec 8 to 15 th.

VIK Hotel Arena Blanca: Horrible vacation

Front desk extremely slow upon arrival. Went to our room, telephone didn’t work, balcony door didn’t lock, light over t.v. didn’t work, balcony light didn’t work, light outside the entry door (for security) didn’t work. Charged US$14.00 to use the in-room piece of crap safe. NO coffee maker, NO clock, NO towels upon arrival, BAD internet, massive amounts of seaweed on the shore, disgusting. I have been to the D.R. 4 times, thus staff never smiled, laughed, went out if thief way to s [... read more]ay hola. Made us feel like we were interrupting their day. Housekeepers in the hallways at 8:00 a.m. yelling back and forth to each other disturbing us. Staff on their cell phones ALL the time. Severe cracks in the bathroom counter and the bottom of the step to get into the shower, could have collapsed. Food was repetitive and not good. I would rate thus property at a 2. Will not return or recommend.

Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana: Amazing Resort

Everything about this hotel was amazing all the stuff were friendly, polite. I would definitely recommend this resort to anyone that is planning on going to Punta Cana and the rooms were always clean no matter what.

Grand Memories Punta Cana: Beautiful Resort

This hotel is a must! The rooms are gorgeous, clean and comfy! The grounds are beautiful and well cared for. The restaurants are amazing the ala carte are like anything you would get at a 5 star at home! And the buffet, if you are picky you will be pleasantly surprised! The coffee bar is to die for! And the drinks top notch. And if you are daring!!!! Hit the water slides! I would love to go back.

Grand Palladium Punta Cana: Excellent Resort

We have been to this resort 6 times. This resort has be fully renovated. The rooms are exceptional and the grounds are always well groomed. We only ate at the buffets, lots of options to choose from. The desserts were excellent.

Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: very big with many young people

The grounds were extensive, the food was out of this world, the big machinery on the beach removing the seaweed made it sound like a construction zone. the workers were great, helpful, friendly great service.

Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: Gran Bahia Ambar Blue Great changes

four of us Spent one week Dec 6-13 at the newly renovated AMBAR BLUE not to be confused with the other six properties attached to this adults only resort I love the ambar have been a guest there over 7 times (twice this year ) there is really too many nice things to focus on -- so I will start with the rooms they have changed it all colours services the rooms are great (no smell of mold and damp which at a beach resort is usually the case) nice GRohe hardware, king bed a little hard but you [... read more] can order a topper to make it softer, nice bar area and fridge well stocked but sometimes they forget so just ask for what you need and you get it right away swim up rooms ground floor only and worth it fantastic hundreds of tv stations and great wifi lighting in the rooms concierge service helps to avoid trips to the main desk our man was Elvis staff many of whom are newer (lots of my old friends moved ) but still excellent too many to name at the two buffets and bar the two head waiters at Portofino and Meat are very good highly recommend these two places and Nikkei Mashua at the Aquarmarine next door a real food experience and marvelous cocktails a must visit to all three of these I heard that Limbo was good but didn't make it (at least friends from Milan Italy thought the Osso Buco was great) service wonderful had no problems though I am sure with the amount of people at the resort there are bound to be slip ups but do not be shy about any missteps the management want to know you are happy and well served so step up and ask politely spanish is helpful but lots speak English they will endeavor to please they make you feel special so ask do not assume did not use the pool our group of four were ocean people now the seaweed problem something nature has decided to display but the hotel does an over the top job of removing it constantly so we didn't miss one day of swimming in the marvelous waters the beach is becoming too crowded and we had to get up at 4 am to claim a spot nearest to the water as I had issues with a bad foot and we only had one instance where an ignorant couple decided to move into our area when we were having breakfast but we solved that by explaining that we came out at 4 to put down our towels and they should respect that it was the only time we had a problem but there were several issues of this in other areas the first come first serve works for the most part but some people can be really nasty when you get a space they had the day before but they didn't get up in time to claim it security guards do nothing about this as they are technically not allowed to intervene unless you are from another resort in which case if you do not have a bracelet they send you packing the accessibility area is good for wheelchairs and walkers but it is not near to a washroom servers come around and are very good even delivering ice tea and juice without asking nice touch we asked for an received the rooms and the al la cartes reservations we wanted verty pleased the coffee bar serves the best espresso and coffees but needs to be open at the same time as the buffet there was lots of entertainment which doesn't interest me that much I go for the relaxation and quiet but I think some people need diversions they are trying to make it a little more like a festive party people were enjoying themselves which is goodchange is happening so those we remember the old ambar might find the new one a more active than the old one but still a great experience we are looking forward to returning next year this resort is fast becoming our vacation cottage friendly and just like home

Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana: Fantastic resort!

We just got back from a week stay. The resort is beautiful and clean and well maintained. We stayed in the preferred club and our room was excellent! The food was great and lots of choice. Lots of pools for swimming and the beach was nice. The staff were all very friendly and welcoming! The only negative we found was a few of the restaurants were pushy about buying wine off the list. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would return again!