Secrets Royal Beach: Wow

Started by a great experience at trip central with Tammy templeton in respect to all booking arrangements. The whole trip went great. Resort food was great, no complaints. Service was fantastic, no complaints. Resort and room cleanliness was also great. Rooms cleaned early unlike other resorts that take till 5 pm to clean rooms, no complaints at this one. We loved everything about this resort except the fact that smoking is everywhere and no way to get away from it and as usual, smokers do [... read more]n’t give a crap so in today’s day and age, there should be some areas designated as some other resorts.

Grand Palladium Palace: A nice resort but:

We are retired pensioners and found the shower very hard ( and dangerous ) to get in and out of as it is located in the Jacuzzi and it was also very slippery. The food was o.k. The staff were excellent and most speak passable English although we were constantly pestered by some staff trying to sell massages, parasailing, etc. Staff were very attentive and bar service was excellent. I would not recommend this place for older people because of the showers.

Excellence El Carmen: Excellence El Carmen was excellente!

Just returned home from a wonderful week holiday at the Excellence El Carmen with three couples. We have travelled to a lot of all inclusives resorts and by far this one was superior! Staff and service was excellent. Food was delicious, plentiful and there were so many options of a la carte restaurants to choose from. No reservations required and we had no problems at all getting into all the restaurants. Plenty of towels and beach & pool chairs available. Tipping was welcomed but you did  [... read more]not feel if you did not tip all the time that service would be compromised. Entertainment was very good and offered something for everyone every night. The karoke night was so much fun. This resort was top notch! I highly recommend this resort! We will return :)

Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana: Good value

The buildings and grounds were comparable to a five star. Staff are constantly working hard to keep this place spotless and up to date. Staff is very kind but most don't speak English. The food was good, as was the beach and pools. I can't complain about this place.

Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine: 5 stars indeed, but lacking beach front

Everything in terms of grounds inspire a top of the line resort. Gardens, rooms cleanliness and dining room. Unfortunately, we didn't find the vacation were looking for. And this is because the hotel is so far away from the beach that you either walk some good 10-15 minutes or forced to wait in designated spots for a golf cart to take you there. The beach is confined for adult only, but super crowded. Chair to chair, hundreds of them, people close to each other, no privacy at all. If you get by [... read more] 8 am, chances are that you don't see the ocean at all, as available chairs are far back. There is no bar service on the beach. In the area allocated to Aquamarine we did not see any waitress taking orders, during our stay ... So not very 5 stars service. Another turn down is the expensiveness, from the lobby stores to the excursions. Mercantilism of the resort is something that stroked me from the beginning. For this reason I am out, and not returning to that place. Bahia Principe in Punta Cana is a complex of seven huge resorts, therefore the beach allocation is very limited. If you are a beach type of vacationer, find other places. Cuba is awesome!!! For a budget.

Sunscape Bavaro Beach: Disorganized resort!

Hotel buildings are ok and good location. However if you are foodie person please don't go there, because you will be very very very disappointed. I am not saying much but there is not way I would go to Sunscape Bavaro in Punta Cana. However they have some of amazing people.

Riu Republica: Beautiful resort!

The hotel was beautiful, we had a great view of the garden, pools and water slides. The beach was so clean and water was clear most days. Big waves but still fun to swim and watch. Amazing sunset behind the trees most nights. Food was excellent and had lots of options for everyone. Italian restaurant was our personal favourite. Parties and staff had lots of energy and there was different music for everyone at each of the pools. Waterslides were excellent and used them every day. Overall 10/10 wo [... read more]uld recommend this resort!

Secrets Cap Cana: Really great hotel

Top feature is staff. Everyone was wonderful.Exceptional service Excellent beach. Large, plenty of loungers, etc. Great service at beach as well. Great pools. Not crowded, plenty of loungers, sun and shade, great service. Privilege section pool great, large, quiet; Main pool huge, plenty of activity. Restaurants and buffet very good, excellent service, good food. Rooms very nice. Great location, close to airport.(20 minutes) Evening shows in theater good. Entertainment.in lobby, pool bar  [... read more]area okay. Coffee shop lobby are awesome. Disco poor. Better seating & layout in lobby area would help ..create gathering and hangout area which in many hotels becomes a focal gathering point. Here is too few seats, dumb ass water hazards, poor layout.

Occidental Caribe: Beautiful Resort

This resort was amazing ! Wasnt too big and wasnt crowded. Had lots to do. If you wanted a quiet pool they had it and at the other pool had games and events and a pool bar. They also had a pool for kids as well . Beach wasnt too far. Drink were not waterdown and bathrooms were clean . Room service was great and rooms were super clean with a coffee maker :). I do tho have one complaint which is the service at the buffet! food was great but the service to get coffee in the morning was lacking badl [... read more]y!! i didnt tip cus there wasnt no one to tip also No decaf coffee :(. I will be coming back to this just bring my own decaf coffee lol. :)

Riu Republica: Riu Republica

We spend amassing 8 days in Riu Republica , Punta Cana at the end of November All inclusive vacation was booked trough Tripcentral almost at the last minute and all trip was more than satisfying ,smooth and incredible for us . Resort was immaculate, clean with beautiful grounds . Modern clean and spacious room and bathroom , unexpected balcony view was bonus that made our stay even more special . Food was amassing ,fresh fruit and variety of daily made meals and choices for everyone. Pools we [... read more]re clean with lots of chairs and shade . Beach was one of the best we ever swim in Dominican also with lots of palapas and palm trees to chose . All staff was very friendly , drinks very good and all together vacation was very relaxing and amassing for us . Thank you Riu ...we will be definitely back again and we will highly recommend Riu and Tripcentral for booking.

Royalton CHIC Punta Cana: Not a 5 star experience!

Lovely beach Inconsistent service, front desk staff by far the worst of the team. Moody and quite rude. Not helpful when asked for help. Adolfo at front was most noticeably miserable and actually quite rude. The rooms dated, small and run down, repairs needed details missing. Cold lobby. Food is ok at restaurants, buffet as expected so,so. Most snack bars and inroom dining cold. Ice machines and spa jets/pools not working during our stay. Not much being done to rectify. Lots of entertainm [... read more]ent if you enjoy a busy pool scene this is your place. Solid fitness selection, enjoyed aqua spin with one of the instructors (the machine) if you travel a lot and have experienced 5 star elsewhere don’t expect it here. If you’re new to travel and don’t mind missing details you’ll enjoy chic. Our other Royalton experiences were far better than this one. Won’t be coming back here.

Excellence El Carmen: Very Clean and modern Resort.

Was there from Nov 23- 30th 2018. The resort is very clean and very modern. The restaurants are all very good, the Grill and the Mexican were our favourites, but all were good. The main buffet is only open for breakfast and lunch which was a little bit of a surprise. We always like to have the buffet to fall back on in case the resturants are not very good. They do have a Sports Bar that has more of a North American flare to it, Chicken wings and things along that line. The resort is out [... read more] in the middle of nowhere so it is a bit of a bumpy, exhaust-filled ride to do anything, the excursions were not good at all and this was the consensus of all the people we talked to. We had a room with the private rooftop plunge pool and seating area, great for morning or late evening swims and sunbathing. The room itself was small but you are hardly in it so that was not an issue. the swinout rooms on the bottom floors are wide open for people to see directly into them as they are walking by, so if you like privacy I would recommend the 3rd floor with the rooftop plunge pool, these ae only available in the buildings near the ocean and they afford you beutiful views. Every building has its own pool, but the fun is at the main pool, that is were freindships are made so go and meet people there:) Over all a very nice "quiet" vacation. Not our best but not our worst either.

Now Garden Punta Cana: Very well groomed establishment

The house jazz band was excellent. Need to see more of them. Maybe have them playing softly in the main lobby. Jose the bartender at the Now Garden swim up bar was very efficient and friendly. Man needs a raise he is that good. Best manicured beach along the strip.

Riu Republica: What a fantastic resort- first class and worth all 5 stars from start to finish

Don't spend another minute choosing another resort- Riu Replubica is simply the best 5 star resort in the south for your money..it was very helpful we could avoid Toronto airport (went out of Hamilton) but we never expected the place to be so immaculately clean and well served with happy eager people! Our food expectations were "all inclusive" but we really did enjoy all the variety and the a la carte options were nice - but the buffet for all 3 meals could not be beat! Our room was very comfy a [... read more]nd clean and the grounds were outstanding! This is a huge place and it was packed but we always found a chair on the beach or by the pool or for one of the entertaining evening shows. I wouldn't bother with the excursions next time as the place had loads of variety and opportunity for fun all day and night!...We will be back Jody and Laura

Grand Memories Punta Cana: Great Resort

The waterpark was so fun, beaches were rocky but nice. Pools were beautiful and quiet. Fun shows and great food. The walls are very thin and mornings are very loud after 8am, a lot of interruptions. Overall a great resort.

Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites: A dreamy vacation

I have travelled here from Nov. 18 to Nov. 28, 2018, and can honestly say this was one of my best trips to Punta Cana in the last few years. Resort: Only half-hour away from the airport, the hotel is friendly for all types of guests: from singles/couples to bigger families. You will always find something fun to do in your own tastes, be it taking a sunbathe at the beach, bird watching along green paths, chilling out at the bar or playing active games at the pool. The location is full of natur [... read more]al vegetation; the gardens are well kept, and the orchidarium is a sweet touch. Overall, the resort is pretty large; you can access main points of interest in a walking distance (should you prefer, there are also carts available to take you wherever you need). Worthy to mention, the hotel has accommodations for people with disabilities as well. There is a store available on-site that has all the basic stuff available: snorkelling masks, swimming suits, bug repellents, sunscreen lotions, toys, snacks, souvenirs, etc. Room: The room was spacious and pretty clean; though some quick fix-ups in the bathroom would be appreciated (i.e. the mirror was covered with rust). The noise isolation was also good. The room included a mini-bar (restocked every afternoon), a safe, an ironing board, a hair-dryer, and a couple of umbrellas. I found it a bit odd that there was no “Do not disturb” sign available though, as there were at least three room service routines happening daily: room cleaning in mid-morning, towels replacement in the afternoon, and mini-bar restocking in the evening. I’ve only encountered two-three bugs during my 1.5 week stay, but would recommend brining a bug repellent regardless. Beach/Pool: The beach line is long enough to take a good walk. It gets cleaned regularly, and even though there was quit a few seaweeds in the first few days, it was cleaned promptly. The sea is shallow at the entrance and gradually gets deeper as you move forward. There are some fishes to observe; though not too many. Tons of beach chairs available and bar service was good. Very few people walking around trying to sell you stuff, though not pushy at all. There are two pools available: one for small kids (the splashing bucket is a blast!), and another one for teens and adults. There is also a bar accessible right from the pool to chill out on a hot day. Food: The food was more than adequate; tons of variety, especially for the sea food lovers. Overall, nice mix of continental and local food choices. The pool/beach grill was great for lunch and occasionally they had something cooking in the big stirfry pan close by. As for the a-la carte restaurants, I’ve tried three out of eight available (as a guest of Iberostart Bavaro Suites, you also have access to two other nearby hotels, including restaurants, casino, shops, etc.). The first restaurant I went to was “La Marimba” (Seafood), located at Iberostar Dominicana hotel. Overall, it was good; though lobster comes at a cost of US $25.00 (you can get free lobster at Bavaro Suites pretty much any day), and some more variety in the main courses would be great. The second a-la carte restaurant was at Iberostar Punta Cana, called “La Pagoda” (Oriental). Just terrible: from service to food itself. Do not recommend. Last but not least was “Jambalaya” (Cajun) at Iberostar Bavaro. Absolutely the best! Top service, great atmosphere, lots of choices and the food was delicious. Staff/Entertainment: This resort by far has the best staff! Unlike many other places, you do not have to tip to get good service (though tips are still appreciated ;) ). Friendly, professional, engaging, everyone—from janitors & gardeners to lobby desk administrators—do their best to make you feel welcomed. HUGE kudos to the animation team (Star Friends). Not only they find new ways to entertain you during the day time, they also help put up great night shows. These were by far the best shows I’ve seen in my recent trips to Caribbean, and not a single one repeated itself during the whole stay. A fly in the ointment: Up until the day preceding departure, I’ve had only positive experience with the buffet personnel; however, on the very last day the whole crew changed and new waiters were assigned. And, wow, what a change! Not a single smile; the tables stayed dirty until you pointed out, no wine being served, etc… I feel sorry for the newcomers who may have to deal with that kind of attitude, and can see how this could spoil their vacation at the otherwise great hotel. :( Overall: I would strongly recommend this resort. I would absolutely return to this place in a heartbeat!!

Bahia Principe Grand Bavaro: Third Time's a Charm!

We have been to the Gran Bahia 3 times now in different resorts on the property. We had a great time! Weather was great, room was great and booking the trip online was a breeze. We put in hotel request prior to arrival and our accommodations were just like we asked! Thank you for an amazing vacation!

Ocean Blue and Sand: Another Fun Time

We booked our trip to Ocean Blue and Sand thru Tracy at Trip Central, Dundas and everything went like clockwork as usual. This was our 18th visit to this hotel in the last 11 years and we will continue to go there as well as other places. The people who work at this hotel are so friendly and welcoming that we cannot stay away. The grounds of this hotel are immaculate and the two huge pools in the centre of the complex are maintained by several workers using snorkelling equipment who start at  [... read more]dawn every morning. The al a carte restaurants are great and it is so nice to have white tablecloths and napkins and be served by efficient and experienced wait staff. The entertainment staff is like no other. They will entertain you and keep you laughing from 10:00 a.m. until the night club closes at around 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. Their goal is to make sure you have the time of your life and they succeed every time. The beach has seen better days, but because of the eco tubes they have installed to prevent any more erosion caused by global warming, it is improving considerably. Any seaweed is removed with machinery every morning. We are looking forward already to visit #19.

Breathless Punta Cana Resort: It all depends on where you've been and what you expect.

This was a tough review and I’m struggling with how to rate this resort (I really want to give it 4*, but it's not quite there). I admit, everything is so subjective, so I like to provide comparison context to establish “realistic expectations”, noting that 5* doesn’t always mean the Ritz or the 4 Seasons, so I am not measuring on this basis. Full disclosure: We pre-booked a Master Oceanfront Xhale room, and the resort was at 55-60% capacity. We not only knew, but liked and chose this [... read more] place because it was considered a ‘party’ atmosphere. The comparable resorts we’ve been to are Breathless Mexico, CHIC Punta Cana and Hard Rock Punta Cana. Here is how Breathless Punta Cana rates: The grounds: Immaculate, beautifully manicured/maintained. Layout seems a bit awkward and linear (if you are in the Xhale buildings don’t wear heels to dinner unless you take the trolley). The beachfront buildings are a good hike to the main lobby/atrium where you find most restaurants and entertainment. The beach: Nice, but definitely rocky in the water. Careful you don’t cut your feet..recommend swimming more toward the NOW resort beach. The rooms: Very clean, housekeeping was thorough and consistent every day. The master suite comes with a separate sitting room and 2 full bathrooms (which I LOVED). However, I understand when people say the rooms look ‘dated’. The resort is only 5 years old and yet the rooms look much older, because the décor is more tropical than modern. The rooms at Breathless Mexico, and CHIC are quite modern, so sadly Breathless Punta Cana is aging very quickly. Note: On the last day we found the source of a very loud and annoying decompressing sound (occurred every 15-20 minutes). We suffered with it for many days/nights, only to determine it was the scented mister above our bed. The service: Our butler/concierge Glinny was quite awesome. He seemed to find us wherever we were and was keen to help with whatever we needed (always with a huge smile). Most of the bars and restaurants had good service, but the attitudes were hit and miss. Some very friendly, attentive, others were quite short/curt. The entertainment: Admittedly, we didn’t participate in any of the activities or catch any of the shows, but it looked quite lively. The issue we had was the Freestyle pool DJ. Very inconsistent. 1 day great dance music, validated by large, very engaged crowd, other days the DJ should have a better read on the audience (small, non-engaged crowd = change the music). The food: Mmmm, ok so this is where Breathless Mexico and CHIC are WAY ahead. Did we have some good meals? Yes, the Italian and Mexican restaurants were quite good. We ate 2x at each. The French was inedible, awful. The strip soooo disappointing. Husband ordered a beautiful beef fillet, but strangely that they didn’t ask how he wanted it cooked. Before the waiter left he had to ask for ‘medium rare’…..BIG MISTAKE, and now understand why they don’t ask. Honestly, the ‘quality’ was similar to Canada, but it was delivered RAW (not even rare). We thought this might have been a mistake, sent it back, asked for medium rare again….only to get another raw steak. What a waste of 2 beautiful steaks. The afternoon barefoot grill was just ok. Husband really wanted chicken wings and there were none to speak of. Afternoon food choices at Breathless Mexico and CHIC again are much better. However, ALL the food at the Hard Rock is inedible (very disappointing), so Breathless Punta Cana was definitely better. The drinks: Were just ok. Given the size of the resort I understand why most of the main drinks are pre-frozen to ensure quicker service, but Breathless Mexico and CHIC always offer these freshly blended….makes a BIG difference. Note, I would never complain about a drink being too weak since this can be quickly fixed by asking for more booze. We did want to send a special shout out to Leo the Hookah guy. My husband visited him everyday, and he was always extremely friendly and was well versed on the set-up. Overall, the resort was nice, but we did struggle to connect like we have with others places. There were points when they went above and beyond, and others where they fell flat.

Excellence El Carmen: Amazing Experience!

This was the nicest resort we have stayed at to date! Swim up rooms are beautiful and luxurious and the service throughout the resort was outstanding. 24 hour room service was perfect when we arrived late due to delayed flight. Hotel was 86% full but there seemed to be ample amenities such as beach loungers and huts for the number of people. This resort had a more serene, spa like vibe than others which made it perfect for two parents looking to relax. We would go back again.