Iberostar Waves Dominicana: Another Great Stay

This was our second stay at this resort (the first was 3 years ago), and overall we had a great experience both times. The staff were very friendly and hardworking. Communication could sometimes be challenging as many staff members spoke limited English, and we speak very little Spanish, but everyone was always kind and helpful. The food was decent overall. We mostly ate at the à la carte restaurants, which could be a bit hit or miss. The French restaurant was our favourite. We also discov [... read more]ered the beach restaurant partway through our trip and ended up going there several times. The BBQ was excellent and probably the best food we had during our stay. Lunches by the beach were also very good, especially the burgers and steaks. The fresh pineapple was amazing, and the drinks were consistently great. Our room was comfortable and well-maintained. We did find a cockroach on the first day, but given the tropical climate, it can be expected. The beach was one of the highlights. There was very little seaweed compared to neighbouring resorts, and after walking along the beach to check out other properties, we felt our section was easily one of the nicest. Finding a lounge chair could sometimes be difficult later in the day, but if you went early, it wasn't a problem. The gym deserves special mention. It's one of the best resort gyms we've seen, with modern equipment and plenty of variety for a good workout. We also thought the night entertainment was well done! Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would happily return again.

Serenade All Suites Adults Only Resort: Great stay at Serenade All Suites Adults Only Resort from 4-11 March 2026

We travelled to Serenade All Suites – Adults Only from March 4–11, 2026, booking through tripcentral with Sunwing as the provider and WestJet operating the flights. We chose premium economy, and the experience exceeded expectations — comfortable seating, great service, and very good food. The resort offers a beautiful, expansive beach that’s ideal for long walks, and several pools with different atmospheres, allowing guests to choose between quiet relaxation or a more energetic environment. D [... read more]ining was consistently enjoyable, with the steakhouse and Asian restaurant being highlights. Service throughout the resort was excellent. Staff at the coffee bar, piano bar, à la carte restaurants, and buffet were consistently warm, attentive, and welcoming. Our king bed, pool‑view suite was spacious and well‑equipped. The only design consideration is that the shower opens directly into the main room, which may not be ideal for all travel groups. Otherwise, the room met all expectations. Overall, this is a well‑run resort with great service, good food, and a beautiful beachfront. We would recommend it.

Ocean Blue and Sand: Perfect all around!

I stayed at the Ocean Blue and Sand once before about 8 years ago and my friend who I travelled with has been there 19 times. This is a very clean and friendly place to stay. They have renovated their rooms and are continually working to keep it fresh. The staff are so welcoming and many are still there15 years later. Especially enjoyed Mike’s Cafe where we met Benjamin and Christopher for our evening cappuccino. This Hotel is small and warm, compared to other resorts we have been to that [... read more] are too large and not as friendly.

Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine: Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine

This is a nice hotel. The room was great, not dated. Food was good even at the buffet restaurant. Beach was okay, except for the sea weeds. There was no problem getting a beach chair at the beach or the pool. The entertainment team was nice and the games were fun. The night shows were nice too.

Ocean El Faro: A good hotel!

Check in was quick and easy (but we were the only ones at the time). Everyone who worked there did a great job, people were friendly. Kids loved Jelly's kid club, the water park and the lazy river. Bring your own tubes or wait in line for a bit. Kids are picky eaters most meals they were able to find something, if not we went to Mike's Cafe and they were able to get yogurt and sandwiches. First resort that I found the a la cartes bland and nothing to write home about. I did like that there were [... read more] 3 you had to book a head if time and the rest you could just go to whenever, the cons of that were some restaurants were closed on certain days. Using the barcode they provide can help you plan meals accordingly thou. We much preferred the buffet to the a la cartes (this would not be typical for any hotel I've ever gone to). We were unable to go to the ocean because of the sea grass so that was a bummer. Would I go back to this hotel? Nothing draws me back or away to be honest. I probably wouldn't choose to go back just so I could go to other resorts, but nothing happened that wouldn't make me want to go back.

Secrets Cap Cana: Some challenges for sure, but overall decent

When we checked in they put us in a room right behind the restaurant that was under construction so there were literally jack-hammers running all day. It was brutal. After the first night they moved us to a different building which was better, but you could still hear the construction. We were only at the resort for 5 nights so it wasn't worth moving again. The food in the restaurants was decent, however they have very limited options for a restricted diet as we are both gluten free and da [... read more]iry free. I would not say this was a 5 star vacation, the facility is dated and needs updating in certain areas, but please let visitors know if there is signifcant construction going on as we would have picked a different destination. Our concierge Francis was excellent.

Grand Bavaro Princess: Beautiful Beach and Grounds!

Loved the beach and grounds. So well kept and full of peacocks! The room was very well maintained and no complaints other than outside noise from people coming and going but then again we were on the first floor. Food and drinks were fantastic too!

Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Not a 5 star luxury resort

When you book this resort, there is the option of paying for an upgrade (Diamond Club). It is over $1,000 per person in additional fees. We didn't take this option. You also have the choice to book your own room, for an extra fee of $260 US minimum. We didn't take that option either. You are also asked if you want to upgrade to DC when you check in. We declined, and the room we were given was possibly the worst one in the resort. It was in the furthest building from the beach. The musty smell [... read more] was overwhelming, tv was broken. The bathtub had rust. The view was of the wall of the Majestic Mirage next door (which is absolutely amazing, BTW). There were no extra locks on the door, even the peephole cover was broken. Our first impression was not great. When the hotel is not at full capacity and this is the room you get, it is very disappointing, and you cannot help but think it was because you didn't pay extra. We called the front desk. They sent up a dehumidifier. We stayed one night but couldn't stay there any longer. They did switch our room the next day, and it was much better, though a little outdated. The room is cleaned every day. The fridge is restocked every other day. The first few days you are there, there are people constantly after you to buy spa treatments or go to a meeting and learn about the Prime membership. It's pretty annoying. Not only do you have vendors on the beach, but you have hotel staff after you as well. My husband and I love the beach, and one of the things we love is the Bali beds. One of the reasons I booked this hotel was because of them. It doesn't say anywhere on the website that these are for DC only, but apparently, they are. We were told by a security guard that it was DC even though 75% of them were empty. Another time, I had an issue making a reservation. We went to see someone, only to be told they usually only help their members. Everything seems to be extra. You want lobster, it's extra, you want a really good steak, it's extra, you want rose wine, it's extra. We were at the Majestic Mirage a few years ago, where we could have had lobster every night, we had crab, shrimp, paella for lunch every day. At the Royalton, it was hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza (to be fair, the restaurant on the beach was closed for repair). We felt like second-class citizens, those who don't pay extra, go and stay in your little corner and don't ask for more. There were some positives. The grounds are immaculate, the food was okay; however, the ZEN à la carte was amazing. The entertainment was good. For the most part, we didn't have any issues making restaurant reservations through the app. Most of the staff looked like they did not want to be there; there were some that were very helpful. Fernando at the beach was great, and so was Raudi at the sports bar! One other note, this part of the beach has a lot of seaweed (we were there for 2 weeks, and only the last 2 days were seaweed-free). We had to walk to another part of the beach to find an area where there was none. If you are thinking of going to this resort, don’t; it's just not worth the money.

El Beso Adults Only at Ocean El Faro: Nice Resort

Nice small walkable resort with a tropical vibe. Good food. Tennis club is excellent. Shower in the bathroom - the water is leaking past the shower door onto the bathroom floor. Only shower out of 2 was working.

Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana: Beautiful resort

Will definitely recommend this resort to family and friends The place was clean, friendly environment and great food except the Truck snack bar. The empanada and the chicken wings are not very appetizing. The alacarte are really good and the buffet selection are excellent

Ocean El Faro: Good but not great

Had issue with the room assigned to us for the first 3 days of our trip and then finally got the room which was included in our package. Didn't like the attitude from front desk when I initially brought to their attention about the room. If you are beach lover this is not your resort. They have nice short lazy river and many pools. Food is Okay

Zel Punta Cana - All Suites: Zel Punta Cana – May 24–28, 2026

First and foremost, it is important to note that Zel Punta Cana is not located directly on the beach. While there is beach access via a short walk or shuttle, those looking for a true beachfront resort experience should be aware of this before booking. What truly sets this resort apart is its people. Every single employee we encountered was genuinely friendly, welcoming, and eager to help. Not once did we feel like we were imposing or inconveniencing anyone. The staff consistently delivered e [... read more]xceptional service and were undoubtedly one of the highlights of our stay. The resort itself is fairly new and offers a very peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. If you’re looking for a quiet, serene getaway focused on wellness and relaxation, this resort is an excellent choice. However, if you’re part of a younger crowd seeking a lively party pool scene, constant entertainment, and a high-energy atmosphere, this probably isn’t the resort for you. Zel is intentionally quieter and more laid-back. The accommodations are impressive. All rooms are spacious suites that are modern, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. We also never had any difficulty finding pool chairs, which was refreshing compared to many Caribbean resorts where reserving loungers can become a daily competition. The fitness and wellness facilities are among the resort’s strongest features. The tennis courts are excellent, and there are numerous fitness and wellness activities offered throughout the property. The spa was pleasant, although not particularly memorable or exceptional compared to other resorts in this category. One area that deserves more attention is the maintenance of the outdoor grounds, particularly the palm trees around the pool areas. During our stay, we observed several palm trees with large dead fronds and hanging branches that appeared overdue for trimming. Beyond aesthetics, this presents a legitimate safety concern, as falling branches could potentially cause serious injury to guests. Given the otherwise high standards of the property, this is an area that management should address proactively. Unfortunately, the biggest opportunity for improvement is the food and beverage program. While the food quality was acceptable, the overall selection was limited and lacked variety throughout our stay. The buffet, when open, is relatively small, and menu options quickly become repetitive. Room service was particularly disappointing. The menu is very limited and lacks many of the simple comfort foods that guests often look for while on vacation. Adding items such as pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, additional salad options, and other casual fare would significantly improve the guest experience. Even more surprising was the absence of a breakfast room service option, which feels like a significant oversight for a resort of this caliber. Similarly, the lunch offerings around the pool were limited and repetitive. The resort has tremendous potential, but the dining experience would benefit greatly from expanded menus and more variety throughout the day. During our stay, we also visited the neighboring Paradisus resort, which offers a completely different experience. Paradisus is a much larger property with separate family, adults-only, and more social or party-oriented sections. It features a larger buffet, more dining variety, and direct beach access. Guests seeking a larger, busier resort experience may find Paradisus more aligned with their preferences. Overall, Zel Punta Cana is a beautiful, tranquil resort with exceptional staff, spacious accommodations, excellent fitness facilities, and a relaxing atmosphere. If your goal is to unwind and enjoy a quieter vacation experience, it is certainly worth considering. However, the food offerings, room service program, dining variety, and outdoor maintenance require attention if the resort hopes to deliver an experience that fully matches the quality of its facilities and service.

Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine: Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine

The hotel was clean, the food was delicious, and the staff was kind (especially Santa the waitress in the main lobby bar/entertainment area who always took care of us). The beach however had a lot of seaweed, which the staff did their best to clean each day. The bathrooms in the hotel rooms were also in pretty bad shape and need renovations.

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Beautiful Trip

We had a beautiful anniversary trip and made wonderful memories the week we spent here. Beach was stunning, and only minutes from our room. Our first night our air conditioning was broken as we asked several times to have it fixed until we had to go to the main desk. It really upset us as well as a fire alarm going off our first morning there. We addressed these concerns to the front desk and got put into a swim out suite. It meant a lot to us to have our concerns heard and dealt with. The vibe  [... read more]was right, entertainment was great, and food was good. You were never hungry and there were options. Was the food amazing? No. But it’s good and you get by just fine. Drinks were plentiful and the staff was friendly. Nice resort with maybe some miscommunication about how to book the kayaking but that didn’t bother us. We loved it and would definitely return. Thank you for an awesome vacation!

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY!

Just got back from a wonderful 10-day vacation at this awesome resort. Grounds are immaculate, very clean. Same with our room, we were in building 4. Close to gym, pool and beach. Food is the best we've had in 7 trips to the Dominican. Lots of variety. yes, it repeats, but there is something for everyone. Top quality and fresh. Would not recommend staying here if you have mobility issues as alot of walking is required. 13 mins to main lobby and buffet. While golf carts are back and forth, we f [... read more]ound them passing us most of the time as they were full. We will definitely be back!

Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort Adults: Great week on the beach?️

The resort was lovely, rooms were very clean. Service was excellent; the staff were friendly. We really enjoyed the morning yoga & the foot massages on the beach. It’s a great resort for a relaxing low key holiday. We would definitely recommend it to friends & plan to return.

Sunscape Coco Punta Cana: Great weather

Best part of entire week was the great weather. Sunscape Coco was nice. Nothing to write home about. It is also quite large with 17 buildings with 14 of them on one side of the main pool, buffet and lobby. If you have mobility issues please make sure you request a room in a building close to the lobby/buffet as they do not have golf carts to move people around. I was disappointed by the food. Not much sea food for a resort right on the ocean. But mostly I was disappointed by some of the staff, [... read more] especially the main pool swim-up bar bartenders, and the guy at the main buffet grilling the chicken and beef (center grill). They made us feel like we were bothering them or taking from them even though we tipped generously. Sadly their attitude left a bad taste for us in regards to Punta Cana. Won't be returning there. Having said that the hotel was clean, food was editable, most of the staff was nice and friendly, and the beach was nice.

Riu Bambu: Nice Resort

We went to the Riu Bambu for the beginning of May. It is a medium sized resort in good condition. There were several a-la-cartes, but we found the buffet was the better place to go. Our group of 5 was made up of older adults, 34, 19 and a 7 year old. We all found the resort to be good. Kids entertainment was okay but did not seem to be to present through the day. It probably was more of a day care. The resort had small kid water parks and a much larger one at associated to the adjacent sister re [... read more]sort. There was also an "off resort" disco which was quite amazing. No charge to go and well guarded / supervised. It had a could of shallow pools, they did the bubble party thing with modern largely international dance music. Definitely drew the younger people from other resorts around the area. It was free to attend and drinks apparently were also free to Bambu clients. The ocean and beach were awesome. Shade areas available, largely tall palm trees that set a great ambience. The 3 pools were good. One was adult only with the swim up bar. Music could become overwhelming and loud there. Some showers for rinsing around the pools did not work. Food was okay, drinks were the typical syrups and lower end resort alcohol. Staff service we felt was pretty good with most the resort people we dealt with.

Bahia Principe Explore Legend: Great family getaway!

The Bahia Principe Legend was a great getaway for our family of 5, with kids ranging from 11 to 4. Buffet had ample options, although could have been better quality/taste. Some of the à la carte restaurants were fantastic (e.g. Mediterranean and Italian), while some seemed like they were just repurposing the buffet food. The pools, waterpark were the highlights for us. We pretty much lived there :-) The beach was great… if it wasn’t for the sargassum “seaweed”. Sand was great and water [... read more] was warm. Overall service was good, not great compared to some other (higher end) resorts I’ve been to but nothing to really complain about. The shows were enjoyable for the kids, although a bit repetitive. The Oneiro dinner & show was really fun, although we went through a long 3 course meal before it really kicked into the performance. Overall, would rate this an 8/10 and certainly a great option for families that don’t want to bust the bank.

Dreams Flora Resort and Spa: Amazing Resort

The grounds and staff were all excellent. Atanario our butler was superb. Danyyer was excellent and took excellent care of Our grandson Ian as he had Celiac dietary needs,Jandra,Jonathon,Mileiades,and Bienvido were all great at the Seaside Grill