Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: Amazing Resort

The resort was great. It was very clean, the food was amazing and the rooms are spacious. The entertainment was good and the entertainment staff were super nice. They made you feel welcome and are very interactive. I would definately go back again. The only issue we had was that the repairs were not done very quickly.

Catalonia Bavaro Resort: Nice Resort

Modern Decor and clean. Large pool area but no servers. Bar Service Only. Awesome market area with coffee shop. Crepe station that was fantastic. Majority of staff was not overly friendly. Possibly just the language barrier. A La Cartes were great! Privilege Upgrade is falsely presented. No Casino voucher provided, no late check out, no king beds, etc

Riu Bambu: Not a 5 star

This was not a 5 star resort. The rooms were very dirty and old and not what the pictures suggested. The food in the bar (after 9:30pm) was inedible and most likely not safe for consumption. There was not one fresh grill where you could have fresh food except the steak house which required a 2 hour wait to get into. The pools were not well cleaned, and the drinks were bar rail and not brand name which I would expect at a 5 star. The restaurants were misleading and the map and names were not  [... read more]even accurate. Public washrooms were always filled with puke and diarrhea. This was a 3 star at best. Beach was beautiful and well kept.

Ocean El Faro: Growing pains

Will be an amazing resort given a few months. The amenities are great . Just not everything working fully yet. Pools are amazing and is a great place for kids. Not for adults unless you are taking your kids. Food not so great. They are a little ambitious in what they are trying to achieve. I am sure when kinks are worked out it will be an amazing resort. Rooms were large and well appointed. One thing to note - ask as many questions as you want. The staff did not tell us balcon [... read more]y door locked automatically when shut and we both went on balcony and shut door. You guessed it....we got locked out. The beach was not very good. Therefore, spent time at pools.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Not what we expected

We arrived at the resort on January 14th and went to the reception area. The person for checking us in was very pushy. She tried to get us to upgrade our room at $1,000 US for ten days. We said no thank you she the lowered the price to $400.00 and then $300.00 we kept saying no we had paid enough already and she said well you are a bit of away to the beach. We replied we didn’t care. This really left a bad taste in my mouth and I really didn’t even want to stay there. We then waited for thr [... read more]ee hours for a room when we were the only two that stayed at this resort from our plane. The next day meeting up with the rep from Air Transat she too was upset when we told her we weren’t interested in any trips off resort. This was our 8th trip to the DR. We made the best of it all. The resort is very large and they do supply golf carts and trains to get around. The restaurants we found the best was the American Grill, the Italian and the evening buffet on the Adult side of the resort. Our room was good the only complaint about it was the mini bar they only left two mini beers in fridge and it was American beer to boot. The weather was great sorry to say but we will not return to this resort for the reasons above.

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Fantastic resort!

Stayed Jan 16-23rd 2019. Travelled as a couple with another couple. Don't have anything bad to say about the resort. Rooms were big and clean. Food at the buffets and at the a la cartes were great. Service and drinks at all the bars and pools was excellent. Didn't spend much time at the beach as I found it a bit too busy for me, but the beach itself looked great. Would go back to this resort again! Didn't do any of the excursions as we were enjoying the resort so much.

Impressive Punta Cana: will put it on the top 10 list of places to return

very clean friendly staff good food good entertainment nice pools lots of chaises beach was just ok -not great- lots of seating but beach smelled bad and there was construction. there was a lack of signage which left most people going around in circles an event planner with location details would be very helpful

Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana: Beautiful place, but a little dated....

The grounds are gorgeous, well kept and everything was very clean. We found the rooms and the overall design of the resort very dated (not modern or updated). In our opinion in dire need for a renovation to bring it up to today's standards, having said that the place was kept clean and the rooms were cleaned every day - no special treatments i.e. designs with towels on beds, no flower petals (only mention this because we have been used to seeing this in other resorts). Well catered for famili [... read more]es with children. We found the customer services very lacking....primarily because they seemed very short staffed everywhere, the bars, the buffets the lobby reception and busboys. I think this affected the morale of the staff in general, not many smiling faces and/or motivated to please, when asked to bring something to the table, it took them a long time to bring it and/or forgot altogether; they also seemed to be working every day for 12 hours.... it was very surprising that the hotel does not have free Wi-Fi across the whole resort; only in the main lobby and even then, extremely slow to pick up. to have it in the rooms it was very expensive. In my view very lacking in technology as well.

Bahia Principe Explore Legend: Amazing Resort

Very clean rooms, fantastic friendly staff and service. Great activities for kids! Definitely would recommend this resort and would go back again. The only thing I would recommend is that you make sure to have smaller denominations in money as know one seems to have change.

Majestic Mirage Punta Cana All Suite Resort: Very Nice Resort

The Majestic Mirage was an extremely good resort. Our room was just a few meters from the beach, a bar and the Seaside Restaurant. The swim-up was a memorable experience. Service is top quality, both housekeeping and wait staff. Having a butler to make those a la carte reservations was very nice. Bavaro Beach is world class, and, as such, is quite busy. There are a few vendors, but they did not seem to be very persistent. We are now sold on 5 Star accommodation.

Playabachata Hotel: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!

This was my first time using the Senator  resorts.  My mother and I decided to give it a try after reading many reviews.   Most of which were not the most flattering to your Puerta Plata resort.   But, since some were very pleased with the location, we thought we would give it a try.  As a person with disabilities and travelling with my 87 year old mother, we had sent in a request for a ground floor room....far away from the pool area and entertainment.  This was completely ignored.  We [... read more] were supposed to be placed right behind the bar!  This was fixed after having to wait almost 2 hours past the check in time!  Normally, we would understand the problem...it happens...and usually can be fixed, but this was just the start of the things that did not go well at your resort!  To start off with...that map you give out to guests is rediculous!  You cannot read it...the printing is so small....and we never were able to figure out where the entertainment was.  Even the staff gave us incorrect areas. (Serious thought should be made to producing an interactive map which customers could download onto their phones or tablets....thus saving paper and giving us real access to information about entertainment and restaurants) The room had problems of its own. The room SMELLED of mold!  The hot water was not working.....and they actually had a break in the line which took 2 days to fix!  The drinkable water....which was supposed to be made available every 2 days was only changed once!  And that was after I complained! We also had problems getting the air conditioning to work. Many other visitors had problems with the security bolt for the glass doors falling out and dropping to the ground...barely missing their feet....and causing awful noise for the people who were under that room. And the fact that the electrical sockets were NOT adaptable to canadian electrical cords....which we HAD NOT been told in the Sunwing advertisement...or on your main site! When we complained...we were told to go to the store and BUY ONE! Rediculous!  If we had been told, we woild have brought them along! What I found so disturbing was the complete disrespect for non-smokers at your resort.  Even if a table was marked non--smoking....you allowed people to smoke.   There literally was almost no areas that we could relax without havind someone smoking!   I am amazed that you have not done something about that!  Then, there was the bathrooms which were constantly out of order.  The  mosquitoes inside the rooms were awful!   Most nights I could not sleep because of them. The second restaurant was just plain nasty to eat in.  You had them block off access to the seats by the windows....which were kept closed even with the heat.   The one night I ate there, I came away sick due to the extreme heat.  I tried them for lunch.  The tables were never cleared and no one offered me anything to drink.  We were never informed about having access to the new restaurants on the new street.  And while the new area is beautiful, I was disgusted to find out that because of it, we were not allowed to climb up to the vantage point.  It was constantly blocked...and we were told it was now JUST FOR THE VIP area...which was upsetting! Broken and or damaged chairs were not removed...just left on the beach.  You still allow plastic straws to be used on the beaches which was supposed to have been banned. These things being said, the employees as a whole were amazingly polite and helpful...if they could. The food at the first restaurant was amazing! There are some pretty basics served every day, but the menu did change! My only real desire for change in this area....please add more NATIVE food...besides red beans and rice. We want to experience the reak cuisine of the islands. The beach was kept extremely clean. We had a major storm one day and for the most part, they were able to clean it up within the day. The landscaping does need improving. As a horticulturalist, this was something that I especially noticed. When planting new areas, these areas were not protected....or blocked off....and as a result, people were walking all over the freshly planted areas. They especially need to adjust the plantings immediately by the glass windows/patios. When it rained, the lack of vegetation in these areas caused mud to splatter all over the patio and sometimes up onto the glass doors. Planting ground cover in this area would fix this. Or, making sure to have proper run off areas for the rain, should also be considered. The entertainment is held after 9:30. And most customers find this to be far too late at night to attend. I noticed alot of families who were visiting during my vacation...and the majority did not attend because of this. The act that we did see was extremely well done and worth seeing....if I could have stayed awake! Costs for items in the stores....for the most part were far too expensive! For example....I wanted to purchase one of the mens hats....which you priced at $21.00 U.S. funds. The EXACT same hat in Puerto Plata....was $6.00 Canadian! We needed bandages for my mom's blisters....and the small package at your store was going to cost us $10! Ok...I am all for making a profit...but you are gouging people! This also included charging $60 US to drive by taxis into Puerto Plata.....something that you can get for just $10...if you walk 5 minutes to the outside of the hotels gates. OR you can take a bus....for just about $1.50 Canadian! The entertainment crew throughout the resorts were very polite and funny. They went out of their way to try and get everyone involved in some type of activities. As for beach activities, I was disappointed that the banana boat was not included in the all inclusive cost. So many people wanted to use it...but were not willing to have to pay extra for it. The children's play area at our resort....needed major repairs. No swings...and nothing really to play with. Whereas, the second resorts play area was in excellent condition. The pathways throughout the resort were well maintained and easy to follow. Thanks for putting a nice big umbrella in our rooms....definitely a plus on that rainy day. The bar tenders were exceptionally knowledgeable. They made drinks that I hadnever heard about and were willing to make a drink to taste....ie. not too sweet or sour. Most of the staff at the front desk were very pleasant to deal with. Both their english...and my spanish...need undating to be completely understood. But, we all tried our best.

Riu Republica: Very Good Resort

check in was fast and front end staff friendly and helpful. The room was as we requested with no hitches. The housekeeping staff were friendly and catered quickly to any needs. The grounds are well kept as well as the beach front. Plenty of beach chairs available and bar service rounds were frequent. The two buffets on site were clean and variety of food tasty and catered, I would say, to every ones taste. The nightly entertainment was good and the daily activities were varied. The specialt [... read more]y dining meals were okay; no reservations and on a first come first serve basis. The facilities of the related RIU's were included, but not within a reasonable walking distance.. .

Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Needs work but good

Perfect for young children-lots of amenities for them! The teen and children’s club was lacking -needed more shiny objects to draw them in. Hunter Steakhouse was awful: the meat was fatty, potatoes dry, salad droopy. More of a 4-4.5 star than 5. But good overall! Another concern, they need to have more people that are fluent in English . When you call the front desk, their entire intro is in Spanish, quite off putting when most of the clientele is English speaking..

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Beautiful Resort

The first thing that stands out are the beautiful grounds at the resort. Very well maintained, flamingos, ducks and peacocks roaming freely around its many ponds. The rooms tend to be a little too spread out though especially when travelling with a large group. We were everywhere and not really situated together. The food was ok, wasn't the best food at an all inclusive that I've visited, but I didn't starve either. The best thing that stands out to me is the service and hospitality of all em [... read more]ployees, from the landscapers, to the front desk, to waiters and the entertainers and bar staff. Everyone was friendly and happy and that rubbed off on me. Bravo for a great, trained, fun staff.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Exceeded expectations!

Quite simply, Melia Caribe exceeded our expectations. A group of us traveled to Melia for a wedding, and weren't disappointed. From the moment we arrived to the day we left, we were greeted by smiling, friendly and knowledgeable staff. The grounds on the resort we're beautifully manicured, exotic and colourful. A terrific bonus was enjoying the sight of the two resident Flamingos every day. The groundskeeping staff work hard and always took a moment to offer us a fresh coconut. Wit [... read more]h plenty of nightly shows, beach activities, water sports, a gigantic main pool, a sports bar and a casino --- we were anything but bored. All of these facilities were clean, bright and spacious. Food! So much variety here. Our resort level was basic, meaning that we had access to about 80% of the resort itself, and this includes most of its a la carte restaurants. No matter your preference, you won't go hungry. Our group enjoyed Dominican cuisine, Italian cuisine, Asian cuisine, Mexican cuisine, American cuisine, French cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine --- just to name a few. Honorable mention goes to the two outstanding buffets - Merkado and Rhumba. Again, plenty of choice here. We really didn't have a bad meal. Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Drinks are everywhere, too. With plenty of Bars in the front lobby area, near or inside the restaurants or by the beach, you're never far from a cold drink. Our resort room is perhaps the only area that we felt could have used some improvement. While the room itself was clean and comfortable, there was a leak underneath the bathroom sink that forced us to put a towel down each day so we didn't slip on the water. We assumed that the staff had fixed this leak, as it was cleaned up when the first turn down service was provided. However, the leak came back when the water was turned on again, and continued throughout our stay. This was disappointing. One great (and unique) service offered by the resort is the golf cart 'taxi' service. Staff members simply drive around the resort property in golf carts, and guests are encouraged to jump in and go for a ride. The driver will take you anywhere you'd like to go. This came in very handy for those of us who had rooms up front near the lobby, but wanted to spend each day the beach and pool area. We would 'hail a taxi', enjoy our ride and provide a humble tip to the driver. This service really allows you to relax and enjoy the day. Add a long, clean, white sandy beach, a blue sky and a hot sun, and you've got the recipe for a terrific and memorable stay. We would definitely go back!

Playabachata Hotel: it was amazing hotel,

it was good time, excellent service and food was very good. I would recommend this hotel. the only thing is the beach was rocky but the pool was great.. we had no complain with this resort. great vacation

Riu Republica: Had a Fantastic Time!!!!

We had a great time at the Riu Republica. It had a great vibe and energy. The staff were friendly and helpful. The food was amazing as usual for a Dominican resort. It is quite a large resort so there is lots to do. We did have a wait for the restaurants each night which ranged from 15-50 mins but they handle it nicely with pagers so you can wait in the lounge with a drink. Overall i would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing week.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach: Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort

We were quite disappointed to be honest... -We had to change rooms the day after check in (they had nothing available at check-in). The rooms are dated and somewhat clean. -We should have been made aware that there was NO WIFI, ALL GUESTS HAD TO PURCHASE WIFI, which made for many very upset guests… its 2019, how can it be that there is no WIFI as part of the hotel booking?!!!! It cost us $90.00 US = $120.00 CAD over and above the cost of our vacation package … customers should all be [... read more] made aware and reimbursed this cost and the travel agencies should have that cost covered as part of the package … this was not fair and should be changed/revised moving forward. -The adults only (where we stayed and paid extra for) had no adult offerings, the casino, disco, lounges, coffee houses, shops, various restaurants and cigar lounge and bar, were all at the family property … how does that make sense?! In our humble opinion, the properties should be reversed, adults only should be moved to where the family property is, it would read so much better ad provide the adults with all adult offerings (including the swim up bar). The adults only property, provided little to no options day or night. The 1 bar was substandard, uninviting and had ongoing walk through traffic for guests to get to the theater, to the front desk, to the 1 restaurant, to the shop, rooms, etc. The theater had constant walk through traffic between the seating and the stage ~ how does that make for a unobstructed view of the shows? The bar/theater/front desk lounge area, was constantly smoke filled as the peaked roof and ceiling fans, pushed the copious amount of cigarette smoke right back to ground level. -So much vacation time was spent in customer service, booking dinner reservations, the website made no mention of having to do this. There was, at any given time, 1-2 customer service people to hundreds of guests (lineups), not a good ratio...and takes up so much of the guests time. PLEASE advise your future customers of this. -Extra charges were expected for over half the restaurants and all in US (as expected), how can there be costs for restaurants when, this was a all inclusive resort and sold to us as a all inclusive vacation package? -The positives are : the beach was simply spectacular, the hotel staff were kind and helpful and the weather was nothing like we are experiencing here in Ottawa. We ask that YOU PLEASE be clear with your clients on the facts of this property … IT IS "NOT" A 5 STAR property and should not be sold as one. We met many lovely guests from all over the world and they all echo our sentiments and will also be proactive, in contacting their travel agent to ensure that this not be sold as a 5 star, free WIFI, full amenity property … it most definitely is not! We will not recommend this property and we will not be returning. Hope this does not fall on deaf ears and that Tripcentral, take all reviews seriously and take steps to updating this properties description. Regards, Chloe (Claudette) Alberto-Gregoire 613-276-7788 2chloeag2@gmail.com

Impressive Punta Cana: Impressive and Spa Premium in Punta Cana, DR January 15 - 22, 2019

We have found the overall resort very clean and very big, so lots of space for clients to move around and explore. Grounds very well landscaped horticultural wise. There were many activities options on this resort. There are 3 beautiful pools and many restaurants. The beach was a bit smelly and had aquatic plants in water and shoreline (staff were excellent in racking and cleaning the shoreline) etc. One thing which we found which could be improve is the leveling of entrances, doorways, many  [... read more]areas were not even so easy to catch in when walking making it a tripping hazard. They installed direction signs a couple of days after we arrived which made a big improvement in locating rooms and other facilities, but unfortunately, the French signs has 3 mistakes in the writting which should eventually be corrected. Our room were recently renovated, clean with excellent prompt service when we ordered room service. The television was blurry, the signal was not good. Staff was friendly and very helpful. The restaurant service was good and food was just OK, since it was usually cool and too salty in most cases. We also noticed for vegan and vegetarian people, the option of food was very very minimum, more beans mixture and tofu should be offered. It would be interesting to have more local dominican food options with beans, herbs and spices. The entertainement staff were exceptionnal and made us laugh. The evening entertainment shows were great ! I just loved the Michael Jackson presentation and the live bands in the evenings. While we were there they had just open a boutique which I found abit too expensive. For the shopping they offer a bus to take visitors to Nicole boutique, that place was more reasonable in price and we bought some of the items we wanted to bring back home.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Great resort😀

Staff very friendly very clean love the le carts and how easy it was to acess. Amaxing place.the only problems that we had the fridge only had beer the first day and last. It was nevet full. Bar was always full with people smiling. Great hotel just too big for my liking