El Beso Adults Only at Ocean El Faro: Lots of fun!
Hotel is okay. Not perfect but no major complaints.
Food was great, especially the snack bars for lunch.
Lots of evening activity. We loved the quiet El Beso lobby and the piano bar.
There seems to be a lot of autistic and ADHD folks there. I think because the main lobby is like a museum. It was a very friendly social atmosphere at this resort.
Beach was completely unusable, it was peak sargassum season.
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Bulldoggy -
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Majestic Elegance Punta Cana: For once all the reviews were right!
For once all the reviews were right!
As a retired couple who have been blessed to be able to travel and enjoy resorts and destinations around the world our entire married life (52 years) we make a point of reading the reviews knowing that often the truth for us lies somewhere between those that rave about a resort and those that detest the resort. We felt optimistic that the resort would be on the higher end of our expectations.
We were truly and utterly amazed at the experience!!
We stayed i[... read more]n the Club Room section near the Club Lounge.
Of the many perks that this Club Section affords you is a private and personalized check-in and check-out procedure which is conducted in a VIP area located in the upper lobby. Once checked in our butler, Gabriel provided us with an informative tour, to ensure that we would be familiar with the facilities upon arrival.
Once checked in we were taken to our suite and had a personal meeting with Gabriel, who was sincere in his desire to make sure that we would reach out to him for any concerns or requests. After that it was time to savour a week in the sun!
If you are reading this review chances are you have or will read others so I won't weigh you down with more superlatives than you really want to read about.
I will however tell you what my wife and I found to be the key positives of this resort
-The butler service. Everyone raves about their butler and we will be no different Gabriel was efficient, effective, polite and respectful. He represented the best of the Majestic Elegance resort and was a fantastic ambassador for the brand, as I am sure all the others were.
-The resort was immaculate! Manicured and pristine. Employees were always cleaning, trimming, sweeping, painting and on and on. Seldom have we been to a resort that has been this established and so well maintained.
- Abundance of staff...no shortage there! and polite, happy and willing to please.
-Being in the Club Section for someone with a slight to moderate mobility issue is a god send. Elevators are quick, Lounge amenities are first class,dedicated pool and cabanas are plentiful and well kept. Restaurant for all three meals is very close to our building.
-Staff in the pool and restaurant area are quick to learn your needs and remember your preferences every day. Every review will mention employees like Jesus around the pool or Osvaldo in the Sea and See restaurant. No staff member will disappoint you.
Finally our two biggest takeaways ( and remember we are seniors and the first one would not apply to everyone)
- From our room to the lobby or any of the main restaurants is a fair distance. It is a stroll past lovely gardens and lovely fountains but a distance nonetheless. They do offer a complimentary resort club ride from the Club Lounge to the Lobby area so it is not a deal breaker, just something to remember. The elevator is a bonus. close to our room and always available. A little aside for the room....beautiful, clean, well kept, housekeeping first class but for anyone not sure footed remember the floors are tile and can be slippery when wet and there are no grab bars or handles in the showers so remember to throw down the floor mat to be safe!
Last but most important is how many people who are diehard repeat customers. Couples ( and I mean many) who have been here eight or more times and are already planning their next trip to the resort. Who does that!!!!
Never have I ever seen such brand loyalty to one resort in my life.
It shows you that they have found the secret to make their customers happy.
Kudos to the Management and Staff og Majestic Elegance Punta Cana
You may have just made us repeat converts!!!!!
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Private -
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Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Nice Resort for Family Vacation
We just returned from a 7-night stay at the Royalton Bavaro, traveling as a family of four with two teenage boys. Overall, we had a great vacation and appreciated many aspects of the resort.
Room
We stayed in a Presidential Suite, which offered ample space for our family. The current layout works, but could be improved with a larger or dual pullout in the living area—as sharing the bedroom with a teenager wasn’t ideal.
Upon arrival, there was a small ceiling leak, but maintenance responde[... read more]d promptly and resolved it without issue.
The room was consistently clean, with daily housekeeping service.
Mini-bars were stocked on day one, though they weren’t refilled daily as expected.
Hot water was plentiful—just a quick note that you’ll need to turn the handle opposite to what you might be used to and let it run a bit.
We were in Building 15, which provided an amazing view of the ocean and pools. Buildings farther back may not offer the same tropical feel.
The balcony was spacious, with lovely morning shade. Comfier seating or a lounger would have made it even more relaxing.
Resort
The resort is large and beautifully spread out, with nearly a kilometer between the lobby and the beach. We enjoyed the walking, which helped spread out the activity and gave us a chance to get our steps in. If walking isn't your thing, this may be a consideration.
The lazy river was a standout—about 25 minutes per loop through shaded areas and water features, finishing at the swim-up bar. Tubes aren’t provided, so bringing your own (as we did) is a great tip—just keep an eye on them.
The Royalton pool was peaceful and a great place to unwind with a book, while the swim-up bar pool offered more energy and resort-led activities.
Mini golf was a fun touch, though with only three putters, it’s a one-group-at-a-time experience.
The fitness center was well-equipped and never too busy—treadmills, ellipticals, weights, and machines met our needs nicely.
We also enjoyed tennis and pickleball, a nice break from water-based activities. Equipment is available in the fitness center.
One challenge we faced was pool chair reservations. Like many resorts, early morning towel placement is the norm. Unfortunately, we experienced a few instances where others moved our umbrellas or even took our towels and bags. One day, some of our tubes went missing while we were at breakfast. This was more a reflection on fellow guests than the resort itself, but it did impact our experience.
Restaurants, Food & Beverages
Booking a la carte restaurants can be frustrating, as others have noted. Despite early-morning efforts through the app, we couldn’t get into the steakhouse without assistance from a helpful staff member. That said:
The Japanese and Italian restaurants were excellent, and we had no issues booking them.
The steakhouse lived up to its reputation—it was a hit with the whole family.
We appreciated the Sports Bar as a casual and lively alternative, especially while watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Brazilian restaurant wasn’t open for dinner during our stay, but we enjoyed a tasty lunch there.
The oceanside restaurant was only open briefly, though it would have been nice to have more access.
The main buffet was our go-to for breakfast—plenty of variety, and the omelette station was a highlight.
Drinks were great throughout the week—quick service and generous pours.
The coffee shop was a surprise favorite, perfect for both morning coffee and afternoon ice cream.
Beach
The beach itself is beautiful, with soft white sand and striking blue water. Unfortunately, seaweed was an issue during our visit, limiting our time there. Still, we could see its potential and hope to return when conditions are better.
Entertainment
The nightly shows were typical of tropical resorts. We especially enjoyed the Michael Jackson, Adele, and Queen tributes. Some of the others weren’t our style, but the variety was good.
Other Notes
While we understand the need for sales, the constant upselling of excursions and memberships became tiresome. We would have preferred a more relaxed approach, where we could seek out information on our own.
Similarly, the vendor stalls near the pools and main walkway were persistent and a bit uncomfortable at times.
It’s worth noting that access to the Royalton Splash waterpark is no longer included—there’s now a $35/person fee, or you can attend a vacation club presentation for free passes.
Overall
While we experienced a few frustrations, this is truly a beautiful resort with lots to offer. Our family particularly enjoyed the lazy river, the gorgeous views from our suite, and the delicious food throughout the week. With a few minor adjustments, this could easily be a near-perfect vacation destination.
I have absolutely no complaints about this resort. My trip was from June 1-8, 2025. The resort is very clean. The rooms are clean and water pressure was great. Food was also good. No complaints. Only complaint is the ocean. I did not go in as it was covered in seaweed. The poor workers were there day and night cleaning the ocean. Besides that, I would highly recommend
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Private -
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Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: DONT GO HERE IF YOUR KIDS HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS! We will never return
My son has special needs and we asked by email 3 times, as well as calling the hotel direct to have side by side room. When we arrived to hotel, we did not have rooms anywhere close to each other (we had swim out but where not even in the same pool. After almost 1.5 hour at the desk they got us in the same swim out section but not side by side. Next day the kids checked out of there room 10am and were told 5pm room would ready. We went to front desk at 5 and were told to leave - not ready. [... read more]We wanted to get ready for dinner reservation but 4 people in one room was difficult. We didn’t get access to the room until 6:30. We wasted a day basically with all the headaches trying to get side by side rooms. The hotel staff do no care about the safety and well being of my autistic son. IF YOU HABE A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD DO KOT GO TO ROYALTON HOTELS AS STAFF HAVE NO WILLINGNESS TO ACCOMMODATE.
Aside from that, the swim out pool water level was very low and no jets on to circulate water. Pool was filled with leaves, bugs, cigarette bits and even 2 bloody bandaids. Disgusting! We found and killed 2 cockroaches. The ceiling in the shower was damaged and a section was falling down on us while we showered!
They closed the Rio restaurant (one of the main reasons we went there) leaving only 3 restaurants. The reservation system for restaurants doesn’t work so it was a battle everyday to not get stuck ongoing to buffet.
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Eduardo -
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Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Easily the Worst Resort Experience We’ve Had in the Dominican Republic
This was our fifth time visiting the Dominican Republic and without question, Royalton Bavaro was the worst experience we’ve had. And that includes other five-star resorts. Honestly, it didn’t even feel like a four star
Check-in was a disaster. We arrived around noon, tired from travel, and the lobby was pretty empty. Still, check-in dragged for what felt like forever. They told us our room wouldn’t be ready until 3pm (fine), but when we returned at 3pm, we were told it still wasn’t ready hou[... read more]sekeeping was running behind. We finally got into our room an hour later. That’s four hours of waiting around just to start our vacation.
The resort is painfully understaffed. You could feel it everywhere. from slow service at the front desk to the chaos at the restaurants. We booked dinners through their buggy app (which glitched constantly), only to show up and find out the restaurant was closed. That happened twice. Once through the app, once after speaking to someone in person at guest services. Communication between staff is clearly broken.
Restaurants were slow. Even when we managed to book, we waited forever for food. It wasn’t just us people were visibly frustrated and some walked out. Again, not enough staff.
Even one of the employees, when I asked about why I’d been sent to a closed restaurant, acknowledged how badly the place is being managed.
No hairdryers. Seriously. Traveling with my wife and kid, both of whom have curly hair, a hairdryer isn’t optional it’s necessary. There was none in the room. We asked for one every single day of our 7-day stay. It never came. Not once. We weren’t the only ones either other guests were complaining too. This is basic, and it’s just not acceptable at a hotel claiming to be five stars.
Lost bracelet fee was salt in the wound. They warn you upfront that lost bracelets cost $150. Unfortunately, our kid lost hers. After everything we experienced, I hoped they’d show a little grace. I explained the situation to management no flexibility, no empathy. I had to pay $150 just to check out.
Look, I don’t usually write reviews like this. And we chose this resort because friends recommended it based on how it used to be. Clearly, something has changed. And not for the better.
Would I return? No. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not.
There are so many better places in the DR. Do yourself a favor skip this one.
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MelanieR -
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Ocean Blue and Sand: Will absolutely return
Love this resort, excellent layout, nothing too far but spacious. Food was amazing, no prebooking for a la cartes ( except steak and Japanese) entertainment nonstop, entertainment staff and bartenders friendly attentive and talented! Clean modern rooms, beautiful beach. Can’t say enough wonderful things about this place!
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Bouch -
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TRS Turquesa: 14th trip
Everything was excellent. Once again the rooms are clean. The staff were amazing and the grounds are impeccable.
We will return for our 15th trip this coming September. The main lobby is a wonderful place to wind down in the evening.. the Chic Cabaret is well worth it, RSP contribution we all always get a swim up room
This resort is overpriced; it is not a luxury resort. The 1st room shown smells really bad, 2nd room shown smelt very old, couldn't sleep 1st night. Complained and Mgr. gave us a room where there was no smell. Bed is very uncomfortable. Food is not bad in the buffet. We tried the Italian and Limbo restaurant, definitely not gourmet. Entertainment not good at this resort.
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Michelle -
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Grand Palladium Punta Cana: Grand Palladium
Lots to do in the evenings, sports bars, casino, dancing, entertainment great for teens!
Limited to no entertainment during the day, just workers walking around the pools tryin to get you to boom a massage … annoying!
Food was great buffet had lots to offer , Mexican was our least fav no flavor and underwhelming dinner, Japanese was awesome! We loved the beach bar food area great patio and food.
Beach was OK a ton of weeds that could have been cleaned up more often at least a section.
Book[... read more]ed a boat trip off the beach for a private trip with 30ppl it was a good time!
Room had a terrible smell all week, musty and wet Elvira was in a good location so kept it, hardly in there!
Party pool should be the pool closest to the beach, odd layout.
7/10 overall
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Private -
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Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Beach Resort: Wonderful family vacation
The Hotel was beautiful and very well maintained. The grounds, pools, restaurants, lobby were all exceptional. The service by al the staff was outstanding, warm and kind. The food was plentiful and offered variety for guests of all tastes. I recommend this hotel for families and couples who don’t want to break the bank. There’s a lot of value in the property.
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Private -
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Grand Bavaro Princess: Grand Bavaro Princess Punta Cana
Excellent hotel and overall resort experience! We were there in 2014, before it was renovated, and they did a really good job. Then only thing that was better before was food, which was exceptional and now is somewhat in line with any other hotel of the same rang.
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Private -
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Sunscape Coco Punta Cana: Lovely Trip
The resort was very well kept and beautiful. Beach was always cleared of seaweed and staff cleaned up all cups and dishes through out the day. Can't say nicer things about the stuff, always in great moods and very helpful. I do wish there was more a la carte's open but we understand it was off season when we went so not everything is always open. We had a wonderful time and would recommend this resort for anyone looking to have a great vacation.
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Private -
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Sanctuary Cap Cana Luxury Collection Adults Resort: Beautiful resort
The rooms excellent, staff also. Grounds beautiful! Restaurants were disappointing, with no changes in selection over 9 days. Some Restaurants were closed daily, limiting where to eat. Very poor food selection for the price we paid to stay here.. Beach a disappointment - through nobody's fault - nature provided seaweed. Resort tried to clear it.
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Myke -
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Sanctuary Cap Cana Luxury Collection Adults Resort: Sanctuary Cap Cana
Spent 9 days at the resort with 7 friends to celebrate my 65th birthday.
Check in was good, the staff gave us drinks to cool down.
Staff are friendly & accomadating.
Rooms are a large size, bigger than normal, ac works well. Fridge stocked daily.
no problem booking dinner for our group.
Only complaint was the seaweed, we could not go in the sea for 4 days, thats not the hotels fault, good ol mother nature.
We would go back again.
Thanks to Eliana @ Tripcentral for everything again.
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Private -
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Majestic Elegance Punta Cana: AMAZING RESORT
This was my husbands and my 5th time to this resort, and again, it did not disappoint!
Everything was perfect. Great food, clean rooms, beautiful grounds.
The only thing that was not good was the beach/ocean. There was a lot of seaweed on the beach, which they tried to clean all the time, but there was a lot in the ocean as well.
I will definitely be back!
The food was incredible, the restaurants served meals quickly and they were delicious. The entertainment was amazing, along with the casino. I was very impressed with the disco as well, which was better in quality than most resorts I’ve visited.
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Alexi -
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Caribe Deluxe Princess: Best Experience at a Resort
The hotel was absolutely beautiful! The food was amazing, and we loved the animation team at the resort, everyone was committed to ensuring you had a wonderful trip. I would recommend this resort for families, and couples! There’s something for everyone!
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Private -
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Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: Ambar
Hotel was great. Limbo, MEAT, YURTI, FISH MARKET, PORTAFINO restaurants were excellant. Mashua service was terrible. Greek restaurant soso.
The beach was terrible too much seaweed and had a bad smell. There was 1 afternoon when the beach was good.
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Megan -
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Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine: Great resort - great vacation
Loved the a la carte options something for everyone. Pool staff were great. Room was excellent. The beach had a ton of seaweed but the staff were working hard to remove it. Loved our time we even convinced others to travel too