Riu Republica: Stay at Riu

This the 2nd time we stayed at Riu costa Rica and then in Punta Cana We were given a room where the toilet and the phone did not work.they were kind enough to change our room But here also the air con did not work although it was scorching hot.outside. we reported.the matter 3 times to the reception and.nothing was done until our return date after 7 nights. Not a gteat stay. We also got a.long hair in our food. Just imagine.

TRS Turquesa: Horrible resort would not recommend it

I would not recommend this resort, the food was cold at buffet restaurant and terrible at the Italian restaurant, the only decent restaurant was the Chinese restaurant where they cook the food in front of you and The Grill restaurant by the pool, the entertainment was boring and pathetic except for the shows that they had in the lobby, the entertainment crew were rude and there white party was a joke which they had at the soccer field, they should have had one at the TRS which was closer for the [... read more] guests and the MOSQUITOES were terrible they were everywhere even in the rooms, the maids were excellent and very nice, the butlers were useless, Jaime the nice man who drove the carts was a sweetheart and very nice but in general it was a terrible resort

Punta Cana Princess: Good Resort

I will give it a 6 in 10 the atmosphere was nice . The room very quiet and spacious and clean . The restaurants not that great but the staff very friendly. We didn’t like the beach at all , that what really bothered us they didn’t clean the sargasso until the last day So we didn’t get to enjoy it .

El Beso Adults Only at Ocean El Faro: Great Resort

This is a beautiful resort... Spacious rooms, many food choices... lots of pools to choose from... plenty of on site activities... but the beach is its downfall.... plenty of seaweed with heavy waves rolling in.... If the beach is your thing then avoid this area...

JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar: Amazing resort

This resort had great food, great amenities and really friendly staff. The resort was very clean and spacious with well thought design. The coffee shop was my favourite. The fully loaded gym and the casino were a bonus because we had access to the other Iberostar resorts through Joia. The only part I would say needs improvement is the entertainment during the day and night. The night shows felt very repetitive and nothing special. There was also no dock/live games/dancing/entertainment at the po [... read more]ol during the day.

Riu Republica: Good budget resort

We had a good time at the Riu Republica last week. Airport transfer took a while because there were so many drop offs and we only got to our Riu after almost 2 hours. Check in was pretty quick. However I’d like to point out that we were sharing a room with our daughter( 3 people) and the check in guy said they only had twin beds and those would be really small and cramped!! He suckered us into paying an extra US 130 for a king and single!! Totally our fault for falling for this and not trying to [... read more] check the room first!! Anyway just a heads up in case anyone else is in the same situation. The beds are big enough for 2. Room could need upgrades but when our AC leaked they came promptly to fix it. Bar was always full, room was cleaned, but sheets need to be changed. We were there for a week!! No complaints about the food or restaurants. Jerk hut was amazing!! Beach was great and we were very lucky to experience sargassum(mildly) on just one day. Pools were good, water park a lot of fun and service all round was very good. Staff were friendly and polite.

Dreams Onyx Resort and Spa: good 3 star resort

We recently stayed at the Dreams Onyx Resort and Spa for two weeks in mid-May, and unfortunately, the experience fell short of our expectations. On the positive side, the pools were cleaned daily, most of the staff were friendly (especially when tipped), the à la carte restaurants were well-maintained and clean, and the property offers an easy, accessible walk between the two resorts. However, there were several significant drawbacks. The lobby felt sterile, lacking any ambiance or music.  [... read more]The buffet food was consistently bland and repetitive. At the à la carte restaurants, we felt constantly rushed throughout our meals. While the pool surfaces were cleaned, the skimmers never functioned properly, leaving bugs and debris floating in the water all day. Furthermore, tipping felt mandatory for even the smallest service, such as receiving a bottle of water. The service regarding pool chairs was particularly frustrating. Butlers would reserve chairs for guests who never showed up; despite rules stating that staff should clear unattended towels, this was never enforced, even when other guests made direct requests. It was also disheartening to see that butlers could be easily bribed; other guests openly bragged about paying $200 to receive "preferred" treatment without actually booking a preferred room. We spoke with several other families from Europe who were there during our stay, and we all agreed that we would not return or recommend this resort.

Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: Excellent resort

Everything was impeccable.........................................the grounds, the pool, the restaurants, the unbelievable service for all of our fourteen guests. All the staff were incredible. We renewed our 50th anniversary vows under the gazebo and the wedding planner Eddiana wwas outstanding and the officiator was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!!! We would highly recommend this resort to everybody.

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.