Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana: Great weather and beach

The resort was getting a bit old and outdated. The pool was amzing that it ran all the way through the resort. The food was great with the option to attend a different resturant every nights with no reservation and no limits. Unfortunately the service overall was very poor. There were not enough workers for the volume of people at restaurants and bars. Our room was wonderfully air conditioned and very quite minus the peecocks.

Majestic Elegance Punta Cana: A lovely resort

First of all this resort was wonderful. However, there were some minor irritations so I'll list those first before getting to the good stuff. The service was great although I found the greeters at the buffet a bit irritating. It shouldn't take 3 people asking to over and over how many are in your party to get a table at the buffet. Although the service at the buffet from the servers was better than anywhere I've ever been. Also, there is a cupboard in your room where you can put your wet towels  [... read more]and the staff are supposed to put new towels in. This way you can get fresh towels without them coming in your room. I put towels there daily and not once were new towels put back. A number of time we ran out of towels and had to go ask for them. Once I used a hand towel to dry off after a shower. This was my first time in the DR and I was surprised how few staff could communicate in English so asking questions (even of our Air Transat rep) sometimes left us scratching our heads. There is a kids section with small waterslides but there weren't any shaded areas so we didn't end up spending time there with our 18 month old. Music a lot at the beach played at the beach which got irritating because I like to listen to the water. Also, don't bother with the snorkelling excursion ( the $40.00 one). There was easily 15 boats and 100 people floating around one area and besides one fish and lot's of coral we didn't see a thing after an hour in the water. Now the good stuff. It was immaculate. It is a really beautiful resort and was very clean. The beds were very comfortable. Champagne daily in your room, Coors Light, Pepsi and other pops too. Rooms service if you want it. The food at the buffet, al la cartes, and beach was delicious. I miss having eggs Florentine and Nutella crepes with mimosa in the morning. I actually gained a few pounds there. The drinks were delicious too and every evening, based on the theme of the night (American, Spanish, etc.) they had a specialty drink booth so I got to try lots of new drinks I had never heard of. A live band played every night before the show started. The Irish Coffee was delicious. The pool was lovely to cool off in the afternoon after a morning at the beach. Twice that week there was a foam party and dance contest at the pool which was lots of fun. There were plenty of floaties and beach toys for my 18 month old to play with. The service was great. They really went out of their way to make us happy and are quick. It's not far from the airport which was nice. There is a good pharmacy on the resort and you can also buy things like diapers which was nice. There is a gym there and a spa neither of which we used but we were told by others that both were really good. You can get a massage on the beach or by the pool. Little things like fresh flowers on the tables in the lobby and baskets of cookies were nice. Be sure to take American money with you for buying stuff and tipping. I'm pretty sure I got ripped off at the currency counter. They only gave Dominican dollars and I wasn't familiar with the exchange rate and I think I was ripped off between $40-60. I would highly recommend this resort. It was a very relaxing week.

Barcelo Bavaro Palace: Fabulous Resort

Barcelo Bavaro Palace Delux in Punta Cana, DR, is an amazing resort. It had the right mix of daytime entertainment , amazing beach, many restaurants and all were really good. Best food ever in at a resort in the Caribbean I have ever experienced. The Staff were friendly, helpful and fun . Good shopping on site . Pool Bar staff and Daytime staff, whether it be yoga, beach volleyball , water polo or poolside dancing exercise are fun and great people to be around. The beach is spectacular. We had O [... read more]cean front with jacuzzi on patio . The rooms were clean , modern and nicely appointed nice beds and great for a good night sleep. We will be definitely returning.

Catalonia Bavaro Resort: Good Resort

The hotel is good. The grounds are beautiful and are very well maintained. The only downfall is that the lawns are watered with recycled water and it smells bad. Suggest they do this between 4 and 5 in the morning. The breakfast buffet was lacking compared to other resorts but overall the food was pretty good. They make the best chicken and pizza ever. Rooms are clean but do need some upgrading. Suggest they hire all staff that can speak English that have direct contact with guests. Other than t [... read more]hat the resort was good. A group of 10 adults travelled April 24 - May 1.

Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana: Great resort!

Food was very good! Atmosphere was fun and laid back, service was good. Bartenders were minimal so drink service was slow. Rooms very nice and great AC. Really enjoyed the entertainment at the pool and the wedding I attended was well organized.

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Great value - esmeralda

Overall, it was great resort for the money we paid and were generally happy with everything, and would recommend to friends/family. Pros: - beach (Esmeralda area of the resort was very close to the beach) - rooms were nice, clean, accessible (every room at esmeralda is the same so you don't need to try and change your room) - food was generally good - service (everyone at the hotel is very friendly, helpful, attentive, etc.) - golf (golf course next door was great and good value for the money)  [... read more] Cons: - for some reason, the pools were warm - Italian restaurant was not very good (would recommend the asian and steak restaurants) - wish they had better evening entertainment at the Esmeralda (more bands/singers, or just more background music to liven up the atmosphere) - tennis courts need re-surfacing, but still playable

Royalton CHIC Punta Cana: wonderful !!

We loved everything about the Chic !! We picked this resort because it was on the smaller side which was perfect for us. The food at the buffet was ok. The Steakhouse was delish as well as the Sushi and the Italian - didn't care for the Moroccon. We spent most of the time on the beach - Rosemarie was delightful and took our drink orders everyday - the dirty monkey was the best ! The beach was lovely - we loved the waves and always a nice breeze. Our room was wonderful - we were lucky to have an  [... read more]oceanview room - we were in building 8 on the 3rd floor. Everyone was so pleasant and helpful we would definitely love to go back.

VIK Hotel Arena Blanca: nice place

nice beach,the food was really different,rooms not so big but clean,area good,pools not so bad,the bar in the beach was open at 10 to 5,the lobby was nice,the mexican restaurant great foodand service.

Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana: A great holiday

The pool and landscaping, were beautiful with sculpture, luscious trees and plants, including peacocks, flamingos, ducklings with mom wondering the grounds, ponds filled with fish and plants. The staff were very pleasant and accommodating.

Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort: get there fast then take it slow

entrance and lobby area impressive.large designated non smoking area appreciated inside lobby/lounge area.small orchid garden nice touch.outside the landscaping was lush and well maintained.beach was awesome .you can walk /run in either direction.one is able to snorkel and see a variety of fish directly off resort beach .

Bahia Principe Grand Bavaro: HUGE RESORT!!!

Just got back from the GBP Bavaro in Punta Cana and thought I’d provide you with a brief review of the resort including a picture of the mosquito bites I received there just so you can provide that info to future clients. (1) This resort is absolutely huge with something like 6 or 7 hotels on the property. Had I known this, we would never have gone there. One hotel employee told my wife that there were 36,000 people there which I know is a huge exaggeration but there still were a LOT of people [... read more] there. (2) The pools were crowded and so was the beach. In order to get chairs at the pool you had to go early and at the beach it was very difficult to find any chairs. On a couple of occasions I had to get assistance from one of the workers to find chairs. This is the first time in about 20 trips that this has happened. Another negative. (3) We couldn’t believe the number of people on the beach, as far as the eyes could see. Too crowded for our liking. (4) The buggy system operated very efficiently there with very little time waiting for a ride. A positive. (5) No complaints about our room overlooking the pool. The Jacuzzi tub was a plus. (6) In spite of the number of hotels and restaurants there we could only go to one Buffet located in the Lobby. The only other option besides the a la cartes was the beach Snack Bar which seemed to only serve the same food each day. In spite of this , the food was pretty good with many options at the Buffet. (7) Even though the water looked beautiful there seemed to be more seaweed in the water than the last time we were in Punta Cana. At least it wasn’t garbage as was the case last time we were in Samana. This seems to be happening everywhere. (8) The Entertainment was generally poor at night and that’s when the mosquitos came out so we didn’t have any late nights. (9) YES, there are mosquitoes in Punta Cana and they love me as you can see in the photo. These bites ooze for days and itch like crazy so you can understand why this issue is so important to me. There are some resorts that don’t have a mosquito problem but when I go to one that does, it is just plain misery for me. (10) There were a lot of what I would call small bees around our pool that I have never seen before and one day my wife swatted one from her shoulder onto the water and when I tried to kill it, the bee stung me and left its stinger in my finger. My wife pulled it out with her nails but it hurt like crazy for about a half hour and then my finger and hand swollen up like a balloon. Another negative. (11) The a la carte restaurants were generally pretty good with a strong effort to please so if you didn’t like a dish you ordered, they would quickly replace it with another. The beef tenderloin was particularly good for the D. R. (12) The overall service in the restaurants were good but the Buffet was not good at times because they could not keep up with the steady flow of people coming in and going out so you almost always had to get a table that wasn’t set up yet. Overall, we would never go back to this resort again and may have to consider travelling to Florida instead where there is less of a mosquito problem. All-inclusive resorts are very hard on the system anyway and when you add mosquitos and bees to the equation, it can become a nightmare instead of a wonderful vacation.

Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana: Had a wonderful week at this great resort!!

We had a wonderful week at the Don Ambar section of the Bahia Principe. The weather was ideal. The beach got cleaned every morning and for the most part the water was cystal clear. We did have to get up early to reserve good seats in the shade. The pools were large and clean. The food was not bad keeping in mind that they just cannot offer what we are used to in North America. The French and Japanese a la carte restaurants were great. The staff was great although most spoke very limited English. [... read more] Our room was clean and the bathroom was large. We had a balcony that overlooked the walkway closer to the pool and beach end. Ruth at the front desk was fantastic. They really tried to accomodate us. The evening entertainment was mediocre but there certainly are enough activities to keep you busy throughout the day. Thanks to Fiona for booking us a great trip. The value for the money is unbeatable!

Sunscape Coco Punta Cana: No Complaints Here!

I went to Be Live with my boyfriend (we are in our mid 20's), we went for a week and we got back mid April 2015. We went in with an open mind as there were some poor reviews and ratings on the site, however I must say we were more than impressed with the resort over all; our room was modern and clean, the staff was friendly and helpful and spoke good English, Drinks were delicious and there was a lot of variety, food was good with also a lot of variety. We did get an upset stomach a couple days; [... read more] however I wouldn't blame that on the food quality. The activity staff was very entertaining, and there was always a lot going on activity wise. Our favorites were a foam party in the pool on afternoon, and evening beach party. The atmosphere was nice, and there was a good mix of people, young party goers, to couples, and families. I don't understand how people can have a horrible time in paradise; you can’t expect anyone to truly make your experience for you. The resort does not say it’s a 5 star and you’re not paying for a 5 star. So go with an open mind, and expect hot sun and fun... just enjoy!

Paradisus Punta Cana: Amazing Resort

Amazing Resort, rooms, grounds and beach were beautiful. Food was excellent. Had a few issues on getting the a la cartes booked. Staff were very friendly. I would love to return to this resort and I highly recommend this resort.

Vista Sol Punta Cana: Great resort!

I recently travelled with a friend to Vista Sol. It's close to the airport, so you don't have to travel long. Resort was clean, every room has a balcony, large rooms with good sized bathrooms and showers, lots of bottled water available and replenished daily, the staff were pleasant, patient and friendly and it's located right on the beach. Three pools and large expanse of available beach - and beach lounge chairs, meant there were options no matter what your preference. Our room was on the firs [... read more]t floor, facing the main pool and hotel lobby. We thought it would be loud so requested a switch, we ended up staying in the room as noise levels weren't a problem and it was kinda nice to be in a central location. This resort had the feeling of a small boutique hotel, but is actually a pretty large resort. We enjoyed the food - especially in the buffet, but all the restaurants served good, if not delicious meals.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Not very pleased overall..very disappointed

Upon arrival it looked very pleasing, the grounds appeared well kept.Checkin went smoothly but could not get a room till after 3pm.They gave us our wrist bands so we could go have lunch at the Market a buffet style eatery,came back to the reception about 3;30pm and got our room key for room 1501.When we got to our room via a 10 minute trolley train ride and went in and our bags were there..good, but upon entering the room it smelt musty and looked very old in decor and furnishings (mold in the b [... read more]athroom,dirty floor,old chesterfield that sank in when my wife sat down and she could not get up without help,not enough dresser drawers for storage,no information book about the resort and phone use etc.) in general not very impressed. I went back to the lobby reception to ask for a new room, but was told to come back tomorrow and perhaps they could switch us..this was not acceptable..finally saying they would give us a room in the renovated building..room 1220..finally got to room about 8:30pm but the room keys were not activated to use..bell boy got that fixed ..better than the 1st room but still not what i expected for a 4-5 star resort..we had to get the patio doors locks changed so they would close and lock so the ac would function..got to dinner around 9:30pm not very hungry by then..food was cold...went back to room via the trolley ant to get some sleep as been a very disappointing day 1. We were there for a wedding which was very good and the reception dinner one for the best all week. In general...staff seem not interested in helping you..everything too spread out for walking.bar drinks of poor quality,food cold too many times..good restaurants..Italian and American Grill.My wife and I have stayed at Bahia Principe Esmeralda 2 times before and there is no comparison to this 5 star resort .Sorry but this is how we feel and would not reccomend this resort to my friends nor would I book here ever again.

Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana: One of the best resorts in all our travels

The overall facility was outstanding, but the only negative was birds in the eating area. If possible, a net should be put up to prevent them from landing on your table while eating breakfast. The staff were excellent, they couldn't do enough for you, well done.

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Amazing

The resort was beautiful and the service was fantastic! Grounds were well maintained and staff were always friendly and helpful. Cleanliness of whole resort was superb. Looking forward to returning soon.

Royalton Splash Punta Cana: Very Family Friendly

Very clean rooms and hall ways. Family friendly hotel and staff. Good food in main buffet. Organized pool activities everyday. Needs a larger lobby area to help customers get settled in. More nightly shows or activities needed.

Riu Palace Macao: Beautiful Resort

The resort was beautiful and the grounds well maintained. Service was excellent with both housekeeping and food service. Free Wi fi was a great feature and no issues accessing it from any point in the resort. Only one issue which is out of the resorts control was the amount of smokers during our one week stay. Even with the outdoor covered bar area there was still many times the smoke was extremely heavy.