We stayed 3 unforgettable days, wished we had more) Very clean hotel without mosquitos, nice buffet, friendly animators, good vibe.
For snorkeling, it’s not the best option though because of seaweeds and sand in the water. Thank you Heaven Team!
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HollyD -
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Viva Maya by Wyndham: Viva Maya - My Review
My boyfriend and I stayed at this resort from Match 16-23, 2025. I would rate our experience 9/10. This is a very nice, well kempt resort. I will start with our booking process with Tripcentral. I will say I used other websites to research where we wanted to stay as they had more information on the resorts but TripC has the best prices and easy to book through. It was our first time booking through it and will definitely use it again.
Now the resort. Our check-in process was fast and we had [... read more]no line up. The bellhop was very informative of the resort and very friendly! The resort is very moderate in size. You will get your steps in!
Room - We are not picky guests when it comes to rooms as we are usually only in there to get ready and sleep. Our room was nice, beds are very comfortable and the bathroom was a good size. We had no issues with water pressure/heat.
I will say that they do not stock the fridges with water/pop/beer. They are trying to conserve and reduce the use of plastic. Conveniently, there are filtered water fountains you can use halfway through every hallway. They have jugs you can put the water into and leave in your room. Balconies are small in the normal rooms.
Pools - There are 3 pools but 5 if you aren’t seeing them as attached. We noticed that the adults only pool/area was pretty chill but the water was a little merky so we opted to not go in there but there was a bar and it wasn’t busy at all. The main pool area was a decent size. We didn’t have too hard of a time finding chairs when we wanted to be by the pool but they do get taken quickly. I feel like there could've been more lounge chairs but it wasn’t a big deal if we couldn’t find one. There’s plenty on the beautiful beach! The pools itself weren’t very busy and the swim up bar rarely had a bartender but only because not a lot of people were in the water, at least while at our stay. The main pool water was a bit merky as well so we kept our heads above water. They were cleaning the pools during our stay which was nice to see and it didn’t take too long for them to be up and running again. The beach was absolutely amazing! We were able to be in the water every day that we were there. The last 3 days, there was a lot of waves and wind so the water didn’t look turquoise but it did the first 4 days! The resort did the best out of all of the ones along the coast, of cleaning the seaweed, by far. There’s lots of lounge chairs out there so you won’t be without!
Food - The buffet was pretty good! Had a decent amount of options for breakfast/lunch/supper. Some foods were repetitive throughout lunch/supper. Obviously, some foods were a hit and a miss but that is to be expected. You will find something you like and if not, the fruit was absolutely delicious. I can’t say enough good things about the fruits they had out. Perfectly ripe. I’ve never had better fruits at a resort. We easily could've lived off those our whole trip! And the fruit juices. Amazing! So fresh and not too sweet. The deserts were not the best. At the buffet, you can get your own drinks along with a bucket of ice that’s always filled. Those ice buckets are very convenient to fill up your own mugs with! The servers were fine and friendly enough.
We ate at the Mediterranean, Fusion and Mexican restaurants and they were soo good! The service at all 3 places were awesome the food was amazing, especially at the Fusion restaurant. We had the best steak we may have ever had. Unreal. We were shocked by how great the food was at this resort. Didn’t feel unsafe to eat anything there. Didn’t get sick from the food at all. We enjoyed Cafe Maya! The drinks in there were good and nice to try different things than what’s at the bars. They had the perfect foods for a nice lunch or little snacks. We were happy to see that there was zero bugs/flies/bees by the bars. It was all very very clean.
We found the lobby made the best drinks! Line ups are to be expected but you just have to wait them out or just stand in line. You won’t be waiting that long but again, it’s to be expected at any resort. The snack bar. HELL YES! Amazing fries lol! They always had good food out (except the hot dogs) Late night snacks was our thing and it mainly hit the spot! There’s always a cook there so it’s not just old food sitting there. They make fresh woodfire pizzas and salty French fries! They are open until 6am so you won’t be without food at this resort.
The big bar by the pool was our main drinking hub. Bartenders were good, quick and efficient!
Entertainment- Compared to other resorts we have been too, their shows are really good! The entertainment area was pretty big with lots of seating and after the show is done (around 1030) there’s more things happening at the lobby area of the resort until midnight so that was nice that there’s something to do until then!
All in all, I would highly recommend anyone to go to Viva Maya! Our experience was exactly what we could’ve hoped for. It was very clean, good food and plenty entertainment in the night! We noticed that the patrons here were mainly Spanish/French speaking. So, we didn’t get to converse with many people during our stay until the last night and we found a a couple Canadians from Ottawa and Nova Scotia so we got to socialize for about 20 mins haha!
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Private -
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Viva Dominicus Palace by Wyndham: Viva Dominicus Palace by Wyndham: "A Home Away from Home + Sunny Weather"
A Familiar and Welcoming Stay:
We booked a 14-day flight and all-inclusive package through Sunwing, and this was our fourth visit to Dominicus Palace. Once again, it truly felt like "a home away from home." Our stay in the Superior Room near the beach, located in a renovated block of rooms, was exceptional. The room was wonderfully equipped with all the conveniences needed to feel at ease.
The overall atmosphere was lively and inviting, with an engaging animation team ensuring guests were en[... read more]tertained throughout the day. They led fun and energetic morning aerobics sessions, catering to guests of all ages with friendliness and warmth. Each evening, the administration arranged performances by talented local musicians in the main lobby, filling the space with the vibrant sounds of traditional melodies. Occasionally, we couldn’t resist joining in the dancing! A thoughtful touch for Italian-speaking guests was the special entertainment at the theater three times a week.
Sunny Weather and Relaxation:
The beautiful sunny weather added so much to our experience. Relaxing on the beach was pure bliss, with clean and comfortable lounge chairs always available. Daily towel changes were a welcome service that added to the convenience.
Room Amenities and Thoughtful Details:
The Superior Palace Room was both comfortable and well-equipped with modern facilities, including a safe and complimentary internet. Housekeeping provided daily service, ensuring fresh towels and essentials were replenished. A standout feature of the hotel was the filtered water stations on each floor, where guests could refill specially provided bottles. This thoughtful addition allowed us to stay hydrated while avoiding local water
a much-appreciated health precaution.
Constructive Feedback:
The internet connection in the room was slow and inconsistent, which could be improved for a smoother experience. We recommend that staff members who interact with customers learn a few basic English words to help facilitate communication.
Dining and Exceptional Service:
We dined primarily at the Restaurant Buffet “La Yuca” near the main lobby, while lunch was often enjoyed at the snack bar by the beach. The food was consistently delicious, with an impressive variety of dishes and expertly prepared specialties. One evening, I savored the most delicious Seafood Paella – Mediterranean style! The desserts were equally memorable, especially the house-made Vanilla and Pistachio ice cream. Drinks like wine and beer were served generously and promptly upon request. The restaurant staff offered attentive and efficient service during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making the dining experience truly outstanding.
Personal Touch:
One of my favorite activities was taking a leisurely walk from Dominicus Palace to Dominicus Beach along a picturesque walkway. To the left, breathtaking views of the sea stretched out endlessly, while lush greenery surrounded the resorts. It was a serene and rejuvenating way to exercise while soaking in the natural beauty of the area.
Overall:
Dominicus Palace is a wonderful place to spend quality family time. For those traveling from Canada or other winter destinations, it’s the perfect spot to recharge and soak up the sun in the Dominican Republic. Truly a gem for an unforgettable vacation!
**However, we have some constructive feedback for Sunwing regarding the transportation from Punta Cana. On March 6, we were taken in a small SUV that had seen better days. What should have been a 55-minute journey to La Romana took over an hour and a half in cramped conditions, which was especially difficult after being on an aircraft for 4.5 hours. We would also like to understand the logic behind taking us to Punta Cana when La Romana Airport is closer to our destination
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Emma -
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Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: Amazing beach front resort !
We visited Viva Tangerine March 11th for the week. The resort was so close to the ocean and grounds were beautiful. Location is great and resort is laid out very well. Short walk down the beach to local restaurants & shops. Felt very safe exploring. Rooms were renovated and very clean AC worked great and had amazing ocean views with oceanfront room. Italian & Mexican A la carte were delicious. Both had excellent food/presentation and great service. We had a blast and will definitely be returnin[... read more]g !!!
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Angelika -
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Viva V Samana by Wyndham: What a beautiful place
We had a amazing time in this beautiful hotel.The stuff is well trained and very eager to help you out and feel you home.The food was great. The beach is fantastic very long great for beach walks and not many people's. I would definitely go back to this hotel.
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Private -
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Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Honest Review
Pros
* Beautiful beach, raked daily
* Clean updated guest rooms
* Friendly staff
* Short commute from Samana Airport
* Excellent service & food in a la carte restaurants
Cons
* Use of drones on the beach (invasion of privacy)
* In order to get a chair on the beach, you must get up before 6 AM to set out a towel on a chair
* Smoking in posted non smoking areas
* Dress code not enforced for a la carte dining (guests wearing shorts, printed t-shirts, flip flops, etc)
* Not much hot[... read more] water, for showers, in the evening
* Only 1 bar to service both the pool and beach guests, always a queue
* Under staffed throughout resort
* Very difficult to make reservations at the a la carte restaurants (early times seemed to be gone, when the dates opened up 4 days prior)
* Beach towel availability was hit and miss due to no exchange program, lack of guests returning towels, towels not being collected at the end of the day from the beach and pool
* Club Viva members jumping the queue for drink service, having their own roped off area of the beach, rooftop bar, their own area in the buffet, etc.
* Difficult to find a clean table, or one with a full place setting, at the buffet (always searching for utensils, napkins or glassware)
* Difficult to get coffee/tea at breakfast or wine at dinner due to what seemed like a lack of staffing in the buffet dining area
* Club Viva salespeople constantly hounding
* Food poisoning on Tuesday, February 25th (which was confirmed with other guests as they too had it on the same day). Resort does not consider it food poisoning unless you visit the doctor and report it, which is difficult to do when unable to leave the room
* Feral cats/dogs all over the resort. Witnessed a cat using the beach as a litter box
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Private -
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Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Needs improvement
I am writing to give feedback on my recent stay at Viva Heavens Wyndham in Puerto Plata DR from Feb 26 - March 6. I travelled with my boyfriend and one other couple.
I found the hotel room to be adequate however, was lacking in some of the finishing details. The spacers to lay tiles in the bathroom were cemented into the floor instead of being removed before grouting. There were numerous spots where paint drippings dried onto the walls. The locking mechanism for the patio door was not very s[... read more]ecure. On at least 3 separate occasions during the week, we had to have our room keys reprogrammed as they would not work. Our friends in room 4305 had to have the entire door handle mechanism replaced after 3 consecutive days of it not working. Seems like details were not a priority.
The alcoholic drinks were lacking. Beer and wine was ok, however the sparking white champagne tastes like apple cider, not sparkling wine. It was difficult to get some drinks made at the bar ie Chunky Monkey (no chocolate), no Frappuccino at coffee bar (no chocolate). No cranberry juice one day, no mint for a mojito another day. Not acceptable to be running out of staple items for a bar.
The premium brands of alcohol were reserved for Wyndham members only which was disappointing.
The pool area was very nice however was lacking sufficient chairs and shade. More umbrellas or a roofed sunshade is required.
The most disturbing thing that happened, happened near the pool. An elderly lady was walking out of the pool. She slipped and fell and went down very hard on the edge of the pool. A couple of guests came to her rescue. She sustained a very large bruise and deep cut from the edge of the pool. One guest ran to the towel station at the pool and asked for a first aid kit, which they gave to them. The first aid kit was not very well equipped, and alcohol had leaked out of the first aid kit, so the contents were not sterile anymore. The two guests provided first aid to the lady and then took her to the front desk to report the accident. At no time, despite there being several bartenders at the pool bar and the person at the towel bar who handed the first aid kit over, came to the person’s aid or inquire about if she was OK. No hotel staff came to their aid at all.
We sampled all of the a la carte restaurants except for the Dominican one. All were very good. No complaints at all. The buffet was adequate but repetitive and not a lot of variety. We had to ask the staff at the omelette station for bacon and several days he said it was not available? Again, why was it not available and why was it hidden and had to be asked for? The beach restaurant was again repetitive and not a lot of variety.
The beach at this resort was lovely. Lots of shade and lounge chairs.
It was a pleasurable vacation but I would not recommend or revisit this same resort. The resort staff and management need to be more attentive and pay attention to detail in order to be considered to be offering a 4 or 5 star experience.
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Ivana -
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Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Amazing!! 10/10
Very clean resort! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Food options were good, with lots of restaurants available for reservation. The rooms are clean and spacious. We highly recommend doing the excursions that they offer as well. The desk representatives are very informative about everything offered. Overall, highly recommend this resort for your next quiet and relaxing vacation!
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Patsy -
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Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: Beautiful Setting
The grounds and setting were very pretty - lots of beautiful vegetation and flowers. The resort is quite compact, with all the rooms a short walk to the pool, restaurants and beach. The pool was very nice, the beach gorgeous (but the waves made it difficult for me to swim.)
The food was quite good, though I'm not a big fan of buffets. I enjoyed the dinner at the Mexican restaurant - great service and my food was delicious.
A couple of negatives - I had to ask to move my room as I was ori[... read more]ginally on the third floor, up a large set of winding stairs.This is ok for many, I suppose, but quite a hike for an older woman with bad knees. My second room on the ground floor room was perfect. I found the service in the restaurant uneven. It was often difficult to find someone to get a place setting, or a cup of tea/coffee in the morning. The hardworking bartenders were great, however.
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Private -
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Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: Enjoyable resort
The grounds were well kept. I liked that there was a small size pool in a quieter area. It was a busy week when we attended. I would suggest a quiet indoor room library style where guests can go rest or read.
Our room was spacious and clean. The hot water was not always available.
The dining staff were very helpful and attentive.
There was a wide variety of choices offered during the week.
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Diah -
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Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Great resort, small, adults only!!
Liked the small more intimate resort. Good music, and shows but nit overly loud and noisy. Very nice room. We did get sick, likely due to food or drinks, as did many other guests. We were very disappointed by this!
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Private -
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Viva Maya by Wyndham: Wordy to Experience
The resort grounds are well maintained, the beach is beautiful and clean, the rooms are O.K- daly cleaned but water supp in the bathroom and shower needs improvement. Eexcellent staff services in restaurants and on the grounds. Activity and entertainment acceptable but need to be better promoted.
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Private -
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Viva Azteca by Wyndham: Lovely smaller resort
We chose this resort specifically because it was a smaller size than the mega resorts you often find along the Mayan Riviera. Food was consistently good and while we loved the lobby bar, the pool bar was hit and miss with the quality of drinks. While we missed having a swim-up bar in the pool I wouldn't trade it for the size of the beach and always having available loungers no matter what time of day it was. The lobby courtyard was beautiful and a lovely space to enjoy pre & post dinner drinks. [... read more]The beach shoreline did have an issue with erosion while we were there but a short walk over and it was fine. Staff was always helpful and available for anything we needed.
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Penny -
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Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Nice quaint resort
The resort was nice and great staff. All very friendly and helpful. Our room wasn’t very big and little run down but for sleeping it was fine. Food was really good and you had 4 nice a la carts to pick from for dinner that were really good. Resort wasn’t too big but we liked that future and beach was very clean and beautiful. Tons of space at the beach to enjoy. Even the beach bar/restaurant was really good with stone cooked pizza’s. I give this resort 4 out of 5 and would go back to it.
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Marty -
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Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Never made it
I would have loved to have commented on the resort but unfortunately we never got there. After 3 delays with Sunwing and the fact we were losing 3 full days of a 7 day vacation we decided to cancel . Maybe in the future we will have the opportunity to visit this resort. I am rating good for everything as I had friends there that really enjoyed the resort.
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Private -
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Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Amazing
This resort was so relaxing.
The one thing I have to say is we got delayed for over 20 hours with no room overnight because of sunwing but the staff and especially Jennifer opened a a la carte restaurant and brought lawn chairs in for people to sleep amazing on their part
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Andrea -
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Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: You get what you pay for
Pros- The resort grounds were lovely and well maintained, it was close to the airport and was a quick check in process. The beach was fun and very wavy! We enjoyed watching the kite surfers. You could walk the beach in either direction safely. East took you to the beach front restaurants and shops. West took you to quiet unspoiled surroundings.
Cons- the rooms were a nice size but, with no extras. No kleenex, ice, or alcohol available in fridge. Very tired with cracked tiles, dripped paint etc[... read more].
Food wasn’t great and buffets very busy. Just draft beer and cheep booze. Long bar lines far from the beach- with everyone filling their personal thermal cups it took forever!! I ended up going across the road and buying my own beer and snacks. We also ate a few meals at the restaurants down the beach.
Lots of smoking everywhere including pool area covered bar. Cigarette butts in beach sand was sad to see.
Pool was very busy and hard to find chairs.
Tons of sellers on the beach, I realize they are trying to make a living but even after you’ve bought they still keep coming!
Bottom line the resort is cheap so don’t expect much and it leaves you with money to check out the area! Great restaurants, shops close by to explore!
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Trephanie -
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Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: Fun times!
The resort is small enough to have everything close enough for walking to all the amenities. We were a group of 6 adults. We loved walking the beach and enjoyed watching the kitesurfing. The buffet food was okay...we didn't starve. The snack bar was perfect for a small bite (fries, hot dogs, burgers). Rooms are outdated, but clean. Don't recommend ground floor rooms though...lots of room under the door for different critters to get in! The entertainment staff went above and beyond to keep [... read more]everyone (adults and kiddos) active. Nightime shows are a must...very professional!
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Private -
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Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: Best resort ever
Everything was exceptional. Quick check in. Room was good. Third floor close to all amenities, pool & beach. Elevator. Customer service desk right close to all activities. No need to go to reception. Problems fixed within 5 minutes. Great food. Workers wonderful. Overall an exceptional wacation.
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Elaine -
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Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Great Resort
We thoroughly enjoyed are stay at the resort. It was very clean. There was staff all day cleaning the resort. Our room was keep very clean and it was a nice size room for the two of us.
I have nothing negative to say about our 2 weeks in the resort.
The beaches were magnificant., enough chairs for everyone
The food was a little repatative.