Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Excellence

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!

Dreams Flora Resort and Spa: Wonderful week at Dreams Flora

Honestly this was a dream first family vacation with two kids (5 and 1years old). We opted for the preferred swim up room as our littlest still naps and it was awesome. Allowed us to not miss out on any fun while still being right there if she woke or needed us. I loved the shallow raised sections in the swim up areas so the littles could splash and play. The rooms were modern and very clean. Pools and beach were amazing and pristine. There was never not a chair to be had at either beach or pool [... read more] which was a nice change. Loved the small size of the resort and being able to get to know the friendly staff. Restaurants and buffet were great and no reservations needed was a pleasant surprise. The kids club and resort activities were a hit for all ages. Not sure who had more fun at the water park or the foam party (kids or adults) haha. My only feedback would be that a lot of the paths weren’t stroller friendly and that it would be helpful to put benches in the hospitality rooms. I would give this resort a 9/10 for those travelling as a family and we will likely return.

Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort: Great vacation

The beach is beautiful, the rooms were nice, clean and stocked with water and sodas. Food was good, nice selection. We enjoyed our stay here. The staff was polite and great, they work hard, sometime had to wait but they are busy and 8 was happy to wait a few minutes.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Underwhelming

Rooms were a big disappointment. Standard rooms are well below standard. I suspect this is because they want your upgrade dollars. The upgraded room ($’s) were better though the bathrooms are tiny and badly maintained. Both sink and especially the shower did not drain. Nice if you want water puddling around your feet…eew! Front desk people are sullen and uninviting. Food was great. The staff at the buffet were inviting, smiling and courteous (Special mention to Anelyina & Antonio who were esp [... read more]ecially attentive and helpful) Nice pools though not enough umbrellas for shade. Grounds were immaculately maintained. Entertainment was ok. Beach area is nice. A la carte were ok.

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Quaint and friendly resort

We were there from March 12 to March 23. Staff is amazing and make you feel very welcomed! This hotel is currently under renovations (for more than 2 years from what we were told) therefore we did not get the room we thought we would get. The buildings shown on the map that are to be specific to VIP are closed therefore we cannot rely on the resort map. They have a huge pool and there were no difficulties accommodating everyone at the pool. They are in the process of adding quite a few tiki u [... read more]mbrellas to provide more shaded areas around the pool. Wish they would enforce their rule about reserving spots at the pool as on many occasions we would see these chairs with towels from 6am till after lunch with not a soul tending to them. Food was good but we feel there was not enough variety at the buffet. All 3 a la carte restaurants are on a first come first serve basis for all. We enjoyed all 3 more than once. Room was clean and re-stocked daily with no complaints but I must say that we were disappointed that the beer given in our rooms and at VIP lounge is Coors Light. Their local beer was only available on tap at the bars. We are the type where after a long day in the sun, we enjoy relaxing on the balcony/terrace but unfortunately the most uncomfortable chairs of the resort are situated there which prevented us from being able to unwind comfortably outdoors before calling it a night. We truly have no complaints. It's more about a few disappointments which we all end up having at whatever resort we go to. Demographically, we love where this resort is situated as you can walk many places...Jumbo , MacDonalds or Burger King if you wish to have a taste of home, their liquor store which has a full serve bar and the beach was long enough for a good walk as well. We are not at the point in our lives where we want to go back to the same resorts we have already been but I will say we will be back in Puerto Plata. We have no regrets staying at the Marien. Due to the renovations occuring, I would not recommend at this time.

Casa Marina Reef Resort: Casa Marina Reef Resort

Overall was good value for our week stay. Rooms were dated but can look at upgrading to a more updated room. We didn’t as we had everything we needed and don’t spend much time in the room. Food was good and has something for everyone’s taste. Liked that they had traditional Dominican food items and the fresh fruit was amazing ( Papaya, passion fruit, mango, pineapple etc..). The lunch time snack bar at Pescado was great. Good hamburgers, and loved the fried chicken some days and roasted chi [... read more]cken other days. Best roasted chicken we ever had as they seasoned it well. Resort is compact which is nice and loved the Infiniti pools on the reef side along with plenty of shade. It was also nice to be centrally located in town and did venture off to explore and visited Sosua beach to enjoy fried fish and beers. The grocery store is close also, and was nice to pick up some fresh mint for mojitos since this was only available on select side (adults only section). Another tip, the safe is not included with the room and need to pay separately for this and they do charge for wifi. We opted to go with eSIM instead with data package so we could use off resort when walking around town or using WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family. Good size pools and enjoyed the local music they played as opposed to the American music normally played at resorts.

Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Beautiful Resort

The resort is beautiful and most of the staff were hard working and friendly. Our butler Domingo was great. "Superstar" and Walkieria at the Diamond Club pool were exceptional in looking after us. The same could not be said of the Diamond Club desk employees. They were indifferent to the point of rude. I feel there are too many Diamond Club patrons for them to provide the service expected. When you have to sign in on the arm of a lawn chair and then wait two hours for a room, I felt this was not [... read more] acceptable. We had arrived at 3:00 P.M. and did not get a room until 5. The food was good . The best restaurant was The Hunter Steakhouse, quiet, excellent service and great food.

Bahia Principe Escape Bouganville: Great 2 weeks

We had a wonderful 2 weeks at Bougainville. The weather was great, the sun was shining and the people are wonderful. Rooms- Our room was spacious and well maintained. No problems with water pressure or temperature, no bugs and the mini fridge was always re-stocked daily. The woman who cleaned our room did a fantastic job everyday. Beach- The beach isn’t the greatest but we have no problem with it. We sat on the beach close to where the Jacuzzi bar is. Marianeli or Josephina Dela Ros [... read more]a were always around taking drink orders and delivering them right to our chairs. Both of them always had a smile on their faces and were very friendly and joked around with us after they got to know us a little. Thank You both. Leida, mi amiga, was sometimes the bartender and sometimes server on the beach as well. What a great person. Always happy and smiling and joking. My wife really got along well with her. I don’t think I ever saw her with a frown even when the bar was crowded. Thank you Leida. Marcio was the bartender at the Jacuzzi bar and he could make whatever you wanted. He too was always smiling and talking to all the customers like he’s known them forever. We don’t spend a lot of time at the pool, so I can’t really comment on the bartenders there, but the bar is always crowded and everyone’s having a great time so they must be great too. Entertainment- The entertainment crew were great. Always doing something and getting the guests to take part either at the pool or at the nightly entertainment. Food- The food is good everywhere. We ate mostly at the buffet and they had great choices everyday. They had a different theme daily. Breakfast and supper were at Las Dalias Buffet. Joaquin Rosario, Cesar A. and Maria (Fidel LOL) C. were always there and took care of water, drinks, wine or cleanup. They were always joking with the guests and made us feel welcome with their great smiles. These are just the names I got, but all the other workers in the buffets were just as nice. We ate at 2 A-La-Cartes, Don Pablo and the Italian restaurant, and actually preferred the buffet. Being on the Bougainville side, getting a reservation for the Italian restaurant is almost impossible, since it’s on the Grand side. We talked to guest services 3 times trying to get in and finally talked to Madelin at Guest Services. She told us we could have reservations at 9:00 P.M. but that was too late, so we told her to forget about it and walked away a little peeved. Little did we know she kept working for us and met us outside the lunch buffet a couple of days later and told us she got us a reservation at 6:15. We were very grateful for that and knowing that she didn’t just forget about us. Muchas Gracias Madelin. Before going for supper, we always stopped at the Palmira Bar, near the lobby, for a cocktail. Ruben is the bartender there and he’s very good at his craft. Desire and Yajaira are great. After about 3 days, we just had to go sit down at our favourite table and the order came without having to ask. They were very friendly and we got to know them a lot better over the 2 weeks. Great people. Thank you very much ladies. All in all, a very good holiday thanks to the people mentioned, and everyone at the resort. If you’re looking for a beautiful beach and the turquoise blue water, then it’s probably not the place for you, but you won’t get a better experience or better service that you will get there.

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

Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: Very special place

We are repeat clients of this resort. We find the grounds are lush and well maintained. The rooms are great and provide everything you need. Foods is always good and the staff are carefully curated and are all accommodating and friendly. We have always felt very safe here. We are hoping to return in the future to this special place

Sunscape Coco Punta Cana: Amazing beach but staff not the greatest

We did have a great vacation overall but there were both pros and cons with this resort. Beach was incredible and we really enjoyed our room on the 1st floor. And the evening bars were pretty good. That said, I was not impressed with the staff overall (mostly at the buffet and restaurants) and I didn't find the food to be the greatest.

Bahia Principe Explore La Romana: Nice vacation

Nice location, the room were clean, the staff was friendly. Julito at the hibiscus bar was the best. The water for the shower was too cold. Never had a day with a warm shower. Some fish and meat were overcooked.(roasted salmon on its skin at el pescador and pollo a la parmesana at the Il Capriccio) Once our door was left open after room service. I liked that every day there was a theme night at the buffet. There’s only pepsi zero and 7up regular in the whole resort. It’s worse than p [... read more]epsi diet. No alcohol in the room fridge!!! Chair were available near the beach every day. Too bad the sea water was blurry and there were some jellyfish, the resort would be a 5 stars.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach: Great resort

The food the staff the restaurants were amazing The bars Entertainment The facility Was incredible The golf course and staff second to none A truly wonderful resort going back in November this year I will recommend this resort to all of my friends

Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine: Great stay overall!

Resort is well kept and the hotel was much the same, food was good at the buffet and some of the a la carte restaurants were on point. Would definitely step off the resort to experience some of the beautiful culture. The staff was very welcoming and accomodating. Overall a wonderful experience.

Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine: Excellent stay

Beautiful resort, friendly helpful staff. The staff have the rooms and grounds very clean. Great variety of food. The only thing that I would change is to get a pool or resort view. We had a garden view and it was overlooking the bus depot/maintenance building that were picking up the resort workers. They were honking the horns of the busses even though the night. I would most definitely return to the Aquamarine but have a better placement of our room.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Clean, kind staff and lovely trip

The hotel had a quiet wing/side and a main one. Rooms were clean, food was great! (Beware of their medium rare burgers) Drinks are strong, à la cartes were good! Friendly staff that care. Beach was clean! Wifi was in most areas free of charge and the nightly entertainment was lovely. Would of liked knowing they had a white party on one of the nights to come prepared but that is such a minor thing to focus on! Would book again! Their excursion selection was great as well as the mall within the re [... read more]sort complex with local goods!

Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana: Not up to the Bahia Principe usual standards

The room we were in was tired, shower did not drain, safe did not work,. There is a huge mosquito problem in the lobby areas We rarely had cutlery on our table at the buffet and the staff did not seem to care

Dreams Dominicus La Romana: An excellent resort!

Our group of 2 families (4 adults and 3 youth) had a wonderful stay here for 9 days in mid-March. I have a lot of positive things to say about this resort, beginning with the Entertainment Staff. A big reason why we enjoyed this resort was Jerry. Jerry is an absolute delight and one of the highlights of our stay. He involved my 12- and 15-year-old boys in the games and activities throughout our entire stay. Always friendly and welcoming, smiling, dancing and entertaining! He even got my 15-yea [... read more]r-old son to dance! In addition to Jerry, other entertainers - Champion, Chicken Boy, El Baby added to the fun. Champion’s auction at the beach was another highlight! The staff all around was great – from housekeeping to pool/lobby bar, dining and towel staff. A shoutout to Marcelo at the pool bar for his positive and fun energy! Room was one of the nicest we have had at a resort, spacious and clean. Towel service was also excellent. No need for towel cards and the towels were always fresh and clean. A La Carte restaurants were excellent – no reservations was a huge bonus, and we never waited more than a few minutes for a table. Coco Café was great to have on resort – my husband and I went here for our morning coffees every day. Barefoot Grille at the beach was also great – pizzas were excellent for a midday snack. The shows were entertaining – especially the Water and Circus shows. Beach is beautiful – turquoise water and white sand. While not a challenge to get chairs at the beach, lack of shade was a bit of an issue. One of my only complaints is that those who pay for Preferred Club get better access to shade. My only other complaint was the lack of activity post-11pm. And that’s saying something for someone who normally goes to sleep at 10pm! Some musical entertainment until midnight would be a nice addition. And while there is a sports bar and disco across from the a la carte restaurants, these were not well-publicized and therefore nobody seemed to go to them. The same holds true for the teen club (which my kids used but they were the only ones there). All in all, an excellent stay at an excellent resort, thanks to Jerry and the rest of the entertainment staff.

Dreams Cap Cana Resort and Spa: Great resort

Everything was great except for the beach. It was under construction, but we could go to an adjacent beach and enjoy the turquoise waters there. The food was great as well. The rooms were very good as well.

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Nothing to do here

If you're a solo traveller, stay away! This is a couples resort, even though it's not advertised as such. I use the term "resort loosely, as it's mostly just a hotel with a buffet, not much else. There is no entertainment, no nightlife, no activities. Even the seniors visiting were complaining about this! I unfortunately got locked in and couldn't cancel, so I had no choice but to stay here... thank goodness for excursions, or I would have died of boredom. If you're a couple who wants to do [... read more] nothing but eat, drink and sleep by the pool/beach, then go here. Otherwise, it is not worth it. Also, the beds are extremely hard, I woke up with sore hips every morning.