Dominican Republic - Punta Cana Recommendations

AlbaCrush

AlbaCrush

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I'm trying to plan a vacation to an all-inclusive resort to Punta Cana. I've never stayed at an all-inclusive resort, but wanted to try one since my last two vacations have been cruises. I'm trying to go April 28 - May 4 (6 nights). This would be a couples getaway. I want to book a package deal and I'm considering Apple Vacations or Funjet.

I'd appreciate any input on Punta Cana Resorts, buying packages from the above sites, and any other tips you have.

If you have stayed at other places such as Jamaica and Punta Cana, which one did you prefer?

Thanks
 
I've been there a few times. Love it. Great beach. I can't recommend one resort over the other tough. I gotta try them all first.
 
My wife and I stayed at the Catalonia Royal Bavaro (Punta Cana); adults only, good restaurant choices, swim-up bar. Rooms are very nice- much better than typical hotel rooms
 
We go to Jamaica each year. Couples Resorts has four all-inclusive couples-only resorts there. We favor Couples Tower Isle in Ocho Rios and can recommend it highly.
Edit to add: Lindsey at Tropics Travel has consistently found us great deals on our trips. Most recently with Funjet. Her contact: lindsey@tropicstravelagency.com
 
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DW and I went there for a destination wedding, first time ever for us to go to a resort outside US, about 5 years ago. Extremely long line to go through to get passport stamped,
IIRC, had to get "checked " out a couple of times for $5.00 by local authorities. Drive to resort went through several ghetto areas that put a damper on the hole trip. I know there is poverty in many places but I didn't need a slap you in the face reminder.

The facilities were impeccable, the staff help more than helpful, weather perfect, and the wedding was fabulous, and the bride and groom are still married.
 
Stayed at the Palladium Royal Turquesa (sp) a few years ago. It was the adults only section of the Palladium. Very nice rooms with a Jacuzzi on a private balcony. Nice beach, food was pretty good to excellent. Huge place, though if you wanted to go outside the adults only area. They had trams to take you all over.
 
We loved Punta Cana. We stayed at an all-inclusive called Majestic Elegance. The property is gorgeous. The food and the drinks were great. As I recall The resort is mainly for adults. If there will be children in your party the resort next door if I remember correctly is called the Majestic Colonial. It was for families with children. If you stay at Majestic Elegance consider getting the elegance club upgrade...
 
urn2bfree said:
I have not been, but I have heard good things about this one and it gets good reviews. It is huge:
https://www.hardrockhotelpuntacana.com/
Click to expand...

I stayed there in December 2013 (left the weekend before Christmas). I loved it except a couple things:

A. Once the holiday season hit (Saturday), it was very busy (long line for morning buffet for instance).

B. They miraculously ran out of all non-local beers as soon as the holiday season hit...

The rooms were great, the resort was nice, and the casino was pretty nice to me.

I did a zip-line excursion while I was there, and I'll say that I would NOT drive on that island unless I had to, especially off the main highways (the road we took up to the zip line doesn't really deserve to be called a road, more of a path). Of course, it also has the standard "island driving" that's typical of many islands.
 
Has anyone done any exploring off site on the island? Does Punta Cana appear safe? Has anyone stayed in non-resort hotels?
 
HtownRose said:
deals to be had by bundling flights & resort stay:

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Vacation Packages - Southwest Vacations
Click to expand...

I ended up booking through Southwest Vacations. They had some pretty good deals and the flights to and from Punta Cana were non-stop unlike the other sites. I also saved some money with the no baggage fees and sine I'm a Southwest frequent flyer, I get 2,400 points. The only down side is Southwest Vacations doesn't let you use any travel funds that you have with Southwest. I have $100 that expires in May.

Thanks for the recommendation.
 
WestUniversity said:
We loved Punta Cana. We stayed at an all-inclusive called Majestic Elegance. The property is gorgeous. The food and the drinks were great. As I recall The resort is mainly for adults. If there will be children in your party the resort next door if I remember correctly is called the Majestic Colonial. It was for families with children. If you stay at Majestic Elegance consider getting the elegance club upgrade...
Click to expand...

I spent last night and this morning looking at resorts and reviews on tripadvisor. I was leaning towards the Riu Palace Macao or Chic Resort last night, but after reading your recommendation and looking at pictures online, I ended up booking the Majestic Elegance. I also upgraded to the Elegance Club since it's the all adult section. I have a Junior Suite with jacuzzi. So do you have any other tips or recommendations regarding the Majestic Elegance? Favorite restaurants?

Thanks for your help
 
AlbaCrush said:
I spent last night and this morning looking at resorts and reviews on tripadvisor. I was leaning towards the Riu Palace Macao or Chic Resort last night, but after reading your recommendation and looking at pictures online, I ended up booking the Majestic Elegance. I also upgraded to the Elegance Club since it's the all adult section. I have a Junior Suite with jacuzzi. So do you have any other tips or recommendations regarding the Majestic Elegance? Favorite restaurants?



Thanks for your help
Click to expand...



If I remember correctly there are six or seven restaurants at the resort. One was French, one was Benihana style, one was a steakhouse, one was Italian, there was a bungalow restaurant down at the beach, and another place near the lobby. Seems to me there was one more but I simply can't recall. We liked all of them although I think we ate at the steakhouse twice. There are bars everywhere.



Most evenings there was live music either in the lobby bar or an outdoor plaza just outside the lobby bar. There were also nightly shows at the theater. They were usually entertaining. Down at the beach they had ocean kayaks and sailboats you could check out. I think there was snorkeling equipment too. It was very relaxed and very beautiful. We only left the property once to take a day trip to Higuey (sp?), Santo Domingo and another town I can't remember the name of. There was a tour company with a kiosk set up in the lobby that handled the booking. Sorry if my memory is a little fuzzy, I think it was 6 years ago we were there...



Have a great trip!
 
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