(submitted by Sandra and Bruno, Toronto, Ontario)

Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Hotel: EdenH Real Arena

Date Visited: March 20-27, 2009

Room#: Ground Floor – 1143. This room was centrally located with a small walk to pools, beach or restaurants. The room upon entry was clean and spacious with 2 double beds. This room had a terrace that faced a flea market of sorts. Also, the room was facing the service road for deliveries and staff, though this did not occur at most times when you are in the room (after hours). The bathroom had a separate large shower and toilet. Bathtub was a large Jacuzzi. I note that the “Paradise Club” rooms had a bathtub/hot tub out on their balconies or terraces. There is plenty of closet space, safe, mini-fridge, flat-screen TV with cable, coffee maker and table/chairs. Overall – a comfortable room.

Service: This was the only problem, and I am hoping that this was due to it being a new location with new staff. Rooms did not get cleaned until late afternoons/early evenings, service was based on how much you tipped – this at bars and restaurants. Personnel at the front desk, store boutique and casino were rude.

Weather Conditions: It rained for 3 days with high winds blowing on the beach, but once the rains stopped the sun was warm and shone nicely. Average day was 23 degrees with winds at 22 km.

Snorkeling: They had great excursions that took you out into the Atlantic where you can go snorkeling based from platforms.

Beach: Great beach (Bavaro) with plenty of chairs, cabanas and events (yoga, dance lessons, volleyball, etc.)

Food: Average. The buffet restaurant had themes but overall did not change their menu much. The restaurant has a pasta bar in the evening and an omelet station in the AM. There are 4 al la carte restaurants, Asian, Italian, Grill/Steakhouse and French. Good luck in getting the times you would like but once you do they are fairly good. The beach bar/restaurant was my favourite with great food served from 11:00 – 6:00 (ribs, chicken, pizza, salads, desserts – all to go if you like) and great afternoon cappuccinos! The bars did run out of staples like rum, beer and coke a couple of times and we needed to wait for the drinks quite often.

Opinions/Tips: The overall “shell” of the resort is great. The ambiance, grounds, rooms, pools, outlay are all luxury category. This resort has a lot of potential if they work on their service and staff. In so saying this, I am sure it is a matter of time for them to get it running like the 5 star they have stated.

Would I return: Probably not as we were quite disappointed with the service.

Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Hotel: Grand Palladium Palace Resort and Spa

Date Visited: February 12 – 19, 2009

Room#: 8701 first night (moved due to a leaky air conditioning system) close to Casino, garden view then 9607 garden view, very quiet – all rooms at the Palladium Palace are close to the pool and beach. Stay at 1 play at 3, Palladium Punta Cana and Bavaro also included so other pools, area of beach as well as a la cartes. Rooms have jacuzzi’s outside bathroom in the room, bathroom was good and shower was very good (others I have been to lack pressure/temperature), we had perfect showers everyday.

Service: Excellent service! The staff were all very friendly, the grounds were immaculate. There was always someone around to take your drink order. We had issues with our room on the first night and while we did have to ask 3 times to get someone to look at it, they very quickly moved us after.

Weather Conditions: Perfect! We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Although it had been raining for 5 days prior so it’s really hit and miss. We had rain for maybe 5 min one day and then no rain again until we were on the bus on the bus on the way back to the airport.

Snorkeling: We didn’t snorkel at the resort, but we did go on the “Marinarium” excursion which included snorkeling, as well as visiting a natural pool and swimming (in a large cage) with nurse sharks and stingrays.

Beach: Gorgeous! We always seemed to find a chair but sometimes this was challenging. Many put their towels on in the morning to reserve their spot. We also were able to find a palapa half way through the day, but not every day. Also on the beach (and by the lobby) was a spa service. I got a massage right on the beach in a little hut, it was very relaxing and it was one of the best massages I have had.

Food: Very good. Breakfast/lunch buffet was by the front lobby – large and had a different theme each night. Lunch buffet was between the beach and the pool. We didn’t try the buffets at the other resorts, but was the same food etc. You were able to eat at 5 a la cartes, not all at the Palladium, they were spread over the resorts. Mexican (Bavaro resort) – 4/5, you will leave very full! Brazilian (Palace resort) – 3.5/5, they come around with different meats, which we didn’t know so only take a little each time. Steak/seafood (Punta Cana resort) – 3/5, we’ve had better at another resort, but you are also in a different country so don’t expect a great steak! Italian (Palladium resort) – 4/5, nothing special but still very good. Japanese (Bavaro resort) – 4/5 also very good. Many of the a la cartes have small buffets at the beginning. We found the reserved/available signs useful. We could find a seat, turn the card over to red and not have to worry about someone taking the table. They used this idea as well in the a la cartes, so if you didn’t want any more food, you just put the red side up. Very simple but efficient.

Opinions/Tips: This was a great resort, with lots of activities and excellent service. We flew with Air Transat and our agent at the resort was able to recommend a jeweler and cigar store. You just let them know when you wanted to go and a driver comes and picks you up. Also down the beach were some shops but be prepared to be harassed – come to my store, I give you good price! They also had vendors on Thursday nights on the resort. Another great service they had were showers in the lobby. We didn’t leave the resort until 7pm and had to check out of the room by noon, so it was nice to be able to have a shower and get cleaned up before leaving.

I wanted to make mention of the little coffee house in the middle of Bavaro resort called Hemmingways. It didn’t seem like a lot of people knew about it but they had specialty coffees and premium liquor that you couldn’t get at the other bars. We would definitely recommend checking it out.

Would I return: We have always said we would never go back to the same resort so that we could see other resorts etc, but we would definitely consider returning.

Hotel:  Sosua Bay Hotel

Date Visited: February 2 – February 9, 2004

Price Paid:  $871.00 each plus tax. Booked eleven days before departure.

Room#:  3702 – very good view, but no balcony!

Weather Conditions:  Warm and sunny.

Restaurants:  Food was VERY good.

Snorkeling:  Good, but need to walk down to the far end of the public beach and snorkel from there.

Opinions/Tips:  A lot of stairs at this resort (114 from the beach to our room).  Jacuzzi was very large but not hot.  Swimming pool was quite cool, but a great infinity pool with a wonderful view. The beach directly in front of the hotel was small, and a poor area to go in swimming (large coral and rocks).   You can walk down the public beach where there is a nice sandy shoreline.  You must take the shuttle to the Cararete beach as the kite-boarding and windsailing is amazing to watch.

Snorkeling:  Good, but need to walk down to the far end of the public beach and snorkel from there.

Would I Return:  Yes, if the price was right because of the food and the snorkeling; but No because of the beach in front of the hotel.