My husband and I just got back from a one week stay and had a really good time. The people were very friendly, the service was good overall, and the resort grounds are just beautiful (very lush and tropical with flowers, palm trees, ponds, birds, flamingos and peacocks running around). We feel that the all-inclusive gave us a good value…the food was overall satisfying and the alcohol was good quality and never watered-down. In fact…the drinks were sometimes quite strong. The resort is quite large but we never had any problems getting around…there are trains that come through every few minutes to take people around. Or…when we had more energy we just walked and enjoyed the gardens.

LAYOUT: The resort is split into two sections that mirror each other...the Caribe side and the Tropical side (Sol Melia members side). Each side has a buffet restaurant by the beach, a large pool area with pool bar close to the beach, immaculate grounds and a lobby. However, guests seem to be able to go between both sides regardless of which side their room is on. The only section not open to everyone is the Royal Service area. The Royal Service guests pay extra to have nicer rooms, room service, a private pool and restaurant, etc… The Royal Service rooms are the furthest rooms from the beach and are closer to the lobbies, golf course, a la carte restaurants and shopping complex.

FOOD: There are two buffets by the beach open for breakfast and lunch. The other buffet and 9 a la carte restaurants (a la carte for dinner only) are located around the lobby areas. The buffets have a lot of variety and the food quality is average to above average depending on what you select. The food at the a la carte restaurants is better but the menus are limited. Our favorite was the Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant which is in a quaint Japanese style building complete with bridge. We also liked the Thai, French, and International a la carte restaurants. For breakfast and lunch buffets people can wear casual clothes (t-shirt, shorts, sandals) as long as they are well-covered (we saw a girl get kicked out for trying to come in with a bikini on with no coverup). There is a dress code for dinner. For dinner most men wore collared shirts and dress shorts or slacks and dress sandals or loafers. Most women wore skirts, dresses, or nice outfits. You do have to make a reservation for the a la carte restaurants but as long as you plan ahead you will never have a problem.

ACITIVITIES: There are a ton of activities for adults and kids. On check in we were given a calendar of activities for the week. There is a Flintstones area at the Tropical pool and buffet for kids. On the beach there are non-motorized water sports (like paddle boats) that can be used as part of the all-inclusive. For an extra fee the resort has golf, full-service spas, scuba, excursions out of the resort etc… We never had any problem getting a lounge chair on the beach or by the pool.

ROOM: We booked through RCI (timeshare exchange) and were on the Tropical side in the second building from the beach. We loved the location since it was close to the beach and the scuba shop. Our bathroom was a good size and was all marble. Our room had a king size bed which was very comfortable, a couch and chairs, and a nice patio overlooking the garden (very few rooms if any face the ocean). We also had a server with microwave, blender, sink, dishes, etc… but we never used it and assume it is for timeshare members who do not pay for the all-inclusive and buy groceries on their own. Our only complaint with our room was that our TV was a little snowy. We told them about it but it was not fixed during our stay. RCI members do get a few extra perks like private check-in and use of the Members Only transportation. However, be prepared to be hit up for a timeshare presentation wanting you to become an official Sol Melia member.

DIVING: The Scuba Caribe setup is a little different than other places we have been. The dive shop is nice enough and the staff is nice. But, the boats are dive catamarans and are quite small. There is no camera tank and very little room for anything extra. We had to put on our equipment and walk down the beach and get on the boat. The boat picks several people up along the beach at other Scuba Caribe affiliated resorts. The diving along Punta Cana is just okay. We enjoyed the wrecks but found that the visibility is not always very clear, lots of algae, and coral and fish life is minimal due to it being the Atlantic side. What is incredibly nice is the excursion (well worth the extra money) to Catalina Island where we did a two tank dive and then enjoyed lunch and time on the beach. Diving at Catalina is among the best Carribbean sites we have been to. Excellent visibility, warm, abundant with corals and sea life. The Catalina excursion is a long day but well worth it.

GENERAL INFO: When you get off the plane at Punta Cana Airport there will be bell boys trying to take your luggage and confuse you to get you on their transportation service (usually more expensive). Make sure you contact your hotel before your trip to see which service you should use. The different services are well-marked in little stands along the wall so you can find it yourself.

Among the hotel workers, expect some language barrier if you do not speak Spanish. They try really hard to help you. Take a small phrase book with you to make it easier.

The beaches are public so if you walk outside your hotel’s area be prepared to be approached by hagglers selling goods. They can be quite pushy so be prepared. If you go on any excursions outside the hotel you will most likely be approached to buy from hagglers but not as bad as on the beach. They do have some cute trinkets to sell so as long as you are prepared it is worth checking out once…just be ready to haggle prices. They start really high.

Take some one dollar bills to give out as tips for housekeeping, bartenders, etc…

When you arrive at the airport for departure be prepared for the bell boys again. They will whisk you luggage away before you can blink so hold on to it and make sure you get in the right line for your flight.

Punta Cana is a popular destination for Europe, US, Canada etc… So expect to meet people from all around the world! Very cool.

My husband and I stayed at the Melia from April 20-27/08. It was better than I could have imagined. The people were great everyone spoke english and if their english was not great they made every effort to help. The resort was very clean and well kept. It is very large, but they have the trains to get you around the resort and we never waited more than 3 mins. for one. I also liked all the peacocks, pink flamingos and egrets on the grounds, they added to the characterr of the resort. The pools are huge and very well kept and the guys at the swim up bar were great. Even though the Melia is a huge resort, we were always able to get a chair at the beach and the pool. Our room was very close to the pool and the beach which was convenient. The food was amazing. There were so many restaurants to choose from that we did not make it to them all. I was quite happy eatting at the Market Place or Beach buffet. The bufets had someting for everyone. All in all, we can't wait to go back!!

This was the second time we stayed at this resort and it has improved in many ways. Most staff speak english or enough to get by which was not the case 3 years ago. Also the food quality was much improved.
This time we stayed in a Royal Service Room, I highly recommend it! Spend a little more and get the Royal Service Master Suite, it has the giant jacuzzi tub, living room and mini kitchen. Our fridge was stocked with beer, water and soda and if you ask the housekeeper she will also leave you champangne and wine. When you arrive their will be a bottle of fine dark rum for you in the room. Don't be afraid, drink it! They will bring you another the next day. A couple we met were saving theirs to take home not realizing that it would be replaced if they drank it.
The GABI resturant for Royal Service only was great and did not require reservations. Royal service has its own pool area with a snack hut that is open most of the day.
They are starting some new construction and are adding another pool and few more buildings.
I think one will house a new casino. It seems that all the resort areas are becoming more americanized which was a dissapointment in some ways. We love latino music and even in the cabs they change the music to american soft rock if they think you are american. The resort had great latin msic every night and some fun stage shows.
Make sure you bring enough american dollars with you. They have an ATM machine but it gives out pesos and then you have to get them exchaged at the rate the hotel offers.

Overall a great and a great value. We will return next year.

This has got to be one of the most amazing places i have ever stayed, there is so much variety on offer it cators for evryone, there is always entertainment at all hours of the day and the staff carnt help enough, we had a stocked mini bar and the rooms were always spotless, there is nothing i can say against this hotel only it was fantastic