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Paradisus Palma Real


Where Luxury Meets Paradise 5 Star
Dominican Republic's Newest Luxury All Inclusive Resort
Opened Dec 20/05

Playas de Bavaro, Higuey, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Ph: 1 800-43-melia or direct line 1 809 686-7449
Website: www.paradisuspalmareal.com or www.solmelia.com

 

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - Located in the  Caribbean, the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti.
The Dominican Republic is a recognized tourist destination, with magnificent beaches and resorts, vast extensions of white sand and clear, sparkling waters. It also has the claim as the oldest city in the New World, with its quaint cobble streets and stonework houses.Punta Cana is located on Bavaro Beach. Located 30 minutes from Punta Cana International  Airport. 1 1/2 hr from La Romana and 3 1/2 hr from Santo Domingo the capital of the Dominican Republic

 Paradisus Palma Real This resorts is the ultimate five-star, all-inclusive luxury resort.  Here, in a beautiful environment that features spectacular ocean views, this exceptional resort stands as an exquisite example of all that a vacation in paradise can be. All-inclusive amenities, world-class facilities and unsurpassed service with the finest in cuisine, all-suites accommodations and endless entertainment opportunities to truly create a new standard of luxury, extravagance, indulgence and fun. The resort is surrounded by vibrant tropical gardens, lush mangroves and faces one of the most breathtaking white-powder beaches in all of the Caribbean.
Flight  Information
Charter package with Transat Holidays March 21-28/06

Arrival from Saskatoon via Winnipeg 1 hr flight and 1 hr pick up then onto Punta Cana 5 hr 11 min  

Depart Punta Cana 5 hr 56 min via Winnipeg drop off 1 hr then onto Saskatoon 1 hr 6 mins after a 1 1/2 wait to check in.  Make sure you have $20.00 USD when you depart
 
Punta Cana
 
 Once we arrived to Punta Cana, we departed plane onto tarmac. The airport is an open air thatched roof building. We were greeted by ladies dressed in colorful dresses & fruit hats for a picture, a live trio band playing music to get you in the spirit as we waited to go through customs. They stamp your passport and take your entry & exit card. We picked up luggage, and were approached by men with carts wanting to take our luggage, we declined it as not knowing what to expect, and headed to the Transat counter to pick up our bus transfers. We headed to a bus which has no bano’s (bathroom) facility. The bano’s (bathrooms) in the airport don't have toilet seats. The ride took about 30-35 min. The guide on bus was very friendly with a great laugh and tried to give us a quick Spanish lesson on the way. We drove through some really poor looking country with garbage all over the place. Weather was 87 degrees, it rained 2 mornings, and a torrential down pour the day we left which leaked through airport roof leaving us all running for a dry spot.
 
Resort


We arrived at this beautiful resort, entered through a gate and down a long driveway lined with flowers to a large water fountain at the lobby. We located our luggage and were issued tickets for each piece, we then proceeded to check in. While standing in line we were greeted with cool refreshing drinks of orange juice & sparking wine.
Check in took about 35 min, which gave us time to get to know other, since there were about 150 people that came from Saskatoon & Winnipeg. Check in was fast and the staff friendly. No wristbands required.

This resorts says luxury from the moment you walk into the open air lobby that over looks out to the large court yard and on to the pool and then out to the ocean. Marble floors and columns, bronze statues decorate the lobby beautifully.
Word of Caution - floors are very slippery when wet, Signs are posted all over, be careful when rains.

There were about 90% Canadians, and pretty much we were all from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, a few Americans and Europeans. If they didn't know where Saskatchewan was they sure do now, it was great to get to know a lot of people with much in common. But we all ways felt like we were the only ones there.

Service was top notch. Always willing to help and happy to be there. They were willing to learn English and teach Spanish. If they could not understand then they would find the closest person that could.
Our maid Sorianna was great, fulfilled any request we had. Ground workers always working and cleaning grounds. They only make $150.00 USD/month. they live on site in employee section, they work 3-4 weeks on and 1 off, most live 2-8 hrs away.
 

Check out was fast, easy and friendly 10 mins.

Accommodations
 

 

 There are 554 luxury suites situated amongst several 3 story buildings that line the property

The Deluxe Jr. Suites were located on the right side of the building and are 520 sq. ft, with marble floors & columns. Mahogany furniture. A sleeping section with comfortable full size  beds, a living area with pull out sofa, table & chairs. A terrace that over looks the garden. The bathroom has marble counters and floor, the sink is a round bowl shape that sits on top of the counter, separate toilet stall with etched glass door and a phone, the European spa jet shower has a multi head shower faucet with etched glass door, Jacuzzi tub for 2, a shutter window can be open from bathroom to rest of suite. AC, Flat screen TV, CD player, Mini bar with beer, water, sodas, Safe, Iron, Blow dryer, Coffee maker. Lots of little toiletries, sewing kit, shaving kit, dental kit, shampoos, condition, lotions, soaps, shower cap, shoe polish, and waters to brush teeth. Large bath towels and terrycloth robes. 24 hr room service, and laundry service. Turn down service at night. It was decorated very tastefully with a romantic feel.  Light switches are a little tricky to figure out.

The Family Suites are located on the left side of the building, these suites are huge, with joining rooms, dining area, living area, stainless steel fridge. The Family Concierge Program, gives parents walkie-talkies to communicate any time of day with the family concierge to check on their kids or ask where they should be dropping them off. They have a separate kids club, with daily activities, a pool, play structures in and around the gardens on that side. Kids get their own amenity bag with T-shirts and sunscreen and other goodies
Restaurants & Bars

No reservations required. The food was absolutely wonderful, I have never eating so much  I have a sensitive stomach, but had no problems at all.

Naos open for continental breakfast at 6:00 am and breakfast buffet at 7:00 am – 11:00 am, served fresh cooked eggs, bacon, sausages, fruits, pancakes, crepes, french toast, cereal, yogurts and caviar, fresh squeezed fruit juice bar.
lunch buffet open at 12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with grilled prawns, scallops, mussels, calamari, fish, soups, salads fresh pasta, sandwiches
Supper at 6:00 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. with whole pig, turkey, roasts, seafood and many side dishes to go with it
All food is located behind sliding glass door where food is on ice and cooked fresh.

Agrave is located in a corner of Naos, which is Mexican food-we did not eat here, basic mexican food

The Market Grille opens from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm for lunch, it is an open air restaurant located out by the pool overlooking the beach. It serves basic beach bar food, nachos, french fries, onion rings, hamburgers, hot dogs.
Supper it opens at 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. It serves soups, salad, veggies, unlimited lobster, prawns, scallops, mussels, calamari, beef, chicken, pork. all cooked fresh

Ventos A la carte - Mediterranean food. Options and potions are small but presentations is nice. Dress code require and no open toed shoes for men

Passions A la carte - very romantic feel with clear and red glass blown hearts all over. Options and potions small but presentations is nice. Dress code require and no open toed shoes for men.

Bana features 3 restaurants: A sushi bar, an Asian restaurant, (we didn't eat here but heard it was good), and Teppanakki - Japanese food (way to much food with sushi, soup, prawns & noodles, lobster & veggies, rice, chicken & beef). Very popular and entertaining. they will allow the kids to try to cook. Go early as you need a table of 8-10 to be seated or will be waiting.

There were 8 bars: Lobby bar, 2 -Aqua Bar, Ciel Bar, Sunrise & Sunset bar(Martini Bar), Casino,  Onyx(Disco). Premium brand alcohol, MDG Miller, Corona's

 
Courtyard
 

Located down from the lobby this is the center of the resort. It is filled with lots of comfortable seating, water features, statues and marble pillars that light up at night and give is a beautiful soft warm glow. The Gift shop, the Onxy bar, the casino, game room and theater are located on the right side. The pool and beach in front. The A la carte restaurants on the left and the photo shop, tour desk and business rooms are at the back.

Gardens
The gardens are beautiful with lots of flowers, trees, rocks and once it matures it will be spectacular. It is nice, clean and quiet with calm soothing music playing through rocks looking speakers. As you follow the path through the garden it takes you over a large pond with fountains, turtles and baby geese. then pass the Gazebo and Zen Pavilion
 
Pools

First a word of caution that the grounds get slippery when wet, sandals and thongs with no grips can be dangerous. For those ladies who think that high heels around the pool is sexy, believe me, you do not look sexy with arm & legs flinging around when slipping. Be careful! The main pool area is fabulous, and boasts the largest pool in the Dominican Republic it has 3 cold jacuzzi and many loungers in the pool. There are lots of loungers and cabana beds, free towels and pool service, Aqua bar/swim up bar and activity centre with games and toys. If you want a cabana bed, you will need to get early to reserve, these go fast. Although, we were always able to get one around 3-4:00 just in time for a afternoon siesta. If we noticed that a cabana bed had a towel on it but had not been used for a while we would move the towel and use it, if someone was to come back we would of moved, but this never happened. It would be a common courtesy if people would remove the towels when they leave as this opens up the loungers and cabanas for other to use. This is one good advantage with having to rent a towel at other resorts, so you need to look after it and not leave it laying around. There is also a pool on the family side and in Royal service section
Beach
The beach is huge with soft white sand and can walk for miles, 100’s of loungers and padded beach beds, finding a chair was never a problem, ocean was warm but with lots of seaweed and no sea shells. Green flags always up. Water sports are located at the beach hut at the Melia Caribe resort next door, about a 5-min walk down the beach. We did walk down the beach at night and felt completely safe, there is security located at the end of every property. Vendors on the beach to the left of the resort we found were nice and not as rude and pushy as the ones down the beach to the right. Very aggressive and found it hard to get a deal and barter
Gym/Spa/Zen Pavilion

Jorge was more than happy to show me around the gym which is located on the main floor of the spa and is a full fitness centre with free weights, bikes, treadmills, eliptical machines and fitness trainers.There is spinning classes, aqua flex in the pool, jogging and tennis. There is a 2 story full service spa which is fabulous, it has a hair salon, full service salon down stairs and upstairs features the relaxation rooms, 3 message rooms that over look the ocean for singles and couples. Thy have an extensive array of treatments. Plus 3 out door cabanas situated over the pond in the Zen Pavilion for single and couple's messages. Plus daily mind/body outdoor classes including yoga, pilate's, thai chi, meditation.

I had a spa day which started with a 45 min Thai chi class, This was my first time so although I don't think I felt the energy, I did feel relaxed and enjoyed it. I then went to the spa and was given a locker that included thongs, a robe, water and towel, I then spent 1/2 hr in the Water Ritual Center -it is a partial open air building that over looks the pool. (both ladies & men's side have a sauna, steam room and showers) I tried walking on rocks and had water spray my legs. There are 3 pool in here -2 hot tubs, but water was way to hot and a large warm water pool that has 3 large faucets that have varies sprays. It had double padded lounger, fruit and beverage supplied. I was then escorted to one of the 3 outdoor cabanas for a 50 min full body message. Soft relaxing music played. Francesca was wonderful, I was so relaxed and stress free. Although these cabanas are designed to not be able to see in, only out, some might be a little intimidated of the lack of privacy when disrobing.

Royal Service
Victor a butler from the Royal Service area was nice to take me on a tour of the Royal Service there are 102 suites in 2 buildings in this section. These suites are similar to our rooms with a ocean view, plus there are 2 ocean front Presidential suites that are on the top floor, 1000 sq. ft of living space, with a huge deck that has an out door hot tub on the deck, 4 poster king size bed, all marble counters, floors, dining room, living room, large bar, they are waited on hand and foot, they have there own lounge with computers, TV, games, food, and alcohol, daily newspapers. They get special reserved sittings to eat in the A la carts during breakfast & lunch. Butlers on service 24 hrs. They have there own adult only pool and many cabana beds around the pool and large double padded beds on the beach
Activities/Excursions

Daily activities: Complimentary hotel activities include: Spanish lessons, salsa, bachata, merengue, flamenco dance lessons. Flower arrangement, cocktail, massage, wine tasting, casino, painting and sushi making workshops.

Nightly Entertainments: Monday is Dominican Paradise where vendors come to courtyard to sell wood carvings, jewelry, cigars, paintings. Tuesday is a movie on the large screen and then a Michael Jackson impersonator, Wednesday is Jazz Forever night where dancers are dancing to the songs of singers and an artist paints their portraits upside down( Elvis, Marilynn, Jim Morris and Bob Marley). Thursday is Boogie Show, dancer are dressed in 60/ 70's, Friday is Chill party where a live band is out by the pool, Saturday is Latin night in the theater with colorful dancing, Sunday is Romantic day with a few live bands playing in the courtyard

Excursions: Complimentary hotel excursions: Bike, horseback ride, snorkeling, scuba lessons

We did take advantage of the scuba lesson which included a 1/2 video, 1/2 lesson in the pool, a 15 min boat ride for a 30 min dive in the ocean to 30 ft. down to the caverns. Colorful coral and few fish. You have the option to become a registered diver by taken more classroom, pool lesson and another ocean dive.

 
 
Golf
1 round of golf a day, at the Cocotal Golf & Country Club located across the street, a shuttle comes every hr. Need to purchase a cart at $35.00 usd. It's a par 36/72 world class championship golf course. Word is that it is a good course, but not a lot of challenges. Clubs can be rented. Reservations can be book prior to arrival. Lots of new big homes development surrounding the course.  
Vow Renewal

 Wendy Del Rosario in-house wedding specialist was who I was in contact with regarding renewing of our vows, she was more than happy to help. We had booked last minute and unfortunately the Peace of Justice was not available. She also tried to see if we could get into the Melia Caribe next door, but no availability. The price for the Peace of Justice to perform a quick and simple renewal with nothing special was $230.00 USD.
We did bring our vows and renewed them ourselves in one of the gazebos in the garden, we had Ale Andros, Denise and Liana from GB Studio in the hotel take photos.
Conclusion
I will highly recommend this resort. It had a luxurious European Spa feel and felt completely calm and relaxed throughout my entire stay. The food was fresh with lots of option and always delicious. The alcohol premium and plentiful. The spa treatment wonderful. 1 round of golf a day included and conveniently located across the street. The service was top notch and friendly and always willing to help. This resort will only get better with time as the vegetation grow and becomes full lushes gardens.

If you should have any question regarding this fabulous resort, please contact me

 
 
   
Other Resort Review
 
 Melia Caribe Tropical Resort

As part of the Melia All inclusive group, Melia Caribe Tropical sets the standard for family oriented all inclusive hotels in Punta Cana. This resorts has many restaurants. A world class golf course across the street, a Casino, and a great resort for the family with the Flintstones staying on site too.