Rating: 
"Had a wonderful time. The bavaro beach in Punta Cana is the best. This was our fourth time in Punta Cana. People there are great, friendly and always happy. That's what I want to see when I'm on my vacation."
Reviewer: reviewer1379
Date: Mar. 29, 2011
Rating: 
"I booked my destination through sunQuest and must congratulate them for their service. Sky Services was suspended on Thursday and we were flying on Friday, I tell you SunQuest was so quick, immediately they arranged another flight on Friday morning and we were in Canada. I must say they are efficient. The Sunquest representative in Punta Cana at Grand Paradise Bavario was good, knew his job, guided us about everything.
The hotel room was not fancy, but I needed it only to sleep and it was good, the housekeeping was clean and good. Our air condition was not cooling, we called the reception and it was fixed, the people around are excellent. Transportation was good, food was excellent, Service was very good, though language is a barrier, they do understand some English. I would love to go there again.
I found the trip reasonable and worth the money I paid.
Above all my trip was very relaxing and enjoyable.
Esme
Toronto"
Reviewer: reviewer6197
Date: Apr. 05, 2010
Rating: "My family (my wife and 2 kids) left Ottawa Dec. 19 and stayed at the Catalonia Bavaro Hotel for 7 nights. The trip was generally great, and I want to go again. The following is my sectoral review.
Beach: Excellent, soft white sand, a lot palm trees, warm water (but not transparent),
you see some see weeds but not bothering much
Food: Great (especially Grand Carib buffet) but you may feel too sweet.
On Christmas eve special cuisine offered.
A-la carte restaurants (we tried Italian and Japanese) are not so good.
Room: Relatively clean, A/C working well, even a dehumidifier installed
but some structural problems (toilet/shower booth and jacuzzi are separated) exist
Staff: Nice, willing to help but some do not speak English
Entertainment: Great but if you don't like it, you may feel too loud during night time
Outside Activities: you can choose many. what we took [ Bavaro Runners (adventure to inland area), Marinarium (snorkeling to see sharks, rays) ] were great.
Golf : If you like it, 9 hole course is attached and 18 hole course is near by. Courses are great.
A combo package costs US$ 120.
Weather: mostly sunny but one day rainy heavily"
Reviewer: 2banatta
Date: Dec. 27, 2009
Rating: 
"I was married at Sunscape at the Beach resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in 2005. It was an awesome experience! The resort was beautiful and the staff was wonderful! I would recommend this location to anyone!"
Reviewer: kkmartin
Date: Jul. 02, 2009
Rating: 
"I will never fly with Air Transat again. Ever. False advertising - they advertised free wedding packages that do not exist for there airline - only Air Canada.
I went to Punta Cana and stayed at the Occidental Grand. I was told by the travel agent that I needed 12 rooms to get the free wedding package worth $2500. Sounded great as i did not want the stress that comes with the wedding and the package provided sounded great.
When I met with the wedding coordinator, she informed me you need Royal Club rooms - only available for Air Canada - not Air Transat Preference rooms. I was never told what type of rooms we would be in - I just kind of figured it would be the ones necessary for the free wedding package.
I ended up having to pay for the basic wedding possible - which cost us an extra $1000 - and it was the bare minimum.
I spoke to my TA at Escapes and did not get too much help....I was livid as I thought she would be able to do something as SHE booked the rooms and really, how can a Travel Agent not know what rooms get the free wedding package? She knew that we were going for our wedding.
Turns out, in the Air Transat Brochure (and the TA gave me a copy of the brochure) - it says "free wedding" The TA was told by her Air Transat rep that Air Transat gets "free wedding packages" with 12 rooms. And that is a lie.
It also lists a bunch of activities - such as horseback riding, scuba diving etc - that they offer with this package. So, turns out the the TA was just as stumped as us. Also in the brochure this resort is listed as 4 star - and it clearly is barely pushing a 3. The rooms were questionable, the toilets flooded, the beds on the bottom floor had BLACK MOLD in the beds - this was not just one room - but 2 rooms for my guests alone on the bottom floor, and the food was mediocur at best. The only reason I am giving it two stars is because the beach was amazing and the wedding coordinator, Laura, was absolutely wonderful. She ended up throwing in extras because she felt bad.
Because of this though, I will never fly Air Transat again, the food on the airplane was disgusting - I wouldn't even call it food to be honest - and as far as I am concerned they falsely advertise.
I told my TA, we WILL be reimbursed for the "free wedding" and I want a holiday that isn't stressful. This whole situation ruined what was supposed to be the happiest time of my life.
"
Reviewer: MRSVV
Date: Apr. 28, 2009
Rating: 
"This was our first trip to the Dominican Republic after several years of visiting Mexico. We were very excited about the opportunity to see a new location, and to check out the beautiful beaches we had seen in the travel magazines.
We were not disappointed, the beaches were beautiful, with white sand and azure waters. We had two weeks there, and we were grateful, because it rained the entire second week. I am sure that is not the norm, since most everyone was surprised when it continued day after day.....
What we did find was that aside from the resort & beach, there wasn't much to do. There were many tours available, but nothing that showed the Dominican culture. The trip to the sugarcane factory was just a visit to view the field. The cigar factory tour was one fellow rolling cigars. When we did venture outside the walls of the resort on foot, all we found were agressive folks trying to sell their wares at outrageously high prices.
If you are here for the beach, you'll love it. If you need a little more, maybe Punta Cana isn't for you."
Reviewer: roxygrl19709085
Date: Mar. 23, 2009
Rating: "Punta Cana is a gorgeous area with postcard-perfect beaches in the resort area. The beach is the main draw of the place with sugar white and coral pink sand. The water is warm and so blue you can't believe it. The area is a bit windy but remains a beautiful 28 degree average most of the time. The people are lovely and happy, always smiling. They love Canadians too. We've been there twice to different all-inclusive hotels and would definitely go back."
Reviewer: Sue
Date: Mar. 18, 2009
Rating: "To those, like us, with with the addiction of winter vacationing. We satyed ar the amazing Grand Palladium Palace Resort in the Dominican Republic...... WOWEE.
Booking & Departure:
I'ts important to start pricing your trip months in advance. We booked in August 2008 and each couple flew, all inclusive taxes included for $2130.09 in January 2009. You will not even find a price like that for a last minute travel to Punta Cana DR especially from Winnipeg, Canadas coldest city..
Our vacation provider was Transat Vacations. Skyservice flew us in thier 757-200 series of jet with all leather seats, friendly staff, professional pilots that were slightly ahead of shedual.
Resort:
Our resort was 25 minutes from the airport, right on the big blue ocean. Check in was so picture perfect, we were in our rooms within 20 minutes which were very clean, with a hot tub that is standard in every room at Grand Palladium Palace Resort in the Dominican Republic. The service was way beyond what we have ever experienced before. The food was perfect, lots to choose from and lots of restaurants to choose from. This resort will truly blow your mind. There is no young loud punks, it's very laid back. We are 32 yrs old and we all had a great time and memories that will last a lifetime. This is our second time in Punta Cana. Our first time we stayed at the Sirenis Cocotal in wich we thought was a nice resort.. and still is!! until the deal at the Grand Palladium Palace Resort came along.
We are going to make it a mission of ours to visit all the Palladium resorts all over the world and always experience a true luxury all inclusive vacation. Trust me, this resort is well worth every penny you saved for a trip. There were couples that have been 14 times, to that same resort. Why? because Palladium Resorts are by far one of the best managed resorts around. So if your thinking of vacations think Escapes.ca can get me to Punta Cana and stay at the Grand Palladium Palace Resort a true 5+ resort.
Enjoy.
"
Reviewer: Got the BUG
Date: Feb. 16, 2009
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