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

Rating:
"January 17 - 24th, 2008
Ocean Sand
Elite Club/Honeymoon Suite

Flight:
Transat Club Class - excellent! Seats 1A & 1B have an unobstructed view of TV screen, lots of leg room, and a hidden food tray that folds out from armrest. Breakfast - choice of 4 entrees (3 different omelettes or scrambled eggs) sausage, bacon, potatoes, fresh fruit plate, tea, coffee, juice, sparkling wine, mimosas etc. Unlimited Baileys etc for tea & coffee. Return flight - dinner - (served after midnight) - choice of 4 pasta entrees, salad plate, soft cheese/crackers, cheesecake, fresh buns & butter, tea/coffee etc. Two dedicated flight attendants, newspapers, slipper socks, eye covers, ear plugs, headphones. Unlimited alcohol/no alcohol beverages & snacks throughout the flight. Priority check in, boarding, baggage handling & claiming. Will definitely fly club class again.

Transfer from airport:
Bags first off flight, handed them over to baggage porter, he took us to Transat counter, where I confirmed we weren't on the transfer bus. Porter summoned us a taxi. We walked with him & the taxi driver to the taxi. We asked for the price to Ocean Blue - driver confirmed $33.00 (+ tip). Thirty minutes to Ocean Blue. New Hwy is excellent. Side roads to resort are horrid! Drivers like Mexico - hair raising! Definitely will do the taxi next time too (speed/cost/easy to hire at airport & hotel/not swarmed by porters on return to airport like the bus is)!

Arrival:
Taxi drove unstopped through the resort gates. Driver dropped us at front entrance. Left our bags with bell captain, & proceeded to Elite Club (left lobby area). Senior Viriglio Acosta Nunez had our complimentary stay reservation in place & the concierge had no trouble locating it. I had emailed Sr. Nunez 1 week prior to remind him of our arrival & he returned my email within 1 day. All correspondance with him while negotiating our stay dates was professional, informative and quick. We requested a meeting with him to thank him personally - but he unfortunately was out of the country during our stay. I can't thank him enough for everything he did to help us book our complimentary stay! We left him a small thank you gift with our concierge (NHL cap, theme tie, & coffee). We were booked into a Honeymoon Suite on Ocean Sand side room # 10309. This was another beautiful room comparable, yet slightly different, than our last honeymoon suite room # 6318.

Beach:
Awesome as always! New beach covers on most structures. No trouble finding shaded areas. Beach massage (side by side) on beach at 2 pm was surprisingly tranquil & the sound of the waves was priceless. Complimentary massages can be used at the Spa or on the beach. I had mine extended from 30 minutes to 1 hour and paid an extra $40.

Precautions taken:
1 Pepto bismal caplet (swallow type) before each meal. Took & used individually wrapped antibacterial Wet Ones before eating & after using buffet serving utensils. Antibacterial hand sanitizer (pump) in room after washing hands. Bottled water only for brushing teeth & drinking - even at restaurants. Did not get water in mouth during shower, and used Listerine mouthwash after every shower as precaution. Took Probiotic tabs 2 days prior to travel, and half of trip - stopped because I didn't like the after taste. Might seem excessive - but I did not want a repeat of last year! Took, but did not use, Cipro, Antimalarial meds, immodium, or motion sickness tabs. Did not use bug spray - did not see any mosquitoes, but both hubby & I got 1 sand flea bite each on lower leg.

Food & Drinks:
Excellent! Buffet, a la cartes & surcharge restaurant (El Bodegon & Wine Cellar) all great. El Bodegon was our choice for the Elite Club complimentary dinner. It was the best meal during our entire stay! Large portions, piping hot, & beautifully plated. I chose the Sea & Mountain (surf & turf), and hubby had the sirloin & peppercorn sauce. Wine list had prices for all budgets, (but it is not included in the Elite Club offer - can be ordered & charged to room). We chose to order bar drinks instead - and they were included. Coffee & baileys after dinner was well worth the wait! We did not order appetizers, or dessert. During our stay we drank champagne, red wine, bottles of Corona, Budweiser, tropical & bar drinks. We taught them how to mix Dirty Mothers (tequila, kaluha, & milk) - and they did a great job!

Staff & Service:
Excellent! Maid service - awesome. We communicated in Spanglish & was a hoot! Turn-down service came twice of the 8 days. Not a big deal.Concierge - awesome - gave us a 5 o'clock late check out - able to stay in our own room 5 hours past regular Elite Club check out which is 12 noon. No hassle, no extra cost. Asked the day before departure. Note: door locks are computerized & will automatically lock you out at 11:00 am on check out day. We arrived back to our room at noon, were locked out, but had our maid (who was down the hall) open our door for us.

Safes & Security:
Excellent. No problems with safe code either locking or opening. Felt completely safe at all times, even while walking the beach. Only saw Timeshare guys a few times during our stay. First couple days they weren't even there. A bit pushy, but a firm no gracias and continued walking discourages them pretty quick.

Shopping:
Shopped at the gift shop & at the vendors the couple nights they showed up @ the resort. Second night had more variety & choice. Haggled for 3 masks. Vendor pulled out the infamous calculator & he started out at $153.00. I just laughed. I started @ $30.00. He was of course shocked & offended. He said he had to pay to come here (fee for vendor license) & I replied so did I! A girl behind me said, "turn it upside down & see what he thinks of that!" I did, and it showed $3.00 - he just about had a heart attack! Quite funny really. We went back & forth until we agreed on $40.00 for the three. My husband gave him a $7.00 tip because he had so much fun watching us! We had to go back to our room from more cash, and brought him a Canadian ballcap & some samples from our bath products. It was like Christmas & watching his face light up was pretty cool. We priced the masks the next day in the gift shop & I did pretty good! Especially since I liked my designs better & paid less!!

Overall, an awesome 2nd stay! We will definitely be back.

Cheers,
CaribooCalling"
Reviewer: CaribooCalling
Date: Feb. 07, 2009