Occidental Punta Cana - All Inclusive

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

11352 reviews

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  If you have any concerns about staying here when going to Punta Cana, READ THIS REVIEW

  Before starting, I want to first clarify some things: 1. This review is being done together by me and the person who I went on the trip with 2. We booked months in advance (you should as well), so at the pricepoint we got it at is what we are basing the review on 3. $1 in tips and knowing basic Spanish goes a VERY long way, especially if you plan to stay here for a week or more like we did 4. This is the first time we have both been in an all inclusive Right away even just in the main lobby, the all inclusive is absolutely stunning, though after going to other all inclusives through excursions, you can maybe tell its not as modern as some of the other all inclusives around the same area. Regardless, it's all around the same scenery and beach, and this may be your cheapest all inclusive option coming to Punta Cana. The oceanfront room we had was slightly better then expected: comfortable beds, a standard TV (though everything is pretty much in Spanish, so I recommend bring a laptop or console and connect HDMI to your TV like we did), decently spacious, a huge amount of closet space and storage, a very beautiful bathroom, and working AC (and when it didn't work, staff came immediately to try and resolve the problem). The only issue I can say is that when it comes with the AC, you have to be mindful just keeping it on all the time or it can shut off (so when you aren't planning on coming back to the room for a while, leave it off). We always came back to a clean room and more then enough towels, and when it came to the free minibar, our cleaning staff did a great job of restocking what we actually were consuming. The beach you are located off of is absolutely stunning, and watching the sunrise and sunset was truly a breathtaking experience (you can also pretty much get ANYTHING on the beach, just don't get scammed and always negotiate). The 3 pools there are beautiful, but we didn't spend much time at the pools due to excursions. However, when being at the snackbar overlooking the pool, it seemed to always be active. Walking around the all inclusive doesn't take long, but it does help keep the pounds from sticking when you are eating the overall great food options, from the restaurants to the buffet and late night eats. The best restaurant by far that we tried, both food and service wise, was the Italian place, however, we did not eat at the steakhouse. Mexican food was a close 2nd, and the seafood and Asian cuisine were both good in their own respects. Taco place was great, but we only had it one night, because the pizza place at night is TOP TIER (we are New Yorkers, we know our pizza). Drinks were NOT watered down by any means, even from the beginning when no one knew who we were. The buffet food for lunch and dinner was plentiful and great overall, but breakfast could have been better (but not bad by any means). I have a very weak stomach, and I did not have to use pepto bismol a single time on the trip. We did a lot of excursions, but based on what we did see and conversations we had with people, there does seem to be always something that is going on. Whether it is something you like or not is a different story. The circus act and couples game show that we saw were actually quite entertaining, and I personally am not into those things usually. Overall, any expectations we had were blown out of the water, and we haven't gotten to staff yet. Now where can we start with staff? Overall, some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. Seriously. I speak basic Spanish and my friend knows basic words in Spanish, but not enough to have some of the connections we had with the many staff that didn't speak English at all (have google translate ready at any moment). Staff genuinely seemed to enjoy their job and each other's company, even when we watched them dealing with belligerent people. Staff appreciated you trying to talk to them and get to know them, especially in Spanish, even if they know English. Saying "Hola" (Hello), "Adios"(Bye), "Gracias"(Thank you) and "Por favor"(Please) is really all you need to know. Whenever we asked for a bellboy to drop us off (we had the same person 3 times, but we never got his name), it was done with a smile and as much conversation as we can have in Spanish each time. We befriended about 3 bartenders, which we believe were all head bartenders, but special shoutout to Yessi De La Rosa, who gave us the best drink option you can get, which is NOT on the normal cocktail menu. I'm not dropping the recipe so you can ask her yourself at the snack bar, which is where we saw her pretty much every time. Every time we got a drink from her, it was always a nice conversation and drinks felt like they had a little extra love to them. Getting to the staff for food, a few shoutouts come from here. First, and most importantly, even though we stupidly didn't get their names, HUGE shoutout to the 2 main guys who run the pizza spot (one is tall and skinny with a mole on his face, the other is probably the main person that runs the spot and is a shorter guy). They were great to talk to and be around, besides the pizza being really really good. As a matter of fact, we went there every night we were there, sometimes not even planning to get pizza and just to chill and talk to them (since they were always the ones there). They also did not speak any English except "bye" and "safe flight" the night we told them we were leaving. Next, shoutout to Randall Fermin, who we happened to run into at like 2:30AM at the taco place on the first night with a huge smile on his face. We only saw him at the buffet afterwards, where we would always conversate if we crossed paths. One of these days at the buffet, he called us over and gave us a food option fresh out of wherever it came from, because it wasn't served in the main buffet area. It was probably one of the best foods we had being there, and again, the food overall was great. Next, shoutout to Soel Agustin, who is always in the buffet behind a stovetop, making food in front of you. He always puts on a show with a smile on his face, even during breakfast, and he brings the energy up in the whole room, for both guests and staff. Just like the rest of the people we talked about so far, we always had conversation with him when we crossed paths. Lastly, shoutout to the head buffet waitress Yvelise Martinez, who always ensured the buffet was running smoothly. She made sure staff was attending to people's drinks and utensils, even if the drinks were 2ft away from you and you can easily do it yourself (which you should do as well if you are that close, it makes you look very respectable). It was always nice to talk to her during the lunch or dinner buffet. Overall, we wouldn't have changed anything and we genuinely were blown away by the experience we had. Great vibes, great food, great staff, great views, comfortable room, super walkable, and again, probably the cheapest or one of the cheapest all inclusive options you have in Punta Cana. If you are second guessing booking, and are booking this is many months in advance to your trip, you won't regret it.

  Jan 21, 2025
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  Try to avoid unless you can’t afford anything else

  Service is bad Food is repetitive Staff doesn’t understand English nor speak English The beach is 10 out of 10. Amazing the only problem with that is you have to walk to go get a drink and come back. I have to be up by 5:36 to get any loungers the beach in the water and out of the water have like zero rocks, the rooms are actually not too bad Beds are comfortable great hot water for showers.

  Jan 20, 2025
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  Disappointed

  I was really disappointed with my stay at this hotel. The service was lacking. The beach vendors were aggressive and made it difficult to relax, constantly approaching us even when we politely declined. To top it off, the lines at the bar were ridiculously long, and the staff seemed overwhelmed, leading to slow service. Overall, I expected much more for the price I paid. Would not recommend this hotel.

  Jan 20, 2025
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  Great location, friendly staff.

  Great location, beautiful beach, friendly staff, clean rooms and great restaurants. Highly recommended Royal Level service. Good value.

  Jan 20, 2025
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  Just a place to have fun with great service

  Best service ever Employees very cordial and always trying to make my stay as pleasant as possible Specially Employee Danny Matos, his attention to details was superb I will recommend this resort to everyone i know ///////////////////////

  Jan 20, 2025