Ocean Sand/Palladium/Melia Caribe

Tigs · #1 09-09-2006, 12:43 PM

Hello! I am new to this forum, have been looking on it for a while, and I have been able to pick up some very valuable info from it!!! It a very unique forum and website!!

I need help! We are trying to decide on a resort - we are supposed to be leaving one month today, but we are still undecided!!!

We have it narrowed down to 3 (it was only 2 until yesterday!!) The Grand Palladium Bavaro; Melia Caribe and now Ocean Sands!!! All three seem to fit the bill for us, but we just cannot decide!!

At the advise of our TA we decided to explore the oprion of Ocean Sands. I know it is a fairly new resort, but compared to the other 2, I do not know too much about it?

Can anyone help...thanks in advance Tigs

Dolores · #2 09-09-2006, 12:52 PM

These are all large resorts that have in common being on the eastern beach strip of the DR. There are small nuisances of each. For instance, if you had small children, I would recommend the Melia Caribe (they have a one-of-a-kind Flintstone's club). If you had teenagers, the Grand Palladium has the best sports facilities -- with even a soccer field. And the Ocean Sands has access to a bowling alley, also good for teenagers.

Tigs · #3 09-09-2006, 12:58 PM

Thanks for your reply!!!

It will just be my husband and I going to celebrate our 1 year anniversary! Can you tell me, is the location of Ocean Sands considered the Bavaro Beach area? We have previously been to Secrets and although the resort is fabulous (in our opinion) we were not overly impressed with the beach.

KIMMYGIRL · #4 09-09-2006, 06:29 PM

I went to Ocean Sand Oct. 2005 for a week. My now husband and I, who is a Dominican, got married there. Besides the fact that it rained the whole week, it was a beautiful resort.

As compared to Secrets:
(I have not vacationed there but have spent many evenings there as my husband worked there for a couple of years.)

Secrets Excellence is simply that "excellent" and the beauty of it sets the mood of romance. It is an adults only resort and they make that very evident which is a bonus!!

Ocean Sand is more colourful and cheery. It is all ages oriented.

I have been to 7 different resorts in Dominican and Ocean Sand is in my top two. Sunscape the Beach (sister hotel of Secrets) ties for first place in my mind. Sunscape has the same fault as Secrets, the beach. Yes Ocean Sand is on Bavaro Beach and it is very nice there.

Like you already know Ocean Sand/Blue is one of the newest hotels in Punta Cana. Just to let you know there are two rows of buildings on each side of the hotel grounds, one side Ocean Sand the other Ocean Blue, same place though, one was just built before the other and one comes with a golf deal. Being a new hotel, it is very clean!

The rooms are huge! We had a upgraded room and my family had the normal room. All the rooms have jacuzzi tubs, which i love! The upgraded room had a larger bathroom with a heart shaped tub with separate shower, ocean view, and more romantic colour scheme.

The food is very good in the main buffet and the a la cartes. Although they still need some work on perfecting the taste of the American food!!!

The pool was extremely clean with a nice swim up bar.

The casino is also very nice and up to speed with technology.

The disco was better then Secrets...it just doesn't have my husband bartending!!! The night entertainment was also good but when i went it was still really new to have the best animation team. Things are probably different now.

Ocean Sand is a pretty big resort, but there is a "trolly train" that goes around most of the day. Therefore if it rains, which you are going in that season, you don't have to worry. I thought it was great.

As for the other hotels, they are a higher end hotel, so you will probably love them also for which ever hotel you choose. My advise is to figure out what you want on your vacation and what little things you have enjoyed in the past ie jacuzzi tub.

If you are from Canada, I have booked a few of my trips from www.selloffvacations.com and have never had a problem. I have also got really good deals from there. Even if you don't book there, it will give you info on the resorts and how much the last minute pricing is.

Happy choosing!!

Kim

Hlywud · #5 09-09-2006, 07:31 PM

While all three are good, I will put in a word for the Palladium, excellent facility for all ages, and likely the best priced of all for a Junior suite.

Tigs · #6 09-09-2006, 08:05 PM

Kim,

Thank you so much for your detailed description, it was great!!!

All 3 sound great to us, its just very difficult to chose!!! I think we have narrowed it down to Palladium and Ocean Sand. Right now I think Ocean Sand is the front runner as there is about a $500.00 difference between the 2, but that can change by the day!!! I have been monitoring sell-off fort weeks now!!!

Thanks again for all of your info, if you have any more advice on the resort, it would be greatly appreciated!!

Tigs

KIMMYGIRL · #7 09-09-2006, 09:05 PM

Be very carefull if you are booking ocean sand last minute, not sure of the others. I just went to Dominican in July, and I noticed that Ocean Sand was one of the first to sell out. I also noticed that trips this year are selling faster then previous years, all you will have left is the most expensive hotel and the better more expensive rooms. That is the risk of going last minute!!

Either hotel you will probably like, they are both upscale. Is pallidium a 'stay at 1, play at 3'? Personally I like to relax in the pool and just do a bit of snorkelling. Tonight I will ask my husband which hotel is better and let you know tomorrow.

Kim

mountainfrog · #8 09-09-2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIMMYGIRL

... I just went to Dominican in July....
....I have been to 7 different resorts in Dominican and Ocean Sand....

You were in a country called the Dominican Republic and your husband is Dominican.

m'frog

Tigs · #9 09-10-2006, 02:00 AM

I am sorry, but what exactly is your point m'frog???

Tigs · #10 09-10-2006, 02:09 AM

Kim,

You made a very good point about the sell-off's going quickly, I think we will be booking within the next day or so!!!

If I may ask, can you tell me, of all the a la carte restaurants, which, in you opinion would be the best? My husband and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversay there and I was hoping to try and arrange an nice romantic dinner for the 2 of us...any suggestions??? I have read on other forums of private beach dinners, do you know of these at all?? I am only asking because you mentioned you were married there and perhaps you might have a bit more insight on that!!!

By the way, although although almost a year later, congrats on your wedding, we too chose a destination wedding and were married in Cube last October - it was the best decision we ever made!!!

Thanks again..Tigs