Paradisus Punta Cana 5-9 March
Seems a bit odd doing a trip report as I live here but here goes!!! Just to recap we were supposed to go on a cruise Legend of the Seas, all paid for but had to cancel as at the last minute they decided the kids needed Schengen visas and no time. So as not to let them down me, husband and two teenage boys (16 and 17) used the cash for a weeks cruise and got 4 nights in paradisus Punta Cana.
Nightmare booking it as we wanted a room/suite with two bedrooms but you can only do that in the new part 'Reserve' or something. Ok, but I had been before and wanted the Royal Service (posh bitch I know). Can't use Royal Service in the Reserve. But you can have family concierge service. Ok, what is that? Free milk and cookies for kids and the odd pamper thrown in....!!! Kids are 16 and 17!!! Ok so lets have 2 Royal service rooms together. Can't do that as you have to be 18 to have Royal Service. Ok, two normal rooms together and me and husband pay extra to use Royal Service pool. No can do!! Ok so Royal service for us and normal for kids. OK done. (This took 3 weeks!!!). Talk about inflexibility.
So we get there. Royal Service check in. Sorry we can check in you and husband but now go back to main reception to check in kids as they are in normal room. (Excuse me this is 5000US$ for 4 nights!!!!). But if you want they can have Royal service. No they can't I say they are not 18. No prob they say. Then they can drink alcohol (they don't drink) and use the disco (please can we go to the disco???). OK 70US$ each a night so they can go to the disco. Rooms together all fine.
NO DISCO!!! Closed for refurbishment. What a swizz.
Anyway. Rooms great. Champagne and fruit. kids overwhelmed. Food fantastic. Staff lovely. An amazing hotel. Kids played baseball, volleyball, went horse riding (included but spent two hours picking up people from other hotels so only 1/2 hour riding) segway riding (amazing they said). All the animation staff were great with them. We were the only Dominicans in the hotel, apart from the last night, Saturday, when some white Dominicans tried to get them kicked out by security saying that no way could brown Dominicans afford to stay there which wasn't very nice.
So all in all, lovely hotel, great staff and food. I put on 5lbs!!! Beautiful rooms and grounds. Inflexible rules caused some problems with booking, and then paying extra for nothing for the kids.
Matilda
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