Marie Enjoys The Best Of Dom Rep With Secrets, Dreams & Excellence

Dreams Punta Cana

After a comfortable journey we arrived into Punta Cana airport which unusually has thatched roofs giving it a very Caribbean feel; after clearing immigration we set off to our first hotel, Dreams Punta Cana.

Preferred Club Beach Area

It took around 55 minutes to reach the resort and we had a very warm welcome from the staff; a well needed glass of champagne and a cold towel. After checking in we were taken to our room which was a Preffered Club junior suite which was lovely and very spacious with a separate lounge area and large balcony with a jacuzzi. That evening we dined at the seaside grill, one of the six restaurants on offer which had a varied menu with great choice of steaks and grilled seafood, the food was excellent and the staff very attentive.

Dreams Punta Cana Room

The following day we had a good walk around the resort and there was a great atmosphere and lots going on for children and adults, in the evenings the entertainment was very good and something to suit all tastes; also there are great shows and a night club for those who fancied a dance and late drink.

Throughout our stay we tried a number of restaurants; the Oceana and the World Cafe for breakfast and the Dominican themed night which had a fantastic choice  of local foods and desserts.

All in all this is a great resort, I would definately return had a great time.

Secrets Royal Beach

Secrets Royal Beach Room

After a prompt pick up we travelled around 30mins to the Secrets Royal Beach, a swift friendly check in and we were taken to our room which was a Deluxe pool view room. It was very spacious and a modern design with a king size bed and lounge area and large balcony with jacuzzi overlooking the very well kept gardens and the outdoor entertainment area La Habana.

Secrets Royal Beach Pool

After settling in we went for lunch at the La Riviera, one of the three restaurants at the hotel which was the buffet restaurant with beautiful caribbean decor and a friendly atmosphere; it has an indoor and outdoor seating area overlooking the ocean. The restaurant has a fantastic choice of dishes and the chefs cooked fresh fish and meat dishes to order. After lunch we soaked up the atmosphere and had a few cockatils and a laze on the beach which was lovely white powdery sand and calm ocean. That evening we had booked a table at spice on the teppanyaki tables over at the Now Larimar which is just a short stroll next door.

It was great entertainment with our own personal chef who had great cooking skills; I would highly recommend this restaurant, it was the best teppanyaki I have ever tasted, after dinner we went to see the show there which was great and then retired back for a last drink in the very relaxing atmosphere over at La Habana in the Secrets. Then I was ready for a good nights sleep.

Secrets Royal Beach

The next morning we had our breakfast outside overlooking the ocean at La Riviera, great choice for breakfast and again the chefs cooked fresh omelettes or eggs of your choice and it started the day off nicely. We spent the rest of the day lazing around and joining in the daily entertainment around the swim up bar Freshco which was a laugh.

That evening we tried the Seaside grill in which we chose to sit outside overlooking the ocean, the service was second to none  and the steak was mouth watering, washed down with a great choice of wine.

Secrets Royal Beach Entrance

The following day my husband John had booked a fishing trip, he was picked up and taken to the boat and they fished for marlin; unfortunately none were caught but he had a great day and said he would definitely do it again.

The next day we went over to the Now Larimar and spent some time over there where there is a great choice of restaurants and bars and a very lively atmosphere compared to the more peaceful time spent at the Secrets Royal beach, we dined at the castaways which again had a great choice of dishes and nice setting overlooking the beach. As we were strolling back through the grounds of the Now Larimar we watched a couple getting married which was very well set out and the Wedding Gazebo beautifully decorated and very well organised, and is a great location if you need a venue where children are invited.

That evening we dined at Bordeaux restaurant and the food again was excellent with a wide variety of dishes, after dinner we decided on a little excercise so we wents to the sports bar and had a game of ten pin bowling which was fun and was an additional charge of 10 US dollars per family but well worth it.

Excellence Punta Cana

Secrets Royal Beach Entrance

After a quick and hassle free checkout we started our journey to the Excellence Punta Cana which took about 35 mins. We were greeted at reception with a glass of champagne and cold towel and then taken by the concierge directly to our check in at the Excellence club lounge. This process was quick and efficient and we were in our room in speedy time;  we stayed in an Excellence Club swim out suite which was located very close to the ocean and opposite the Sol bar which was handy and just a few steps into the pool, what more could we ask for.

Dining At The Excellence

Just Outside The Excellence

The rooms have just had a revamp with new walk in showers and modern double sinks which was ideal and a very sizeable double jacuzzi in the room. We unpacked and then went to investigate the resort and stopped for lunch at the grill where they served fish and chips in a cone which was good. The hotel was even better than I had imagined and the atmosphere and the staff were great, nothing was too much trouble and the choice of restaurants was amazing, you could try a different one every evening, our favourite was the Spice and they do a killer Thai curry. Every evening there was a live show at the theatre, our favourite was the Michael Jackson tribute show which was very entertaining and the dancers were very skilled, after the show the live band would perform and you could have a dance or just sit and soak up the atmosphere if not the Alegra Club was open until late if you fancied dancing into the early hours.

We enjoyed the Martini Bar which was situated inside the lobby area and in the evening they would have light entertainement prior to your evening meal.

Outside the lobby area at the front of the hotel there was a lovely park area with lakes which was very well kept and a nice place to walk off your lunch.

Throughout our stay we tried to make the most of all the entertainment in the daytime; the horse back riding on the beach was very enjoyable and I even turned my hand to a little archery, not forgetting bingo at 3pm plus lots of other things to experience including a state of the art Gym and fabulous Miile Spa which was a tranquil haven.

I can honestly say we had a fabulous holiday and I would without a doubt return to any of the hotels we visited and I look forward to experiencing them again.