TravelLenny.com

Big All-Inclusive Resort with Lots of Amenities

• Very large resort: over 1,400 junior suites.

• Tons of on-site things to do: 15 restaurants (buffets + à la carte), many bars, pool areas, entertainment, a water park/kids’ club, tennis, fitness, and spa.

• Access to multiple pools, lots of sun-loungers, umbrellas, etc.

Family-Friendly

• Good for families: kids’ activities, water-park style pools, plenty of space.

• Rooms tend to be suites with pull-out sofas — helpful for families.

Location

• Situated on a stretch of nice beach in Bavaro / Punta Cana area.

• Pretty lush grounds/gardens give a nice tropical resort feel.

Value (Potentially)

• Compared to more premium ultra-luxury all-inclusives, this resort is more affordable while still offering a wide range of amenities.

• Good “all-in” if you plan to stay at the resort rather than spend a lot off-property.

Food Quality & Buffet Issues

• Multiple reviews call out the buffet: long lines, lackluster food, some hygiene concerns.

• Drinks are sometimes called “weak, generic brand liquor.”

• According to some guests, only a limited number of à la carte dinners are allowed (so you can't constantly do specialty restaurants).

• On Reddit, one traveler said:

  “The buffet at Grand Punta Cana was TERRIBLE … it smelled of sewer … the food … bland … table service … non-existent”

Room Condition / Maintenance

• Rooms are described as “dated.”

• Some reviewers mention drainage issues, slow water draining, or minor maintenance problems (e.g., leaks).

• There’s a charge for using the in-room safe.

• Mosquitoes / bugs – at least some guests say they needed bug spray.

• From Reddit:

  “They would leave the doors open when cleaning … letting bugs and mosquitoes in the rooms.”

Service and Staffing

• Mixed feedback: some staff are great, others slower or less attentive.

• Long waits for food in some cases; lines at buffets, slow drink service.

• Wi-Fi is reportedly not great: free in lobby, but spotty.

Beach / Seaweed (Sargassum) Issues

• Several guests mention sargassum (seaweed) on the beach — can make the water less pleasant.

• Beach gets crowded; lounge chairs at pools are “snatched” early.

Overcrowding

• Because it’s a massive resort, things can feel busy: pool areas, restaurants, public spaces are quite populated.

• From Oyster: pool chairs are a premium — people usually race to grab them early.

Smell / Odor Reported

• Some guests complain of a “horrible smell” in the buffet area, possibly mold or sewage issues.

• Others mention “sewage odours” in certain areas.

Nightlife

• Limited nightlife: not a big party resort. According to Redditers:

  “There is no night life except in the lobby … Almost everything happens in the lobby … no organized [nightlife].”

• Entertainment is there, but not “wild club” level; more family/standard resort stuff.

Beach & Grounds

• According to Oyster, the beach is “pristine white sand” and there’s a long stretch, which gives space for strolling and playing.

• The resort has a beautiful, somewhat “jungle-like” feel in its landscaping, which many families find relaxing.

• For “Privileged” guests, there’s a more private area on the beach with waiter service.

Service & Staff

• Many reviews praise staff friendliness.

• Rooms are generally well-maintained; some report clean, modern bathrooms depending on the room type.

Food

• There are a variety of restaurants (buffet + a la carte) – Italian, Spanish, Mexican, etc.

• Some guests on Privileged say the “B’Loved” restaurant is a real plus.

• According to Tripadvisor, food is “great in quality and variety” especially if you make use of the Tapas bar and buffets.

Pools & Kid-Friendliness

• The pool is lagoon-style with shallow areas for kids.

• There is a supervised kids club.

• Entertainment: some family shows, nightly music, activities.  

• Babysitting is available (for a fee) per TripAdvisor.

Seaweed (Sargassum)

• Several recent reviews (e.g., on Reddit) mention bad seaweed on the beach, which can make parts of it less pleasant.

• While staff report they work to clean it daily, it’s not guaranteed to be fully clear.

• Depending on the timing of your trip, seaweed conditions can vary a lot.

Kids Club Limitations

• According to TripAdvisor, the kids club “is small” and some say it felt “abandoned.”

• One review complains that on their stay, the person in charge of the club “never did anything” with the kids.

• Minimum age: some note that younger than ~4 may not be served by the kids club.

• Babysitting only starts at certain ages — per TripAdvisor, possibly 4+.

Food Consistency

• While a number of guests like the food, some say the buffet is “mediocre at best.”

• According to another reviewer, a la carte restaurants can be hit or miss.

• One complaint: only one or limited restaurants are open in the evening for some guests, leading to long waits.

• Use of “family-style” serving utensils (tongs/spoons) at buffet raised hygiene concerns.

Entertainment

• Some say entertainment is “poor” or “virtually non-existent.”

• Others note limited evening shows or lack of kids-specific evening entertainment.

• According to Reddit, there may be aggressive sales pitches (timeshare) during your stay.

Logistics / Accessibility

• According to one Redditor, the hotel is somewhat isolated (“far in from the highway”), making local transport a bit inconvenient.

• With kids, depending on their age and mobility, that could be a factor (getting off-property, excursions, etc.).

Wildlife

• Some reviews mention coatis, lizards, and other jungle-like critters freely roaming.

• Could be fun for kids, but also something to be aware of (safety, snake concerns, etc.).