P*unta Cana Resorts

lacey3eb

Hey all!  We're on a budget of about $3000 for our honeymoon in November 2012.  We would like an all inclusive resport for 7 nights including airfare.  My fiance researched and narrowed it down to Excellence and Magesic Elegance in P*unta Cana. 

Does anyone have any opinions to share about either resort?  Any reasons to choose one over the other?  I'd love to hear from some fellow knotties. 

Or are there other places you would receommend in P*unta Cana or another destination that has nice weather in November and budget-friendly?

Thanks.

StephBeanWed61502

Nice weather and budget-friendly in November - I've heard good things about Riviera Maya in Mexico and Jamaica, as well as PuntaCana.

As for PuntaCana, I dont know anyone who has stayed at the resorts you mentioned, but I have a co-worker who went last winter and was very, very impressed with the Hard Rock resort there.

cmgefert

FI and I went to Occidental Grand PuntaCana two summers ago and it was great. Nice beaches and all inclusive including a lot of restaurant and bar choices. It was about 1200 for 9 nights when we went so I don't know where you are traveling from or how much it would be now. It was a beautiful area and is defiantly budget friendly!

flawlessfay

We are going to the DR in June and staying at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro....My travel agent said a lot of her clients complained about Majestic...She had decent things to say about Excellence though

emarston1

We went to the Majestic and I would advise against it.  We had a good time but the services they offered were just eh.  I have a full review in my Mrs. Bio if you're interested.  Also, I got very sick at the end of the trip and it made for a really bad flight home.

But I will tell you that the beaches in PC are unbelievablly gorgeous.

[Deleted User]

My boss has been to Excellence twice and she loved it. She's also been to the Majestic property and hated it. Another couple I know were married there and they really enjoyed it. I've seen the property's beach and it's okay. The day I was there they had a lot of seaweed b/c the sea was rough but I did see a ton of workers cleaning the beach. They also had vendors on the beach but they weren't  annoying and seemed to be regulated to certain spots.

cebrady89

I went my senior year in high school and stayed at the Iberostar Princess. It was all inclusive and a GORGEOUS set up with great pool areas and a lovely beach. Rooms were clean and spacious, great views, service was wonderful.

I think we paid about $1500 per person, but this included airfare and the rates may be less in November (we went in May). I don't know what you consider budget friendly, but I was okay with the price, it didn't seem excessive for what we got.

The only thing I was not impressed with was the food - nothing terrible, nothing made me sick, it just wasn't great. Also, they really seemed to push the alcohol, they always seemed to be out of soda or juice, and bottled water was SO expensive, I felt like I was alwasy thirsty. So if I go again I'll pack a little suitcase of bottled water to bring with me.

RYLZ

We spent a week at Excellence in October.  Alost everyone we met there was on their honeymoon and seemed to be enjoying it.  However, we thought we'd be pretty disappointed if that was our honeymoon destination.  The grounds are excellent but the rooms are in dire need of an upgrade.  Outdated sheets, towels, beds, etc.  It was really nice for a little getaway but it lacked that certain something special for honeymoon especially considering the price.  We've stayed for similar pice at Couples Swept Away in Negril and at the Sun Palace in Negril and that was just top notch and head and shoulders above our experience at Excellence P*nta Cana.

On the plus-side, we loved the 8-restaurant option with no reservations, and the comfy beds on the beach, and service was pretty good but other than that, it was a bit of an average experience.  Also, the resort is a solid 45-minute ride from the airport and it is $140 round-trip for taxi service.  Same price, even in a shuttle that you shar with others.

lsniscak

I went to Majestic Elegance and had such an amazing time! If you go make sure you get a room in the elegance club.  Food was great and entertainment was very good as well!