Olivia Medina
I honestly don’t know where to begin. I find it extremely difficult to understand how this resort has a 4.6 rating. I was genuinely excited to stay here—the photos looked beautiful and the reviews seemed promising—but after experiencing it firsthand, I’m convinced those ratings must be bots.
First, the food is absolutely awful. It’s unappetizing, bland, and poorly presented. The only things I’ve been able to eat are pizza and fries; everything else lacks flavor and looks more like cafeteria or prison food than resort dining.
Second, the beach is very underwhelming. It’s much smaller than advertised and looks nothing like the photos. The same goes for the pools—there are only two, and both are small and unimpressive.
While the rooms are aesthetically pleasing, functionality and cleanliness are major issues. There are barely any outlets, which is incredibly inconvenient. When we first walked into the room, we were immediately hit with a strong, musty humidity smell, as if the room hadn’t been aired out or properly used in a long time.
Worse, the room was clearly not clean. There was dirt behind the doors, mold on the faucet, and mold in the shower. Basic cleaning seems to be overlooked entirely. After being so disappointed all day, I went to bed early—only to find hair in my pillow. The pillowcase smelled like someone else’s scalp, which makes me almost certain the sheets were not changed. Completely unacceptable and disgusting.
Overall, I would rate this resort a 2/10, and that’s only because the design and aesthetic of the property are nice. Otherwise, this experience has been incredibly disappointing. I strongly advise others to save their money and look elsewhere. This resort does not deserve a 4.6 rating and is, at best, a 3-star property.
*Update and response to owner’s comment since it won’t let me reply directly*: the reply from management is clearly automated and says nothing new. Identical complaints about cleanliness, mold, and poor food appear in reviews from years ago, yet nothing has changed. Apologies without action are meaningless. Basic hygiene and honest representation are the bare minimum. Instead of scripted responses, this resort needs real improvements. Do better.
Divya P
Our first trip to the DR was a great experience overall, especially since we found such a good deal here. However, while we loved many aspects of our stay, there are several areas where the hotel could elevate the guest experience.
What we loved:
Dining: The food and service were excellent, particularly at the Italian restaurant.
Staff: The hospitality was a highlight—everyone was incredibly warm and courteous.
The Beach: Stunning views and very easy access to the sand and water.
Areas for improvement:
Wi-Fi: The connectivity is very poor. We had no signal at the buffet or the Kids Club. The resort needs signal amplifiers to ensure coverage in common areas.
Buffet Labeling: As limited meat-eaters, it was difficult to distinguish between pork and chicken dishes. Clearer food labels are a must for guests with dietary preferences.
Kids Club: The staff member (Odeline) was lovely and extremely loving. But the facility was disappointing. There was no AC (making it uncomfortably hot), and the play area was under construction for our entire 4-day stay.
Entertainment Schedule: Most shows conflict with the 6:00 PM dinner rush.
Vashtie Maraj
6 people in our group got very sick from the food. Food safety is lacking. Food varity is also lacking. You can get tacos, nachos and pizza all night but not during the day. There is only buffet for lunch with basically the same food everyday.
Too bad because the hotel is nice, rooms are comfortable and service is generally average to good. Grounds are very well maintained. The beach is rough, but that could be time of the year. Dec. The entertainment is okay. Not the best. Won't be returning there at all. It makes me even question ever going to a Barcelo resort ever.
David Korte
Attempting to coordinate airport transfer was a nightmare. Keep getting transferred to different departments and no one seem to know who I needed to talk to or what they are doing. The rooms need a refresh. Like other reviewers, I also got sick after eating in the buffet. The beach chairs definitely need to be replaced and are dirty/worn with some broken/not functioning properly. The beach bar is overwhelmed so be prepared for long lines. I ordered a strawberry Daiquiri after standing in line for 15 minutes and got a glass of warm mix and rum, with not even any ice. Ask guy behind the bar for a glass of ice and he just pointed to the bartender, like it was too difficult for him to help me out or speak a few words. Some staff were not very friendly toward us. Some were friendly/helpful. Worst of all of the issues, we made a simple request to check out 1 hour late and they said to walk down to the front desk as they can't do it over the phone. My girlfriend walked all the way down to the front desk only to be told they can't extend our check out. Almost like they playing games with us. Should have just told us on the phone versus wasting our time. Called and ask to speak with General Manager and was told he wasn't available. The assistant ask what the issue was and I explained the situation. He refused to allow a late check out and said it was an "internal policy" that we needed to request the late check out by no later than 745am. I asked him if customer service was important to him then he should accommodate our request. He said he didn't care it was the policy. Overall we still really enjoyed staying here and its a great location. Hope they can make corrections to improve the experience.
Dayana Carmona Darias
We had a great experience at Occidental Punta Cana! The staff was welcoming and helpful from the moment we arrived. The resort is beautiful, clean, and full of tropical charm.
The beach is stunning with soft white sand and clear water, and there were always plenty of loungers. The pools were also great, with both fun and relaxing areas.
The food and drinks were okay; we’re just used to a different type of cuisine, but there was variety and always something fresh at the buffet. The à la carte restaurants could use a more special menu. The bartenders were friendly and kept the drinks coming.
The entertainment was one of our favorite parts, with live music, shows, and lots of daytime activities. But it was also easy for us to find quiet spots to relax.
Overall, we felt the resort exceeded our expectations. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and fun, and the staff goes above and beyond. We would definitely come back!
My Booking
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