EDIT: Any recommendations for all-inclusive in the DR ?
Swim-up bar with energetic vibe and good (or at least lively) musicAges 20s-40s having fun…not stuffy/snootyNice, but not so luxurious that it gets in the way of casualnessDon’t care how close it is to any touristy stuff, because we’ll just be at the pool/beach the whole timeNice beach is a plus, but we tend to stick more to the pools…particularly the one with the bar in itRooms - comfy bed, no roaches
Thanks guys!
I’ve been to the Dominican Republic in January and you didn’t want a heated pool because it was 80 friggin’ degrees. . . . It’s cheaper than Mexico for us and the resort we found last year was so nice we re-upped again for this year.
What’s the name of the place? I’ll check it out for the dates I’m looking at.
Check your PM
.
My husband and I stayed at Le Blanc last year and really enjoyed it. Check out the reviews on Trip Advisor.
Just keep your eyes peeled for Terence and Uncle Rick!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVtEX1J7tXQ
my wife and I went to this place about 5 years ago. It was fine then: http://www.excellence-resorts.com/caribbean-and-mexico-destinations/excellence-riviera-cancun
I have no words to describe how I feel about that video. Those moves. That Speedo. Classic!!!
Just keep your eyes peeled for Terence and Uncle Rick!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVtEX1J7tXQ
Ok people, I’ve switched gears to the Dominican Republic…so if anybody feels strongly about resorts there I’d love to hear about it. Thanks!
I have no words to describe how I feel about that video. Those moves. That Speedo. Classic!!!
Just keep your eyes peeled for Terence and Uncle Rick!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVtEX1J7tXQ
I always look for a chance to give people nightmares with that…can’t remember who put it up here first.
Ok people, I’ve switched gears to the Dominican Republic…so if anybody feels strongly about resorts there I’d love to hear about it. Thanks!
You might want to consider changing the title of your post.
Anyway, I went to Paradisis in a Punta Cana last year and loved it. A dead guy did float up on to shore but I don’t hold that against the hotel.
My In Laws used to live in Dominican Republic before moving back to France so I went several times there.
While I never stayed at a hotel in the “traditional spots” (Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana), I would suggest you look into the “bay of Samana” region.
My in laws used to live in Las Terrenas and “back then” it was a beautiful small (but expanding) village. Now tourisms is catching up and while not “as bad” as the traditional spots is not as beautiful and wild as before.
That being said, they do have some nice all inclusive in the bay of Samana region and it is still a little bit wild…
Fred.
EDIT: Any recommendations for all-inclusive in the DR ?
Swim-up bar with energetic vibe and good (or at least lively) musicAges 20s-40s having fun…not stuffy/snootyNice, but not so luxurious that it gets in the way of casualnessDon’t care how close it is to any touristy stuff, because we’ll just be at the pool/beach the whole timeNice beach is a plus, but we tend to stick more to the pools…particularly the one with the bar in itRooms - comfy bed, no roaches
Thanks guys!
I can only speak of Punta Cana but I’ve been a couple times and loved it both times. Really hard to beat the value for the place. First time we went stayed at Ocean Blue and it literally cost us about $1500 TOTAL for 7 days for two people with flights included. We paid for a few excursions and it was well, well, worth it.
Second time we went was to get married at a resort called Dreams:
http://www.dreamsresorts.com/punta-cana
Tad more expensive but again really great. The beaches are stunning and yes it’s warm. Lots of Europeans walking around topless…no complaints (most of the time). So many excursions and most are dirt cheap and loads of run (safari ATV, speed boat racing) but you do have to leave the resort and that’s not always great. Inside the resort it’s spectacular but if you venture out (and I would not without a guide) it’s very shady. Our host took me out to town to get a few bottles of Rum and warned me not to make eye contact at the place we were going…sweet sounds like fun. I’m a bigger fella but it was definitely a little hairy.
We would still go back in a NY minute…awesome place.
Few things:
-take lots of singles …tips will get you treated like royalty…extra bottled water, faster service, etc.
-don’t leave resort alone (see above). I took a couple of long runs on the beach but it was pretty early and not many people were out. Good thing too because I was trying to sweat out impurities and did not feel like doing any tempo runs 
-prepare for the ride from airport to resort. Most of the roads (few years ago) were single lane and lots of dirt roads and the taxi/shuttle ride from airport was like something out of Days of Thunder, only without good drivers. The first time ever ( from airport to resort) we all laughed and held on frantically as we drove 100mph and passed every moped on the island narrowly missing oncoming traffic. The other trips back to airport and everywhere else it was whiteknuckle weareallgonnadie the whole time.
There are a few resorts down there that are adult only with no kids…Secrets is one and I think Paradisus might one also but honestly I never noticed many kids…not super kid friendly…beutiful beaches and tons of food and alcohol…great pool but that’s about it for kids. I also only saw mostly couples…we met some great people form Switzerland and hung out all week but didn’t see a ton of single people…
Let me know if you have any other questions relative to Punta Cana.
Secrets is more pricey but gets great reviews:
http://www.secretsresorts.com/royal-beach-punta-cana
Paradisus:
http://www.paradisus.com/destination-punta-cana-dominican-republic.php
Wasn’t impressed with the Boca Chica area unless you don’t mind roped off tourist only beach areas, constant hawkers, cops with machine guns patrolling the beach and lousy scuba diving. It was my only and last trip to the D.R. But I hear other parts of the country are much nicer.
Thanks a lot for all the info. I ended up going with Excellence Punta Cana. I’ll be sure to avoid eye contact if we venture out!
Off topic, but my wife and I just returned from Anguilla - now that is an island of paradise. Beaches, food, the people are wonderful. Read about all the comments here, of staying on the resorts, etc. I just don’t get it. Islands like St. John, Virgin Gords, and Anguilla - just explore to your hearts content.
No kidding. One of my favorite vacation days ever was when we docked the boat at Leverick Bay north sound Virgin Gorda and spent the day exploring down to the far South at the Baths. It was an incredible day and safety never an issue. Its not even part f the conversation
This a a place called hog heaven with the north sound in the foreground:
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/chriskal1/gordahogheaven12_zps72d28d72.jpg
Just stayed at the Grand Palladium Punta Cana this summer, beautiful location and beaches with 3 different swim-up bars, casino on site, staff and servers were amazing. The only recommendation I would make is to request a room in the renovated section, it is separated into 3 sections and only 2 of 3 have been completed. We had a huge group of 4 families and wanted to be in the same area so had older rooms with CRT TVs and such. All the newer units have flat screens, completely renovated inside. Enjoy!
My wife and I also went to an excellence resort, albeit Mexico, good place nonetheless.
We stayed in Leverick Bay for 1 week twice. Yes insanely beautiful. Can get out to those islands renting a dinghy - a blast. Some have restaurants