Paradisus Palma Real Review

Paradisus Palma Real is located at Bavaro, Dominican Republic.

Located close to Punta Cana Airport and the region, Paradisus Palma Realis a very popular tourist spot for Americans, Canadians and Eurpoeans.

Paradisus Palma Real is a relatively nice resort, similar to many other resorts in Punta Cana. It an all inclusive Resort, which means meals, drinks and most things in the resort is free.

The beach is fantastic for sunrise. The weather when I was there was great, warm and not too humid with an occasional rain.

The facilities.

There are lots of pools... Nice pools, shallow pools... All chlorinated though. The beach is pretty, and you cna play volleyball on the beach. The Gym is kinda small, but pretty well maintained. There is a nice spa and a casino as well.

Overall, its a great place to be for 3 days and nice to chill and have fun. The bars may need more work as they do have live music and dancers, but the song selection is not great and there are not a lot of folks in November.

The Room

The room is pretty impressive, Jacuzzi bath tub, spacious areas, big beds. Showers that shoot water at you. It comes with most things you need, except a toothbrush.

7/10 in overall as I've a few light sockets which did not work, but it made up with free beer and drinks in the fridge. Some of the knobs are missing and the room is clean, but maintenance is not really that great.

I guess, its not that new as there us a cassette deck HiFi system. The Wifi in the room works sometimes, and as the room may be located pretty far from the lobby with free WiFi, it can be rather inconvenient.

The Food

Many restaurants to choose from, but food quality is rather mediocre, something you can expect from a cruise. Although you get sushi, great cuts of beef and various other luxurious foods, the taste is just average. What a waste.

Drink are pretty ok, the Pina Colada at the Lobby Bar is tasty. As all the food is free, I can't really complain that much.

The service is not too good either, rather slow and the waiters forget things. However, most tourists do not tip, and I guess there is no incentive to work hard.

Overall, I guess its a place to chill and relax. Do not worry about the cost of meals as its all inclusive. Even room service is free!

Weather, sky and beach -- Fantastic!

-- Robin Low

Overall 8/10

Travel Review - Dominican Republic - 5 Reasons to visit

Dominican Republic is a hidden Gem. Just a 5 hour flight from New York City, costing less than $400 return trip (Flown with Delta in Jan 2013)

Why visit Dominican Republic?

Let me give you 5 reasons.

1) Santo Domingo is oldest European city in the Americas. Much of the historic buildings are still around and they are very beautiful and interesting. Definitely worth visiting where Christopher Columbus landed... (Many of Santo Domingo's most notable landmarks are located within the Zona Colonial district of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. The Colonial Zone, bordered by the Río Ozama, also has an impressive collection of 16th century buildings, including palatial houses and majestic churches that reflect the architectural style of the late medieval period.)

2) Santiago is a very interesting city as well, with the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, a big building on top of a hill built to honor all the past. Construction of the monument began in 1944 on the orders of then-dictator Rafael Trujillo. He named it the "Trujillo's Monument to Peace", and was designed by architect Henry Gazón Bona. Trujillo was assassinated in 1961, after which the monument was renamed the "Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration", in remembrance of the Independence Restoration War of 1863, in which the Dominican Republic regained its independence from Spain.

 3) Beautiful Beaches. Popular - Punta Cana -- the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. The area is best known for its beaches and balnearios, which face both the Caribbean and Atlantic, and it has been a popular tourist destination since the 1970s. The ocean waters are mainly shallows, with several natural marine pools in which visitors can bathe without any danger. Away from Tourists - Monte Cristi -- The northwest of the country, a sleepy town away from large cities with a unique sand dune and beautiful beaches. The beaches near the cliff face of the sand dune is pretty beyond description.

4) Great weather. 30 degrees in the day, 20 degrees at night... No snow.

5) Highlands to get away from it all. Waterfalls, Strawberry fields, Cherry Blossoms... Yep, its all there.

If you have not been to Santo Domingo, it is definitely worth a visit.

-- Robin Low