Paradisus Palma Real Resort

Not a new property, but well designed and landscaped. We used Royal Service, so it was up to our butler Francis to take care of dinner and canopy bed reservations. He did a great job. We enjoyed the shows and and entertainment and the beach was beautiful, although the ocean was a little rough. The drinks and choices were really good. The food at Vento was the best, Palazzo always had good choices. We also enjoyed the buffet for lunch.

Just returned from a four day trip, our first to DR, with a family of six. We entirely loved Paradisus and were very pleased we chose this resort. We only ate at the buffet, and the restaurant reservation process could be frustrating for others. The buffet food was fantastic for us as everyone could eat what they wanted, when the wanted to sit down, after viewing the food. This was exactly what was right for us. The staff was polite and helpful at every turn. The evening room attendants turned down the beds on the first night and refreshed anything we needed after that. The pool area staff were also polite and helpful. I hot only posts it I’ve experiences with the employees of the resort. The facilities and grounds are immaculate and very well designed. The only reason for a four and not a five star rating is there were a few worn out elements in the room that are in need of refresh/replacement. Shower and sink faucets in particular. Also, the electrical switches need to be replaced. In the refurbished rooms, I am confident these would not be an issue. For us, it was a fantastic visit. We will certainly return to this location. It was a perfect family facility.

2nd visit, and sadly worse this time then 1st time. On the positive side first, I want to thank most of the staff, especially Lillian, Victor at lobby bar and Christian & Pedro at bell service. Now onto the realities: - our initial luxury 1 bedroom suite in the main building had no hot water and were shown 7 other rooms before we found one, in an another building. This process took 3 hours to accomplish, we had to wait until our new room was ready. Despite the inconvenience the front desk was not too quick to fix the issue and even suggested softly for us to upgrade to “Royal Service” at $100 per night extra. For the record we didn’t go Royal Service this time because the butler was too intrusive on our last visit. - food was mediocre at best overall, buffet was very average. Speaking of the buffet, one lunch seating I had to walk over to the Gabi bar for bottled waters as no server was in sight, already halfway into our meal and then when he finally showed he forgot my wife’s diet coke order! The lunch buffet doesn’t open until 12:30pm, don’t they realize some want to eat a bit earlier? I do understand food changeovers but how about offering alternative place to eat lunch? - I do understand tips are how the workers make a living there. But in my opinion it has gotten out of control. It felt like every time I moved I had to tip and a few times I didn’t have money/small change and boy did I get the dirty looks. After all, it is an all-inclusive correct & tipping should be optional? I am not saying this to be cheap, in-fact I went out of my way to visit the front desk for 2 days straight to get ample small tipping bills but was told no change, both days multiple times! They kept saying 12-12:30pm, I followed orders but still no change, & why am I on their schedule? Wouldn’t they want to inventory the small bills so everyone gets more tips? Bottom line, Melia management, you have a beautiful facility but please improve your service or be honest and lower the star level of your offering. We have travelled to 15+ all inclusive over the years and this experience is close to the bottom. We won’t be back sadly.

This was my first time at an all inclusive and it was great. I typically do cruises and this experience had way better access to chairs, beaches, and pools. While at the beach, we had an awesome guy, Jendry de Luna who took amazing care of our group of 4 friends, setting our chairs up, brining is drinks, making sure we were content. My only critique is the restaurants. Sal’s, the steak place lost our reservation, one night, seated us an hour late the next, then served our mediocre at best food another hour later. Stick to the buffet or habachi, which are excellent.

Beautiful setting rooms are nice but trying to get a dinner reservation is like solving a puzzle. The restaurants aren’t even crowded but getting a reservation is a royal pain. You get an app that doesn’t allow you to book a reservation? You have to show up at 3:00 and see where you can get in. Way too much of an annoyance when you’re looking to relax.