TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

This one is a mixed bag... Some great and not so great. As a ULC member, we've been to this resort before and can compare from previous years' visits... Great: -The local cats. Absolutely adorable. We've met 6 of them and have made sure to give each plenty of treats and attention. Points to the resort for tolerating their presence! -The Japanese restaurant. Hands down the best food. -Sleep quality. Not sure why, but we slept like the dead. -The cleaning lady was lovely. In previous years, it was sometimes dinnertime before the cleaner came, which was super inconvenient since we are early diners and like to shower and relax in the room before dinner. This one, she came early and did a thorough job. (not saying the previous cleaners weren't good. I get the feeling the resort is actually understaffed, especially where cleaners are concerned) -Edwin, the golf cart driver, saved the day for us. I have a disability and have great difficulty walking in the heat. Through What's App, he was available 90% of the time we requested his assistance! -The person at the photo booth was also surprisingly wonderful. My son's iPhone bricked up unexpectedly during the trip, and he was very helpful and patient with him, helping him fix his phone. -Most workers seemed to be working very hard, perhaps with too few resources. Not so great: -The Macao buffet has a terrible smell. A cross between seaweed and sewage. It cut off my appetite each time. -The rooms are seriously lacking in maintenance. Peeling wallpaper, uneven patches on the ceilings, broken showerhead (it was also broken in the room, a different room, 2 years ago... it's not fun having to wash waist-length hair holding the nozzle with one hand and doing all the washing with the other hand). The bathrooms are not dirty. But they are very off-putting. I felt grossed out in the shower because the corners are stained brown and black. -Resort does not even provide basics such as a shower cap or moisturizer. Make sure to bring your own. That includes hair conditioner. Lesson learned 2 years ago. -More mosquitoes than expected. Make sure to bring bug spray; something we did not do as in our past experience, we did not have to contend with mosquitoes like this. -The food overall is not good. I LOVE animals/ wildlife and fully support their right to survive any way they can. BUT, for the first time in my life, was grossed out by an animal... there are birds flying around in the buffet by the beach (the one that doubles as the mexican restaurant at night) and they were eating watermelon to their heart's content. I can't even think of how much disease they might be carrying on their beaks. It must be a frustrating/ difficult to solve problem for staff there. -The beach was horrendous. Also nature's fault; not the staff's. They were hard at work trying to keep up with seaweed clearance. But still, nasty. The smell. Several feet high and wide of seaweed. Swimming in the sea not even close to being an option (I believe this is a problem mostly contained to summer months). -The bar staff is very hit or miss. I waited 15 minutes to order a coca-cola one afternoon and almost left. Everyone arriving after me was being served and I was being ignored. Despite holding a tip in my hand. It does seem like people who speak spanish/ locals are given preferential treatment by many staff members. They almost always cut the line and are given faster service. This is quite off-putting and was an issue on previous visits as well. -The concierge service (for ULC members). Also hit or miss. Concierges contact you about 2 weeks before your trip to make restaurant reservations and help arrange transport to/ from the airport (and handle any other requests). Last time, the concierge pretty much ignored all of my restaurant requests (let's be honest, eating is my favorite part of travel) and also failed to communicate with the airport transfer people, leading to near-disastrous consequences for us. This year, I wanted to make sure everything was in order before the trip. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume it's a language issue... but the concierge, although friendly, would usually by email tell me 'don't worry about it, everything's okay'. But I want/ need more than words of reassurance. I want an email confirmation of my shuttle being booked. With my disability, i also requested a room closer to the pool. He told me he could make the request, but it could only be done 24 hours before our arrival. We get to the resort, and he tells me there was 'no room available close to the pool'. Really? In a resort that size? He then tells me he can probably transfer us the next day. It took me 1.5 hours to unpack. I will not be changing rooms the next day. Further, if it's that simple, why couldn't it have been done for our arrival? That really put a damper on my trip, and luckily Edwin helped us out. Sirenis, please make an effort to accomodate people with disabilities who make the effort to make a simple request weeks ahead of time. That alone makes me want to not return to this resort.

Our stay at Grand Sirenis Punta Cana was extremely disappointing and did not reflect the photos or descriptions advertised online, even being sure to check guest photos as those are typically more accurate. The resort felt dirty and rundown. Birds were freely eating from the beachside buffet with no staff doing anything about it, which was both unsanitary and unappetizing. One of the main buffet restaurants had such a horrible seafood smell that I could barely walk past it without gagging. Frequently saw stray cats, tons of ducks and birds swarming the resort. The rooms were also lacking maintenance, mold in the bathrooms, in need of a deep cleaning and visible warping in the ceiling. Did not smell or feel fresh upon arrival. We expressed our concern to the concierge and he tried to smooth things over inviting us to the VIP breakfast, ended up being a sales pitch for a membership club similar to a time share. The beach was another major disappointment, though we hadn’t realized our visit would coincide with storm/seaweed season.. Large amounts of seaweed piled along the shore and a smell was so bad we couldn’t even relax on the beach chairs — it was simply unpleasant and not the serene beach experience we were hoping for. There was clearly no attempt at cleaning or removing the seaweed during our stay. The waterpark was okay for kids but clearly outdated, with rickety steps and worn-out features that didn’t feel particularly safe or well maintained. Pools were overcrowded with minimal options for lounge chairs unless claiming them by 7 am. Cushions busting at the seams tearing apart at some of the seating areas. The only positive part of the trip was the à la carte restaurants — the food there was much better than the buffet options, but be sure to make reservations. We did also enjoy the shows and entertainment at night. Overall, this resort did not live up to expectations and I would not return. If you’re looking for a clean, relaxing resort with a true beach paradise vibe, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.

We are just leaving this hotel. Definatley not a 5* hotel more of a 3+ Rooms ok and comfortable but mini bar not filled everyday. Even though reported to the concierge Pool area nice and sunbeds not on top of each other. no early morning rush but if you want a parasol need to be there around 7ish. Pool towels can be changed as oftern as you need. Hotel grounds are clean and well kept. We visited Brazilian, route 66, steak house, Japanese, Italian alcarte restaurant, and they were all amazing, great food, great staff. Unfortunately the buffets not so good Tip for buffet take your own drinks in as you might not get offered any. Food mostly cold. Sometimes struggled to get staff attention for drinks. Often cuttlery and water glasses missing people had to wait for plates in the poolside buffet just after it opening so they had not prepped the area correctly, constantly running out of glasses at bbq area for water. Animation team were great and very friendly, tried to get you involved but didn't pressure you. Evening shows were very hit and miss, Circus show was one of the best gutted to be missing greatest showman as heard good things. Overall a half decent family holiday, just a little more attention to detail to improve on as the service in hospitality sector in certain areas are what distinguishes a 3* from a 5*. Unfortunately we were unable to go In the sea due to the seaweed problem, but the hotel were trying their best but it was never going to improve

Myra our server at the buffet was very kind and attentive . The food was good with many options. Lots of food for the adults and children

Resort is good, however what made our stay amazing is Fanny. She's always available, smiling and willing to do just about anything to make sure the customers are well received, served and have an amazing time in this resort.