TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

This was one of the worst hotels I have ever stayed at. We walked in and I nearly panicked that the photos online were very deceitful. The rooms and bathrooms are NOT as pictured online. They are gross. Mold in the bathroom, bed like concrete. Horrible. We requested a different room which was a very slight improvement in the bed only. We booked at the RIU for the rest of the trip, another $1022. Do NOT waste your money. I will say the pool looked nice but we only saw at night. We were out of there by 6am.

If I could leave zero stars I would. Worst experience ever. We had to change rooms three times due to the mold, cigarette smell, clogged toilet and dirty state of the rooms. There’s little to no entertainment. Let’s get to the staff. Other than 3 staff members, the staff were rude, cold and not accommodating. My friend had a bad cough and during one evening she we were lounging in the lounge, asked a staff for a glass of water and instead of getting her some water, he pointed to the bar and said the bar is over there. She asked if he can get her some, he said he cannot. I don’t know if it’s because we were both black women, but you could feel the racism. They sneered, laughed and mocked at us in Spanish and my friend checked them a few times as she understood them. The food was horrendous, there were a bunch of sketch men hanging around the resort and beach that hit on us and asked for our numbers. We did not feel safe. I’ve heard horror stories about the racism in DR but it broke my heart being treated like garbage by this resort. No matter how good the deal is, please save your money and go elsewhere, maybe you won’t find the ignorance that we experienced from a higher end resort. This was deplorable. Oh the Jacuzzi was like warm at best and cold most days.

Rude staff key stopped working,towel guy never on time,bar staff never smile,needs paint,shingles missing,security took towels,real joke.

Pros. Cleanliness. Beach. Location (close to the city) Food was good not great and lots of variety. Cons. Staff not the friendliest. Almost zero nightly entertainment. Pool was boring (zero staff animation) The resort it self was nicely kept and beautiful. Rooms were clean and all amenities operated as they should. My biggest drawback would be that in the evening this resort was very dull. Would I go back...... sure for the price you pay it's acceptable.

We are the group of 17 people, from Toronto, Canada, booked the package (Aug. 9-16 cost $1439/person) at VIK Hotel Arena Blanca in April, 2025 through Selloff vacation for Air Transat provider for family and friend reunion vacation and our granddaughter’s birthday. When we arrived to the resort. We very disappointed and couldn’t believe the resort is running so badly, they don’t care and it seems the business is going closed soon or change the new management - The furniture is out of dated - One bigger/main pool is renovation, the dust guard is not high enough for the safety, so the dust and pollution were all over on the walkway and into second pool. - No entertainment at night or any activities during the day - Food is bad and smelly - The lounge at the lobby no tea/milk, there is a hot water - Not fill the drink supply in the small fridge (it is empty) - Beach is full seaweed, no clean-up, brough a concern, the receptionist said that the contractor comes only one a week to clean the seaweed We had to move to another resort, Sunscape Resort in our own expenses. (We have been at Sunscape resort last Aug., so we knew that is the best resort)