Paradisus Grand Cana

Travelled from the UK for our first visit to DR and stayed at Paradisus Grand Cana All Suites for 11 nights in August. We had a swim up room, which was perfect for us with older kids/teens. Our family Concierge - Thaina - was OUTSTANDING. She checked in with us every day to make sure we were ok, booked our restaurants and arranged special treats for us. Honestly I can't see why people are moaning. We really couldn't fault this hotel or its incredibly hard working staff. Spotlessly clean and nothing too much trouble. My 11 year old went to the kids club one day, shout out to Kelvin there who he loved and who remembered his name and said hi to him around the hotel every time he saw him. We joined in with some of the activities around the hotel which we really enjoyed, such as tequila tasting (Jhorlennys was fab), sushi making, art workshops, aqua fit, paddle boarding etc. Tanayri on the entertainment team made our whole holiday fantastic and we will really miss her. She arranged surprises for my birthday and was full of energy and kindness. An absolute gem. We loved her. The guy in the nest bar made the best cocktails. Having been to many AI hotels in Europe and had to drink rubbish cocktails, I can safely say this hotel has the BEST cocktails. All made properly, with branded spirits. Pool was great, lifeguards always around, swim up bar. Francisco and Carlos were fab with drinks delivered to our sunbed. Only issue was that the chlorine was so high it turned all our light colour swimwear yellow. Blondes - bring your purple shampoo! Spa is divine. I had a full body massage which was incredible. Recommend a visit at least once in your stay. Get the Melia app - you can order everything you need to your room if you run out. We also ordered room service a few times (it was free!) Great when the weather was bad. They refill the mini bar every day and you get snacks too. Beach was seaweedy so we only went down a few times. Beach Bar was good, the food was bad at lunch, that was our only negative. But we went down for a Dominican evening and it was great. Restaurants: - main buffet - excellent range, 3 show cooking stations, pizza was freshly made and delicious - mangu - dinner fantastic, breakfast wasn't our fave we preferred the buffet, lunch was nice - machu - not our fave but food and service was good - Sal (steak restaurant) - good food, service mixed - Teppanyaki - AMAZING - Sports Bar - good food, great vibes if you love sports and music We did the Dominican experience out of the hotel and really enjoyed it. Worth going. We also did a boat trip which we booked in the hotel - always haggle the price.

Overall I will gives 4 of 5. Pros: Bell Boys: Very friendly 5 of 5 Rooms well equiped and big size 5 of 5. Pools very clean, with waiters services and open till 11:00pm 5 of 5. Room services 24 hours 5 of 5. Water Park 4.5 of 5 Drinks top shelf brands large variety included to choose 5 of 5. Food flavor 4.5 of 5 Check out process 5 of 5. Buffet at breakfast 5 of 5. Gardens well maintened 5 of 5 Night activities 4.5 of 5. Natural Juices 5 of 5. Welcome drink at check in moment 5 of 5. Maintenace guys solves quickly 3 issues in my room. 5 of 5. Bars Nest, Rum and Juliet and main pool good services 5 of 5. Juices station at breakfast 5 of 5. Special mention to Leonardo the pool waiter and Enmanuel Alula Restaurant, great service. Negatives: Check in process almost 2 hours waiting, because our reservation day different for my day entry in their system. 3 of 5 Lots of flies in the buffet and Mangu restaurant at Lunch 3 of 5. Buffet food presentation at Lunch 3.5 of 5. Dessert not many options and not good. 3 of 5. Lobby and beach bathrooms for men and women a little dirty 3 of 5. Reservations procces for restaurant 3 of 5 almost all the restaurants not available, then you pass and visualise many tables empties. Beach was dirty with seaweeds 3 of 5. Not waiter services in the beach area in our first day 3 of 5. The first night July 5th was raining then nobody from hotel was waiting with umbrella in the transportation station to moves the visitors to Alula restaurant, we claimed to the host that night and her response was very rude, also she sitting us in a table not prepared, this girl need to be moved to another area. The at la carte restaurant has few options to choose in the menu, should has more options. 3 5 of 5. The sport bar Rubby rock has slow service, should have grab and go options. 3 of 5.

Great Resort! Alula is the best restaurant. On the beach, not crowded, GREAT food and view. Andreina and Altagracia are so sweet and attentive. We were here 5 days and ate at Alula 5 times!! For water activities, find Fernando on the beach (#20) parasailing was fun, the snorkeling excursion was off the hook fun!! Can’t recommend highly enough!