It has been over a year since our trip to Punta Cana, but my husband and I are planning another trip and I have found other peoples reviews quite helpful... so here is mine. Last October we went to the Grand Flamenco for our honeymoon. We were dissapointed in general... The service was terrible, and I mean terrible. At breakfast, we didn't have one server approach us (to offer tea/coffee etc)all week. Dinner was a slight improvement, a server would come around maybe once or twice throughout your meal. In the past I have worked in the food/drink industry so I can appreciate good service and I really can't stand BAD service. The food was average overall, the buffet seemed to be a lot of the same things over and over again. The highlight of breakfast would be the omelet area... where you could pick your ingredients and it would be cooked right there on the spot. That was nice. We went to the Mexican a la carte.. what a big mistake -- DON't go there. We sat (seriously) for at least 45 minutes before we were approached by a server.. then another 15-20 minutes before our drinks came to the table. Our main course came maybe 45 minutes later, by which time my husband was so hungry he was feeling sick and the food presentation was poor, totally unappetizing. We took one bite of our entrees and then got up and left. It was terrible.

In general the service was the worst -- there were also men and women (resort reps) waiting outside of the buffet after breakfast everyday to "attack" us and try to sell times shares in the resort.. EvERY DAY. That was annoying and uncomfortable.

On the up side... Bavaro Beach is beautiful. It is absolutely breath taking. We spent a lot of time on the beach, it wasn't a problem finding a lounger. The beach volleyball was fun, and the food at the beach restaurant was pretty good. It rained a few times, only to clear up 30 minutes later. We went snorkelling one day and it was amazing. Our first time snorkelling, and we loved it! The snorkel guide was great too, he was really friendly and helpful.

Our room was nice... it was right near the beach.
My only complaint about the room would be the bathroom. It was dirty looking and the paint was chipping. The bathtub ran completely full was so shallow it would only cover half of my body. Not to mention the water pressure was terrible, it took about 30-40 minutes to run a bath.

I would definitely return to PUnta Cana, but I would not go back to the Grand Flamenco. We were not impressed.

My husband and I (39 & 43 years)just got back and find the other reviews are very accurate. We had a wonderful vacation. We love the dominican republic. However, people must know what they are paying for as to not pay too much. We paid $1692.00 CDN for the two of us from Fri to Fri from Toronto. We would not pay more. If you are happy and positive people who enjoy laughing and seeing the humor in life and can laugh at 7am when all the palapas are gone, then this is the place for you. If you are easily upset or sensitive to getting your own way, go to the Bahia Principe where you can expect perfection in all areas.

When we arrived we received our ground floor room (25-128) although we requested third floor, oh well. We took our own bags quickly to the room which was a little worn. We lit scented votive candles to eliminate the musty smell. We did not get the safe but instead locked our stuff in our luggage using little combo locks. Nothing was stolen and we tipped the maid every day. We had an ant infestation by the nightstand where the ants were coming in through a crack in the old grout. I had brought ant traps because I listen to reviews and squished them and flushed them down the toilet. I left the traps out the entire week. The tv sizzled and was ready to die. The king size bed was very comfy despite it was broken in the middle. The furniture was old motel style. The washroom was the quite gross with paint flaking off the tub floor, faucet not fixed to the wall, gaps between the pipes and wall, no hairdryer all week, the grout on the floor had patchy repairs and the tub was rusty. However the water was always hot with excellent pressure. The jet engine, I mean air conditioning unit unfortunately was a ear splitter. It had to be shut off in order to sleep at night. The technician never came or fixed the unit as promised by the front desk and the blow dryer never arrived either.

Bavaro beach is AWESOME!! The water was playful and we walked many miles in each direction. Super sights on the beach. A couple red flag days prevented water sports but thats ok. We went sailing and loved it. Our beach was groomed some of the time but not every day and there are not enough garbage cans so there were a lot of plastic cups in the sand. Remember to bring your own larger thermal cups from the dollar store with you. You must reserve your palapa at 6:30 am, at the beach, or go without. There are not enough loungers either. We brought old clothes for this purpose alone.

The food in the buffet was great. We always had a tasty dinner at the main buffet. The mexican restaurant did not serve us all of the courses to our meal after waiting 1/2 hr for someone other than the water guy, to talk to us. It was really weird. We just sat and sat. Other people walked out and we did after the main dish because we just couldn't wait for desert any longer. We heard terrible comments about all the other a la cartes so we stuck with the yummy buffet.

The pools were beaufiful and the grounds were lush and covered with a variety of palms and hibiscus flowers. We saw a humming bird and wood peckers. Very nice grounds. None of the path side lanterns light up at night. And there was some vandalism. People had tipped the ashtray/garbage containers over and tipped over these non functioning path lights too.

The buffet at the beach was super busy and the 3 stall washroom often lined up. The line up at the bar was also long most of the time. The bartenders were very polite and all smiles. Excellent service, just wait your turn. We could also smell vomit while waiting in line at this bar. The floor was planks with a little gap so I guess that if a guest was sick, they would be unable to clean out what dripped through those gaps. This smell was strongest in the morning. Unfortunately the bar by the theatre also had the pukey smell. That's where we smelled it first.

The shows begin at 10pm. This is too late for us after getting up at 6:30am to reserve a palapa. We did see a few and enjoyed the dancing and costumes. Then it turned ugly. Apparently the shows are on a 14 night rotation so that you never see the same show twice. Thank God. Lots of laughs except on "comedy" night.

The BAVARO RUNNERS excursion was out of this world fantastic!!!!!!!! We met great people from Ontario and bounced around in our truck with Eros, our guide, all through the country side. The sights were unforgettable. Mountains, palms, valleys, sugar cane plantation, a dominican home, exhibition cock fight, coffee manufacturing, cocoa processing,a tobacco museum,gift shop, rice fields, horse back riding on a beach, swimming pool , delicious BBQ lunch (Beach side) and boogie boarding. We can't say enough about this must-do excursion. It was a highlight of our trip.

We also did the MARINARIUM excursion were we snorkelled the coral and saw a huge variety of fish and some coral. Then we swam with nurse sharks and rays in a large netted area. This was so thrilling. They were 4 and 5 feet long and swimming around. Just awesome. Then the boat turns into a party/dance boat and cruises the stunning coast. We stopped on a sand bar to wade around a were served drinks. So fun.

Our pictures are beautiful and we had a great time. The weather was hot and humid with a moderate sea breeze. We saw rain or a cloud burst once in a while but it only lasted 5 to 10 minutes and did not affect the fun on the beach. We did not use the rain ponchos that we brought and the room had a golf size umbrella in the closet. We would return the Not-That-Grand- Flamenco because we know what to expect and pay. It is a 3.5 star. But we went for the beach, pools, sun, relaxation and buffet and had a great time.

Happy trails to you!!

We are a family of six, we spent two weeks at the Flamenco from Oct 17 to Nov 2.
We flew with Exel which wasn't great, and were delayed 5 hours due to fog, so not a great start.
We arrived at Punta Cana airport Monday evening, and stripped off our jumpers straight away, great! We were ushered straight through, they don't let you hang about, were a little worried about handing our the money for our tourist card because they didn't stamp it. But we needn't have worried they don't even look at it on the way home. The journey to the hotel was a little unsettling, a bit like the smaller Greek roads, just wear your seat belt, it will be over soon. Check in was efficient, got our bands on and a welcome drink.

Rooms

A little disappointed, we were in block 12 right at the back so no nice view, and only too small doubles for 2 adults and two children. Anyway changing our room wasn't difficult, we moved upstairs to room no.12012 which was much better everything worked, nice room. We asked for two rollaway beds for the kids, but asking once wasn't enough, asking three times wasn't enough, yes sir no problem, well when ? We began to lose heart, but down came this angel in the form of our Thomas Cook rep Jae who was straight on the phone to reception, and knock knock on the door two beds appeared, perfect. Oh I nearly forgot to mention that our roof leaked when it rained and part of the ceiling fell down in the night, it all adds to the fun.

Beach and weather

What can I say apart from paradise, our block was close to the beach which was good because we lived on it. The palm trees are so tall and when the wind blows they seem to be dancing, beautiful. My dad was up at 7 O'clock everyday to get a sunshade for my mum, and if we were lucky there was one left. I think people put their towels out at night, though they're not allowed to, I agree with the other guy who wrote in about the security men on the beach, they need to be watching the mysterious beach umbrella bagging that goes on.

We only had one day that was cloudy out of fourteen, which was good going, and we dodged Wilma and Alpha at the same time, although the second week was busier due to people being transferred to our resort that were headed for mexico.

Food

I was impressed with the food, lots of choice at the buffet, kids were in their element, my son had starter main and pudding all on the same plate every night. The pizza place was great, and we enjoyed the downpour of rain, while we sat there. You need a good supply of patience when waiting to be served drinks and getting the table set etc, don't take it personally, it will happen eventually. Not too impressed with the italian, very slow even when its only a quarter full.

The best by far is the beach buffet, we went there every day, great food and great music. If you go there look for the waiter called Jesus and say hi from us.

Entertainment

I've read lots of reviews, and they all say the shows are spactacular, well maybe they were, its just waiting for them to start that's the problem. They were just too late for my kids to enjoy, we were knackered by 9 O'clock and the kids were asleep, so we missed quite alot. I think they need a few more things going on around the hotel earlier in the evenings.

Overall we had a wonderful holiday, the only thing that would put me off going back there is the pushy sales people they have outside the resturant, and the people selling on stalls, if only they didn't hassle you, you might want to buy something.

Try a coco loco, maitai, flamenco special, loved the passonfruit.

We have just returned from a weekend at the Occidental Grand Flamenco.... we have never experienced such incredible service before! The hotel crew is excellent... if you want to have suntan at the beach or if you want to dance @ the Mangu Disco (they have latin and electronic music too!! 2 dancefloors!) spa, gym, or just to enjoy the sunset this hotel is for you... not too fancy... for normal people that want to enjoy a local Presidente beer or be with the family or friends relaxing at the pool...

The three pools are great... the pool, disco attendants and ALL THE FLAMENCO CREW were wonderful! 2 "cervezas mas por favor!!!"... they have parties at the beach during night and water sports during the day.

Overall I would say this is probably one of my best travel deals!