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Dominican Republic Hotel, Resort & Villa Reviews Reviews
Occidental Grand Flamenco Punta Cana All-Inclusive
05/17/2004
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
My girlfriend and I were at the Occidental Grand Flamenco in Punta Cana from Feb. 1 to Feb. 15. We booked an "AIR CANADA" all-inclusive package.
ARRIVAL: The transportation from the airport to the resort was efficient. We were driven directly in an air-conditioned bus, with no stops/drop-offs at other resorts. We had a representative give us a brief description of all aspects of the Dominican Republic & Punta Cana during the drive. Very good tips for our two week stay. It made the drive and our stay more enjoyable.
CHECK-IN: Very quick. We got our room and all-inclusive bracelets within minutes of our arrival. The people at the front desk are very nice. They spoke to us in English and there was absolutely no communication breakdown.
ROOM: We were given a room in building number 25 (second floor, corner room, with a large balcony facing the beach). The room was very spacious, with a queen size bed. It was kept clean and our fridge was restocked daily (purified water, local beer, Sprite, Pepsi). The soaps and shampoos were also continuously replenished. We had an iron & ironing board, a clock radio, a hair dryer, an umbrella, and Satellite TV. A room safe is $15.00 US per week, and well worth it (don't forget to ask at the front desk at check-in).
RESORT: This resort is ENORMOUS. The grounds, pools, and beach area are kept very clean. There is always someone working on something, without getting in the way. All the public restrooms are always staffed with someone who is continuously cleaning, mopping, and replenishing the soap, toilet paper, and paper towels. The only bad thing is that the staff uses golf carts for almost everything. The resort is enormous and it is understood, but the exhaust fumes coming out of these vehicles is extremely nauseating. They definitely should get some electric vehicles.
LOBBY: The lobby bar is where everyone meets before and after dinner, or to take a break from the hot afternoon sun. The bartenders are very entertaining, as are many of the drunk guests. There is also a small casino, Internet access, and a coffee corner in the lobby. It was nice and spacious.
LONG DISTANCE: Call from the lobby, and not from your room. Ask one of the clerks at the front desk and they will take a $20.00 US deposit. They will then assign you to one of the 5 phone booths. Upon completion of your phone call, return to the clerk and they will give you back your deposit (minus the long distance charge). A call to Canada was $2.00 US for about 6 minutes. If you prefer, you can send e-mails at a significantly lower cost.
BEACH: The beach is enormous. Absolutely gorgeous! It's clean and endless in either direction. Many people get up early and reserve huts. This is a bummer, but you have to play their game if you want shade near the amenities. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of space. No matter what, you will find chairs and shade...but the later you get there, the further you are from everything. Now, if you go to the far end of the beach (away from the amenities), there is a small "self serve stand" where you pour your own beer, soft drinks, or water. A nice touch, but the washrooms are far.
WATER SPORTS: Not much offered for the amount of guests at this resort. A few "Hobby Cats", Windsurfers, Kayaks, and 1 Banana Boat. If you have never used a "Hobby Cat", you have to attend a course early in the morning. The instructors/monitors cannot & will not come with you. If you aren't 5 people going on the banana boat, you will have to put your name on a list and wait. So, we waited the entire day to get on and they never took the boat out. Unfortunately, it's not so popular because you have to pay to get on the banana boat. The other boats are free of charge. If there is something you like that is offered by another resort, you can ask one of the monitors to set you up.
STAFF: Very friendly. They try their best to speak in English, but it helps if you understand some Spanish. You are a visitor in their country and you should at least make an effort to speak their language....they appreciate it. Depending on who you speak with, you can hop from one language to another within the same sentence. With one staff member, we started in Spanish, jumped over to Italian, then French, and finished in English. Any language is fine with me, as long as the message gets across.
SERVICE: I have no complaints about the staff or the service. The resort was at full capacity during our stay and I was still satisfied. The staff were very nice and friendly. We were often greeted with an "OLA" by almost everyone...from the groundskeepers to the management. Remember, they work 12-hour shifts, 6 days a week, for such a low pay (as low as $100.00 US per month). If you tip them a dollar, they will treat you much better than someone who doesn't tip. I tipped the deserving ones, and they all kindly thanked me. Whenever possible, we stayed in the same areas and stuck with the same employees, which made it all the better.
ACTIVITIES: Many activities going on during the day. You will definitely find something you like. There are also many excursions offered, but I found them to be expensive.
ENTERTAINMENT: The nightly shows were typical and boring. You've seen them once and it's enough. I liked when the local bands played their local music (before the shows started), and that's about it. Otherwise, they were generic resort shows (you know, the Broadway imitations, the magician, the singer, and so on). There was a different theme every night and I honestly gave them all a chance, but they just didn't do it for me.
NIGHTLIFE: This isn't Cancun, not much going on in this town. The resort's disco (Mangu Disco) opens late and it's hard to stay up after getting up so early in the morning. Downstairs is a dance club playing Top-40 and local music. People who work at the resort go there as well as people from neighbouring resorts, and other locals. Upstairs was a little lounge.
FOOD: You will never go hungry here. Lots of food and many restaurants. The food wasn't impeccable, but it was very good. There are many food items and you are bound to find something you like. Did you ever try cooking for over 1000 people, and please them all? We tried all the "a la carte" restaurants, and found them to be very good. It's nice being served once in a while, instead of standing in a buffet line-up. For all you people who complained, get serious! Lots of different breads, fruits, vegetables, meats, desserts, snacks and appetizers to please any palate. For those who absolutely love sea food, there is always something fresh available for you (fresh lobster, crab, shrimp, freshly shucked oysters, mussels, sardines, tuna, various other fish, and much more). I personally enjoyed the Pasta Bar, where you can have the cook prepare it fresh for you, to your taste....spicy for me please.
THE BUFFETS: There are two; one beside the lobby, and one by the beach. A vast variety is served. The food is identified most of the time. If not, just ask. The variety and quality was more than acceptable, but I have to add that the food at the main buffet was much better than the beach buffet. Nothing beat the breakfasts - absolutely the most enjoyable meal of the day. There are 2 omelette bars where the cook makes them on the spot per your request.
THE "A LA CARTE" RESTAURANTS: We loved them all. The food was fantastic. The service was slow but and ambiance was great, and they were air conditioned. There are salad and bread bars while you wait for your meal. Lots of sweets, coffee, and rum for dessert. Unfortunately all these restaurants are only open at night (7:00 PM until 10:00 PM) and you need reservations. Book as soon as you get there or you will miss your chance. They fill up fast.
THE "HOME RUM" SPORTS BAR: Hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, nachos and cheese, popcorn, salad and all the fixings. This place fulfilled my junk food craving.
DRINKS: Wine is served with all meals, and they continuously come around to refill your glass throughout the meal. If you ask for mixed drinks during your meal, they will kindly bring them to you without hesitation. The selection is great, but I have to say that the quality is inconsistent. The service and quality will vary depending on which bar you go to on the resort, when you are there, and who serves you. The tropical drinks are very rarely made with real fruit juices. I couldn't handle the sissy fruit drinks, so I stuck with Whiskey Sour and Beer! Those were definitely consistent. The beer was standard - not great, but not bad either. It hit the spot during the noon heat waves. By the way, there is plenty of purified (bottled) water wherever you are on the resort.
SICKNESS: For those of you who complained about getting the runs, please look back at all your previous all-inclusive vacations. I am certain that you always got diarrhea, at least once during all your previous trips. It's a change of diet and routine that cause the problem, not the food. Alcohol and coconut drinks don't help. Bring some Pepto-Bismol and you'll be fine. Remember, you aren't sick unless there is cramping, malaise, chills, blood in stool, and fatigue. Spending the day in the hot sun is bound to give you the shills at night.
MONEY: The all-mighty American dollars. That's all you need, and that's preferred. The resort has an exchange window in the lobby. They won't change your Dominican pesos back to dollars, so only change what you need. Bring lots one dollar bills for tipping. One dollar goes a long way. Coins are useless, so don't bother with the spare pocket change.
SHOPPING: A 10-minute walk down the beach and you are there. The most aggressive flea market I've ever seen. Many little shops selling the same things (more or less). Remember to look around and compare before you buy. I had a blast bargaining. Remember to bargain, and bargain, and bargain. Be ready to walk away. They will recognize you the next day and give you a better deal. I always purchased at 1/4 of the asking price, as a minimum. They are definitely aggressive, but it's fun once you get engaged. Be careful not to get ripped-off when purchasing the rum. They will start as high as $50.00 US, but I only paid $4.00 US per bottle. I could have squeezed him a little more but I was wasting valuable beach time. Here's a hint: The resort has a few shops. Use those prices as a guide for "price to beat".....or simply speak to other guests who went shopping and ask how much they paid.
WEATHER: The weather was great. Unbearably HOT if you're not by the beach or in the shade. Bring lots of sunscreen. It only rained twice during our stay, and it was a quick 15 minute downpour every time. The evenings are very comfortable and you won't need a sweater (unless you got the chills from sunstroke). No bugs or mosquitoes to complain about.
TOURISTS: A nice blend of visitors from many countries (too many to list). There were some that stood out.....yes indeed, THE FRENCH. They were very loud, very obnoxious, and very rude. Always cutting in line and blowing cigarette smoke in your direction. Don't worry, if you want to stay away, there is plenty of space available to avoid them.
CHECK-OUT: You can call ahead for a golf cart to take you and your luggage to the lobby if you want. Our check-out took no more than a couple of minutes. Just submit your room key, safe key, and towel cards. You are given a receipt and you are good to go. Don't throw out the receipt...it is required before you get on to your bus to the airport. You can still have drinks while waiting around for your bus after check-out.
DEPARTURE: Don't forget the departure fee at the airport. Also, when you arrived at the airport, they took your picture....well you can buy it when you depart for only $6.00 US. Make sure you grab a bite on the resort before you leave. They gouge you at the airport. A burger, fries, and a soft drinK can cost up to $11.00 US.
CONCLUSION: YOU'RE ON VACATION. Just kick back, relax, and enjoy. Don't get stressed out over silly little things. This resort isn't bad at all. Most reviews I have read aren't fair. It has the nicest beach front & lots of space within the compound. I had a good time, and it was worth the money. I would definitely recommend this resort.
J-J & Clu-Clu
Grand Flamenco Punta Cana by Occidental - All Inclusive
Hotel Details |
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700 yards of white sand, three pools, nine restaurants
• A Caribbean beach lapped by turquoise water and day-and-night activities await guests at this eastern-shore resort.• Spacious guestrooms include extra-large balconies for enjoying soft, tropical air and views of flowering gardens. • Nine restaurants offer buffet or à la carte evening dining options. A health spa pampers with massage and body treatments. • This all-inclusive resort includes various amenities in the room price. See the Room Description for details.
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