Presidential Suites Punta Cana

waynem0llyb wrote a review April 2020
Tucson, Arizona

February get away

This resort was great- we felt very safe and all our needs were met during our 7 day stay. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The 2 bedroom unit was very large and actually more space than we needed- it had a full kitchen and we ate all our meals at the delicious buffet. The resort had nightly entertainment which was very low key but fun. They also had daily activities like stretching and games!

Date of Stay: February 2020

Pazza654 wrote a review December 2020

Total, complete disaster!! No care for customers whatsoever.

I booked a room way in advance because it said I could change my reservation later. 2 weeks before the trip, I wanted to check in 2 days later than planned. Later, not earlier! Yet I couldn't change it. Had to call hotels.com, they tried to contact the hotel to no avail. I tried calling the hotel myself, nobody picked up. Hotels.com eventually gave me a refund for those first 2 days.
So I'm coming 2 days later and it turned out they cancelled my reservation. After an hour sitting there, exhausted, figuring out the situation, they eventually give me the room. Only it turns out the room is not ocean-view.
I'm asking for any documentation proving I'm not getting a room I booked, so I could get a refund from hotels.com later. This woman Angie says sure and leaves for half an hour. In half an hour I have to try to call her because she is straight ignoring me. I'm so tired, it's already past 4pm and I still don't have my room. Save yourself some mental energy and stay elsewhere! Worst hotel in my life.

Date of Stay: December 2020

LetsRollJay wrote a review January 2021

AVOID AT ALL COST!! RIP OFF & SCAMS!

In 30 years of International travel this by far the worst excuse for a " resort?" ever. From the time you check in you will be met with constant problems and zero customer service. The main goal of staff and all the guys canvassing
guests on grounds and beach is to lasso you in for hard sell vacation club . Pros: zero . Cons: No room or cleaning services, TVs do not work, no towels, loud & boom box music well into early am, no enforcement of so -called quiet hours, rude front desk personal, constantly, being harrassed to buy their vacation club/timeshare.
Punta Cana area is fine just avoid this place as all their fake marketing pics and info is not reality. AVOID AT ALL
COSTS.

Date of Stay: January 2021

sonyan254 wrote a review January 2021

Literally everything is bad about this place!

1. When you book in advance and pay a greater price because it says you can change your reservation later, you can't. You literally cannot shorten your stay and you can't reach the hotel so they do it for you.

2. No customer service whatsoever. When you are there, if there are issues with your reservation, you are on your own and nobody seems to care. I spent 4 hours in the lobby trying to check in. The manager would talk to me for a minute then disappear and forget about me, and this would last for hours.

3. I stayed in the hotel for 5 days and my room was not cleaned a single time. Not even once. I put a note "please make up my room" on my door every day and always came back to the same un-made room. On day 3, this guy started following me, saying he wanted to give me a tour on the hotel. I told him, my room has never been cleaned, maybe we'll start from there? He said sure, but first he needed to take me to their office to talk about the hotel. This turned out to be a regular pushing into buying timeshare. My room was never cleaned. These people really try to get your money but can't even provide basic service.

4. Nothing worked in my room. I had 2 showers and 2 bathrooms. Both toilets were broken, one shower didn't work and the phone was broken, so I couldn't even call the lobby. I had to physically go to the office and complain in person, not once, but twice, so they eventually fixed one toilet. Everything else remained broken.

5. Those timeshare guys are really annoying. Even when I changed the hotel, they would still find me and harass me. I even had to get up and leave the beach once because this idiot just wouldn't leave me alone. I advise all people who are considering buying a timeshare in Punta Cana, please choose another hotel. Anything else but this one. This one is the worst.

6. One good thing about this hotel is the non-administrative employees. Beach towel guys and ladies who work in the beach store. They were nice to me. Thanks to them, my New Year's vacation was not completely ruined. Although I wish I had stayed at a better place. My next hotel - Green Coast Beach hotel, just next door, was actually quite nice. Recommending that one to everyone.

Date of Stay: December 2020

NH717 wrote a review January 2021
Chicago, Illinois

DON’T STAY HERE!!!

Rooms fealty!! Toilet seats had to be changed as they were disgusting! Took two days to get cookware. Never clean towels. The place is falling apart. Power went out one day for 3hrs and no running water for 6hrs. They literally had to use water from the pool to flush the toilets.

Date of Stay: January 2021

426lmc wrote a review January 2021
Tacoma, Washington

YIKES! Go elsewhere

We traveled with RCI. I doubt there's a more beautiful location on earth...and nothing more. We reserved an extra day months before our RCI checkin. We arrived with no towels, silverware, dishes, hot water, water pressure, beds as hard as rocks, sheets didn't fit, pillows were lumpy and old, 1 extra blanket. Our cabanas were soaked. There was not a picture on any wall or a piece of art on the shelves. The furniture was literally falling apart. Please know this was not just our unit. My daughter had a different unit and her wasn't much better. We also met other friends their and they shared the same complaints. We did have roaches! When I asked to get some bug spray, I was told someone would be right up and there was no resolution for the remainder 3 days that I was there. We were asked to get out of the pool at 7pm, not because there were no lifeguards. They blamed it on chemicals. One day we stayed until 10pm and no chemicals were dropped. Property manager should be ashamed asking employees to work so hard. Lots of Lifestyles associates sitting around all day but contributing in any way other than try to sell another time share. They are generous with kindness, t-shirts and drinks until you tell them no. Then they completely ignore you.

Date of Stay: December 2020

877maximk wrote a review January 2021
Toms River, New Jersey

Stay away from this place

No service of any kind.Nothing works. No help and no answers.The only staff you see is security guards over perimeter of the property doing absolutely nothing. And frequent attempts by strangers to sell you something.

Date of Stay: December 2020

Tourist822794 wrote a review January 2021

It's a NO from us.

We arrived at this hotel at check-in time and it took nearly 3 HOURS for us to get checked in and actually get into our room. Our room "wasn't ready" so we had to sit and wait in the lobby.

This hotel's website states that it has "Three Top A La Carte Restaurants run by our award-winning Food & Beverage staff- Kimonos – Asian Restaurant, Basil & Tomatoes – Italian Restaurant & Carpe Diem - Steak & Seafood". It also states that the resort has "One Main Buffet - Decadence – Buffet Restaurant."

This information is VERY inaccurate.

The "resort" has TWO menus you can order from - one for breakfast & lunch ("Decadence") and one for dinner (Kimonos). There is only ONE restaurant you can sit in and it is VERY casual. You'll be given a menu that says Decadence (for breakfast or lunch) or a menu that says Kimonos (for dinner).

The resort's website claims it has "Tennis Usage (Daytime)" but there isn't a tennis court on site. We asked about tennis when we checked in and were told they don't have it. So, we lugged our rackets and balls on our flight for nothing.

We asked about the "Access to Fitness Center & Health Club" per the resort's website. We were told it was closed...but we didn't see one on-site at all anyway. There aren't any photos of tennis or a fitness center on the website, so I guess we should have known they were being dishonest.

The photos that ARE on the website are entirely misleading. Our room was in bad repair and wasn't clean. There wasn't any cookware at all in the kitchen. We had to go out and buy a frying pan, knife, and spatula.

An odor that smelled like sewage came through the A/C vent in the big bedroom. We stopped turning it on because the smell was so bad.

I have attached a photo of the hot water heater. It clearly hasn't been serviced in ages and was in dangerous condition.

You get harassed nonstop by men walking around on the property. They'll tell you that they want to set up a meeting with you so you can "learn about your benefits and get a free t-shirt". Do NOT fall for this - I knew it was a timeshare sales pitch bait & switch so we told them NO THANK YOU. They make it sound mandatory, so don't fall for it!

You'll even get harassed on the beach or at the pool. We gave up trying to go outside to relax because they would not leave us alone. There are people selling other things on the beach too - excursions, etc. It is really hard to relax when people are constantly bothering you.

We ended up leaving nearly a week early. We'd booked 3 weeks and just couldn't make it past two.

I'd avoid this place at all costs.

Date of Stay: January 2021

H2sMom wrote a review January 2021
Dallas, Texas

Hard no

We rented an Airbnb type place in the Presidential Suites. Like other reviewers have mentioned, it was in disrepair also. I guess since it's an island, it's hard to get items in. The handle on the bathroom crank open style window broke off, the one TV set in the place was broken, the bathroom sink in the master bedroom wouldn't drain, the outlet by the bed in the master didn't work, etc. Every time I asked for assistance, they said they'd send someone up and no one came. I'd have to call and call. Days later, someone would show. Our host was onsite and tried to help, but they only spoke Spanish. I can speak some, but couldn't understand the majority of what he was saying especially as fast as he spoke.

When we got there, we just wanted to be able to hit the beach and not have to go shopping and get food. I used a concierge app I found online and had someone go shopping and get groceries. I thought it'd be similar to the US prices. Was I surprised! I got groceries where the bill at home would've been around $150. It was more than $400. Crazy!

The scenery is gorgeous and the loungers are awesome. You need to wake up early to put your towel or something on one of the covered daybeds if you want one of them. We had a suite that was on the top level so there were stairs up to the roof from our place. The compound's also gated. Those were about the best things about the place.

Since we didn't have the regular bracelet that most people had it was like we were lepers. The staff didn't really interact with us much, except for the timeshare people. They were pretty relentless. There's a picture they use often online that shows a view of sun loungers as far as you can see to the beach. The thing is that is the entire beach area! There's not much and it's a super skinny swath of beach - maybe 40' wide? There are people selling whatever - hair braiding, jewelry, etc. - standing in the water just beyond the shoreline. You go nowhere without being hustled. I was with my son who's 6'7" and 200# and they still have no fear about approaching you and trying to get money out of you.

We were walking down the beach one night to a restaurant and we're having trouble finding it. There was a guy who came out of a souvenir shop trying to get us to come to his shop. We told him no. He asked what we were doing and we explained. He said let me help you. He walked us to this place we'd passed a couple of times and walked us inside. The hostess at the place paid him for escorting us in! NOTHING is done as a favor or to help. Everything costs. Everyone's hustling.

One night we were looking for a place and got a taxi. We went to the lobby and asked the staff to call a reputable taxi company and for help. They called someone and he picked us up. The place where we were going was within 3-5 miles and even though it said it was open on the website, it was closed. He drove us round trip and charged us $50. It was ridiculous. I tried to get management's help. No one ever called or tried to help. The staff said that's how they are around here. So glad I asked for their help. I called the taxi company and they didn't call or do anything either.

So we're in the main restaurant one morning and the mgr comes up and asks our room #. This was the next day after the taxi incident. Soon after, we leave to go back to our room and they start following us along with hotel security. They then ask me to come to the office with them. I asked if it was about the taxi and was this to speak to the manager. They really didn't say anything. My heart is beating in my throat at this point and am wondering why I need a secure escort to the lobby. I get there and the front desk lady says the Airbnb people don't get to use the restaurant and it's $50 per meal per person. So, I paid them $150 for breakfast and then everyone walked away. Never said anything about the taxi. There are only a couple of countries where I'd never return and this is one of them.

I think since it was an Airbnb place, they charge for the electricity you use. However, I'm not sure. You'll want to check. Lots of places in the Dominican apparently do that. We only had the A/C on in the evening when we were in the place. It was just 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, and small living room. Turned the air conditioning off to sleep (just ran fans) and didn't have it on during the day. We didn't cook much at all. It was like $125 for the electricity for a week.

One day we went sightseeing and to a cave where you can swim. Outside said cave is a guy with an iguana. He asked if we wanted to pet his iguana. Should've known. We pet him and took pix. He wanted $. Some guy came up to us on this beach and put a bracelet on me and a friend. We said no thanks. He said to keep it. I kept trying to give it back. He said but you can give me some money because it's rainy today and there's no one around and I can't make any money. Same deal with the guy on the beach at the resort with the little capuchin monkey. But, by then I'd figured out it would cost me.

You really couldn't relax outside because there was always some kind of hustle going on. We'd go up to the rooftop some nights and have drinks up there and watch the sunset which was nice.

Date of Stay: March 2020

Curious265418 wrote a review February 2021

Wonderful!

This place was very nice, I recommend this resort for travel, staff was very nice and courteous. Always available for help. Restaurant had very good food just not a lot of variety, however there were more restaurants there but not open due to Covid. It was pretty empty for the same reason.

Date of Stay: February 2021

Ida19871024 wrote a review March 2021
New York City, New York

The building is beautiful but the workers need to be trained to treat customers with respect. They were very disrespectf

Maybe because the resort doesn’t allow the Credit card to add Tip they would get so angry and be mad even thou we always went to get cash to ATM, staff was harassing all the time and begging for timeshare. Place was beautiful but staff need to be trained starting from managers. Also the room didn’t have wall appliances, they didn’t want to clean the room once a week , and didn’t fix the water leak.

Date of Stay: March 2021

bretta167 wrote a review November 2021
Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

Not recommended

We had to change rooms 3 times due to poor maintenance and mechanical issues. Otherwise, rooms were fairly nice. Food was mediocre. Wine was bad. Beach was crowded. We were trying to enjoy the beach when the staff activated the bubble machine right next to us; this just made a huge mess of bubbles and sand. Best part was the entertainment crew.

Date of Stay: November 2021

K9263BCrichardp wrote a review November 2021
Houston, Texas

overnight stay

Apartment was very clean and comfortable. There is an onsite restaurant and it is on the beach. It has two very clean and large pools for use. Parking on site and security. If you plan on departing before 8:00 AM you must leave you key with security as the reception desk is not 24hours.

Date of Stay: November 2021

678kerrif wrote a review December 2021
Quebec City, Quebec

Not bad for the price

Overall, the place was not bad. The locale was excellent. Close proximity to restaurants if you are eating out. The rooms were spacious and perfect for big families. You will encounter very slow service and your rooms will be missing items such as cutlery and pots and pans. Keep this in mind if you are planning to cook. We asked for a new microwave to be replaced as it was broken and never got a replacement. You will always need to ask for things.

Pros:
-Great beach and long strip to walk on
-Nice pool
-Comfortable day beds and loungers
-Close proximity to restaurants (Onno's and Captain Cook were our favourites)
-Big rooms
-Good beach food
-Nice staff on the beach

Cons:
-Slow service (possibly due to the pandemic)
-Charged $20 US for room cleaning each time
-Lack of fresh towels in the room
-Water in the rooms smelt like salt (didn't bother us too much, but may be off putting for some)
-Charged for the safe ($3 US a day)
-Not much to do for kids (you will need to book excursions for older kids; mine got bored)
-You will be harrassed on the beach if you go for a walk or leave the resort

I would go back, but not with my kids. Perhaps just with my husband....

Date of Stay: December 2021

joelpe_aj wrote a review January 2022
New York City, New York

Bad experience

No hot water, the restaurant open a 11 am so if you have hungry yo to go outside to find food the building needs maintenance the staff was good great location and beautiful beach , the water was salty so I think was a bad experience, so the menu of the restaurant is very poor

Date of Stay: January 2022

robertopR9218QQ wrote a review March 2022

Good service and hospitality.

My family and I visited with some friends and we were completely impressed with the great hospitality that was shown to us. Especially at the buffet, we received great service by Andres Guzman, Gerardo Gonzalez and Marcial. They were attentive and friendly. They have the best coffee and cappuccino y jugo de piña.

We also enjoy the beautiful pools at this hotel. There are quite many to choose from other than the main pool.
The rooms were nice and clean.
I recommend this hotel.

Date of Stay: March 2022

Q707IYpeterw wrote a review July 2022

Don’t go to Presidential Suites Punta Cana

Please dont make any reservation in this hole

First night we got the wrong room because the one we’re supposed to have was not ready
We have now spend 8 days and 6 of them without A/C working. Temperature in our bedroom is 30 deg C
We had a technical team three times and still it keeps breaking down
Water is dripping from the ceiling now for the second time due to a leaking A/C

Besides that it’s nice and quiet here as the resort is closed.!!!!!!!!!!

So all the restaurants, bars, spa’s, sun beds etc are closed
Don’t cheat yourself when reading their homepage of how wonderful this place is

I truely regret spending 4.000 us $ on a suite here with my family
And the “ lovely” beach is full of sea weed and looks terrible

Welcome to Ghost Town

Date of Stay: July 2022

HrW8 wrote a review August 2022

Terrible

Don’t go anywhere near this place

It’s the worst place we’ve ever spent our vacation and money.

The “resort” is closed and they keep lying when they are going to open

Power out happens daily
No tap water 6-8 hours a day
AC breaks down every two days
Restaurants and bars are closed
Beach looks terrible
No sun beds available

Spent 4 days waiting for our ceiling to be fixed
Just a mess in our bathroom

We had a beach front suite….
Not much suite about that

Just stay away

Date of Stay: July 2022

frozen998 wrote a review December 2022
Powell River, Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

Worse than ever

Stayed here before when this hotel was a resort. At that time it had decent rooms but terrible restaurant. We thought that we could stay in the rooms and at least have a decent enough beach. WOW, we were wrong. The beach is a nightmare. The waves and the strong undertow make swimming impossible and there is a new disco/café just opened up and everyday the beach is getting dirtier and dirtier. Save your money, go elsewhere. As for the hotel we are on the 4rth floor and out of 16 days so far the elevator has only worked 8. Enjoy the exercise.

Date of Stay: December 2022

monkeylady25 wrote a review May 2023
Chicago, Illinois

Intimate private resort with amazing beach

This place was Amazing. The condo, the pools and the most breathtaking Beach. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no seaweed, everyone has been having a seaweed situation. But here was clear beautiful turquoise blue water and white sand beach. Loved it, nice private resort, not so big where you feel lost or need an uber to get anywhere. Very beautiful and intimate.

Date of Stay: April 2023