A great place to spend time with family and friends.
We went in a group of 13 people. The resort is brand new - with very spacious rooms and a massive main pool. They also have a nice water park for younger and older kids - including adults. Food served and drinks in all restaurants on the property is excellent. Great access to a beautiful beach. Above all people were very warm and helpful. Our concierge Adriana - was amazing- very thoughtful,prompt and always trying to do her best to help the needs of the group. Would highly recommend the place.

Updated on my review (see below) and the Melia Family. Customer service has been extremely proactive in getting in touch with me . The customer service team took the time to listen to my various concerns regarding the resort and what I felt needed to be addressed. I truly feel that my concerns were heard, and that Melia did appreciate what I and other visitors need from the resort Spring Break is around the corner. We are considering another visit .. Stay tuned! as Melia and the Circle is a contender!

The Circle is NOT complete
Review of The Grand Reserve At Paradisus Palma Real
Reviewed January 14, 2019 via mobile
The Circle is NOT complete....

This was our third trip to the Paradisus Palma Real property in the DR, and the fourth stay at a Melia resort within the last four years. This particular stay was at the highest level of the Paradisus Resort the brand new Circle. It is unfortunate for me to say that the circle is NOT complete and I am not confident it will ever be...

Below are some but, not all of the items that we encountered on our holiday. These are in addition to the punch BOOK and not list that is required to bring this property up to a Melia or any hotel of this price and caliber.

The Circle being the “ most exclusive “ of all the hotels on this property is literally located across the street and in perfect view from the property’s power plant. I understand that it will take years for the facility to fully mature its foliage but, it looks like you are on a compound and not in paradise .

The staff are all kind and gracious people, who seem beyond frazzled, stressed and have the “ deer in headlights “ look more often then not. Our holiday on Jan 2.2019 started with our check in taking over four hours for reservation made over six weeks ago. We are a party of eight who have two bedroom master suites . There are three “ children” that are 18, and one that is 13, and two sets of parents. Since we are traveling together we had asked and were insured that our rooms although not necessarily next to each other would be close by. It took over four hours for the hotel to finally accommodate us / find our rooms and have us in separate buildings. So, we are in paradise and we move on!

Now to the accommodations. Beautiful rooms, crisp , tropical decor, lovely furnishings. But, looks can and are very deceiving. Terrible , terrible high , hard as concrete beds. When you spend at least $1400 a night for a two bedroom suite, you would like the pillows on your bed to be down , or alternative down and not foam... basic , foam. The sad part was that you can see the foam through the pillowcase. Additionally, a king size bed should have king size pillows.

The craftsmanship of the rooms and the facility is terrible. You can see in the picture attached the gash in my soaking tub. Please do note that the hotel opened on Dec 15,2018 and this was taken 1.02.19.

I can go on for pages in what can and should be done. But here is a sampling of major concerns that need to be addressed.
The bartenders need to learn how to make a proper cocktail . To be fair most of them do, but the ones at the “ top shelf “ high end bar have no idea how to make an old fashion or a mojito. The buffet areas need to take control of the flies everywhere !! On the food, on the plates on the glasses. Beyond gross and very unappetizing . Every time I saw a fly I kept thinking that before it landed on the bread was it on a dog or a pile of garbage / poop etc!

On a positive note the seersucker dresses of the hostes at the breakfast buffet and the perfectly matching napkins were beyond cute and very well suited for the hotel.

Lesson of this trip! It may say it’s a Melia , at first glance look like a Melia but do not waste over $8k on a vacation in a resort that has not only months but most likely a good few years before it can play with the big boys. I will personally think more then twice before visiting a Melia resort again. I feel the staff did not take our concerns and need seriously. Our concierge Alexander did everything possible to assist us but, he of course has limitations to his powers . The management staff has the same frazzled look as everyone else . Not sure how can a resort of this caliber not have someone check the facilities / rooms elevators prior to the arrival of your first guest. The elevator in our building had the same plastic juice box, juice box straw, and construction dust and fingerprints on it from the start to the end of our seven (7) day stay. When we check in our room there was an open can of V8 in the fridge within the rest of the drinks... really..

Upon check out when asked of how we enjoyed our stay, I was very honest of our feelings and impression. The response was that now being the start of the slow season they were going to start to tweak the items that needed tweaking. Really?! Hmmm...

A final thought! Do not go! Go somewhere else where your time, energy and money will be put to better use! Don’t be like me. I was disappointed while there, and even more disappointed when my credit card bill came and had to be paid for a vacation that was not worth it.

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Date of stay: January 2019
Trip type: Traveled with friends

Best Trip Ever for several Birthdays! Who made it great Sheyla at Nube along with Yerfris Perez, Jordanay De La Cruz, Jocatherine my fav pool staff, Catherine Black Oaks Bar!!! Can’t wait until our next visit. Thanks again Sheyla! Your the best