Punta Cana Dominican Republic

The resort was super clean and the food was excellent. We also really enjoyed all the evening shows, particularly the circus show. Great family holiday that we reccommend!

We originally booked Club Med Ixtapa, but after its unexpected closure we were rerouted to Club Med Punta Cana at no additional cost. The change came as a surprise, but we’re so glad it happened — our trip to Punta Cana turned out to be a fantastic experience for our entire group.

We traveled with two families (kids ages 5 and 8) plus one set of grandparents, and found that the resort had the perfect mix of activities, relaxation, and family-friendly amenities.

Room – Deluxe Family Suite

We stayed in a Deluxe Family Suite, which was ideal for our needs. The kids had their own separate bedroom, we had two full bathrooms, and the layout gave everyone plenty of space. Our suite overlooked a large grassy area with the beach and ocean just beyond — a beautiful and peaceful view. We were also close to the main dining restaurant and the Theatre.

At night, we could faintly hear music from the bar, but with the AC running it was barely noticeable. We did have one odd moment — a pack of baby wipes went missing — but it wasn’t worth reporting and didn’t impact our stay.

Mini-Club (Kids Club) – The Highlight of the Trip

The main reason we chose Punta Cana after Ixtapa’s closure was because it offered both Mini-Club AND tennis courts — and the Mini-Club exceeded every expectation.

There were dedicated groups for all ages, which helped our kids make friends easily and dive into activities geared to their interests.

For our 5-year-old:
She was in the 4–5 group and adored spending time with G.Os King, Kyky, Gabriella, Japhet, and Winnie. Her favourite activities were circus school, tennis, and the evening kids’ show.

For our 8-year-old:
She joined the 8–10 group and loved being with G.Os Ralph, Jeffson, Vero, and John C. Her highlights included archery, circus, sailing, and — of course — the waterpark!

Special shout-outs as well to Davidson and Banana, who were also wonderful.

The energy, engagement, and genuine care from the Mini-Club team made our kids’ week unforgettable.

Tennis

The tennis facility is impressive, with 11 courts available. Because of the tropical weather, the courts were often wet in the early morning. A more structured maintenance routine to dry the courts each day — and maybe a resurfacing — would be appreciated, but overall we loved the setup.

The tennis pros were fantastic: huge thanks to Javier, Germain, Alvaro, and Roman for being so encouraging, knowledgeable, and fun to learn from.

Dining

Dining was overall very good, even with dietary restrictions. I’m gluten intolerant and allergic to pineapple and bell peppers, and I never struggled to find something safe to eat.

A big shout-out to:

Candido at Hispaniola, who kindly cut fresh mango and papaya for our group every morning to avoid cross-contamination.

Chef Antonio at El Mundo, who always checked in and ensured I had a great dinner option.

These small touches made a huge difference.

Resort & Grounds

The resort is stunning and massive — in a good way. Our morning walk to breakfast was over 1 km, but if we didn’t feel like walking, we simply hopped on a passing golf cart (which our group affectionately renamed Club Med Uber).

The landscaping, beach, layout, and overall vibe were exactly what you want in a tropical escape.

Final Thoughts

Yes, the travel from Vancouver is long — but we would absolutely do it again. Our reroute to Punta Cana ended up being the best possible outcome, and we’re already talking about a return trip.

Highly recommend for families, tennis lovers, and anyone looking for a beautiful, fun, and activity-filled vacation.

The GOs are amazing!! A special thank you to YOUYOU, Luca, Freighlyn, Matiew, Clement from archery, Younes and Brazil. They all made my stay an unforgettable holiday for me and my daughter. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU! Thanks to you, I'll be back very soon!!!! Excellent service and cleanliness.