We stayed at the Royal Catalonia and I read a lot of good reviews before leaving but there were a couple of bad ones that were stuck in my head. Therefore, I was really worried about what we should expect. I can now say that there was nothing to worry about. We had an absolutely wonderful time.

I speak very little spanish and was worried about that. Some of the people that work there speak very good english but some of the people speak little to no english. However, we didn't run into a situation where we couldn't get our point across to them or vice versa. My spanish was a little better when I got back home, but then had to remember to say "yes" instead of "si"!

Some of the food is different, but it took a couple of days for us to start trying somethings we hadn't had before and were pleasantly surprised. We definitely did not starve and both gained a few pounds while we were there.

The people that work there, work VERY hard. They work long days, and many days in a row for a couple of days off. They all treated us wonderfully and always had a smile. I can't say enough about the friendliness of the Dominican people.

There are a lot of other places I would like to see but I definitely want to go back to DR and will definitely stay at the Royal Catalonia again. We did go over to the other side a couple of times and each time were glad that we booked on the Royal side!

I don't want to write a whole book, but please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you have!

P.S. They do drive crazy there! It was definitely an experience!

We were 3 adults (30, 36, 38 years old) staying at the Royal Catalonia. The resort is beautiful. Food is very good. All restaurants were good.

The Royal side is basically a scam. The rooms are better looking, but apart that, I dont see why you would wanna stay there. Its adults only, the pool is empty all the time without action and games. The beach is just beside the regular beach for the others who didnt booked the Royal. We were always on the regular part as the Royal was just dead.

Pools are both ok. The beach was unfortunately full of see weed. On the beach and in the water. It was very ugly.

We rented a car for 3 days and went to MAcao beach wich is up north Punta Cana. From the locals, this is the best beach of all Punta Cana so If I return to the Dominican Republic, I would go at a hotel near by

Except for the ugly beach, our stay was pleasant. There is a disco at night and shows, also a casino. French restaurant was the best following by the mexican. The restuarant for the Royal side (reserved for the Royal visitors), is the worst and a waste of time. Its serve fish only. I love fish but our 3 plates were not good.

staff was pleasant with a lot of security guards on the resort. kids shows every night before the adults main show. Lots of families and old people. Not so much of party people.

hope this help a bit if you wanna know more..
biancabeauchamp@videotron.ca

We did a lot of research before picking the Royal Catalonia, and were very very happy with our choice. Do take the reviews with a grain of salt on here, of course things will be different from home - this is the whole reason you're travelling! If the food was the same, rooms the same, surroundings the same, then why even bother leaving in the first place. So regardless of where you stay, a good attitude is always key. That being said - I have no complaints!

Our holiday got off to a shaky start with Transat Holidays, but this was bad customer service from the airline, nothing to do with the resort. Once we arrived in Punta Cana, it was smooth finding our shuttle and check in was easy as well. I'm not sure all the shuttles are aware that there are two entrances, one from regular Catalonia and one for Royal because I questioned them and they said it was the same entrance from everyone. Not so, but the bellman was happy to golf cart us over to the Royal side and we were treated like gold. I didn't even say my name and they knew who we were, so not sure if it was a slow day or what, but that was nice!

The rooms were beautiful. Clean, spacious, tons of extra ammenities. Loved the hammock and the soaker tub. Tons of hot water in the shower and a dehumidifier which was handy! Maid service was fantastic, we tipped $2 a day and always had a fully stocked fridge, fresh towels, everything. She came a couple times a day sometimes, because we would drink all the beer, go to dinner, come back and it would be full! So excellent service.

I thought that staff were fabulous. No, they don't all speak english. But they don't expect you to speak fluent Spanish. Do yourself a favour and brush up on the basics. Please, thanks, Hello, Goodbye, etc. That and a smile is all I had and never had a problem. Sure I got rose instead of white a couple times, but whatever, haha.

The a la Carte Resaraunts were also really good. I would rate them, from best to worst 1. Japanese 2. Mexican 3. Thalassa 4. Grill house 5. French (The French restaraunt is changing to Italian in May 2008 FYI). The most hilarious thing was watching other people skeptically try ing to eat sushi with a knife and fork at the Japanese. Don't order the Caribbean prawn at Thallasa... we're still not sure what it was, but it was clear and goey and not the sort of prawn you're thinking of.!!! But other then that food was great! Has continental breakfast room service one day and it was almost ridiculous how much food they brought... I felt a little glutunous!

The pool was good, only spent the last day there, because we're beach people. Tons of chairs and huts, never had a problem getting a chair or shade (the sun is STRONG - be careful with spf 30 i still burned second day!). Beach was fab, private with a private beach bar, soooo good.

Nightly entertainment was sort of cheesy. We still watched some of it, and it was great they had the option but it wasn't my sort of thing. There's shops, the creparie, casino and the disco, so there are tons of choices though!

Excursions, we did Saona Isle which was great, not many people on the part of the island they took us too! SO interesting driving through the Dominican towns on the way to and from the dock, very interesting perspective into everyday life. We also did the Reef Explorer which was great, recommend it opposed to the Marinarium which is just a booze cruise, and we figured we got enough free booze at the hotel. Reef explorer is less people and you get to swim with tons of rays and sharks, whereas the marinarium one is just a little enclosure, and we also got to go sea kayaking, and got 15 minute massages on this floating pier in the middle of the ocean while drinking fresh juices. Heaven! My boyfriend also golfed the course on Catalonia (9 par, he did 9 holes twice) and said it was pretty good. I think it was $60 plus $20 club rental. The guy at the golf shop was sooooo sweet and kind and even offered a gold cart to check out the course before he paid! He got chatting with him , and my boyfriend found out that he only makes $8 a DAY... which is mad, really. So keep that in mind and tip when you get good service! We saw SO many people that didn't tip at the a la cartes and I think that is really poor effort, and not acceptable when you get good service. Even just a few dollars makes a difference!

I paid $60 to have an hour massage at the Royal spa and it was really good but keep in mind there are little windows and anyone in the spa can look into the massage room, so keep in mind if you go topless and are subconcious.

hmmmm I guess my only other things to say would not be complaints but obervations... there are no clocks in the rooms, so bring an alarm! Especially if you do excursions because some of them start early! Also, the air con is powerful! I actually got cold when i slept and had to turn it off. But hey, at least there was air con!

We had such such such a good time and would definintely go back!!!

I have to say, we were a little nervous going to the Royal. There were so many mixed reviews, but all my husband and I wanted was some time away together. So it was a pleasant surprise when we arrived. We knew it was going to be bigger than most other resorts we tend to gravitate towards. We like the small, intimate resorts. The arrival was a little frazzling, our Reps had changed the color of their shirts, and it took us a little time to get our bearings. But then we were on our way. Check-in went without a hitch. Of course, we arrived early and had to wait for our room, but that is normal. We went scouting. Found our room and got our bearings.
The room was lovely. A suite style, with balcony. I soaked in the massive tub three evenings, while my husband napped in the hammok. Our cleaning woman was the sweetest. Our room number 4226. Excellent view over the pool. Many evenings, we just hung out and sat on our balcony and relaxed. One thing though, there are no irons in the room. You could rent one, if you were lucky, so bring your own.
The staff was fun and very courteous. I always, always, believe that if you treat someone with respect, they will return it. And being the case, we had no problems with the staff. In fact, I sent my husband for a bottle of wine for the room one evening, and three cervecas, 5 staff and a manager, the wine steward beat my husband back to the room! Unfortunately, we do not speak much spanish, and it was a challenge. But they did everything they could to figure out what he was trying to get across.
Make sure to take a spanish dictionary. Just small things help.
Now, the food. I have to say, this was one of my disappointments. There was large variety, and the Japanese restraunt was wonderful. But it was a little lacking in taste. They had theme nights, and I wonder what they think a Western cuisine is? I thought ribs, steak, something with barbeque sauce, nope. So be careful of the theme nights, not what you expect sometimes. The very best, was the wood-grilled pizza over at the Bavarro pool. Chaos, let me tell you, I think every family had 5 children, but worth it. This small grill type restraunt was open till 6 pm and we had to go, at least 4 times for lunch, even a snack b-4 dinner. But beware, as soon as it is taken from the oven, sliced and set down, it was gone! So be ready to set your feet!
The Royal was a wonderful experience. Adults only on this side, and very quiet. You could mosey over to the otherside, check things out, but then, you returned, and it felt like home. Bar service was wonderful. Great Bartenders. Watch the Mama Juana juice. Whew! We have never experienced the friendliness of so many other travelers. Most, stay to themselves. Not here, all you had to do was strike up a conversation. Amazing! I just cannot say enough. And of course, we were there when Bret Favre had retired. What conversations we had! So many different countries wanting to know about it! Some men cried! Some gave accounts of favorite Favre games. It was a true tribute from all over the globe.
This is not an Americanized resort. Don't drink the water. Only the bottled water, don't even open your mouth in the shower, or brush your teeth with it, but, if you take your dictionary, you can leave a note for the cleaning woman with $5 and you will receive a case of water. Be pleasant. You are on their island. And have fun.