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Room switch! Arely offered to put us in the same building as my daughter and Grandbaby!! She’s an angel! All moved in and ready to continue our vacation! Bldg 20 closer to the main pool!
Menu will be the same as Punta Emilia Waiting on new design.
Lots of pics and videos of the opening.P lease refer to Facebook or I will post some here tomorrow.
Great report! I agree with your comments about country music. Too bad your room was noisy. I enjoy peace and quiet. Thanks for sharing.
Lori posted:I should have posted sooner, but here goes: live from Palladium Vallarta! We are having a great time, though we didn’t see the sun the first 3 days. It is beautiful, our room is stunning, and the food has been great! We are eating most meals at the Royal restaurant but are having dinner tonight at the Mexican. Aside from a slight mix up with wristbands at check in, all is lovely. They really do need to come up with more options for Palladium Money for Travel Club members though.
Tonight Riviera Maya & Punta Cana
Thanks for the update. Peter on FB said that the Royal gourmet has coffee at 7 am. I also found out the Bohio is now open at night for dinner.
I guess I am preparing myself not to expect the level of service I get in RM.
I was just thinking Chuck that it might be hard to find coffee if I get up early. It looks like the Royal lobby opens at 9 am? Where did you find coffee earlier?
The Royal pool at night, a great place for a evening swim. Swimwear after dinner ?? Nah, not a good idea after all of that food..lol
Wednesday:
10 am
stretching
beach volleyball
archery
11 am
water polo
rifle shooting
softball
noon
Kitchen tour
water robics
Salsa dancing
Beach volleyball
4 pm
POP fitness
Bartending lesson
5 pm
Yoga
6 pm
Soccer
8 pm
Mini show
9 & 10 pm
Colonial & Riviera shows
11 pm
Disco & Back to the 80s Party
Dinner at El Jardin was very good. I had the coconut shrimp and Mark had the rib eye and the coconut shrimp. We came back to our room and found these treats awaiting us. I think they will have to go in fridge for later. We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy such a beautiful place and enjoy all of the outstanding staff. They make every experience that much better..
Tonight we dined at La Lola. We thought it was okay but this one will not make the favorites list. I only took 1 picture of my cold tapas, after that we began talking and totally forgot to take more..oops. Upon returning to our room we had another tastey surprise waiting for us, chocolate covered strawberries…. yummm ! Life is good…
Gracias Brenda.
I cannot emphasize enough to book what you really want, especially if you want a Mayan Suite in Kantenah as those are in demand as are some categories in the Royal.. Do not go assuming you’ll be upgraded. I read a trip report from someone saying yesterday his entire trip was ruined because he was not upgraded for his anniversary. There are many variables including occupancy, availability (some rooms may be under refurbishment, etc).Thus, book what you’ll be happy with and if you get upgrade that’s ikea gift!
Filet mignon Royal Gourmet
Evening food update. I dined in Royal Gourmet and still had lunch on my mind…it was so good. So good I figured I would do a surf and turf and only have one filet. I ordered substituting sautéed red snapper for lobster. Boy was I wrong…and happy. Two fillets that were outstanding and the red snapper. No need for dessert
Hi Larking,
I usually post the Facebook info on here. Here is a link. I know not everyone uses FB and not everyone comes here so we try to share.
Gracias Peter. Have a fabulous time as I am sure you will. Please report back on restaurants as am counting down. Don’t work too hard!!
Hi and welcome! I am going for the first time in Dec. I’ll contact Peter who did some research on the bathrooms for us. I think he’s going back tomorrow so will try and catch him.
I have booked Royal and am told that they are giving me a sea facing Jr suite. I haven’t been there either but I trust the management’s decision. I’ll send you a contact
Pink Party & Fire Show 9: pm on Fridays Colonial beach.
Saturdays Costa Mujeres
Mondays Puerto Vallarta
Some restaurant info:
A la cartes are as good as or better than Riviera Maya IMHO. Royal Gourmet is larger and open for 3 meals daily. Le Chanterelle is adjacent and top notch.
Like · Reply · October 5 at 7:14pmAnne Adams Is there unlimited lobster like in RM?
Linda Wickstrom found them excellent loved the indian
Peter Gittinger Yes…we enjoyed the Indian restaurant also.
Kathleen Kyle 2 weeks ago: Hibachi and steakhouse great. Mexican good. Italian and Brazilian barely edible and the buffet at bavaro, sports bar, and beach snack bar were absolutely awful. I will not return to a palladium based on our food and water experience aloneLarry Rybicki We were at the Royal Suites in Punta Cana about 3 years ago. We were in a Romance Suite for our anniversary. The room was not comparable to the Royal Suites at R. M. The room was smaller. IMHO te food at both Royal restaurants was not as good as El…See More
Michelle Allen Burton I’ve always loved el jardin and la chantetelle. I also enjoy the buffets and japanese. Steak house was good. The beach bars are not nearly as good as RM. Room service is also good. Get a swim up room. You won’t regret it!
Danny Sweeney It’s a lovely resort however it’s the worst food we have had at an all inclusive. Some food was good but some was awful. We would go back to punta Cana but not to this resort. We were at Royal in May 16
Geoffrey Sanders Asian & Sumptuori were excellent. especially show table. buffets very nice, not quite as good as RM, but you’ll have a job to go hungry, ((theres always one who doesn’t like whats on offer) as i’ve said before, your holiday is only as good as you want to make it. go and enjoy.
Michaela Rukopf Chanterelle and Royal Gourmet are always good. Brazilian not bad. Asian yesterday was the worst we eve r had. No taste in anything and steak totally overlooked. Japanese show was good, food was simple and average. Won’T return to one of them. The only …See More
Linda Benasky Michaela, we will be in a cabana swim up…think those are buildings 53&54. Is that going to be okay? He really wants to be in a swim up, although I would love the royal master~
Peter Gittinger Cabaña suites are all in 59. We stayed in one in 2012. They are nice…and nicer not with the newer showers.
Lori Cuddeback Getting worried reading these reviews. We have a group of 20 going for spring break. Did anyone like the buffets? How are the bars and disco?
Peter Gittinger I wouldn’t worry, Lori. You have been to Punta Cana 7 times and am going for my 8th in November. 16 trips to palladium resorts. I have eaten in every restaurant in Punta Cana and have never had a bad meal (a la carte and buffet). Sometimes the meals ar…See MoreLarry Rybicki The people there were great but that is to be expected at a Palladium. The beach was great. The Royal Suite Romance room was smaller than Royal at R M. The bars were good too. The 2 Royal restaurants were not as good as El Jardin. But food likin…See More
Anne-Marie Blake Ryan The food was good, but the system they use to get in was less than desirable. They allow people to start lining up at each door early in the afternoons to ” reserve a spot”. Some restaurants were completely booked by the time the doors opened for servi…See More
Angela Horner I have been to both Anne and have to say RM comes out top.I thought the Sumptori was much better in PC and the Arrecife restaurant overlooking the ocean was fantastic for lunch.
U
Anne Adams My expectations are that RM will always be my favorite but we are thinking we might like something new.Angela Horner
Angela Horner I think your right.Sometimes change is good.The Palladium is arranging transfers for my daughter as she gets in at 1 am so I would feel comfortable with that. Did you get decent flights or are you gong standby? What are your dates?
Agree Dominican or Dominican Plus get good reviews
If you decide on Royal ask for a “sea facing room”. We have a Jr unite as we need 2 beds. Those do have open concept bath
Some Jr Suites in Palladium Palace have sea views.
If you go beggining of December you’l be there before me!
Flights aren’t great. My daughter got direct to and from NY but awful times (like she gets in at 1 am). I couldn’t get direct from Charleston. Maybe you can from Charlotte?
I would stay in Royal Suites Turquessa or get a renovated room in the Palace. I’ll report more once I’ve been there.
BTW flights to and from PC are horrible. Don’t know if you’ll have better luck. Are you now in NC?
Today: 10 – Beach voleyball
Sun Soltation
12 -Pool bike
3 – Merengue dancg
5 – Pilates
11:15 – Peace & Love party
Weather permitting. Currently overcast.
Noon Paella on the beach (If it rains they may have it in El Gran Azul)
Dancing Limbo with Raggs at the paella party
3 pm salsa dancing for adults
10 am stretching
Beach volleyball
Archery
11 am Water Polo
Rifle shooting
softball
Noon: Water robics
Darts
3 pm: Salsa dancing
Ping pong tournament
4 pm POP fitness
Towel art
5 pm Yoga
6 pm Soccer
8 pm Mini Karaoke
9- 10 pm – Shows in Colonial & Riviera theaters
11 pm Disco
11:15 Pirate Party
So happy for you. I have a countdown but am also being cautiously optimistic until it gets closer. Fingers and toes crossed for all of us!
When u get to the kids pool and have flash backs of going down the slides the night before!!
HahahahAnne Adams Sounds like a great time!
David Kitching Hoooooooooligannnnns!
Philip Rourke When you remember pushing the carts around the lobby roundabout because you couldn’t start it ??
Genna Rourke When u remember going behind the bar to have ur photo took with the Beatles (a photo!)
Genna Rourke When u remember robbing some hat ?- well the photo footage proved it loll
June Brett Haha good to hear you are letting your hair down ???
Live from GP RM, Genna posted:
What a night with Adam Thomas Kathryn Victoria and Philip Rourke
I ache from Dancing lol
At the pool
Guys xYou are so awesome Brenda and Peter from the Travel Club is awesome. We all share the love of the Palladium and you both help to pass on the love so many hugs.
BTW Brenda and I do not participate in the Travel Club but are treated Royally. Peter is a great Ambassador for the TC.Genna said, “Loving the new bands playing round the pool and at the outdoor lunch area
Great touch!”Is there a departure tax ?
Manuel Ferrer It depends on the airline. My airline includes it in the ticket so we don’t have to pay the tax.
Kerry Hansen Wingham Anne it’s a pretty cool open air airport….last time we were there 2009
Joey Wilbourn No departure tax for you. Aside from the tourist card its the same as Mexico. Departures at this airport are not as efficient and the ticket counter area has no a/c so dress accordingly.
Meg Simoni And Anne Adams make sure you check out the enormous ceiling fans, the are a hoot because they are labeled BIG ASS FANS! At least in 2010 they were.
Brenda Gordon Following…punta cana is a possibility one day….thanks for the tips!L
Anne Adams Approx how much time should I allow to get from the P through the airport prior to my departure?Joey Wilbourn I would suggest 3 hours. Security is slower here than Cancun. We flew American and it’s also a long walk to the departure gates so keep the 5″ heels ? in your luggage. ?
Linda Wickstrom yes pay the fee first 10 dollars American when we went of course we had no American money and we did not know about it so had to go back & do it grrrPeter Gittinger I would say at most an hour and a half with private transportation. The longest part is a toss up at 30 minutes for the drive and immigration. We have flown through the airport and gotten to the hotel in just under an hour.
Angela Horner I love Punta Cana airport.They have 4 guys playing banjo and drums and singing as you arrive.We find it very quaint and getting through immigration is very fast ?
Lisa Murray Not hard. Get off, walk right into customs, pay your fee, turn left, go to luggage-straight ahead to left, go straight, turn right, AVOID ANYONE that approaches u -unless they r officials because u will be attacked by sales people, go left through a doorway and then straight out the doors to the lot.
Karen Horwood When I was there twice, it was awful. There were no signs from the Tarmac leading into the terminal so nobody formed a line, just a crazy jumble of people. If it’s not changed, there is a small booth that you pay your $10, again, no signage, so make sure to stop there or they’ll send you back! After the initial entry and the $10, it was smooth sailing. Hope they’ve organized it a bit better by now!
Peter Gittinger It has changed. Unless the plane is directly by the terminal, everybody boards buses to get to the terminal…it can be the longest 200 foot rides of your life. And the corded areas force you to the booths for the $10. You can’t miss it.
Joey Wilbourn Just buy in advance and get in the line by the far wall. Like I said it was about half as long. We went in July and there were two lines. If you don’t have the tourist card you get into the line in the center. About half way through there is a podium w…See More
Sherry Frank Purchase the tourist card online before your arrival and go straight to that line. We did this and were the first ones in line and got out quickly. When we looked back the line was getting long.
Peter: There are some quirks. You need to pay the entry fee before immigration. And at least for United Airlines, you have to show your baggage claim ticket before leaving with your luggage…they check to make sure every bag you take is yours. That makes it difficult if you have carry-on.
Yvonne Bartha I’ve read in a few places that you can purchase a Tourist Card online now, so you can skip the line to purchase one at the airport. How long is the line at the airport to buy one?
Joey Wilbourn During our arrival the line was about half as long for those who purchased in advance
Joey Wilbourn
Joey Wilbourn I recommend you purchase the tourist card in advance here.$10 usd. It will save some time purchasing at airport and allow you to go through typically a shorter line. Just print and turn in to immigration. There is no personal info on it basically just a piece of paper you paid $10 for. You will still fill out immigration and customs form on airplane.
About the Tourist Card
The Tourist Card is a tax the Dominican Republic charges its visitors. Its legal base rests on the Law 199-67, which establishes the acquisition of such card as a requirement to enter national territory, for tourism purposes, without the need of a consular Visa.Joey Wilbourn
Joey Wilbourn Also we did exit the airport for our private transport. Used Dominican Plus which seems to be the preferred company by most on TA. They will email you instructions where to meet them outside the airportManuel Ferrer
Manuel Ferrer It’ not a difficult airport. It’s very simple .Everything is written in both English and Spanish and there’s a duty free shop next to baggage claim, so you can shop while waiting for your bag.
