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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.
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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.I booked through the resort and left it up to them. Octavio said we will be in Royal Suites. A tiny bit nervous about a new location but also excited. Flights are very challenging. Abby is working on finding a decent fight home.
We have also heard from Punta Cana Mike about a tour which sounds fun.
Montego Bay Airport Transfer
I used Alfreds Taxi. If you use him be sure and request the van (new) (not car – old)
You can use US but bring small bills as they don’t always have change. Out tai driver Roger was running around trying to get us change!
We live vicariously here so will look forward to hearing about your trip.
My daughter and I left the resort twice. We didn’t want to do a tour so both times the dispatcher in the lobby called her cousin Roger for us. He is a taxi driver and basically accompanied us everywhere (even dress shopping which was pretty funny)! Apparently this is common in Jamaica. He charged us about half of the prices posted.
I just looked at the Palladum Jamaica App. They offer
Romantic Thursday dinner on the beach. It is $150 per couple
There is also a Romantic dinner under the stars for $195 per couple.
Aromatic bath with rose petals
Welcome Nicole & congratulations!
You may want to check to see if they have the Honeymooner’s dinner as they have in Riviera Maya. Some people really enjoy meeting other honeymooners.
Prague, a new favorite
Made it by 6:pm Monday after a long day of water taxi to Venice airport , a long wait for Czech air, and a hopping flight to Prague via Balognia (much longer than the original booking indicated. ……ugh!
On the upside this hotel , Prague Linder, is very nice with view of castle. It’ raining and actually a nice relief from the Italian heat (at least for the moment).
Venice was uber busy and we had a good rushed time but it could have been better.
Will send some photos later as we just got up and are a little : disorientated, fatigued, and bewildered etc.We now know two words in the Czech language and have forgotten one!
Will go into the old town after breakfast.
Was very cold & windy in Prague. Hotel was perfect, clean, comfortable & cool. Short walk to St Vitus cathedral from our hotel. It was breathtaking. Found some wonderful quaint restaurants, food excellent, wine pretty good.Hope all is well in the Canadian hinterlands and of course at home.
Will send photos later.
We have just discovered our new favourite European city. This city is just wonderful. It is CLEAN and orderly and beautiful. It is packed with history and the architecture is unique and inspiring.
We had heard that Czech food was a little on the blah side but we have found it perhaps a step above German in flavor and quality. Perhaps we just lucked out but a couple of restaurants close to our hotel gave served outstanding goulash soup, schnitzel, and traditional soup topped off with strudel. The beer is outstanding and the red wines are fine.
Our hotel, Lindner, is superior perched high above the town. The bkfast is great and the room very nice.
We have seen the main sights…arches, astronomical clock, Charles Bridge, and St Vitis Cathedral. King Wenceslas of Xmas Carol fame is buried in St Vitus a beautiful Gothic church high on the valley side.
The only fault we have is that the city is very busy with non Canadian barbarians. No worse than in Italy, but no better either. As our hotel is way up on the hill we have had no trouble getting dinner as the barbarians are top lazy to walk up!
So very glad we came!”
Lokes are in San Gimignano in Tuscany. Louise said the hotel is beautiful. She is under the weather so K will head to Florence tomorrow. (Feel better)
Brenda & Duane enjoyed it. “A few pics from the new Chang Thai Restaurant…the food was spectacular, so full of flavor and the service was amazing(Antonio and Lorenzo took such good care of us!)….Duane Gordon and I think it might be the best a la carte now!”
Gorgeous day
Some tips from Rome:
The Goods:
Fit in…..we were asked twice by Italians for directions we just said we offer no auto. Like it..The pasta is Gooooòd
The weather is perfect
The hotel
The people in services mostly speak ok English
The traffic usually stops at red lights
It is surprisingly clean..no urine smells is a bonus
The wine is Sooooo very cheap and good
Apparently the secret police hit terror hard before it surfacesMany car drivers can drive without hands…who needs a
Scooter drivers usually aim to miss you and often stop for red lights and nuns
You can buy a self stick for about 5 bucks on any corner
The bad
Do not eat the breakfast scrambled and cold eggs . You could be real sorry foe a number of hours.
Do not over drink fluids unless you want to drink even more at a restaurant
A Canuck is often mistaken for an American
People with maps are somewhat unpopular
Polite walking is frowned upon
Gellato is apparently fattening
Older people are not necessarily held in high regard
Crowds do not care if you are going the wrong way
Sweat is usually taken for granted
K+L
Yes,noon on Wednesday. The only info I saw on it was at the animation hut at the main Colonial pool. When I tried to do it , you had to show up there and wear long trousers with closed toe shoes. The day I showed up there were no other guests attending and they had a five person minimum. Maybe it’s a little more organized now so check at the POP animation hut. Please let us know if you get to go
Hi Linda, It is held at the buffet above the main pool at Colonial (El Gran Azul). Sign up with the mini club or at Guest Services.
Beautiful day for a foam party.
I’ve always wanted to do that. The one time I showed up for it there weren’t enough people attending for them to do it.
Karen reports: Passed the turtle camp a couple of hours ago, nest count is about 796 and there was a cooler of babies that’ll make the big swim tonight sometime!! ?
Angela reports: “A little overcast this afternoon but sun is trying to break through. Enjoyed lovely rib eye steak at El Dorada last night.We are eating at Italian this evening.We popped along to see w,hen Chang Thai was opening and was told Friday so hopefully will get to try it before we leave and get some pics on.”
