Sometimes, a few days in the Caribbean are all you need for a little sunshine and relaxation! I recently spent a long weekend in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with my husband Dean, where we stayed at Grand Palladium Select Bávaro.
Exploring the Grand Palladium Complex
One thing we quickly realized is just how BIG the Grand Palladium complex is! With multiple resorts, restaurants, and pools spread throughout the property, there's a lot to explore. Thankfully, golf carts are available to get you around, which definitely comes in handy when everything is so spread out.
The rooms at Family Selection were renovated recently, so it was nice to experience the updated accommodations firsthand. The updates were fantastic! Our room was really nice and spacious, making it a great place to unwind after a day by the pool.
The pools were definitely one of our favorite parts of the stay! Family Selection guests have access to a dedicated pool in addition to the other pools throughout the complex. We found the atmosphere to be fairly laid-back, and the Family Selection pool was especially peaceful, with fewer guests than some of the other areas.
We didn't find that the family-friendly atmosphere took away from our experience. Of course, we visited during a time when most children were back in school, so that may have played a role in the quieter atmosphere. Another perk that we appreciated was the butler service included with our stay at Family Selection. We could reach our butler through WhatsApp throughout the day, whether we needed assistance making dinner reservations or had a question about the resort. They also checked in regularly to see if there was anything we needed, which was a thoughtful touch and made navigating such a large property a little easier. From our butler to the staff, everyone that we encountered around the property was incredibly kind and welcoming which definitely made a difference in our overall experience!
Dining Around the Resort
With so many dining options throughout the Grand Palladium complex, we had the opportunity to try several restaurants during our stay.
Our favorite meals were actually lunches! We especially enjoyed the buffet at Poseidon, where we had a beautiful beachfront view to enjoy while we ate, and Es Niu, a restaurant exclusive to Family Selection guests. Both were great spots for a midday meal, and we consistently enjoyed our lunches throughout the trip. For something quick and casual, we also grabbed takeaway pizza from Pizza Stop and stopped by Grand Gelateria for ice cream. For dinner, we visited Portofino, the resort's Italian restaurant, and El Dorado, a steakhouse. Both offered enjoyable meals, although neither particularly stood out as a highlight of the trip.
Overall, the dining experience was a bit of a mixed bag. We really enjoyed our lunches and had good experiences at the à la carte restaurants, but the other buffets weren't as impressive. There were plenty of options throughout the resort, though, and we definitely found a few favorites in our short time!
The Beach and Sargassum
Unfortunately, the beach wasn't one of the highlights of our trip. There was quite a bit of sargassum washed up along the shore, which made it less appealing for spending time on the beach. Sargassum is a naturally occurring seaweed that can affect beaches throughout the Caribbean, and conditions can vary depending on the season, weather, and ocean currents.
Since there weren't many other guests spending time on the beach during our visit, we also found ourselves approached fairly often by vendors selling different items and services. This can be part of the experience at popular beach destinations, but it did make it a little harder to relax along the shoreline. Luckily, we had plenty of pools to choose from, so we ended up spending most of our time there instead!
A Visit to the Spa
One of my favorite parts of the trip was visiting the resort spa. I booked a massage, and it was genuinely one of the best I've ever had! The spa itself was beautiful, and even though I didn't spend very long using the hydrotherapy facilities, I could have easily spent a good chunk of the day there if our stay was longer. If you enjoy fitting in a little pampering on vacation, I'd definitely recommend setting aside some time for the spa.
Final Thoughts
Since this was just a quick weekend getaway, we decided to spend our time at the resort rather than venture out on excursions. Between the pools, restaurants, and spa, we had plenty to keep us busy!
The pools were a highlight, the staff was incredibly welcoming, and the spa was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The dining was a little hit-or-miss, and we didn't get to enjoy the beach as much as we'd hoped, but we still made the most of our few days in Punta Cana. Overall, I think Family Selection is worth considering for travelers who want access to the larger Grand Palladium complex along with some additional amenities and services.
As always, the best fit really depends on what you're looking for in a vacation. With so many resorts to choose from in Punta Cana, and the rest of the Caribbean for that matter, it can be difficult to know which one will be the right fit for you. Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway, a family-friendly resort, or something with a little more excitement, there's certainly no shortage of options! If a Caribbean getaway is on your travel radar, contact our team below when you're ready to start planning.
-Kylie Ward, Travel Advisor