Impressive Punta Cana

We had a PHENOMENAL experience at Impressive Punta Cana last week. The food was amazing and the accommodation was very comfortable. I know a lot of people will be concerned about sargassum during June/July, but the Impressive team were out in FORCE every morning cleaning it up before anyone arrived on the beach. It was the only clean beach we encountered on our trip! My one piece of very minor feedback would be around the seafood served in the restaurants (like the fresh prawns). It was under warm lights most of the time, so we avoided it because we were concerned about being ill. But overall, a fantastic stay and we would go again.

The premium option is excellent. The kids club is amazing. Lili, Maria, Roberta and Alexandra are great! They play at the pool, they have a night camp and the slide by the pool Incredible.

The rooms excellent conditions the food of the restaurant is excellent the girls of the bars are a love, we want to highlight the animation team they are all cool, especially gigi, shaggy, sugar who made us participate in the activities that thanks to that we were winners of a mamajuana and coffee and they made us feel at home

We travelled as a family, my children being 21 & 5. We booked a two week stay, starting the last week in May. Summary: we loved it! We were very sad to leave. I’ve read so many negative reviews and we just do not agree. It’s a beautiful place with a beautiful atmosphere. Sitting in the sun, by the beach/pool, surrounded by palm trees… an abundance of food, drinks flowing and staff wanting to make you smile. What’s not to love. Were there a few issues? Yes. Did they get resolved? Yes. (This is the main thing). I was sent a survey one day 2 - I competed it and someone from customer services emailed me - they made sure we were satisfied throughout the holiday. We have travelled many places around the world and, people say, I’m fussy. I do like nice things, I have high standards. I also like to embrace other cultures. Hotel: The grounds are beautiful. We only had the option of a garden view room when we booked. This panicked me as I like to have a nice view on a high floor. I did email ahead and request this. When we arrived we were placed in a ground floor room (24118) with a beautiful view, that included the sea, but I really dislike ground floor rooms. So, we requested (again) a higher floor. It seems the issue is there’s not many ‘double’ rooms with two beds (and we were a family of 4). A family room was never an option open to us. The following day we moved to block 14 - 207. Second floor with a beautiful view of the sea, and a better location. There are work people tending to the grounds all the time, cutting the hedges and trees. And sweeping up. They never stop! The grounds are stunning. There are buggy’s to take your luggage to the room but they will also take you around (should you need to). We love to walk but our 5 year old loved the buggies so we sometimes hopped on. There was one driver that stood out. I think his name was Bebo?! He was great. A really lovely man and his English was great. Pools - they were great as our youngest could touch the floor in most places. The staff did all they could to keep them clean but when there are trees around them they do fill with leaves etc. But it’s no big deal!! WiFi - hard to comment as I had an eSIM with unlimited data - so my phone would connect to that if it dropped WiFi. But I think it was ok. Beach: was there seaweed? Yes! Did they work endlessly to clear it? Yes. Mother Nature does her thing - this is not the hotels fault! Some days there were loads and others none at all. Embrace what is given to you. Room: It was fine. We got dressed and slept there. For 3 adults and a child, it was small. Two double beds and not enough storage. But we figured it out. Annoying that you’re paying for 4 people but have the same size room as a couple! Shower was good. Beds comfy. Definitely could be better lighting - we took make up mirrors so were fine. There were 4 of us and we didn’t always get 4 towels. We emailed about this and it was ok for a while then it wasn’t. So we’d have to call for towels. Same with the mini bar - they left two waters each day. But we needed 4! (We used them at bed time and they didn’t always have them at the bars). Hairdryer wasn’t in a good way and we had to have that changed. Balcony was the best part - and the view. Although the balcony door lock broke - it was fixed the same day. Resturatants: À la carte restaurants- no issues booking them. We went to all of them. And some of them twice. Mexican - not a big fan. On the grill - we went twice. We enjoyed both times. It’s nice as it’s by the sea but some construction work blocks the view. We also visited here for breakfast and lunch but we preferred the main buffet. Plus they were drilling in the day. Japanese - our 5 year olds fave. We went twice. Lovely food and great staff. Italian - it’s good. Not amazing but we went twice. Tapas - we went and left as there was nothing suitable for our 5 year old and I wasn’t impressed either. In all these the staff/service are slow… but we are used to the UK and everyone rushing around. It’s no big deal. You’re on holiday, you can relax, drink and chat. Buffets: The main buffet - first of all I want to say a huge thank you to the women who stand at the entrance, welcoming you. They are always very friendly, give out the hand sanitizer (which I loved) and will find you a table, if needed. Great staff. The food - you will never go hungry. We don’t travel so we can eat what we eat in England. We like to enjoy different tastes, random concoctions and local foods. There was always more than enough choice. Breakfast - a great selection. We had hash browns, eggs, meats, cheeses etc. They do need to do beans daily tho - so this selection isn’t dry. You could also have pancakes with a range of toppings (my fave). Pastries, breads etc. Freshly made donuts! And an abundance of fruit. It was nice to try banana peel! And my favourite was the banana jam. You could also have a freshly made smoothie. Also some cereals available. Freshly made omelettes were available too. There was too much to mention. Drinks were served at the table. Lunch - possibly my fave meal. So much food to choose from. Again, much to mention. But you could have healthy salads etc or more fried items, meats etc. There was always pizza. A few times there was a ceaser salad station - which was a nice touch. Always ice cream, cakes and fruit for desert. The pink ice cream is delicious (not strawberry). Dinner - good. Always more than enough to choose from. Some nights were better than others but, again, you’d never go hungry. One night there was a lot of seafood (which I don’t like) and my only real option was pasta. But there was a pasta station and it was cooked in front of you and you could add what you liked. Delicious!! Also Ice creams etc again for desert. My main issue was the chef not replenishing the nachos! Even tho I asked repeatedly! Snack bar: This was open around 11am - 5.30pm. Pizzas, burgers, hot dogs and salads. My only recommendation would be to make more pepperoni pizza! Staff were friendly in all places but, as always, some more than others. Language barrier: We do not speak Spanish. But we can say a few words. This goes a long way. We should not visit any country and expect them to speak our language. We always found a way to communicate. If all else fails you use Google translate. Our 5 year old was able to communicate too. A lot of staff did speak English. I’ll be honest that sometimes we did have to wait longer at bars as Spanish speaking guests would appear and get served first. But what you going to do?! Other guests: we found that there were not many other English people, and we like this. We met people from the DR, Portugal, Columbia and so forth. I’ve seen so many reviews where people moan there’s no English people - if you want English people, stay in England. Entertainment: Daytime - it was none stop. Lots going on for all ages. We really enjoyed the pool aerobics, dance classes and pool side step class - we did these at the main pool and our favourite was 911. The step class really did feel like a work out - especially when 911 did the class. I also loved the sunset yoga, with Chocolate. The perfect way to end the day, before going back to the room to get ready to party! There were often games around the pool: bingo, kayak races, mini golf, inflatables in the pool etc. There’s no time to be bored. The team work really hard. Our favourite daytime activity was the Foam Pool Party! There’s a Zumba class first - this is where we first met Chocolate! He is incredible! Then it goes into the pool party - make sure you don’t miss this! We went both weeks. Kids club - we visited the kids club but there were too many mosquitoes. They even sprayed us with mosquito spray when we arrived. The kids club girls were often around the main pool in the day and did the mini disco at night - they were really lovely. Even though our son didn’t always join in the activities they would always come and chat to him. His fave activities were the pizza making class and the inflatables in the pool. There was also a play room - with snooker table, pool table, basketball and table football etc. This was in air con and in our block. So a huge bonus. There was a gym - I went in once, but the classes were enough by the pool. Evening entertainment: Let’s start with the best - The white party, on the beach! So much fun with the best entertainment team, especially Chocolate and 911! They kept the crowd going all night! They never stop dancing! And they can dance!! Other nights were: a Michael Jackson tribute, Queen tribute, Magic Show, Circus, Karaoke, live music, silent disco, Caribbean night... The entertainment staff would always try to get you involved where possible. We learned lots of new dances, thanks to 911 & Chocolate. Chocolate was always there to make sure you are dancing, smiling and having fun. He is a credit to the hotel. The premium guests are lucky to have him all day! The neon disco was a family favourite also - although I assume it’s usually in the theatre?! It was in the lobby and there was not much space. But it was fun and Chocolate and Chocolatina made it even more fun. The silent disco was also a favourite. And we were very excited it was advertised on our second week too. Our 5 year old was the most excited- so we were very upset when we went to the silent disco to find it was some kind of talent show for older women. And it was all in Spanish. It was dreadful and definitely not what we were promised! Would be good to update the app with changes. Esp for children that struggle with change. It was obvs in the dairy as I was told by spaghetti that the manager allows this to happen once a year. It was very disappointing. The theatre was being refurbished when we were there but there was a temporary stage at the back which was used instead. Some times they did things in the lobby but this was less than ideal as it was overcrowded and the acoustics not great. It’s a shame we missed the true experience of the theatre. Bars: The lobby bar was nice to get a cocktail in the day. It was busy when events were on at night. Jade bar was nice - by the quiet pool. Beach bar - by far my favourite, who doesn’t love a bar overlooking the beach. Starling was always happy to help. As was York. Main pool - swim up bar - good but often ran out of things. Staff were nice. Snack bar - not sure they even did alcoholic drinks. All bars need more staff as the wait is too long. Sports bar - it was nice but we only went in there for the odd drink. Drinks are fine - some better than others. I miss the margaritas. I prefer my drinks in a glass- so preferred the lobby bar for this. Some bars often ran out of things! Not ideal. They need to be replenished more. Also, at the white patty they need more staff on the beach bar as the queues were 20 min long. Excursions: We booked two excursions at the hotel. Monkey land - was a great morning out, we loved the monkeys and the coconut house talk. Saona island - another great day out. We booked this one with Nelson - he gave us his number and made sure all was ok on the day. Highly recommend. We took a taxi to downtown and got a Tuk Tuk back. Nice couple of hours out. We had a few walks out of the resort - on the main roads and down the beach. Make sure you head left (as looking at the sea) down the beach - so beautiful. Premium: so when we arrived I spoke to someone and I was able to get a very good (75% less than tui would have changed) deal for two weeks in premium. However, I looked at a few rooms and I wasn’t a fan - they were near the construction works or facing a wall. The rooms were much bigger and nicer but, for me, the view is a deal breaker. Also, as nice as the pool is - there is no breeze. The premium beach is not where I would have chosen to sit. I’m not a big drinker and we went to the à la carte restaurants as much as we liked anyhow. The only benefit to the premium for us is that we would have seen our fave entertainment staff more - chocolate and chocolatina. Both beautiful souls - and the only reason I would have paid premium. (If only I’d known this). So my opinion is - if you have it great, if you don’t great. And one more thing - it is humid but your hair will stay straight! To sum up: would I go again? Yes (if I visited the same place twice). Am I happy I booked this hotel? Yes!

We upgraded to Premium at check in and got a 65% discount, found it worthwhile for shaded palapas, quieter dining, and well‑maintained pools and beaches. Staff were pleasant, and daily cleaning kept everything fresh. On the downside, food was consistently lukewarm, our butler was useless, and even basics like bedsheets and pillow covers didn’t fit properly. Bar staff favored Spanish speakers, Premium Beach was spoiled by guests blasting music, and WiFi for the TV was unreliable. The Premium restaurant was calmer but offered less choice, and non‑premium guests were rightly turned away from Premium bars, reinforcing exclusivity. Bottom line: Premium delivers value, but weak food, patchy service, and poor attention to detail stop this resort from being truly impressive.