Memories Splash Punta Cana Resort
Playa Bavaro, Dominican Republic

Mr M Gledhill, Halifax

Hotel grounds look great, wildlife running around is nice and there is a train running between its self and royalton every 5 minutes which makes getting around so easy. The first room we got in block 8 was directly across from social bar which played loud music 'til late and very noisy. Room was a premium upgrade but not all that, especially with 2 young children. Complained and ended up taking a family room upgrade which was in block 5 much better even. Had its own jacuzzi inside. Food is by far the best I have ever had in an all inclusive hotel and have stayed in many over the years. Under the sea restaurant is very nice and is not all sea food which puts many off.
Staff are friendly and helpful. Pools are clean, water park is ok (but beware more to follow) beach is nice fluffy sand but sea is not flat always rough.

Now the bad parts .. pools, rooms and Aqua park are death traps. The tiles down are totally inadequate for the job. In the 2 weeks I was there I could not count the number of slips and falls I saw. The hotel just have wet floor signs everywhere and take no responsibility. But I have never been anywhere so slippy and that included the rooms. Any hint of wetness on the tiles and your in deep trouble. The water park has very very strict night rules, 120cm dead if your under this you can only go on the baby slides which are fine for a 3 year old and over 120 you can go on the big slides which are great. We were a family of 4, with a 2 year old new to slides and a 6 year old who can swim and has been on every slide you can think of. She was 119cm so only allowed on baby slide which ruined her holiday in honesty as the water park was the reason we booked. My 2 year old loved the baby area but was unsure about the slide normally I would put her on my knee and she would ride with me till she was comfortable to do on her own but as I'm over 120 I could not take her on. So as a family there was no slide we could ride together. Many hotels I have stayed in I have been able to sign a waiver in reception to allow my 6 year old to ride the bigger slides but not here. Hotel is crazy expensive if you want anything from the shop; Pringles $5, 16 nappies $33, pack of baby wipes $10, chocolate bar $5. Excursions are unbelievably expensive; 3 hours pirate adventure which was 20 minutes in a taxi cost $114 per person.

The staff outside your block will offer you a free gift when you arrive, they will call it a welcome meeting at the sister hotel with breakfast and a free days access to there facilities. This is a 1.5 hour sales pitch to buy there timeshare at the hotel and others. Offers us something for 10 years at $22,000

Worst thing of all kids club. Took my daughter there one day no problem. 2nd time she went dropped her off at 9.30 signed her in and put down for her to have lunch. Went back at 2pm not only had she not been fed, she had not been offered a drink and was sat on a computer on her own. I asked what she had been doing and said just sat there because they were not allowed to do any art or drawing. We trust our children to these people who are meant to be trained.

The hotel would be pretty good for adults or if you have teenage children but it's not the child friendly hotel it makes out.

Mrs G Rees, Slough

Fabulous holiday at Memories Punta Cana! Fabulous sandy white beach and blue sea, on site aqua park was fantastic. No queues either! Very family friendly, very clean. Great food. Ate way to much. They remove towels from beach if unattended for 2-3 hours which makes a refreshing change, but still need to get up at 6.30 to get shade round the main pool. We paid for a diamond club room which was well worth the extra £250 for 4 people as we got exclusive use of a quieter pool with lots more shaded areas so not such rush to grab beds each day. Plus own section on beach, diamond lounge and bars with premium drinks, at the theatre shows we had access to bar at the back with popcorn, nuts, sweets, crisps whilst show on. Unlike other guests with no diamond club who had to go out to main bar with no snacks. Means a lot to kids. You also get a "butler" who will pre-book a la carte restaurants each night if you want them but we actually liked the main buffet with lobster, prawns, steak, pasta made from scratch to your requirements. Would definitely go again. And Sunshine offered great rates compared to other holiday companies. Came home two days ago and missing it already.