Punta Cana or bust?!
 

My husband said that he has heard that Punta Cana is a great family destination. I am beginning to explore possibilities for a July/August vacation for our family of 4 (children ages 11 and 15) and wish to know if what he heard is correct. As well, I would like recommendations on where to stay. Accommodations with a kitchen (suite) are preferable but we would consider a hotel room without if it were spacious enough for four people. Also, would all inclusive be the way to go in PC?

Yes, Punta Cana is a great family destination. Look for resorts that say "family friendly" or some words like that. Most of the resorts in Punta Cana are all-inclusive hotels. All your meals and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are included in the price you pay. I don't really think you would want accommodations with a kitchen. It is perferable to stay at the resort unless you leave on a guided and group tour.

OK...so maybe AI is the way to go. Please post opinions on best AI for a family. Looking for good beach location, great pools, nice accommodations, good food, excellent value for the money!

Punta Cana was our first trip without the kids and the whole time we wished we had brought them because they would have had such a wonderful time. We stayed at the Bavaro Beach hotel. There are several hotels on this property - (Garden, Beach, Casino, Palace etc.) We found the Garden Hotel to be next to the activity pool and very noisy - glad we had a room in the Beach Hotel section - older, but much quieter. They have added other buildings since, priced a little higher but I am sure you would be able to find something to fit your budget. Each hotel had a buffet restaurant and an al a carte of varying themes. The food was great and the beach and water safe. AI is the way to go here.

Take a look at the Iberostar complex. There are three hotels in one complex. We stayed in the "Bavaro Suites". Two double beds, then a step down to a small "living room" area with a couple of couches and other miscellaneous furniture. Take a look at their "kids club". Another good one is the Grand Palladium Complex. Three resorts in there also. They have "Junior Suites" with either two double beds or one king and then a couch area. Both hotels have nice pools and nice beach.

Thank you for your replies. Can anyone comment on their stay at any of the Iberostars (Punta Cana Resort, Bavaro All Suite Resort, Dominicana)? What about the Allegro?

We stayed at the Allegro and Iberostar Bavaro Suites. The Allergo is a one hotel only place with less places for eating. I remember one large buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and one place at the beach for lunch. At the Bavaro Suites we were able to go to different restaurants and more pools because we could use the facilities of the Punta Cana and Dominciana. Don't remember a kids club at Allegro, but I do remember one at Iberostar. The beach at Allegro had some seaweed on it and in the water, the beach at Bavaro had none. If you want a small hotel area Allegro would be better, if you a larger hotel area with more restaurants, pools and walking paths then Iberostar would be better.

As I read the reviews on hotels in PC, it appears that there is no place that goes without some negative reviews. Are there any places that anyone can clearly say "stay away"!!!? Please tell me why.