Iam looking for any information anyone can tell me about Punta Cana and the best hotels ther. My husband and I are looking to go ther at the end of June for our one year anniversary. We heard that the Paradisus was a nice hotel?! Any info. would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanx, KIM

Go to.../www.debbiesdominicantravel.com. for all the reviews of the hotels in Punta Cana... we are going to the Catalonia..also of note is the Melia which is a great hotel chain..

Kim: We are heading to the Paradisus at the end of this month. I did a lot of research and this is a highly rated resort. (Apple Vacations gives it 6 apples too). By the way, it IS a Melia hotel, which tends to be quite reputable worldwide. I'll be happy to get back online with my review once we get back.

Stayed at the Riu Palace Macao in May 2000. Very nice resort, great food, gorgeous beach, try to get a suite instead of a regular room. Highest floor doesn't matter since the palm trees right in front of your balcony are higher than the hotel. Good luck

We also stayed at the Riu Palace Macao and really liked it. It is a very nice hotel and the beach is beautiful. I would agree with the recommendation to get a suite. The beaches in Punta Cana are outstanding.

First off, the beach at Puna Cana is awesome (21? miles long & 1 of top 10 in the world apparently). You didn't mention your age---but we found the Riu Palace in Punta Cana too formal for our liking & only european guests who were not friendly. We checked <BR>out the Riu Bambu right next door & liked it alot--asked some guests & got good comments. You will get slightly better food at the Riu Palace. It's hard <BR>to beat the Riu chain for quality & service---we're going to Riu Playacar in <BR>the mayan coast of Mexico in Mar & won't be disappointed.

we just got back from the riu bambu [it was new in 1999] and is right next to the riu palace. <BR> <BR>i would agree with becky, the palace did seem very formal compared to the bambu. We had mostly Spanish and Argentinian guests at our resort [understandable since the riu chain in spanish] and they were all very friendly. couldn't really communicate with each other but we used lots of hand signals HA. the staff was outstanding and there's always something to do. <BR> <BR>We don't have one complaint about our vacation - best caribbean one we've had [it's our 3rd] and would definitely go to another riu resort if we had the chance [we're looking at the ones in spain and portugal next] <BR> <BR>hope that helps. <BR>jp