Looking for input from those who have been to the Secrets of Excellence resort. We're going in a few weeks and would like to know if the roads/walkways inside the resort are smooth enough for roller blading. We've heard that the water can be rough so we may not get to sail or windsurf. Coming from Minnesota in the middle of a cold winter, being able to skate would at least somewhat make up for our disappointment about the rough seas. Any other comments about Secrets would also be appreciated. Yes, we're taking the malaria pills!

I spent five days at Secrets Excellence Punta Cana last summer. I don't know that I'd want to skate board on the walkways. The main walkway from the lobby and some dining areas is wood slats and has water on either side of it. Someother walkways are not flat. There is a long driveway into the resort where you might be OK.
The water was too rough to snorkle when we were there, but we went in the ocean everyday. We loved relaxing on the beach. The pool area is great too.
Our favorite place to dine was the gourmet restaurant right off the lobby. I forget the name, but think it started with a "Q".

We went to Secrets last summer. The resort is beautiful! The beach to die for...,the pool was incredible. My husband who is normally an ocean person spent whole entire days in that pool. The gourmet restaurant is the best, the breakfast and lunch buffets are very good. Our room was very nice..loved the mini bar. If your mini-bar person does not restock every day, just call to front desk or find him in the hallway. We did get sick for half the time...there was a beach barbecue the first nite, and alot of people came down with montezuma's revenge a few days later. All in all, we would stll go back there. but would be more careful with what we ate. Make sure you sign up for the free horseback riding the first day...or you might not get to go. Also, they have wonderful photographers.For about $60-$100 you can have pictures taken all over the resort. .We had some taken, and they were great! But you need to book early. Many honeymooners there. We also took floaties (bought at CVS) because people did hang on to them all day instead of sharing. we did not do any tours, although my husband did take a scuba diving course. If you have any more questions , just ask. Have a great time!

I found the name of the great gourmet restaurant there. It's Quisqueya. We ate several dinners there. Definitely WAY better than the other restaurants.
There are some local "shop" right off the beach. If you are facing the ocean, they are all the way off to the left.

Thanks so much for the info. Even with the malaria pills and threats of stomach problems, your responses were so positive, we're now much more excited about the trip!

I was there in the summer when you would expect mosquitos to be at their worst. I just got a few bites our first night dining outdoors. After that, I used "Off" insect repellent on my legs and I was fine. I never had any stomach problems either. Use the bottled water in the room to brush your teeth too. They say the water from the faucet is OK to do that, but I figure, why take chances. We always kept a bottle of water by the sink so we wouldn't forget. Oh, bring an insulated mug. It's great for taking your drinks (even water) to the beach. The cups they give you are plastic and don't hold up well. They had no qualms about making out drinks in our mugs.
You will love Secrets Excellence.

For LOADS of info on hotels or anything in Punta Cana go to www.debbiesdominicantravel.com Go to the forums on the East Coast for info on Punta Cana.

Thanks, Schmerl! I'm going to check out Debbie's. You've been a great resource.

We weer at Secrets in march - my husband ran and I walked every day around the resort on the sidewalks - you could probaby set up a skating route, as long as it is early enough in the a.m. (before 8) There is way too much foot traffic for it to be safe otherwise. And the walks around the pool area are not continuous. That being said, they do have a nice long driveway which would suffice as well - you could devise a few loops through the resort and driveway that would work for skating.

There is no buffet restaurant at night - which we thought was great. The only food we were disappointed in , strangely, was the Dominican - it doesn't even haveits own restaurant- you can order off the Dominican "menu" in the Mexican restaurant. There is no menu -it is verbal - and the language barrier, though they try, makes it a little tough.

The rooms were great, the food was escellent and the beach is conducive to very long walks in either direction. Enjoy - we did!!

Just wondering if Secret resort(do they serve seafood for lunch and dinner everyday?). Currenlty we are thinking of going to Anguilla or Turk and Caicos. How would you rate the resort food? I only eat seafood. Thank you.

They do have seafood for lunch at the buffet daily. Thay also have a seafood restaurant open nightly and some of the entrees on the other restaurant menus, which are on display daily, also feature seafood.

We have sayed at multiple all-inclusives in Jamaica, Punta Cana, La ROomana, Nassau, and Mexico - the food here was definitely one of the best we experienced. The portions are not huge at the evening meals, but if you select from all four courses, it is more than sufficient.

Are these resorts adults only?

Yes, Secrets is adults only. As much as I love children, it was great to not have any around while on vacation. It was SO relaxing on the beach without screaming children all around.
The seafood restaurant is outdoors and is open for lunch and dinner. You can have lobster every day for lunch and dinner if you want. The gourmet restaurant also has some seafood on their menu.

We just returned and the Christmas winds are in full force so water sports are out of the question. There are not really a lot of paved roadway that is suitable for blading but they have an excellent gym. We had a fabulous time except for the Prietro Tour we took. They booked our group on a catamaran trip that involved a 5 hour bus ride, filthy bathrooms, overcrowded boats and they ran out of food. Look into the Pietro Tours very carefully. The resort is awesome. Enjoy!

PrettyPenny: Thanks for the heads up on the tour. We'll take your advice and skip it. Sounds like it was a nightmare for you. The horseback riding sounds like a fun excursion we may try. Disappointed about the water sports as we had been planning for windsurfing, sailing & snorkeling. I guess I'll take some long walks and bring a lot of books to read at the pool. How's the nightlife?

If you want to do the horseback riding at Secrets, sign up as soon as you get there. We waited a couple days and they were booked up for the rest of our stay.

Schmerl - Thanks. Will do the day we arrive. You've been a great help.

We just got back from Screts. We went with 3 other couples and had a great time. Did not take malaria pills beforehand but never saw a mosquito. Definitely try the horseback riding. It was great. After the free ride, my husband and I immmediately signed up for the gallop ride later in the day. It was 45 minutes for $30.00 I think and was awesome. It was just the 2 of us with a guide who rode behind us. He would yell out right or left if we came to divisions on the trail or whistle when we went the wrong way. We galloped in the surf with nobody in front of us. It was one of the best rides ever.
We did get to boogie board on two days when the weather permitted.
I do believe you could roller blade on the road and pathways behind the resort.
There are a lot of optional activites that the resort provides including yoga, beach volleyball, and water aerobics so you can keep very active even if you can't do the water sports. Have fun!

Critch: Muchas gracias! You've given me hope - I think I'll pack my skates. And the horseback rides sound great. Also had given up hope about the water sports but now am excited - even one day at boogie board, windsurfing, sailing or snorkeling sounds better than none!
Will post a report when we return.

FaithO,
have a WONDERFUL time. I can't wait to read your trip report.