W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive

Elizabeth Maneliuk

W Punta Cana opened just recently, in April, so everything feels new, stylish, and very thoughtfully designed. If you’re someone who cares about aesthetics, this place is honestly a dream. There are two pools, each with its own vibe, and both are super photogenic What I really loved was the service. Everyone was genuinely friendly, always smiling, and the cleaning was perfect every single day. Anytime we needed something, they responded right away and were super helpful A special shoutout to the restaurant Scena it became our favorite. All the restaurants were good in their own way, but Scena really stood out for the atmosphere and the service. The desserts were surprisingly amazing, and I love that the coffee shop is open almost all day. I’ll add some photos so you can see the place yourself. If you’re into beautiful spaces, great service, and overall good vibes, this hotel is exactly what you’re looking for. The food was tasty, and there was plenty of variety. We honestly enjoyed our stay a lot

Ash Patel

The reviews stated that the food was improving. Definitely not the case. We know not to expect the best at any all inclusive but the food at the W is on par with a mediocre resort. We attempted to share our experience with Sergio the general manager and he seemed like he could honestly care less. The bartenders are mostly great but when we were there the hotel was booked for a large company meeting and the staff is definitely not ready. The fact that Sergio was more attentive to the large company vs. our party of 10 was dissapointing. We were unable to eat at any of the restaurants that required reservations because they were booked. We even woke up early to try to get a reservation to no avail. Room service is also a joke, they limit you on number of items. If you order an omelet with 3 toppings, that counts as three items. You can barely get enough food for 1.5 people per room per day. What a joke. There are many other resorts on Punta Cana that you should consider staying at. My guess is the W name won't stick around much longer.

Azah wordplay

This was my very first solo trip, and the W Punta Cana exceeded every expectation I had. As a young female traveler, feeling safe is my number one priority — and from the moment I arrived, I felt completely comfortable, protected, and cared for. The entire staff was attentive, welcoming, and always one step ahead in making sure guests had what they needed. I want to give a HUGE shout-out to Anyelo, Olvis, and especially Elian. Each of them played a major role in making my trip unforgettable. Their professionalism, kindness, and ability to anticipate even the smallest details truly set this resort apart. They consistently went above and beyond, checking in on me, offering support, and making sure I had the best experience possible. I also want to highlight the gentleman who hosted the Mixology Class — I unfortunately didn’t catch his name, but he was amazing. The class was fun, engaging, and easily one of the highlights of my stay. The property itself is stunning, the food and drinks were great, and every corner of the resort felt safe, clean, and thoughtfully maintained. For anyone considering a solo getaway — especially young travelers — I highly recommend W Punta Cana. You’ll feel taken care of from start to finish. I can’t wait to go back!

Coast-to-coast

Highlights: The spa was the star of the trip — I had the best massage of my life, and it truly elevated our experience. Scena restaurant was outstanding, and the beach dinner cookout was delicious with great atmosphere. The grab-and-go station was convenient, and the Living Room bar stood out thanks to Edger, who made a fantastic Negroni with his own twist. The pools were also beautiful, especially the chill pool with its swim-up bar and the big hot tub. Room for improvement: Breakfast was limited and repetitive. The resort advertised six restaurants, but only two were open each day. Service overall was kind but inconsistent and in need of more training. For a brand-new hotel, our room still showed construction debris and sticky residue in the bathroom. The beach itself was just OK, with coarser sand and rougher waters than expected. The resort is also fairly secluded, so plan to stay on property or commit to full-day excursions. Staff Shout-Outs: • Beroni (Server): Friendly, attentive, and made dining experiences special. • Edger (Bartender): Crafted excellent cocktails (including a custom Negroni) and created a welcoming atmosphere at the Living Room bar. With more polish and the full dining lineup available in peak season, this could easily become a 4-star experience.

Agnes Gierszewski

This resort has every ingredient for a true five-star experience—but unfortunately, it’s missing the most essential one: service that matches its ambitions. The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and rooted in a relaxed island culture. And while that charm is undeniable, it comes with a speed that can only be described as slow-motion hospitality. There is no sense of urgency, no anticipation of guest needs, and no systems in place to prevent recurring problems. Rather than list endless issues, I’m focusing on the ones that are most fundamental—and absolutely fixable. 1. Management & Process This property desperately needs a multicultural general manager with real culinary and operational experience. There is no cohesive strategy behind how the resort is run, and it shows across every department. 2. Breakfast: A Test of Patience Breakfast is buffet-style, but beverages—including something as basic as a coffee refill—require a server. Since guests cannot get their own refills, you must wait until someone notices you. Expect an additional 30 minutes just to secure a second cup. Warm eggs are a luxury, and locating simple seasonings feels like solving a treasure hunt. 3. Lunch & Dinner: Food Quality & Service The resort clearly wants guests to be impressed by their culinary abilities—but the food itself is marginal at best. There is no global or sophisticated influence in the dishes; everything is extremely local in flavor and presentation, far from what you would expect at a five-star restaurant. They do however spend extreme amount of time on the presentation of the dish forgetting that none of this will matter once you take one bite. Adding to this, the menu contains only four main items during lunch and dinner, yet service still stretches close to two hours. I asked staff why condiments never accompany dishes, especially something as simple as a hamburger. Their response was that the chefs believe the food is “above average” and shouldn’t need extras like salt or pepper. Unfortunately, if you request them anyway, you’ll wait another 30 minutes, as servers often forget such requests. Therefore you are eating something that has zero to no taste. 4. The Bar: A Study in Spectatorship At the bar, you will often see four or five employees standing idle while one bartender slowly prepares a cocktail from a menu of seven. Meanwhile, the kitchen operates with only three hardworking employees fulfilling all orders. The imbalance in labor is puzzling, and it shows. 5. The Unfortunate Reality It eventually became clear that if you wave money, you’ll get attention. This should never be the operating standard at a resort claiming five-star status. Final Thoughts The potential for greatness is here, but the current execution falls dramatically short. The food is marginal and extremely local, the service is painfully slow, and the operational structure lacks cohesion and foresight. With proper management, training, and a reimagining of the culinary direction, this resort could indeed reach five-star status. Until then, it remains a property with excellent scenery—but a disappointing overall experience.