Zel Punta Cana

We have been going to the Melia properties in Punta Cana for over 25 years..we have now stayed at all 5 of the properties..and this was our first to the newly renovated and rebranded ZEL PUNTA CANA. This is a smaller more relaxed resort within the larger Melia property. I had past experience with the General manager Miguel from previous visits to Melia.. Miguel and all his staff did an excellent job looking after our requests and our holiday plans. Since we have been to Melia for many years we met familiar staff as well as new staff.. Francesco (old friend of many years) captain of Prada and all his wonderful staff looked after our breakfast, lunch and our first night dinner buffet. The Prada bar area is very relaxing and has excellent service ..Florinda , Mareni, Sarah Elise Juan and all the others looked after all our cocktail needs. Pool area bar Antario (Ontario nickname) and Nafila did a great job. At the Volcan (steak house) was one of our favourites.. good menu with plenty of choices.. and after our first visit the next visit our server Daniel presented us with a special shrimp/onion ring appetizer not on the menu..We did cause some staff laughs and fun with the pins and tattoos just ask Daniel Essmiley(Smiley) Maria Jose and all the other in our group picture..the many laughs Papa and their sister(Nancy) had with them.. Nokyo the asian is another excellent reataurant and we received excellent food and service. The nokyo has both ala carte and table show cooking.. The beach area with Zels own area with beach club bar and restaurant is a great spot for lunch and afternoon snacks ..great views seating and bar service.. and once a week there is a special dinner at the beach which we attended...our favourite servers from Volcan where there to serve us and entertain. We had a nice swim up suite..which was in an excellent location and was nicely renovated and laid out...really enjoyed it..our best type of room for our needs. The Zel bracelets work as our room key and is an excellent feature. Snack and fridge restocked every day with a nice selection .. If need anything Whats Ap the staff and your needs will be looked after. Dinner reservations were easy to book either by staff or by app. Check in is paperless and very relaxing and the from reception coffee /theme store is a nice place to pick up snack,coffeee, water or beer .. Check out was done by email link and resort exit receipt by email...very stress free.. To sum up our experience..we had a wonderful time and most definitely would recommend Zel.. if you want a friendly laid back relaxing vacation. Golf at the Cocotal golf course was our primary activity on this vacation..this resort is on the Melia golf shuttle route and provides reliable service to the course...since we golfed each day..we dd not use the gym or spa... we toured the gym and wellness spa ...did not use this trip but we will on our next...from the tour make sure you check them out...very nice and well appointed. Thank you very much Miguel and all your staff...excellent job...exceptional resort.. and already looking forward

We were celebrating our 37th Anniversary in zel punta cana and everything was amazing, excellent service, food , , entertainment, everything, specially our concierges Rafael and wascar , they mad our vacation successful … we will back soon

The resort is beautiful and the room accommodations are the best part of the hotel. The food was good, except for the buffet option (cold food isn’t cold and hot food isn’t hot). The pool and beach area are lovely. Our biggest disappointment was the lack of entertainment at the hotel. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation by the pool or beach, this is a great spot. But don’t come if you’re looking for live music, things to do at the resort, or entertainment.

Went solo to Punta Cana for a Girls Retreat and we all stayed at the Zel Punta Cana. The hotel sits in the private gated Melia resort properties (at least three resorts within the compound, all gorgeous). I opted for the swim up suite and felt like a Queen, it was super spacious both inside and out with a private outdoor tub and private pool access. Across the pool are jetted seating areas (like jacuzzi's without the heat). One of the days I lounged in the daybeds that are IN the pool, so relaxing, and another day I rented the Bali Bed (about $130 USD). At the cabana I ordered the T-Bone Steak and shrimp (Additional $65, yum). The grounds are massive so be sure to ask a host for a tour of the properties, also go see the Iguanas and turtles at the lake (on the property, a must see!). Everything that I ate was delish and the staff was TOP TIER! if you are a carnivore like myself, you will love the MEAT PLATTER (I forget the exact name) at the Steak House. Also, the tepanyaki was fun! I want to shout out a few that made a great impression and I will miss: MARIA, Randall, Angelisa, Juan, Miguel, ESTHER, RAFAEL, WASCAR, and Jose!! They will for sure take care of you. Til we meet again!

First of all I want to say it's a beautiful small resort. Not for families since there is nothing kids can do except pool and beach. When we arrived they had about 200 Influencers going around being loud and making it hard to get service. The service is TERRIBLE to begin with, you get drinks almost at the end of your meals. My family and I went to the beach restaurant to just be looked at by EVERYONE and not be served for 40 minutes mind you we locked eyes and waved my hand but still ignored. I went to the bar where the bartender looked at me straight in the eye and ignored me completely. I felt like I was doing them a favor by being there. We repeated our drinks and meal but somehow they always forgot or didn't bring it. They just socialize among themselves. Good thing is unlike other resorts you can go to la carte restaurant once a day throughout your stay. The pool is warm but not once did i see anyone going around cleaning it or be approached for drinks even though as a swim out the bar was walking distance. Beach is beautiful. Last night we were there i went to the volcan and had steak with fries. The next morning I woke up.feeling sick and since then I have been in my bed with antibiotics due to food poisoning I got from either the well done steak or dessert from the buffet ( Had nothing else but those.2) The buffet let's say i got better food in Cuba. For example lunch could be zucchini, carrots and onions come back at dinner it's Zucchini with onion on the side. Food is not worth what we paid for and not quality food for a 4.5 star hotel. Overall my first experience in DR disappointed me. We wanted to try a new place and this hotel made me wonder if it's even worth to try other hotels. Read well all the reviews bad and good because I saw enough Influencers that makes me.wonder how many reviews are really truthful.