Last year, my husband and I finally dug ourselves out of consumer debt. Excited, we started planning the “honeymoon we never had.” I searched for locations all over the world and read countless articles and reviews for resorts in Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Somewhere along the line, I got intrigued by the idea of an “all-inclusive vacation” and narrowed down my search to the Caribbean. While I had my heart set on vacationing in Aruba, I ended up deciding that it was just too expensive. For about half the cost, we could vacation elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Enter Punta Cana
Once I narrowed down my search to the Caribbean, I started to focus on the Dominican Republic. And, once I decided that we wanted to visit Punta Cana, we ultimately decided to vacation at the Majestic Colonial. What sold me were the countless positive reviews on TripAdvisor, the beautiful pictures, the option of “adults only,” and the in-room jacuzzi. We booked our trip through Expedia.com, and we were on our way!
Our Majestic Colonial Experience
Let’s start at the beginning.
We arrived at the resort late in the afternoon. Check-in was a breeze and our butler, David, showed up almost immediately to give us a tour of the resort. He showed us around and ended the tour in our beautiful and clean room. We stayed in room 3207 which overlooked one of the Colonial Club (adults only) pool bars.
The Pools
The Majestic Colonial has one giant pool and two smaller adults only pools. All of the pools are spacious and clean. There are loud areas (mostly near the swim-up bars) and there are quiet places to relax as well. The water is always cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough to be comfortable. The pools are basically perfect.
The Beach
The beach is absolutely heaven on earth. The ocean is an amazing turquoise color. Beach chairs and palapas are everywhere. Even with the resort being completely full, we never had any problem finding a place to sit in the sun or shade. To top it off, the Majestic Colonial has the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life.
The Resort
The resort grounds are immaculate. The employees seem obsessed with keeping them in perfect condition, as we could always find people sweeping, trimming hedges, and watering the beautiful gardens. Every inch of the resort is clean and cared for, and we were extremely impressed with the detail that was put into maintaining the resort.
The Staff
The staff made our vacation the very best it could have been. Every employee was helpful and kind. We did tip, but we got great service regardless. The people of this resort are hardworking, kind, and honest. They work very long days, but always go the extra mile to make sure you are having a good time. Everyone we encountered was extremely friendly and helpful. It was obvious that they take a lot of pride in what they do. Furthermore, communication with the staff was rarely a problem. Most of the staff knew at least a little bit of English. If not, it was easy to find somebody who did.
The Food
Most of the food was great. There were a few things that I didn’t care for, but that is the great thing about an all-inclusive vacation. Some of the food was amazing – the grilled lobster, the Japanese restaurant, the sushi. I am a fairly picky eater but was always able to find something that I enjoyed.
The Drinks
There are bars all over the place. We never had a problem getting a drink. Even on the beach, there are waiters walking around taking drink orders. It is fantastic. My favorite drink I had at the resort was the “Dominican Sunrise.” Ironically, having too many of them kept me in bed too late to ever see the actual sunrise!!!
The Party Scene
If you are coming to party, the Majestic Colonial may be your place. However, the scene is more upscale and doesn’t fall within the college age group. You won’t find people doing keg stands or puking on the sidewalks, but you will find people having a few too many drinks and falling asleep on a Bali Bed. There is also a nightclub right on the resort…if you are into techno and strobe lights. We went a few times during our visit, and it was a ton of fun!
We will definitely be going back to the Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana. Not only was it beautiful, but it was reasonably priced as well. In addition, we found the beach to be much nicer than the neighboring resorts we would pass in our daily walks. All in all, we had an amazing vacation. We highly suggest the Majestic Colonial Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic…and we cannot wait to go back!
About Holly
That looks like a great vacation. You shouldn’t show that in the middle of winter. I’m very envious.
My Financial Independence Journey recently posted..Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT) Dividend Stock Analysis
Now that it’s over, I’m envious of myself too. I am sooooooooo ready for spring!
Completely agree! Here I am in NYC in the low 20s thinking I should just drop everything and move to the beach. Not cool!
Looks like an awesome place though. I bet yall had a great time!
Lacy @EarnVerse recently posted..Meet the Virtual Employer – Awesomeness in Banking Form
Looks like a wicked trip guys! Made me even more excited for our holiday to Mexico in 10 weeks
Savvy Scot recently posted..Making the Most of Your Savings
I hope you have an awesome time in Mexico! I have never been!
Looks like you guys had a great time! In particular those pools look absolutely amazing. I would love to go to this resort someday.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..The Death of the 9-5 Work Week
The pools were awesome and super clean.
even the ones with a bar? people seem to go less to the bathroom when they drink in the water… Otherwise it looks gorgeous, I want to have an all inclusive holiday soon, just do nothing and enjoy gorgeous food and drinks.
pauline recently posted..About money, time, and doing the right thing
We talked about that! Some of the pool bar drunks never seemed to go to the bathroom. I’m sure they were whizzing in the pool!
Oh well.
Looks like a great trip. I have heard nothing but good things about the DR and you are just adding to that list. This will surely be a place my old lady and I go in the future!
You won’t regret it. It’s heaven on earth!
Looks like an awesome vacation guys! The pictures are just great, especially with the snow we have on the ground
We’ve not done the all-inclusive resort yet, but have cruised several times. I think something like this is definitely next on our list.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..5 Investing Mistakes That Are Easy to Make
We hadn’t done in all inclusive either…but we LOVED it. All of the alcohol was included as well! Not that we drank *that* much, but it was nice not having to carry money around (except for tipping)
It looks like you guys had a fantastic trip! I’ve never even heard of Punta Cana but I will definitely put it on my travel list now. I’ve been to a few all-inclusive resorts and they are amazing — without a doubt the way to have a vacation!
The pictures are beautiful and the scenery is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Carrie Smith recently posted..How to Create a Successful Freelance Business by Giving Back
We had never done an all inclusive before. Now, I think we’re hooked!
Puna Cana is probably the #2 destination for people from this neck of the woods (only behind Florida). We went to an all inclusive a few years ago in Cuba and we loved it. We also went to an adult only resort which was nice. Havana was an amazing city too.
Catherine recently posted..Our Budget Friendly Wedding
That doesn’t surprise me at all. We actually joked that it was “Punta Canada” because there were so many Canadians there!!!
That looks AMAZING! I had no idea the beaches were so nice over there.
If you don’t mind me asking – how much does it cost to stay there? We are looking for our next holiday destination and that looks like a winner to me!
Glen @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted..Why do Banks Like the Phrases “Please Hold” and “Transaction Pending”
The hotel itself was only $1600 USD for the week which works out to $231 per day. I think that is an insane value for what we got- a fancy room with minifridge and minibar and in room jacuzzi, beach front and ocean front, beautiful resort, and 100% of all meals and alcohol included. That’s about $115 per day per person!
I’m envious! We stayed at teh Punta Cana Resort and Spa several years ago and absolutely loved it. The staff was wonderful, it seemed like we had a gaggle of them following us around in the evenings making sure we were 100% enjoying ourselves. That was actually my first dive ever. I’m a PADI Divemaster now so if I have to blame anyone for getting bit with that particular bug, I’ll blame the Domincan Republic
Jose recently posted..Estate Planning – Our Return From Miami
Punta Cana is amazing. I cannot wait to go back!
Great pictures! What a wonderful vacation for you both. I assume from your description that the honeymoon was worth waiting for!
Thanks Sally! It was worth the wait!
Michelle and I went to Punta Cana back in 2008 and it really was the experience of a lifetime.. The people down there are so nice and wonderful, and the beaches are breathtaking. We met people there from all over the world, which was awesome, and found a few other couples to hang out with during the evenings. All and all, we would love to go back down there, given the opportunity.
Jefferson @SeeDebtRun recently posted..Raising Money for a Down Payment on a Home
The people are amazing. We also met people from all over the world…including some awesome friends we made…”Club Canada!” Good times!
I love your pictures! I am so jealous.
Michelle recently posted..#Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Thanks Michelle!
Wonderful pictures. That ocean speaks to me. I’m ready to leave now….
AverageJoe recently posted..5 Great Stock Buying Tips To Practice Today
Me too. I cannot wait to go back.
Putting that on my list. I want to be there right at this moment. ahhhhh sigh…btw why is there always that one big guy in a speedo?
Budget and the Beach recently posted..I Have a Confession
There were TONS of speedos and a few topless women here and there. It was pretty funny.
Looks absolutely beautiful! Glad you guys had a great time
Mackenzie recently posted..Things You’ll Never Hear Me Say-Part 2
Thanks Mackenzie!
What amazing pictures – love turquoise waters!! Thanks for the write-up and you two look like you had a great and relaxing time.
anna recently posted..Seal Pupping Season at La Jolla Cove and February-ish Debt Update
I also love turquoise waters. I had never seen water that beautiful in my life!
It reminds me of my honeymoon a long time ago only we went to the Bahamas. Your pictures are beautiful! Ours was all inclusive too with 2 meals a day. I remember we were across the street from a casino. We had our choice of gambling, floor shows and lounges.
krantcents recently posted..Should You Invest in Rental Property or a REIT?
This resort had a small casino too! They also had nightly entertainment and shows.
Thanks for the review, I’ll definitely consider this place for me and the BF’s next tropical vacay
Mo’ Money Mo’ Houses recently posted..Thailand Trip Days 7 & 8 – Two Tickets to Paradise
I definitely would!~
I just HAVE to visit the Caribbean someday! These pictures are so beautiful, and the review was great! I`ve always dreamt of experiencing a luxurious all inclusive resort, and just relax and enjoy the company!
The Norwegian Girl recently posted..My Old School Savings Method
It was a dream of mine as well! Now I am hooked…..and I want to go back!
Looks super awesome!!!!!
I am so jealous! Currently dreaming of a beach vacation
What other types of entertainment did y’all have?
SavvyFinancialLatina recently posted..I Have a Boring Personal Finance Story
They had singing and live shows~ We didn’t make it to any of the live shows but the singers and were great.
With all of the snow in the forecast all of these tropical vacations that everyone is sharing are really making me jealous. It sounds like you two had a great time.
Justin@TheFrugalPath recently posted..In Debt and Out of Ideas? Draw Your Purchases.
We did!!!
You had me sold until that picture with the fat guy in the speedo of to the side! No, it looks great, and I’m glad you finally got your jacuzzi room!
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Is Poverty in the United States an Excuse to do Poorly in School?
It was awesome having a jacuzzi room. We used it several times. It was relaxing to just sit in the bubbles and watch tv.
Looks awesome. We’ve never done an all inclusive, but would like to. I never considered the Dominican though… Mexico is usually the first thought, living on the west coast.
Brian recently posted..Owning and refinancing a rental property in the US
Looks amazing! The beach – Wow! I’d love to curl up on a chair with a nice drink.
We stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Turks and Caicos and loved it. It just makes life easier and that’s what you want on a vacation.
Shannon @ The Heavy Purse recently posted..Children and Money: Don’t Turn It into a Taboo Topic, Part II
Sounds like a fun time! My wife and I also love all inclusive – but we usually do it on a cruise (one with working bathrooms!)
Liran @ ChooseTerm recently posted..The Cost of Death
We have never done a cruise before. I think we will one day!
This looks amazing~ I went to Punta Cana a few years ago and it was so relaxing.
I love the all inclusive resorts and it saves so much money if you calculate all the drinks, food, service, and etc. Happy for you~
Michelle’s Finance Journal recently posted..No means Yes
Looks like it was an awesome trip, and a bit more upscale than my more college friendly resort that I recently went to. I’m hoping you stayed away during Canadian and American spring break! Overall I loved Punta Cana as well, great beaches and nicer than Varadero when I went a while back with my parents.
Lauren recently posted..Reduce Your Student Loans: 30% off Tuition in Ontario
Looks like a wonderful time, guys! I can’t wait till we’re at the place financially where we can do this too. Glad you had a great break from the cold winter.
Laurie @thefrugalfarmer recently posted..Out on the Town: Good Reads for the Week Ending 3/1/13
That’s about EXACTLY what we need right now! Can my kids stay with you guys for about a week?
Mike recently posted..The LTNE Report — February 2013
Oh sure, why not…..=)
Holly,
I am incredibly glad I came up upon your site about the Majestic Colonial & the new Colonial Club. We leave early tomorrow morning to go there and our staying in the Club area. Any room # recommendations? Tips? Suggestions? Anything that would help us? How much did you normally tip your butler per day? Bartenders and wait staff? Did you tip the housekeeping? We’re doing the dolphin (swim with them) excursion. Sorry for all of the questions, just curious
Also, what is the restaurant called that faces the ocean and you can sit outside at night time?
Thank you so much
Shannon
I hope that you have a great time!
I forget our room number…but we were on the 2nd floor and our balcony overlooked one of the pool bars. It was fun watching people get progressively drunker as the day went on. Every room has a great view IMO, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
The resort is awesome. The food is just okay. There are two oceanfront, one is seafood and one is a steakhouse. It is open air dining but it does have a roof over your head. We don’t eat meat but we loved the seafood place. They had grilled lobster that was pretty yummy. They also had a salad bar with a variety of stuff on it. Everything we had was good or okay, and if you don’t like what you’re served you can always just go eat somewhere else. Whenever I didn’t like my dinner, I would just go to the main buffet and eat French fries. That is what’s so great about an all-inclusive!!!
It’s seriously a great resort and you will have an awesome time. Get drunk, people watch, and leave your worries at home. The Dominican exceeded all of my expectations and the so-so food was more than made up for by how awesome everything else was.
Make sure to report back to tell me what you did/didn’t like. We plan to visit that resort again in the next few years!