Dominican Republic - Punta Cana or La Romana?

[SpanishFly]

Hi folks, have any of you been to either/both of these resorts?

We're looking to go 2 weeks, and I want a cliche Caribbean beach with palm trees and white sand.
None of us are bothered about watersports.
If there is somewhere amazing/picturesque to go for a visit/excursion, that would be a plus.
Somewhere with a few shops (either beach shops or a little town) for souvenirs.

Do either of these resorts fit the bill?

Also, I have previously been to Jamaica, and it wasn't advised to wander about outside the hotel due to (petty) crime - is DR similar?

[Chasingsquirrels]

Am now back in the UK this morning and although it is a lovely sunny day it's still not very warm and I'm rather be round a palm surrounded swimming pool!

lovelyupnorth each to their own, although not sure what the point of your post was.

[thenightsky]

@Chasingsquirrels That's the hotel I stayed at too!

[SpanishFly]

Thanks again. It looks lovely 😍

[lovelyupnorth]

@Chasingsquirrels

Sounds like my idea of hell.

[Chasingsquirrels]

Yesterday...

[Chasingsquirrels]

I'm very happy with it, everthing appears to be very well maintained, the room is clean and comfortable - enormous bed, small table & 2 chairs and a sofa at the end opening to the patio which is a bit basic. Bathroom fine, waterfall shower with separate hand held over bath, double sinks, loo & bidet.
Cleaning all very good.

Grounds are well maintained, Gardeners at work the whole time, the beach is nice although the sea is quite cloudy - but we have had quite a lot of rain overnight. The swimming area is roped off and I haven't noticed seaweed. We took kayaks out yesterday afternoon and there are paddle boards as well.
Swimming pool is just lovely.

We have only eaten at the main restaurant but could have 3 (for a week) reservations at the a la cartes. I'm a bit rubbish with food but there is lots of choice and the bloke I'm with is quite happy with it. I'd probably say it's average AI buffet type food. We've had lunch at the snack bar on the beach and that's much the same, I thought it would just be burgers but there is quite a bit of choice.

Can't comment on the disco and nightlife as we've just eaten latish. Not much to walk around though.

Lots of activities if you want them - bike ride every day, dancing lesson, volley ball etc. Think there is a show at night too. Last night there was a beach party. I'm just here for the sun and relaxing and none of these really impinged on me.

[SpanishFly]

Oh thank you everyone.
@Chasingsquirrels is the hotel you are currently at nice? That's one we are looking at

[Chasingsquirrels]

We went to Punta Cana - Bavaro last year and are currently near La Romana (Bahia Principe resort).

Punta Cana was a lot more built up (have a look at Google Earth) but it is really just resort after resort. TBH we haven't been out side the resort either time and just wanted a winter week in the sun, but there is definately more at Punta Cuna.
Inside a resort there isn't any difference, although as the PP said the transfer time is longer - La Romana was about 1hr 20, although as smaller it was just a mini bus and everyone on it was at the same resort which meant less drop off time (last year we were last off the bus).

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

All depends on the hotel as it's not really safe to go outside of the hotel grounds in Dominican Republic. I would find the best rated hotel that you can afford.

I've been to Punta Cana years ago. Beautiful hotel, but we never left it. Could've been anywhere.

[thenightsky]

Been to both resorts. Not much difference apart from La Romana had less seaweed rotting on the beach than Punta Cana.

La Romana was much closer to the capital, so taking trips there was a lot easier. It would have been a few hours on the coach from Punta Cana.

Airport transfer to La Romana is much longer though, so there's that downside.