Went there late last year - stayed at a Dreams resort. The staff were lovely. We weren't there long and I think the food would have got a bit repetitive after a while. The food was fine but not amazing. It was all really clean - didn't get ill or meet anyone who had got ill.
Talked to people who went there 15 years ago and from the sound of it it's cleaned up its act a lot since then.
It's probably not the kind of place you'd hire a car and head out on your own exploring.
We were in Punta Cana and the sea was too rough for swimming, OK for boogie boarding etc.
We didn't see any excursions we fancied - agree with another poster than Mexico probably has more/more varied excursions.
We went on to Santa Domingo - which was surprisingly interesting for a couple of days. Lots to see in the Colonial Zone, nice coffee shops, museums, food.
The relatively short flight time and only 4 hours jet lag was a bonus.
I enjoyed it as a winter break and it's a good fly and flop choice.