Zel Punta Cana

Loved the activities and atmosphere. Nice service. The pools are huge and clean. Can recommend also for women alone travelling.

My stay at Zel Punta Cana had some clear highs and lows. The resort itself is on the smaller side, but it’s undeniably beautiful with a relaxing atmosphere. That said, my room was a major disappointment and clearly lacked proper upkeep. The grab bar in the shower was literally falling apart, hanging on by a single screw—something that’s not just inconvenient but unsafe. The kitchenette had very low water pressure and extremely slow drainage. Both jacuzzi tubs were dirty and in obvious need of a deep clean, which made them completely unusable. There were also no hand towels in the room. I asked a staff member for them and was assured they would be brought, but they never arrived. I don’t usually allow housekeeping into my room, but I made an exception—and when I returned, my deodorant was missing. I can’t say exactly what happened, but it was gone. I also requested an iron and ironing board on Friday afternoon, and it never showed up. Ironically, I found both sitting in a staff area down the hall the next day. The buffet food was limited in selection, although what was offered was actually very tasty. Making restaurant reservations, however, was frustrating. The system gave me errors for two straight days, so I had to rely on a staff member—who then booked me for the same restaurant at the same time on both nights. When I tried to resolve it, the response I got was dismissive and unhelpful. The drinks were good and enjoyable, but some of the staff—especially in the buffet area—came across as unfriendly and even annoyed when I asked for assistance, which took away from the overall experience. On a positive note, the beach was a highlight: soft sand, calm water, and a great place to unwind. Overall, while the resort has a lot of potential and some genuinely enjoyable aspects, the lack of maintenance, service issues, and poor handling of basic requests made the experience inconsistent. I can’t confidently say I would return—only if these issues are addressed and improved.

Overall had a great experience at Zel. Resort is small and connected to Cocotal Golf Club which is the main reason we choose this resort. . beautiful grounds/pool and great staff. Rooms are beautiful and best we have stayed in. As in other reviews, the food choices and quality is below average compared to other 5*resorts we have stayed. Could always find something but limited menus compared to other resorts. Buffet breakfast excellent. Lunch and dinner always adequate but repetitive. No food labelling for allergens. We golfed 5 rounds at Cocotal with free shuttle and reduced green fees and only 10$ club storage. Our experience at Cocotal Golf was excellent.

Everything was great! The Master Zel Suite was perfect size for our family of 4. The service was top notch!

We stayed at Zel Punta Cana as a family of four with two teens and had a really enjoyable overall experience. For context, we’ve travelled extensively and stayed at resorts like Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, multiple Dreams Resorts & Spas properties, and Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda—so we have a strong benchmark. The rooms are a standout—spacious, beautifully designed, and the swim-out is absolutely worth it for the privacy. Check-in and check-out were seamless. We did request rooms together well in advance and didn’t get them in the same block, which was a bit frustrating but manageable. The property is stunning—lush, tropical, and feels like a jungle retreat. The vibe is calm and elevated, not a party resort and not overly toddler-focused. Music around the pool and resort is excellent. Dining is mixed. You need to book dinners right when you arrive or you’ll be stuck at the buffet, which is underwhelming. Breakfast is fine but could use more variety (especially fruit). Lunch is a highlight—both the beach restaurant and taco spot are excellent, just go later (around 2 PM) to get a table. The lobby coffee shop was also a bit disappointing. The to-go cups are very small and don’t have lids, which makes it hard to carry around. There’s no iced coffee, and it’s not the kind of coffee bar you see at other resorts where you can grab extras like ice cream. In fact, there was no ice cream or gelato anywhere on the property, which felt like a miss—especially for families with kids. The beach is beautiful with a great atmosphere, and the shuttle runs constantly so access is easy. However, there are not enough beach chairs—if you’re not there early, you likely won’t get one. Pools, on the other hand, have plenty of seating and space. Tennis This is important if you’re coming for it. It’s very easy to book courts—we played both tennis and padel multiple times during the week. However, courts are $40 USD per hour, plus $5 USD for racket rental, which adds up quickly and feels unnecessary for resort guests. The overall tennis setup is also heavily lesson-focused. There are lots of pros on-site and a constant flow of kids and adults in coaching sessions, so it feels more like a training academy than a casual tennis environment. There’s very little opportunity for open hitting. They should introduce dedicated guest-only court time, especially given the connection to Rafael Nadal. It would make a big difference. Overall We really liked this resort and would recommend it—especially for families with older kids or couples looking for a relaxed, upscale atmosphere. The setting, rooms, and vibe are standout features. Some reviews are overly harsh, but we do understand certain critiques. With a bit more attention to detail—especially around dining, beach seating, coffee options, and tennis—this place could be exceptional.