Zel Punta Cana

We have stayed at Melia Punta Cana properties 12 times since 2019, including both Grand Cana and Zel, and this trip was every bit as exceptional as the others. Zel has become our favorite. The property is smaller, intimate, and has a beautiful colonial-tropical feel that makes it incredibly relaxing. The staff truly loves what they do, and their genuine passion for service shows in every interaction. Several team members made this stay especially memorable. At Volcan, Sommelier Jose Vasquez recognized us immediately from our stay in April and once again provided outstanding service. Maria Volcam was warm, attentive, and took care of every detail. Our Concierge Ericson helped with dinner and spa reservations and ensured everything was seamless. At the pool, Ricardo consistently made sure we had refreshments and were well taken care of. The team at Parda deserves special appreciation. Manager Angela sets a wonderful tone, and our servers Leticia and Marie provided excellent service every day. Leticia remembered us from previous visits and always made sure the things we enjoy most at meals were waiting at our table. Their kindness truly made us feel like family. Yahira, the barista, deserves a highlight—she makes the best coffee on the property and starts every morning on a high note. The swim-up rooms offer privacy, and the meandering pools create a peaceful, tropical atmosphere. The property is also incredibly walkable. With seven Melia resorts on the grounds, we enjoy long daytime and nighttime strolls through beautifully landscaped paths, especially at night when the foliage is softly lit. To fellow travelers, I recognize that my review is very strong. We genuinely enjoy staying at this property. Over the years we have read negative reviews, and on a few occasions we were on site at the same time and watched the interactions unfold. What we have learned is to leave the focused business mindset at home. If you arrive with a demanding, “get my way” approach, the experience will feel frustrating. When we enter into a relaxed Caribbean mindset—understanding that no resort is perfect, that mistakes happen, and that outcomes are not always exactly what we wanted—we see something important: the team here honestly tries to make things right. The people serving guests truly want to provide excellent service and treat everyone like family. My recommendation is simple: take a deep breath, let go of the demanding perspective, and enjoy, disconnect, and relax.

Facility is nice, the staff is terrific, the all-inclusive is fairly priced. The only drawback I see is the distance from the beach. And I say this while acknowledging that the transportation to and from the beach, in golf cart like jitneys, was always available without any wait. The mattress is the best I've ever slept on and to qualify this comment I report that as traveling salesperson for 40 years I've slept in a whole lot of hotels and a whole lot of beds. Lastly there were a lot of children at this facility.

My experience at ZEL Punta Cana was absolutely amazing. From the moment I arrived, the check-in process was fast, smooth, and very welcoming. I would like to highlight Rafael Beras from the Front Desk for making sure everything was efficient and pleasant. I was assigned a room with direct pool access, and it was fantastic! The hotel amenities exceeded my expectations—delicious food, great drinks, and beautiful spaces all around. During dinner, I met Alexis López, who elevated my stay even further with his personalized service and attention to detail, especially since I was celebrating my birthday weekend. Thank you to the entire team for making this such a memorable experience. I will definitely return.

Very good experience. People are so kind and helpful. The workers (Ricardo and Gabriel) are perfect. We stayed a lot at the beach in the Neguri Beach Club and so peaceful and nice. We loved all and enjoyed it so much. Very recommanded

I am not an “all inclusive resort” kinda gal. But if every resort had an Alejandra I would EXCLUSIVELY stay at them. She is such an absolute gem. Consistently went above and beyond and always with a smile. She helped me pick out the best places to eat, showed me where I should go, what I should visit. She literally was the highlight of my trip. Smart, funny, accommodating, and kind. If she lived in the US, I’d hire her full time in a heartbeat just to help me make my life as easy as she made my stay! The food at Volcan was decent. Nothing life changing but hard to mess up a good steak. The teppanyaki / hibachi experience at Nokyo was absolutely delightful though. It brought out the personalities of every character around me. I really do recommend a visit. And if you can afford it, the swim up suite with the personal outdoor jacuzzi and cabana is for sure the way to go.