Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana

Had an amazing family vacation with 2 toddlers, a 4 and a 5 year olds. Hotel had plenty of activities for them in the kids club - from pizza making sessions, to Pirate role plays and so on. The ladies that ran the Kids Club were amazing with the kids. Cartoons for them every night at 6:45 and the main event at Theater at 9:15 (though most times, the little ones were long out by that time, from the day's many experiences). For the parents - the beaches and pools were amazing, good service, good food, strong drinks, great atmosphere ~ spent 7 days and wished we stayed for 1 more, without once leaving the resort for any excursions.

This is a hard review to write because this was one of our favorite resorts. However, based on our recent negative experience, which primarily relates to all of us getting sick (and my youngest son getting quite sick) during and after our stay, it needs to be written. We previously vacationed at this resort approximately 2 1/2 years ago in June of 2023. We loved the layout, the beautiful views, the friendly staff, the clear warm water (once you are out far enough near the boundary), the food, and the relaxing atmosphere. We also liked the fact that everything was included (except the Blind Butcher restaurant, which was new since our prior stay) so we did not need to think about constantly paying for food, drinks, or anything else (except excursions). Unfortunately, this time around was quite a different experience. We all got sick after a couple of days and, when we returned home, our youngest son had to go to the emergency room because he was experiencing diarrhea and was throwing up constantly. (He ended up missing an entire week of school.) All of us experienced diarrhea to some extent, but not both diarrhea and throwing up constantly like he was experiencing. Day 1 (Arrival): We stayed at the hotel from Sunday, November 23rd to Friday, November 28th. We were in great spirits as we had visited the resort before and were looking forward to visiting a second time, especially since we knew what to expect. We decided to use the hotel airport transportation (although expense) because previously we had used another transportation service and they were late picking us up for our departing flight. The hotel transportation was on time. As before, the staff were friendly, the view from the front entrance through the lobby was fantastic and the view of the beach from the lobby was picturesque. We were greeted warmly by the staff, went to the lounge to check in (as before, we upgraded to the Club level to get a larger room. Other than the larger room, the Club level experience is disappointing), and got some food from the pool area, while we waited for our room to become available. Eventually, we met our butler (more on that later), who escorted us to our room. So far, so good. All of the positive things that we remembered from before, we experienced again. The Club lounge was comfortable, the food available in the lounge was good, the food being served by the pool (BBQ) was also good. The hotel previously sent us an app so that we could see the daily activities and food being served each day (which was not available during our first trip). So, we planned everything out regarding our food choices and daily activities. We ate at El Mercado for dinner (the primary restaurant for most food choices and they have specialty dishes each night), which is setup buffet stylet. That night we were looking forward to the Seafood Feast at the restaurant, which was good, but not as great as expected. Afterward, we got ice cream from the main lobby, which is plentiful and good. Overall, Day 1 was a good day. Day 2: My wife and I started the second day exercising in the hotel's fabulous fitness center (one of the best, if not the best fitness center that I have ever experienced at a hotel based on the size of the facility, the large, specialized rooms, and the number of different types of machines). Our family of four ate breakfast at Mercado. We had a good breakfast, and the options were plentiful. We recommended the hotel to a couple that we knew and their 3 children, and they stayed at the hotel part of the time that we were there. After breakfast, we met them at the beach, and the kids/teens got together and hung out at the beach and water park (the hotel has a relatively small water park with a lazy river, slides, a pool, food trucks, and an area for very young children). The beach is beautiful with palm trees, plenty of lounge chairs, soft white sand, and, overall, a beautiful ocean view. First suggestion: The beach area would be better if the hotel added more beach umbrellas, as there are not enough available. I cannot imagine that adding a few more would cost that much but it would definitely improve the experience. The beach was the same as I remembered in a positive way, although, yes, unfortunately, there was a lot of seaweed (as many people have read online and experienced). The staff do what they can to keep the beach clean, but they can only do so much, and the water was filled with it this time of year. With that said, I remembered that the seaweed cleared up the farther you went into the water. I was looking forward to warm, clear water at a certain point. I had been looking forward to an "open bathtub" in which I could stand in the water and look back at the hotel. But our friends said the water was cold (we previously visited the hotel in June, this was November), the water was not clear, no matter how close you got to the boundary line, and the water level was higher than the previous time we visited in June, so I could not go to the boundary line walking, as before, and without the water being above my head. So, multiple strikes immediately, cold water, thick seaweed, and unclear water that was deeper than before. Of course, I went in to determine myself and was deeply disappointed. I did not visit the beach or the ocean again afterwards. Interestingly enough, when we were in the Bahamas this past June, the water was warm and clear, and I stayed in for hours and visited the beach often. For lunch, we had food by the main pool (BBQ again but still good and they added seafood - lobster, crab claws, squid, which was a pleasant surprise). By the way, there are two pools, one main pool for everyone and one Club level pool, which is much smaller and surprisingly crowded. And a significant number of people put their beach towels out early to save spots. We ate dinner at Tempest Table, and my wife suggested that we go to the Mongolian side, because there would be more choices, instead of sitting in the area in which you sit at a table with the chef as they cook the food in front of you (which we did during our prior trip and some of us got sick immediately afterward, attributing it to undercooked food). The Mongolian side definitely had more options, as you take your plate to a cook in a communal area, who cooks it for you and then you return to your table. This was a great meal, and the waiter was good too, as he was patient and earnest. Day 3: This is the day the trouble began, as later in the day, my wife said that her stomach was upset and our older son had a similar experience. The third day began with exercise at the fitness center again, breakfast at Mercado, and a water snorkeling excursion. When we got back to the hotel, my wife and two sons got lunch by the pool, and I got some food from the Club lounge. For dinner, we met up with our friends and had dinner at Noodle and Thread, an Italian restaurant. We saw our butler each morning as he usually found us, said hi, and we exchanged pleasantries. He seemed nice enough but did not really do anything for us, although we did not really need anything either. This day, however, my wife asked him if he could help with the reservation at Noodle and Thread for dinner since she wanted to reserve a large table for both families. His advice, get down to the restaurant early, when they open. That was it. Apparently, he could not help. We got to the restaurant and were told that none of the large tables were currently available, and they would charge us for a large table. But they could join two smaller tables together immediately, at no extra charge. That worked for us. We had dined at this restaurant before during our prior visit and thought the food was okay (although, my wife did like a salad they made for her previously, but it was not available this time). So, we thought maybe we need to try different food this time. Unfortunately, our experience was similar. It took some time for the orders to be taken, quite a long time for the food to be served, and, unfortunately, the food was not very good, even though we ordered different items than before. It was a disappointing dinner. This is the first day/night that the trouble began as my wife indicated that her stomach was bothering her and our older son also had a similar experience. I was fine and so was our younger son. Day 4: The fourth day we had breakfast at Chinola, the club level breakfast restaurant where you order off the menu. The waiter was great, very attentive, and the food came out relatively fast. Unfortunately, even though some of it was good, overall, we liked the breakfast at Mercado better, although, we were starting to get tired of eating there. That morning, we went on an excursion to a new water park recently built in Punta Cana, El Dorado. We stayed there for half the day and then went back to the hotel for lunch. When we got back to the hotel, my wife and younger son had lunch by the pool and my older son and I had lunch at Mercado. We ate Mercado for dinner, as the food options are limited on the Ziva side. We thought about dining at the Blind Butcher but did not want to pay, what we estimated would cost, at least, $500 for dinner for the four of us. Also, we did not think it was fair for the hotel to advertise itself as an all-inclusive but then expect us to pay for dinner at one of their restaurants, when they clearly did not have enough restaurant options on the Ziva side for families. Day 5: The firth day began with exercise at the fitness center and breakfast at Mercado. By this time, my wife and sons were definitely tired of eating at Mercado, although I still enjoyed the rotating options. My wife said that all of the food was starting to taste the same, regardless of the varied options. Our butler found us again and we exchanged pleasantries. My wife said that it seemed as if we were basically paying him to say hi to us each day (since we gave him a tip on the day that we left), because he had not really done anything for us. And the one time that we asked for assistance, he could not provide it. This was a relaxing day of spending time at the hotel, with no excursions, since we were leaving the next day. My wife and younger son had lunch at the pool again, our older son tried to eat a hamburger, and I ate at the Club lounge. My older son said that his stomach was upset, and my wife said that her stomach had been bothering her most of the week. My younger son and I were fine. All of us were looking forward to the Thanksgiving meal, as our butler told us that it would be served at Mercado. However, he was wrong. The Thanksgiving meal was actually served outside and there was a cost of $85 per person, which we thought was ridiculous. Unfortunately for those that paid the cost and had the meal, a torrential rain shower put a damper on the festivities (as the dinner was only scheduled for 1 hour). Our older son did not feel up for dinner, as his stomach was bothering him so the three of us ate at Tempest again, which was as good as before. Although, my wife left early complaining that her stomach was bothering her. Day 6 (Departure): The firth day began with exercise at the fitness center (only me) and breakfast at Mercado. By this time, we were ready to go home. My wife and older son were complaining about their stomachs hurting and that they had been experiencing diarrhea since Day 3. Our airport transportation arrived, and we got to the airport 2 hours early, which was plenty of time. We were surprised to learn that, at this airport, there was no TSA Precheck, but we still went through the normal security procedures quickly. Later that night, is when the trouble began for our younger son. Around midnight, he was screaming from his room and could not stop throwing up. We stay up with him most of the night and thought he would be okay, since it seemed like he had gotten a lot of everything out of his system. However, the next night, was worse, and we decided to take him to the emergency room, as we thought we saw blood in his throw up (but the test at the hospital was negative). Looking at my son in a hospital bed at 2am in the morning was very concerning, but I knew that he was getting the care that he needed. He lost over 5lbs in a short period of time, saw both an emergency room doctor and a pediatrician, missed a week of school, and is only now (today - Sunday), starting to feel better. I wish our experience had been better, but we will not be returning to Hyatt Ziva. We just cannot take the chance again of getting sick. We hope everyone else has a nice experience.

I have only amazing reviews to say about this resort. The food was great, the pool was amazing for family and kids. The water park was great for all kid ranges from 8 to 12. We had the best time. Amado was absolutely the best and most helpful person there. If you come across him he can help with whatever you need.

Our stay at the Hyatt Ziva was truly exceptional. The hotel offers a very high level of service, and everything is kept incredibly clean and well maintained. The food was delicious, with plenty of variety to enjoy throughout the day. The staff was extremely attentive, always ready to help and make our stay as comfortable as possible. We especially loved the many activities and entertainment options available. Playing football and baseball was a highlight, and we want to give special thanks to Regardo for being so friendly, professional, and supportive. He made every game even more enjoyable. We will definitely come back again — this hotel exceeded all our expectations.

We were super excited to visit the Hyatt Ziva for Thanksgiving. We definitely enjoyed our stay and the resort was really beautiful. Our kids (9 & 13) enjoyed the pools / beach / water park / activities. The staff was very professional and respectful. The food and drinks were really tasty, however... Three of us got a stomach bug in the middle of our trip. We expect it was something that we ate or drank. It was unfortunate, but didnt completely ruin our trip. If we had not gotten sick, i think we would definitely consider going back, as the resort was really beautiful and relaxing.