We are at this resort right now because of Coolists review. THANK YOU!! What an unbelievable experience and it’s only the first full day! The hospitality is second to NONE!! Highly highly HIGHLY recommended!
I love your reviews and am so glad you did one for Live Aqua. I have my vacation set and after seeing your review I'm even more excited to go!! Thank you so much for your content and I'll be scheduling more vacations based on your reviews.
Booked this for the first week of July largely thanks to this video!! Will be my first ever all inclusive in any country so can’t wait! Keep up the good work my man!
@@N4Evar06 not sure which one this was aimed at, but Live Aqua was wonderful. Brilliant staff. Above average food. Pools great. Compact and chilled. It’s no party central but I went there because I didn’t that party vibes! I wanted chilled! Beach nice enough. Water wasn’t tropical blue but that’s part of Dominican Republic. It’s just seemed a step up in class compared to Catalonia Royal Bavaro which I also stayed at. That was still a good stay, this was just enhanced on all levels. Would 100% return!
@@N4Evar06 the luxurious Hyatt zilara was amazing ,the staff was very friendly & the food was above average except for the blind butcher restaurant we had a bad experience in that restaurant the food was not good at all for 150 dollars that we paid for each person I was expecting some good quality food!
Yes! I was there in February, in the poolside swim-out in your same building. Loved the awesome staff and the drinks (especially at the Aqua Club beach drink service) but MAN did I have worse food than you. Maybe too off season. Everyone was so great. Come here to relax!!
Thanks James, we just got back from a 10 day visit. Your review helped a ton. We booked the Viento suite, had the VIP beach access and butler. You were 100% right, the food was excellent (never had a bad anything). Staff was welcoming and on the whole, very attentive. Many experiences were just outstanding. There were a few minor things over 10 days but nothing major and our overall stay was excellent.
James, thank you for a very thorough and thoughtful review for this property. Your video made a difficult decision on where to book our trip SO MUCH EASIER! Great video and review for Live Aqua Punta Cana.
Looks like a great hotel!! Great dining, outstanding service, etc. It really does make a difference. The hotel is Chic without being overly luxurious. Very in style!
We just left in June for my birthday. It was amazing. We had a Swimout in building 4. We received amazing service and the food was outstanding! Honestly they give excellent service to everyone. I highly recommend for a couples vacation But not for a girls trip
Hey James. Awesome review. Love your content. I have a question. Your channel has become very popular for consumers, but probably for hotel managers as well. Do you think these resorts are flagging your reservations and alerting their staff to be on their best behavior while you're there?
I completely agree I’m a repeat customer and there’s nothing to not love about Live Aqua… The service is great and The vibe is so immaculate…! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hey James, you are the best watch on RU-vid! I'm right now at Coral Level Iberostar Cancun because of you. We trust you to call it as you see it. Surprised you gave this hotel a 4 as almost every traveler is Sooo concerned about the food. There was nothing in your review they said the food at this hotel could be trusted. It looked iffy at best. Really iffy. Thank you for your vids. You are truly THE BEST! 😊
Yup! I went from underwhelmed to overwhelmed in 72 hours. Such a unique experience - not for everyone, probably more a of a veteran hotel for those that have seen other resorts and get what Live Aqua is doing.
I always look for your recommendations, and we just went to Live Aqua two months ago! Room amazing, food amazing, beach.-A bit rough waves, but all exactly what you said, keep doing what you doing! Your rating its up to the point!!!!
Thank you sir James, for another wonderful video taking us with you on your adventures and your journeys I also love the Dominican republic and thank you for sharing this information. You are a natural and I truly truly love your videos. Keep them coming.
Hey James thanks for your great content! I'm looking forward to your final rankings for PC hotels as I am in planning mode for my winter 2024 trip(s) (The research is part of the fun and you are a big help!!). I am also wondering if you are giving any consideration to going to Cayo Levantado now that the big reno is done? I was there around 2008 and it was an amazing spot then and I'd don't think I've ever been to an all inclusive I enjoyed more. Apparently it's supposed to be spectacular now. It was always a little pricing but not terrible for what you got considering its on its own island and the operating costs that entails. Not surprisingly it sounds like it's gotten quite a bit more pricey after the reno.
Great video as always. We were choosing between Live Aqua and Hyatt Zilara and ultimately went with Zilara. Had a great time. I’m curious how those 2 would compare!
Wow! This place sounds amazing. The only couple times I remember getting such outstanding personalized service was at a Four Seasons and the old Charlie Trotters, but at an all inclusive?! Enjoy your trip and thanks again for bringing us these wonderful travelogs!
I have been to the LA Cancun twice - this looks much nicer. Looking forward to the showdown with Finest and EEC, and your top 10 list afterwards! Thanks for ALL your reviews.
Good review, I have been to PC 8 times, but always made sure to stay on Bavaro beach, avoiding Uvero Alto for the same reasons as you described when talking about the sand and water. This resort though might have me rethinking where I stay next time.
Stayed at this place for my husbanda 30th in April of this year! Very much enjoyed it and it didnt break the bank! Dare i say one of the nicest resorts I've been too.
Thank you for this review James. This hotel is on my list of top hotels when I am shopping for a best bang for bucks top top tier AO hotel. I now have a better idea of what to expect :)
Yup it was definitely a great time for us there last year too. Reed from the entertainment team is by FAR the best at entertaining guests and getting everyone to enjoy themselves. Still in touch to this day… and definitely looking to come back … From Lourdes, in housekeeping to Dereon, supervisor of the butlers, and Francisco supervisor of the entertainment team… they can’t do enough…. Definitely a Jem of a team there.. 😉
Had a amazing time here also. Wasn't a crazy party vibe but was very classy and a great time. Food was definitely amazing and I would definitely recommend.
Excellent review James. It appears that the customer service there is the epitome of what it should be! Well done. Looking forward to some of your cruise experiences someday! I found some familiar things in this review that you will see during any cruise!
This was beautifully shot and so relaxing that I fell asleep watching it during the premier! I’m not a huge fan of all inclusives normally but this seems just like my jam. Wonderful job as usual, James.
Hey James! I love your videos! I'm a Brazilian traveler and I'm going to Vegas on my Birthday in 45 days and chose my hotel based on your videos! Now going back to Punta Cana: I watched both of your videos and don't know which hotel to pick: Live Aqua or Lopesan? What's your recommendation?
by the way, I completely agree with your tip "never trust tripadvisor" on your other video. My first time I stayed at Dreams Royal Beach in Punta Cana based on Trip Advisor reviews and didn't like it at all!
Hi, Thank you for these videos -- I have been binging them all day. I am a 36 year old man, without many friends. I never solo traveled before and I want to go and do something fun this summer -- preferably somewhere with other solo travelers. I am based in the US, Northeast, and am open to any suggestions you have? I was hoping for an all inclusive in the Caribbean, what do you think? Thanks!
Love the review James, looks like a great place but can I ask you when you went? It looks like it wasn’t very busy and we’d be worried it isn’t as lively as we’d like. Could you give us your thoughts please? Thanks Warren & Emma (Dublin, Ireland)
He went July 2023. I was there around the same time. The summer is not very busy at any Punta Cana resort, because. the high season is during the North American winter.
Husband and I planning to visit punta cana for first time next year this hotel is one of our choices but after your amazing review the beach is important to us but the vibe and how this hotel looks we don't know? Any suggestions for second option close to all this hotel has thanks in advance
I was there July 3rd to 11th. From the 5th to the 11th, the hotel was at 95% capacity and it looked like this video the entire time. Most club-level rooms have a private pool and most people with those pools, don't bother venturing out to the other ones. Some people never left their room while I was there -- room service every single day and at their own pool deck every day. The pools come with a jet on one side, a day bed, and two lounging chairs. People aren't fighting for chairs because those who have their own pools don't bother accessing other ones.
No trees , no mountains. Give me Playa Dorada any day. Especially Casa Colonial. Amazing boutique hotel. These places with neon parties looks like for college kids.
Looks like a gorgeous resort wiith fab food. My friends and I are looking for a little more party vibe. Thanks for all your videos. We're narrowing it down! We last stayed at Breathless. Loved the party vibe but found the food and room lacking as you did. Keep up the great work!
@@thehouseofhopepraiseminist1556 A lot of food options, I'm sure a few spots will have what you like. We tried everything at least once. Entertainment was nice (daytime and night) Fire show, music and dance by the pool, Mixer classes, and so on. The suite is upgraded as its beachfront w/butler service.
Sounds like a great hotel but I find most of these newer properties so stark and almost cold. I don't mean that as a criticism because I get it takes many years for properties to get lush but is it really as stark and not at all a tropical paradise as it appears in the video??? I'm used to properties like the Melia and Barcelo where the grounds/pool/beach are spectacular but the rooms are not as nice and food isn't as good. Each year when I look to book a trip I'm torn between the tropical paradise of the older resorts and the amenities/rooms/food at the newer properties. I did find Secrets Royal beach to be a pretty good blend of property/beach/rooms/food/service. Your Lopesan video caught my eye and may be my next trip. Any thoughts James or other viewers?? Thanks for your great videos!
my girl and i watch your episodes , I'm Dominican she's not and we're planning a trip out there you don't make its but how you rate them resorts helps out immensely ...thank you
great video and great looking resort! BUT: why does it look SO empty? I don't like crowded resorts, but I do like a bit of life however,.. My wife and I are booked for Excellence El Carmen in October, I can't wait to see that video
Great video. One bit of feedback. Since the vip upsell is really a mainstay at all all inclusives. If you could speak to the cost difference in your video as well that would be very helpful. Some places that price can be negotiable. Could almost be it's on video at each property. Keep up the good work.
The upsell is very expensive at this resort. Think $600 for an off-season VIP room versus $300 for a regular rate room. Most amenities are the same with the exception of an a la carte breakfast, swim out rooms, access to a butler, and a bar with premium liquors only for VIP members. I noticed there wasn't much of a difference between the service I got, as a VIP, and the service some other people at the resort received while I was there. I did love having the Aqua Lounge available!
Great video James. Please tell me this. I have knee issues and going up and down stairs is a problem wirh me. Does this resort have facilities in place (ramps? golf carts etc) to help me get everywhere I might want to go? (is. from room to restaurants, beach, pool etc..) Thanks so much h, Steve S.
James, great review as usual. I love your editing style. I do have a question. Since you didn't upgrade, how was the alcohol? Did you still get premium choices?
As someone who was just there, the upgrade does not change alcohol options. It's the private beach, a little lounge with food and drink, and a butler. Personally I like being brought drinks on the beach so it was worth it to me (and the service - you briefly see Danny Boy, the VIP beach bartender, in the video. He remembers your name, your drink, etc., he's 10/10 no joke ). If that's important to you, book it. If not, don't.
I was also just there. There are some drinks they can not serve you if you are wearing a blue band. Some bartenders will serve it anyway (for instance, Johnnie Walker Black or Tito's vodka or Don Julio). Many times, I overheard bartenders say "if it's not a VIP guest, you can not be serving them this."
I loved this review, but if im honest the only thing that impressed me was the Neon beach parry, they actually do alternate week's of Neon and all white party's but it's actually white and silver, plus the liveliest night club, except for Majestic Mirage which went on to everyone left. Im so happy im going to Excellence still fior 2 week's in early November and I cannot wait. But I really did enjoy the review. Thanks again.
I watched the video and like you said, the resort is about as exciting as a college campus. Maybe a pool diving board would add some spark. If you find a resort pool with a diving board, then you have just entered the Twilight Zone. And remember that every mom-and-pop hotel on the strip had a diving board at their pool which was basically right there in their motel parking lot.
Considering the properties to which you compared the service are for pay properties, Live Aqua surpasses them. It's easy and smart business to keep offering food, drinks, etc. when the customer has to pay for each item. At an all-inclusive, doing that cuts into their profit so the fact that they do it anyway, puts them beyond those you mentioned IMO.
