"Misleading “5-Star” Experience – Very Disappointing Stay
I booked Serenade Punta Cana Beach & Spa Resort specifically because it was recommended to me through Expedia as part of my Gold member benefits. The listing promoted incentives such as a $500 resort credit, complimentary room upgrade (pending availability), and late checkout (pending availability). Unfortunately, my experience felt extremely misleading and disappointing from start to finish.
First, the check-in process was completely disorganized. We arrived in the Dominican Republic around 12:00 PM and did not receive our room until nearly 7:00 PM, which is unacceptable for any resort claiming to be 5-star. The staff did not properly explain the property, how to make restaurant reservations, restaurant hours, or even simple things like needing towel cards to access pool towels. As a result, we spent much of the trip confused and trying to figure things out ourselves.
During our stay, I noticed a clear difference in treatment between guests. Many Caucasian travelers received full tours of the property and more attentive service, while we were not offered any guidance at all. This left us feeling overlooked and unwelcome.
The food was by far the worst part of the experience. The resort focuses on quantity instead of quality. Much of the food appeared recycled between meals, and many items that should have been hot were served cold. Even freshly fried items such as calamari came out cold. Several restaurants required"