I would like to publicly thank Debbie and Hlywud, for providing this site. In addition to valuable information, this site has offered many laughs and the opportunity to converse with several people whom I would now consider friends. I have attempted to write a detailed review of my experience at Secrets and a comparison to the Riu chain in PC. Be warned, this review is long. For those of you who prefer shorter reviews, I apologize. For all others, grab a margarita, play some Bachata music, and enjoy!

Prelude: I am a thirty-something female who traveled with my 75 year old mother to Secrets August 3-10th of 2003. This was our 18th annual mother/daughter trip to the Caribbean. In January of 2003 I stayed two weeks at the Riu Melao in PC. I will attempt to compare the two resorts; however, the trip in January was with my significant other so the objectives for each vacation were quite different.

Flight/Charter Company: Apple vacations from Detroit. On-time arrival and departure. Enough said ?.

Transportation to the resort; Remote?: The Riu’s are 30 minutes from the airport. Secrets is 60. On the way to Secrets we stopped at Breezes (took about 45 minutes to get to breezes). I found the extra 15-30 minutes in transport to be a fair trade-off for the opulent surrounding of Secrets. You will hear many conversations about secrets being remote. My question to this description has always been, “What is secrets remote from?” The entire strip of Punta Cana is remote when compared to other destinations. I can not think of much more in Punta Cana than plaza bavaro, captain cooks, and other resorts. If you wish to visit these places, secrets will be an extra 30-40 minutes of travel and more costly than other areas along the bavaro beach strip (cab fare from the Riu’s to plaza bavaro was $8.00 US one way, cab fare from Secrets was $25.00).

Arrival: We arrived at 1:00 p.m. and were greeted with campaign and orange juice. Room was ready at 3:00 p.m.

Room: We had absolutely no complaints about our room at the Riu; it was clean, adequate, and functional. But here is one area where Secrets truly outshines the Riu chain. Secrets offered a much larger room with a private Jacuzzi, iron/ironing board, hair drier, better shampoos/conditioners, 24 hour room service, an extensive mini-bar, and get this~ a pillow menu! I’ve traveled extensively, but this is the first time I was offered a choice of 6 types of pillows (down feather, extra firm, ect..).

We were located in room 11102 on the second floor surrounding the main pool. The third floor rooms have a cathedral ceiling. I would consider all the first floor rooms surrounding the main pool to be ‘swim-out’ as there were no rooms more than 50’ from the pool. Each first floor room comes with a lounge chair and some have hammocks, but the view of the ocean is obstructed in all but 4 units. The best first floor rooms along the main pool are located in building 10 and 14 closest to the ocean at the end of the apex of the unit triangle. I believe these rooms offer the least obstructions to see the ocean and have two glass sliding doors instead of one. ANY second or third floor room in building 10, 11, and 14 will offer a fantastic view of both the main pool and the ocean.

Mini-Bar: Our mini bar was stocked with absolute vodka, Johnny Walker Red, and Barcelo Rum. In addition, tomato juice, orange drink, gator aid (two flavors), coke, coke light, sprite, heiniken, Miller genuine draft, and Presidente. Bar was stocked daily. Various snacks were left also (peanuts, trail mix, kit kat bars, chocolate truffles).

Grounds: The grounds at both resorts are beautiful. The vegetation was thicker at the Riu’s, giving it a more tropical feel, however the grounds at Secrets consisted of beautiful marble and mahogany, multiple waterfalls, an area to view wildlife (pink flamingos, ect…), many interesting statues, the list goes on and on. Even the garden view rooms are quite lovely as Secrets has set up garden ponds for viewing. I’d rate the grounds at both resorts as outstanding.

Bugs: We did not need mosquito repellant at the Riu’s, however after reading many reviews took Deet repellent to Secrets. I am pleased to announce that I never once used the repellent, nor did I need to. The resort was fogged several times (you can smell it for about 10 minutes) and I never saw any insects. This is probably hit or miss though, so pack deet and with any luck you’ll never use it. Our feet were sprayed with Off when entering the beach party because of some problems with sand flees, but with the repellent we were never bitten.

Food: Food at the Riu’s is primarily buffet, while food at Secrets is ala’ carte. I can’t say that the food tasted much better at secrets in every area, but the choices were much more extensive. At secrets, steak and lobster are available for every lunch and dinner. At the Riu’s, you had to make specific reservations for steak, and lobster was not available. Secrets offered huge bowls of cocktail shrimp nightly, at the Riu’s you get shrimp for dinner once or twice a week and even then it is mixed with crab, conch, ect… At the riu’s the hamburgers are made from soy mixture that I did not care for, at Secrets they are 100% USDA ground chuck. The ala’ carte experience was much more enjoyable than a traditional buffet, but it does require a slight trade off in that both people traveling must agree on where to eat. At the Riu buffet, one person could have pasta and another seafood. At secrets you must decide if you’re going to the Italian or Seafood restaurant. This wasn’t a problem, just something to consider which I hadn’t anticipated.

Desserts: Desserts were better at the Riu. At secrets the extensive dessert station is only available during the beach party. The ala carte restaurants do serve dessert, but the selection is limited. It is my opinion that this five star resort (which goes out of their way to provide absolute quality in most areas) should not have a reduced dessert selection when compared to more affordable chains. I suggest that secrets expand the menu options in the ala carte restaurants to include a larger variety of dessert choices.

Cappuccino/Espresso: I only mention this because it is a prime example of the difference between the Secrets and the Riu resorts. At the riu’s, if you want Espresso you walk up to a machine and push a button. At Secrets, the coffee café offers a server who hand grinds the espresso beans, dips the rim of the coffee mug in an orange, rolls the mug in sugar, caramelizes the sugar over an open flame, adds a variety of kaluha and brandy, tops the drink with real whipped cream and completes the presentation with fresh sprinkled cocoa and a heated spoon filled with kahula. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with the taste of the espresso at the Riu’s, this is one example of the decadent services offered at Secrets.

Service: I would like to extend my gratitude to Mr. Ulises Guzman, the room division manager at Secrets. He is certainly in tune with customer service and a valuable asset to Secrets resort. His warmth and friendliness will be forever remembered.

However, overall service at both resorts was equal. The language barrier is also equal. At each resort the staff is friendly and efficient. No complaints what-so-ever, but secrets did not outshine the Riu’s in terms of friendly and efficient service.

Room Service: We ordered room service twice. Both times the food arrived about 45 minutes after ordering complete with all necessary condiments. A room service menu is linked in my web page. It is my understanding that if you order room service during normal dining hours you can get anything on the regular menu, but I believe that it would be necessary to speak some Spanish to get this task accomplished with any accuracy.

Entertainment: The entertainment team at the Riu’s was much more present and high energy than the entertainment team at Secrets. Perhaps this is because secrets is overall a place designed for rest and relaxation, while the Riu’s are more of a high energy atmosphere. I did have the feeling that Secrets was much more refined than the Riu. At the riu’s, when the dj played the riu club dance, no less than 30 people would run up to participate. At secrets, only a handful appeared to even know the club dance. I would rate the evening entertainment at both resorts as just ‘fair’, although Secrets did have more opulent costumes and backdrops for the shows, and the shows took place in much more luxurious surroundings.

Pool: The bambo pool at the Riu’s was beautiful (as were all the other pools at the Riu), but the pools at Secrets are truly breathtaking. It was nice to have access to many different pools and choices for activities at the Riu, but Secrets offers one large winding pool with several activities centered at the Dominican Plaza end. The end of the pool surrounding building 14 was zero entry and slightly quieter. I was surprised that it was impossible to get from the zero entry end of the pool to the pool bar. Secrets might want to consider adding gradual steps around building 6 so that guests who are less mobile can get to the pool bar without having to jump into the pool or climb down a steep ladder. Secrets also had a quite pool for lounging (top-less pool, although unlike the Riu’s there were very few topless women). For people who prefer a pool over the ocean, Secrets is the resort I would recommend hands-down. The main pool at secrets is one of the nicest in the entire Caribbean, period.

Beach: The beach at Secrets is visually beautiful. The sand might be slightly browner than the Riu, but it was really too close to call. Both offer ample shade, but unlike the Riu, bar service at the beach and pool was provided at Secrets. We swam, sailed, kayaked, and windsurfed almost daily at the Riu’s. The surf is much rougher at secrets and may prevent you from partaking in the all-inclusive water sport activities on a regular basis. We only witnessed one catamaran rider and a couple of sea kayakers. The catamaran did flip over from the rough surf, and a rescue boat was sent to assist the sailor. If you are headed to Punta Cana to spend a great deal of time lounging in the ocean, the Riu’s (or any hotel on bavaro beach) would positively be a better choice.

What I did prefer about the beach at secrets was the sound of the ocean (the ocean was calm enough at the Riu’s to prevent you from distinctly hearing it off the beach). At secrets, the strong presence of the ocean lulled me to sleep each night. I also liked the feeling of being deserted on a tropical island. At the Riu’s, the Iberostars are right next door, and because the surf is calmer there are many water sport activities taking place. At secrets, the only other people visible were secret guests and more often than not you could look at the ocean and not see any boats. I personally preferred the lower volume of traffic for viewing the ocean, but I would have preferred calmer surf for sailing. I’d also like to comment that having lived in Hawaii for several years, the beach at secrets is much more comparable to most of the beaches in Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. If you don’t like the beach at secrets, I don’t suggest a Hawaiian vacation.

Spa: Without a doubt, the spa at secrets is much more opulent than the spa at the Riu’s, but you do pay for the difference. A 50 minute massage at Secrets was $100.00. A 50 minute massage at the Riu’s was $60.00. However, secrets offers a much more extensive spa treatment package. Heidi, the spa manager is delightful! For complete list of spa packages please refer to the link in my web page.

Excursions: Didn’t take any. The list of excursion and cost is pretty much identical to the list that Hlywud frequently posts. Any trip that leaves from bavaro beach will require an extra 30-40 minutes in travel. I will post a link in my web page to the excursions offered at secrets.

Additional suggestions for improvement:
1) Internet Café’: If you are like me, and need to check mail daily for work, secrets offers sub par internet service. Although the use of the internet is free, the environment is downright disgraceful for a resort of this class. Two of 4 computers worked throughout the week. Because of this, lines to use the computer could exceed 45 minutes. But, my biggest complaint is that the internet café is not air-conditioned (probably the reason for only 2 computers working at a time). The café sits far off the beach and has two very large windows creating a greenhouse effect with no breeze. It was hotter than the sauna in the spa (no exaggeration). I would estimate the temperature in the café to be well over 100 degrees. On one occasion, a man needed to be assisted getting up from the computer and getting a cold washcloth on his head because he was suffering from what appeared to be heat stroke. I dreaded checking my mail daily. Internet service at the Riu was $5.00 per half hour and I would have GLADLY paid this amount if secrets offered an air-conditioned computer area where I didn’t have to wait. Please note, the internet services at the excellence club were air conditioned and I was allowed to use them. My suggestion for Secrets management is simple, air condition the café.

2) Pool floats: Since reserving a shade papala on the beach or at the pool is not a problem, guests of secrets seem to have found a new game to play to aggravate those of us who believe in sharing. It’s called, “Carry the pool float back to your room”. For some reason, the pool at secrets screams to be floated on. Like an idiot, I forgot my float. I attempted to purchase one from the gift shop but they were sold out for the week. Secrets has provided enough pool floats, but unfortunately guests hoard them like they were precious jewels. I know I will offend some people who took their floats back to their room and I sincerely understand the reasoning because it was impossible to get one in the morning, but I just don’t see the logic in keeping a float on your balcony while you go off on a tour (or even removing the float from the pool to keep it by your chair until you’re ready to use it). For more information on my fiasco with pool floats please refer to the post titled; “Hoarding rafts at secrets”. My suggestion to secrets management is to stamp the floats “Please do not remove from pool” and place a card in the room stating that it is not appropriate to carry a pool lounger to the room. I envision a utopia where when someone wants to lounge, the simply swim up to an unused float and climb aboard. When finished, they let the float drift aimlessly until claimed by another guest for a few hours. Sharing is a wonderful thing everyone should have learned in kindergarten; however, until every guest refuses to hoard floats, if you are visiting secrets, pack your own.

3) Gift shop: Can you say “captive audience?” The gift shop should be ashamed of themselves for pricing items 300% above bavaro beach vendors. To give a specific example, Caribbean street at the Riu’s sold a turtle thing-a-ma-gig for $5.00. We bought it from a vendor on bavaro beach for $4.00. The gift shop at Secrets Excellence wanted $15.00 for the exact same item! Same could be said for a mask that I purchased on Caribbean street for $8.00 which sold at Secrets for $35.00. There is absolutely no reason to swindle secret guests because they can’t comparison shop. If you want to charge an extra 10-20% I could understand, but triple the price consistently and you won’t get a dime from me. The vendors at Secrets were also slightly higher than the vendors on Bavaro beach, but not to the extent that I felt insulted or conned. I suggest that the owners of secrets gift shop rethink their pricing strategy (although I realize this probably won’t happen lol). Until then, I strongly urge secret guests to avoid the gift shop at all cost and purchase items from the vendors who visit several times weekly, or the airport gift shop (which is also overpriced, but not nearly as much as at secrets).

4) Sickness: While I never felt ill, my mother did (as did 4 of 8 people sitting at our table during the beach party). I can assure you she did not drink excessive alcohol, nor overindulge in food or sun. We did not eat items that weren’t fully cooked or that we could peel ourselves and were sure to use bottled water for brushing our teeth. I have a belief that her sickness was caused from the coffee cream (not pasteurized), but absolutely no medical knowledge to back this up. I firmly believe that this is a problem at most resorts in the Dominican and strongly urge resort managers to fix what is causing this sickness (food prep, food environment, ect…). It is my opinion that until Punta Cana resorts in general can reduce the number of tourists who come down with travelers sickness it will never become a number one tourist destination, nor be able demand a higher dollar as a vacation spot.

Miscellaneous Info about the area:
1) The new sunscape is structurally complete with the exception of two buildings, but absolutely no finishing work has begun.
2) Breezes is 15 minutes away and actually quite beautiful from the outside.
3) The town of Macao is on strike to get the roads paved and this is causing temporary detours to get to and from secrets. Even with the detour it took us exactly 65 minutes to get to the airport. Apparently when a Dominican town wants their road paved it is appropriate to dig up the existing road to make it impassable lol.
4) The ride to and from secrets was quite enjoyable and our guide was very informative. The trip felt more like a tour than a transfer, however you may want to bring Dramamine until the paving is complete as the roads were quite rough.
5) The bike ride to Serinis was cancelled due to the heat so I didn’t get a chance to tour that resort :(.
6) Tourist card was still only $10.00 as of August 10th

In Summary, you may prefer the Riu over Secrets if:
1) Cost is a factor. I paid the same amount for two weeks at the Melao in January as I did for one week at Secrets in August.
2) You plan to consistently use the ocean for anything more than boogie boarding and body surfing.
3) You are looking for an international experience. The Riu’s were largely European, while Secrets was more typical of a North American Resort.
4) You plan to visit other resorts and plaza bavaro. You plan to visit other resorts and plaza bavaro.
5) You are looking for a high-energy entertainment team who is successful in getting many people involved in multiple activities.

You will prefer Secrets over the Riu if:
1) You seek opulent surroundings and luxury accommodations.
2) You plan to spend more time in the pool than the ocean.
3) You prefer Ala’ Carte dining consisting of lobster and steak daily.
4) You seek an adults only environment.
5) You wish to partake in a spa.

Closing: I would highly recommend both resorts (and in case you are wondering, I don’t always highly recommend hotels). Having stayed at dozens of destinations in the Caribbean, it is my opinion that the Riu is an excellent chain which provides a wonderful vacation at a reasonable price. In whole, the Riu complex in PC is comparable to middle -high end resorts like Wyndham, Radisson, and the Hilton.