Meliá Caribe Beach Resort

Max Verhagen

Our stay at the Meliá Caribe was mixed and ultimately disappointing, which is unfortunate given the potential of the property. On the positive side, the food quality itself was generally good. When items were available, meals were enjoyable and well prepared. The beds were comfortable, and the rooms were overall clean and well maintained, which we appreciated after long travel days. However, several operational and service issues significantly impacted our experience. Throughout the week, the resort was frequently out of very basic items — including ketchup, hamburgers at the poolside grill, Jack Daniel’s at the bar, and desserts, which often ran out early and were not restocked. At the buffet, the custom grill stations moved extremely slowly, as staff would only prepare food for one guest at a time, leading to long and unnecessary waits. Room service and restocking were inconsistent. Our water and mini-fridge were not reliably replenished, which is an expected standard at an all-inclusive resort of this caliber. Most notably, the service fell short of expectations. While staff were not rude, they were noticeably less engaging and friendly compared to other resorts we’ve stayed at, such as the Hard Rock. The lack of warmth and attentiveness made the experience feel more transactional than hospitable. Overall, while there were some positives, the frequent shortages, slow service, and lack of engagement from staff do not align with what we expect from a resort in this price range. With better management, staffing, and attention to guest experience, this property could improve significantly — but based on our stay, we would rate it no higher than one to two stars.

Lisa Kaplin

What a great place for a girls trip! The staff was friendly and always happy to help! It’s a bit of a walk to the beach from where our room was but we were able to call for a golf cart each day. We upgraded to the Level and it was worth it! I do feel like for the upgrade reservations and special offers should be able to be made separate from other vacationers and should be offered in advance through the app. The food was good and there was plenty of it! I wish that there was a dance club or more of a night life on site. My oldest son is getting married in 2027 and when I asked about wedding packages I was connected with a lovely person who gave me a tour of the wedding accommodations which was so nice! I will definitely be back!

Tobias Bonilla

I have mixed feelings about our stay here. Visually, the resort hits the nail right on the head—it is absolutely beautiful, and the overall aesthetic is exactly what you want for a tropical getaway. However, the experience was dampened significantly by logistical issues, particularly regarding transportation around the property. Here is the breakdown of the pros and cons: The Good: * Food & Drinks: This was the highlight of the trip. They really did a great job here. The variety and quality were impressive, and the drinks were consistent. If you are a foodie, you won't be disappointed. * The Aesthetic: As mentioned, the resort is gorgeous. The grounds are well-kept, and the vibe is very photogenic. The "Okay": * The Rooms: Honestly, a little underwhelming. While they fit the "aesthetic" of the resort and look nice in photos, they lacked a bit of comfort and polish up close. They serve their purpose, but don't expect 5-star luxury inside the room itself. The Bad (and the warning for families): * Transportation: This is a massive resort, and the train/trolley system was a major frustration. The trains took forever to arrive. You spend a lot of your vacation just waiting at stops. * Accessibility: Because the trains were so unreliable, you are forced to walk long distances. This was not friendly for my grandmother who cannot walk far. If you are traveling with elderly family members or anyone with mobility issues, be very careful booking here. We spent a lot of time stressed about just getting from point A to point B. Summary: Come here if you are young, mobile, and want great food and Instagram-worthy views. Avoid if you have mobility limitations or hate waiting on slow resort shuttles. Español: El resort es visualmente increíble, dieron justo en el clavo con la estética y todo es muy fotogénico. La comida y las bebidas también fueron de lo mejor; en ese aspecto realmente se lucieron y todo estuvo delicioso. Sin embargo, tuvimos problemas serios con la logística. El resort es enorme y el tren que tienen para moverse tardaba una eternidad en pasar. Esto fue muy difícil para mi abuela, ya que ella no puede caminar mucho y el transporte no fue nada amigable para alguien con movilidad reducida. En cuanto a las habitaciones, fueron un poco decepcionantes y sencillas, aunque se veían bien visualmente. En resumen: excelente comida y estilo, pero pésima accesibilidad para personas mayores.

Gustavo

Meliá Caribe Beach Resort is well above average overall, and we truly enjoyed our stay. The à la carte restaurants are excellent, with great food quality and impeccable service. The buffet offers a wide variety of options, and the service is good—maybe even slightly above average compared to other resorts. One big plus is the reservation system, which is super easy to use thanks to several self-service kiosks—no hassle at all. The kids’ water park is amazing, easily one of the highlights for families. The rooms are decent and in line with others in this category. They are clean, comfortable, and well maintained. Housekeeping was on time every single day and did a great job. The in-room safe is very easy to set up and uses an additional card, which really gives you a strong sense of security. The activities are plentiful and very well organized. The magic shows are truly spectacular, along with incredible performances like the Michael Jackson show and the acrobat shows. What we liked most is that entertainment continues well into the night, especially with the addition of Fun Republic, a huge entertainment park open from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. It includes Disney-style shows, Dominican performances, singers, a carousel, mini-golf, and many other activities—absolutely impressive. One important comment: the hotel should promote these shows more clearly, especially at check-in. We noticed that many guests were not aware of the options available at Fun Republic and ended up missing an amazing continuation of the evening entertainment. We attended several incredible shows that were almost empty, simply because people didn’t know they were happening. The beach itself is very beautiful and enjoyable, but at times seaweed was not fully cleaned, and the waves kept bringing it back from the ocean. This is something that could be improved. That said, there is a strong and visible security presence throughout the beach and resort, which adds a lot of peace of mind. A special mention for families: our kids (5 and 7 years old) had an incredible time, and so did we. There is so much to do for children and adults alike that everyone stays entertained. Regarding The Level option, it’s worth noting that the sales approach is respectful and not pushy at all. Once you let them know you’re not interested, that’s enough—they won’t bother you again, which we really appreciated. On top of everything else, the hotel constantly brings in additional activities, all included, such as motorized stuffed animals, churros, ice cream, food, and drinks, which really adds value to the experience. The theater is smaller than in some other resorts, but the shows are amazing and you always feel close to the stage—almost like a VIP experience. Overall, the pros clearly outweigh the cons, and we would absolutely consider coming back.

Andreas Bareid

The kids club is the highlight of our stay! The care they showed for our 3 kids, in particular our 18 months baby, was extraordinary! We had looked around for a good resort with a baby kids club and when we found Melia, it was an easy decision. But we got so much more happy once we came here and they showed a great connection and care that we didnt expect. Thank you for making our stay wonderful! Negra and the team! Thank you!