Our Experience at Paradisus Palma Real – A Wedding Planning & Resort Stay Review by Barefoot Bride Lauren McKevitt

We recently had the pleasure of visiting the Paradisus Palma Real in the Dominican Republic as part of their on-site visit package, “Love at First Site”. If considering the Paradisus in the Dominican Republic you can choose between the Palma Real or Grand Cana resorts but the location of your onsite visit then is subsequently your wedding location. To make the most of the experience and allow time to visit other resorts, we extended our original three-nightstay by an additional two nights, which the resort kindly offered at a discounted rate. The visit served as both a wedding planning trip and a mini getaway, and overall, it was a memorable experience worth sharing for future couples considering this venue.

The Wedding Meeting: Thorough but Some Room for Improvement

Our wedding meeting was held on the Monday following our Saturday arrival. Prior to the trip, I had to follow up with our planner to get a detailed itinerary, which we only received the night before our flight. While the schedule itself was helpful, I would have appreciated more advance notice to prepare. On the plus side, our planner secured dinner reservations for us on the first two nights, which was a thoughtful gesture.

The actual wedding meeting day was incredibly comprehensive. We met one-on-one with each vendor, starting with our wedding planner who was attentive and knowledgeable. The florist/decor team exceeded my expectations – they were incredibly detail-oriented and receptive to all my design ideas. The AV/DJ department followed and presented a clear, organized overview of services. We then met with the resort’s photography team – I really loved their style and portfolio.

We also toured each of the venue options, which for me was a mixed bag. While the banquet halls and indoor spaces were decent choices, the outdoor venues lacked privacy, with most being close to pools or beach areas frequented by other resort guests. Although staff do make an effort to clear the space during ceremonies, I personally prefer more secluded options.

The day concluded with a private tasting of our selected wedding menu. While the service during the tasting was excellent, the food was a bit underwhelming. We were only allowed to try one option per course, which limited our ability to fully explore the menu. I wasn’t a fan of the main dish we tried, and I would have appreciated the opportunity to sample more before finalizing our choices.

Two days later, I also had a meeting with the hair and makeup department. Since Paradisus Palma Real is part of the larger Melia collection, they do not have an on-site bridal suite. The workaround is to shuttle to the neighboring Melia resort’s salon via a short golf cart ride. They do offer the option to turn that space into a private suite or have stylists come to your own suite at the Paradisus, though both are relatively small for a larger bridal party like mine. That said, the meeting itself was pleasant and the staff were very accommodating.

Venue Options

In order: Adults only Garden, Family Friendly Garden 1, Family Friendly Garden 2 (a bit more secluded), Beach 1 (our planner prefers this one) 

In order: Beach 2, Banquet Hall, Malva Terrace (added cost)

Our Resort Stay: Exceptional Service with One Major Glitch

From the moment we arrived, the resort impressed us. We were upgraded to the “Reserve” category, which came with a slew of benefits including private check-in at The Reserve lounge and a dedicated concierge available via WhatsApp throughout our stay. This elevated level of service made our visit incredibly smooth and relaxing. Our Junior Garden Suite was spacious and comfortable, and our concierge went above and beyond, handling all our dinner reservations and giving us a full resort tour upon arrival.

Private Beach Cabana

The Reserve offers access to exclusive amenities, a private restaurant (“Santé”) including three private pools, a swim-up bar, a beach area with towel service, drink delivery, and even shaded cabanas. The food throughout our stay was solid, with the Hibachi (“Tokimeku”) restaurant being our favorite for its fun atmosphere. The Dominican (“Flora”) and Mexican (“Blue Agave”) restaurants also stood out, while the steakhouse (“Mina”) was our least favorite. Surprisingly, the buffet (“The Lunch Box”) options were excellent, especially for lunch and breakfast – vast selections and personal chef stations made it feel anything but generic. Despite typically having a sensitive stomach, I felt completely fine throughout the stay, which speaks volumes for their food safety and quality. Keep in mind you must make dinner reservations at each restaurant; with our private concierge to message this was quite easy, otherwise there was a dinner reservation staffed desk to visit during your stay.  

Dominican Restaurant 

Drinks at the resort were top-notch, particularly in the restaurants and dedicated bars. The sports bar (“Kicks”) and one of the cocktails bars (“Rum Republic”) had standout mixologists who made creative, high-quality drinks. The swim-up bar drinks weren’t quite as refined but still enjoyable.

Adults only swim-up bar

Unfortunately, our last day hit a sour note. Although we had confirmed our extended stay with multiple staff members upon arrival—including our concierge, wedding planner, and a manager—we were unexpectedly locked out of our room on the final day. We had been told we’d pay the balance at checkout, but the confusion led to unnecessary stress and a frustrating experience. Communication was challenging due to language barriers, and it was a disappointing end to an otherwise flawless stay.

Final Thoughts: A Strong Recommendation with a Few Caveats

Despite the few hiccups, I would highly recommend Paradisus Palma Real for both a destination wedding and a luxurious all-inclusive vacation. The wedding planning experience was organized and detailed, giving me peace of mind for our upcoming big day. The resort stay itself was one of the best we’ve ever had – the service, food, and amenities in The Reserve were truly outstanding. Just be sure to confirm all details in writing, especially anything related to payments or additional nights, to avoid last-minute surprises.

For couples considering this destination for their wedding, this on-site visit package was absolutely worth it. It brought clarity to so many details and gave us confidence in what to expect for our big day.