I must say that after reading a lot of comments for both of the hotels on the property, I found it very nice and pleasant. Check in was very fast and the staff was very friendly and helpful after check in they direct us to the concierge to set our dinner plan, a very nice young lady recieved us with a big smile and recomend to us her favorite four restaurants and the funniest excurssions offered at the resort, and I must say 10+ to her, she ask us to go to La Roca wich was very good, it was a little far from our room but we were able to explore the whole place, food and service was great, the staff was very friendly, then we went to the italian also very good, food was a litthle bit cold but not to bad to suicide... Then we went to mexican restaurant and was also excellent, goos food quality, staff very helpfull, my kids loved it... last but not least Viva Cafe, I was in love of that restaurant... the concierge girl suggested for the last night and it was a perfect suggestion, we enjoy it as never... every plate was a whole experience of flavors, the whole family was very happy. Our rooms were close to each other, both very comfortable for all of us... The made everyday cleaned it very well, we tip her our last day and she put nice flowers every where, our towels and other things were replaced everyday.

The beach OMG!!! Must say that it has been one of the better beaches that I have swimmed on, the sand was clean, and the water was allways very clear, the weather was very good during this days, we went to saona island and took the most memorables pictures there, was excellent and we also did the crazy wheels also veryyyyy funny, night life also was very good, the entertainment team from the Beach hotel were always very nice, we love the Michael Jackson show and the Moulin Rouge... We also enjoyed going every morning to drink capuccinos with Raul at the lobby bar, he is very friendly and offers a very sincere smile, the only thing is that over the palace main pool during night one of my sons were speaking with a bartender, and basicly she provide him with all of her personal information and ask him to send her money from home, I think her name was Leslie, Lily or something, she was very thin, he pointed it her to me after telling one night me this but I just drop the paper, and felt sorry for her, I dont think this is right but maybe because they recieve that many young italian guys, some of the staff from some areas, are used to do this.

Overall our experience was very good, we will recommend it to some of our friends, and if you get there, always follow the recomendattions from the concierges, at least from the one that helped us, she is dominican, very young and always smiling, I look for her the last day to say thank you, but she was off... I hope that if any manager reads this congratulates her... Sorry that I dont remember her name, but I thonk she is the only dominican on the concierge cuz I always saw only italians.

Have nothing but good things to say about the Palace - great beach, the service from the maids to the front desk people to the waiters we found everyone very friendly and helpful - the best of the specialty restaurants was Viva Mexico - the only downside for us was the small number of english speaking guests as there are a mostly Europeans in early December. We preferred the Palace to Wyndhams Beach Hotel which is next door as it has fewer rooms and the restaurants are a little less crowded.

My husband and I just returned from a week of vacation at Viva Palace. We were a little nervous before we left after reading some negative comments about the hotel, but overall we really LOVED our stay and had a great time.

We flew in to La Romana which was great and had Blue Travelers pick us up at the airport. I think we were checked in and at our room no more than 75 min from when we arrived at the airport.

We stayed oceanfront in building 58 which was a great location. I had emailed guest service to request either building 55 or 58 before we arrived and they clearly came through. The safe didn't work, but that didn't bother us (even if we were on the groundfloor, it felt safe and we had no issues). The TV didn't work either and we called the front desk and they had someone down to fix it within an hour and no issues after that. I did feel the AC was a little cold, but it really wasn't a big deal. We also had a fridge in the room which was stocked the first day, but never restocked after that, also our schampoo and soaps weren't restocked etiher so make sure you bring some of your own which we had done. Towels and beds were changed and made daily.

We found the bartenders at most bars to be very nice and professional with good service. Some had a hard time to understand English but for the most of them, there were no issues and we always walked away happy and the drink variety was pretty good. Champagne is only served at the lobby bar at the Palace where they also have free wifi (if anyone needs to check their emails or do some work during vacation).

The food was bland, but over all no real complaints. There is something for everyone at the buffets and we thought that the Viva Cafe was the best option with the best quality of food and also the best variety (included when you stay at the Palace side). La Roca was nice to eat at lunch but terrible for dinner, so don't waste your dinner there. Overall I felt like what was not consumed at breakfast was probably going to show up at the lunch menu in a sandwich, but I'm sure that is common for a lot of All Inclusive resorts.

The best thing about the hotel was the beach and the ocean. It was beautiful and the water very warm and that made the hotelstay. The room and service is average (not bad, but not great), but the sandy beaches and water made up for everything and we had a wonderful time. We had no issues getting a chair and also no problems returning the towels in exchange for the card and then getting a towel the next morning (but we were also on the beach around 9 am every morning). We thought it was great value for your money as long as you don't expect some gourmet meals.

Checkin brisk they even forgot to give us wristbands. Couldn't wait to get rid of us. Thought it was a good thing at the time and thought that we didnt need wristbands. Beach small and overcrowded. People will steal your chair and throw your towel down. Reef virtually destroyed. Tourists... not going to name nationalities... rude. I am from Italian background and am embarrassed by some of the behavior. Other non-English speaking Canadians were in abundance as well. Had items stolen on the beach while going for a swim(towel from home). Pathetic. Food ok. La Rocca grill for lunch ok. If you have read the other negative reviews about being treated different. They are true. I am a travel agent and advised them of this and requested the usual king bed, mini fridge, close to beach and asked to PAY for an upgrade. We were put in the bungalows furthest from the beach, with 2 queen beds. Room stunk, no remote for tv, air conditioner water leaks profusely into bathroom. Almost killed myself when I slipped. Bed covers were filthy but they did come and change those. I spoke repeated to front desk asking to be moved closer with a king bed I have problems with my hips. That's why I asked for oceanfront in the first and was willing to pay. They offered me a room near the lobby near the tennis courts near all the loud activity. No thanks. I tried to explain what I wanted they didnt care. I heard them speaking to the Italian guests and they are treated differently. I speak Italian and when I was at the desk witnessed their checkin. Wow! The agent came out from behind the desk gave them their key kissed their xxxx and off they went. I understand they are the majority, but treat all paying clients equally. The ones at the desk that didn't like their room immediately got it changed...Hmm
I have never experienced this before, not even at a 2 star in Cuba! We had a good time anyway as the snorking is great and the weather was great. When you pay good money for a holiday you want some assurance when you arrive they will at least try their best to help. After 4 days of trying to change our room they had no idea what I was talking about and asked who I was talking to!! Do yourself a favour and stay somewhere else even if it's a bit more. Our first choice was sold out. Never again. They even knew was a travel agent and still didn't care. Now that's really scary. Normally they try and satisfy a request or offer an upgrade. I never expect one especially in this economy but to think that someone who has the potential to promote their property and treat them in this manner? I read trip advisor but never write in as sometimes the negative reviews ate not warranted. I sincerely apologize to all. I should have listened.