Check-in was quick and easy and it took us no time at all to even find our room. We were given room 4101, in building 4 second floor at the end of the hall. Our balcony had a view of the whole resort, from the ocean, in the distance past the pool area, up to the buffet and the lobby. We were very central to everything – the beach, pool, restaurants, and lobby were only a few mins walk away. The layout was very nice and there was plenty of closet and drawer space. Down a couple steps from the bed area was a sitting area with a chest, daybed, and a coffee table. The maid did a good job keeping our room clean although a couple days it was quite late in the afternoon when it was done.
Layout- The PCP itself is a small resort which suited us fine cause you do have access to the other 2 sister resorts if you so desire. There is also a train which runs from the sister resorts to the PCP lobby but there was no set schedule for this. It is very easy to find your way around the PCP, no worry of getting lost here. There was just 2 paths which ran down both sides of the resort from the lobby to the beach with several crossing paths between the two. Everything was off of these two paths. You could see from one side of the resort to the other no problem. The grounds were nicely done and well kept.
Staff – Since this is a smaller resort one gets to know the staff and they get to know you. Most of the staff were very efficient and pleasant and seemed to always be happy and would go around joking and singing while they worked. There was no language problems here at all but they really do appreciate you trying to speak to them in Spanish. Most of the staff were very friendly and even as you passed them on the pathways would greet you with an ‘Hola’. A lot of the staff even took the time to ask you how you were and how your vacation was going. We would have to say this was the best overall service we have received from a resort vacation.
Buffets– Since this is a smaller resort it does not have the selection we’ve had at bigger resorts but the food itself was good. We mainly ate at either the main or beach buffet for breakfast and lunch. There was not much difference between the two buffets that we noticed. The main buffet had smoking and non-smoking sections. We only did the buffet one night for supper but again found the selection limited. However there never was the long lines at the egg or pasta stations that we have had at other resorts.
A La Cartes – There are 4 a la cartes at the PCP for which no reservations are needed with another 3 at the Caribe and 2 at the Tropical that are included but which require reservations. Reservations were easy to make at the Guest Service desk in the mornings. You can make them for 3 days in advance. Il Bacio – Italian Restaurant located at the PCP next to the buffet. We ate here twice and both times were great. Both times we walked right in and were seated. Even got the same table both times. Service was great, we never had an empty glass and the staff were very laid back and even joked around with the guests. We never felt rushed and both evenings were nice relaxing nights out. Mare Nostrum –Seafood Restaurant located at the PCP beach restaurant. We ate here 3 times and had good luck the first times but the third was not as good. Not that the 3rd time was bad just after such very good service the other times it was a let down as we saved it for our last night. All three times we were able to get right in. Food wise it was very good, we tried the calamari, salad and grouper crevice as apps and the Lobster tails, Mixed Grill and Seafood Casserole as Main dishes. La Petite Fondue – PCP Fondue Restaurant located on the path to the beach right beside the pool. We ate here twice and the 2 times were like night and day. Although the food was very good both times, service was quite bad our 2nd time there. Rio Grande – The PCP Tex Mex restaurant located next to Il Bacio. We had heard great things about this a la carte and were looking forward to dining here. We ended up only eating here once. Shangay – The Asian a la carte located at the Caribe. When at the Caribe before we ate here 3 times and enjoyed it very much. This place was as nice as we remembered. Both the food and service were good. El Pilon – The Dominican a la carte located at the Tropical Side. Last time we only did this a la carte once but I had always said I wished we had gone back. So I got my chance and it was worth it. Service here was very nice. Staff were friendly and smiling and the restaurant is nicely decorated. Food too was good but way too much! Mamma Mia – The Italian a la carte located at the Caribe Club side. When at the Caribe before we ate here 3 times and they had a great app buffet bar. Well not any more – the app bar is gone. Where at the PCP restaurants the staff were mostly smiling and friendly it wasn’t this way here and service was just OK. The food was good but not great especially compared with what we had at the PCP Italian Restaurant. We only ate here the once. Sombrero – The Mexican a la carte at the Caribe. We had eaten here twice when at the Caribe and it was on our list to do again but we were sorry we did. Again the staff were not smiling or friendly and it does effect the service. They bring you a Margarita to your table but it was not good. There is a app buffet bar which is just OK – it does however have nachos chips and guacamole.
Things of Note about the PCP
• The PCP had the best selection of international drinks of the resorts we have been to. Bailey’s was available at all the bars just not all the time. • There were no towel cards – not sure if this was just for VIP or everyone. • The menus for all the PCP, Caribe and Tropical a la cartes were available in the lobby. As well the PCP ones each had a table set up outside each one with the menu available there. • The buffet had linen napkins and table cloths at all meals and it’s own bar. The staff would even go to the lobby bar for international drinks not available there. • The pathways were lined with ‘speaker rocks’ playing music. In the early morning they even played softer music. • The PCP was the cleanest resort we have been to. Even the beach restroom was very clean no matter what time of day you went in. Cleaners were all over the place keeping the floors swept and polished and it showed! In the mornings the maids were always out washing down the pool deck area. • Not the peace and quiet ‘adult only’ that we had at Royal Suites. The animation team were always around the pool in the late afternoon and up at the lobby in the evening. No real quiet spot to hang out in the evening. • There never was a lack of pool or beach lounges available through out the day. • Saw a few guests with mobility problems and this resort seemed easy for them to get around. No common area was located up any stairs except the lobby which had a ramp. • The internet was never a problem for us. Yes you had to wait a few times but never that long. Noticed a lot of people with laptops in the lobby area since WIFI is available ($). • The no reservation thing is new for the PCP and they haven’t quiet got it figured out yet. If you show up and the restaurant is full they do not take your name or room number. You basically have to wait by the door for the next open table. But be aware this does not always work either since others can walk right past you and end up with a table ahead of you. • At some of the bigger resorts we have been to we have commented that they needed benches along the pathways – well guess what they had them here. As well Garbage cans were well spaced along the paths and around the resort. • The buffet has themed dinners which are on a weekly rotation. Themes included Dominican, Mexican, Italian, Asian, Gala, Seafood, and International (I believe).Monday night is the scheduled Dominican beach party but both Mondays we were there it was held at the buffet due to bad weather. • The swim up bar was located so it was in the sun which was nice since you didn’t have to wade through the chilly part of the pool to order a drink. Some of the best assets that the PCP has is its size, the friendly smiling staff, a la carte choices, good International brands, and the fact that it is Adults Only Overall we had a very good two weeks at the PCP and it is one of the top 3 resorts we have stayed at so far.
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