Serenade All Suites, Adults Only Resort

First time in the D.R., also first time at an all-inclusive resort. Mixed feelings about Serenade, I didn't get any of the upsells or pitches that some people experienced. The people were very nice. The rooms were very spacious, the shower was really nice and it was nice to have a balcony with great views. The first 3 places we ate at were not very good. The Ocean buffet was a 5 out of 10, The Gourmet restaurant had a limited menu, but they had something I as well as my wife liked. The octopus there was quite good, but my wife loves scallops, which was on the menu, but they had none. She ordered something else that was terrible! The morning buffet was not bad - many choices, just avoid the bagels (rather stale). We tried the sports bar thinking how bad could it be, but my wife ordered chicken tenders which came out as chick nuggets that were so dark we thought it was iguana and weren't very good. The hibachi restaurant was quite good and the chef was very personable. The steak restaurant was very good - both the food and the service. The filet was wonderful and my wife's chicken was exceptional! The coffee bar was awesome and the cappuccinos were amazing! As far as getting seats at any of the pools or the beach, I had read this could be an issue, so I made sure I got up early to make sure we had no problem. There was a quiet pool on the family side which was nice - away from all the commotion. We went up to the rooftop pool and bar and the views were amazing! The piano bar was nice in the evening to have a drink or two after dinner and listen to some good entertainment. There were a few resort employees that were getting people out of their seats to dance with them and I of course had to oblige. The cleaning staff were amazing! The floors and facilities were always being cleaned/wiped down. The beach was very nice - some seaweed but they had several people every day cleaning it off the beach. The water was nice - one side there was sea grass on the bottom, but the other end was nice and blue. There's also a food truck on the family side of the beach that makes pretty good burgers and fries. All in all it was a nice vacation. All in all it was a very nice resort - just have to focus on going to the better restaurants.

Terrible communication with the resort. Our flight got delayed and tried calling literally all day and no one picked up the phone. We emailed as well. 2 days later and many phone calls throughout these 2 days even Expedia tried contacting them and still no word from them.

I have just returned from Serenade All Suites and, unfortunately, it wasn’t the experience my wife and I had hoped for. The Positives The resort is modern, visually appealing, and set within attractive grounds. We appreciated the spacious layout around the pools, where sunbeds weren’t crammed together and each pair had its own fixed parasol. Its proximity to the airport is also a big plus. Where Things Fell Short Despite being relatively new, the resort is already showing noticeable wear — and there doesn’t seem to be much urgency in addressing it. Several public‑area taps were loose or not working, and the laminate on many room doors was peeling. These may seem like small details, but for a resort positioning itself as 5‑star, they matter. More concerning was the lift situation. For several days, the lifts could only be used to go up from the ground floor, not down from higher floors. This was a real issue for guests with heavy luggage, and even more so for those with mobility challenges. We met a guest who repeatedly raised the issue with staff, yet nothing happened until she eventually encountered a maintenance worker by chance. It was finally fixed, but only after days of inconvenience. Uncomfortable Pressure for Reviews On our second day, a member of the animation team — someone we had never interacted with — approached my wife and insisted she write a Google review on the spot. She even began taking the phone from her to type it herself, then pointed to her name badge to ensure she was mentioned. This behavior is completely inappropriate for any resort, let alone one claiming 5‑star standards. Food & Hygiene Concerns The biggest issue by far was the food. We met guests who were served completely raw burgers, and my wife experienced a severe bout of diarrhea. Several other guests told us they had the same problem. There was no clear pattern — different restaurants, different dishes — which made it even more worrying. Hot food was often served cold, and drinks were inconsistent. You could order the same cocktail from the same bartender and receive something that looked and tasted entirely different each time. Of all the restaurants, the Asian venue was the standout — both the à la carte and teppanyaki were enjoyable. Unfortunately, the others didn’t meet expectations. The sports bar was particularly disappointing: my wife’s shrimp wrap arrived ice cold and damp, clearly not freshly prepared, and my fish and chips included pieces that were undercooked. Final Thoughts Before booking, I watched many reviews — including from well‑known YouTube reviewers — and they were overwhelmingly positive. However, most were a year or two old. Based on our experience, something has clearly changed since then. I later read more recent TripAdvisor reviews that echoed the issues we encountered, and I wish I had taken them more seriously. Last year we stayed at Secrets Royal Beach on our first visit to the Dominican Republic, and it was exceptional in every way. That experience brought us back to the island — but sadly, we chose the wrong resort this time. Serenade All Suites has a lot of potential, but it is currently held back by serious operational and hygiene issues that need urgent attention.

I just got back from here and I have no complaints! The staff was friendly, the food was good and fresh! The restaurant staff was nice. I loved the entire entertainment team! Ariana,Shark, there was another guy with short,red hair I didn’t get their name but they were my faves. Wilson also was the best instructor for dancing. The dj’s played a good variety of music. I also got a massage by Mary at the spa which was amazing!

The resort is very nice and the staff friendly and helpful. The food is good. There is less night life than I expected and only sporadic activities by the pool. A great environment for relaxing. The proximity to the beach is excellent.