One of our Apple Vacations Sales Reps James Reese flew down to Punta Cana to do some hotel site inspections. I asked him to tell me all about it and here are the highlights!

I caught the Apple Vacations Charter on Airtran out of BWI. Check-in at Airtran was very smooth and very quick! I was approached by Carol, one of our BWI Airport Reps, as soon as I walked up to the Airtran counter. Carol made sure I had luggage tags, the Emergency Contact slip and double-checked that I was on the Apple Vacations manifest.

After being checked in, she directed me towards the security line — Quick and Simple! The Airtran flight-crew were fantastic! They were engaging, friendly and extremely courteous. The plane itself was modern and clean. Couldn’t have asked for a better flight! When we got the Punta Cana Airport I got my $10 Tourist Card and went straight through Immigrations — VERY FAST! Our luggage came out immediately — no wait.

There is a “Big GIANT Fan” in Baggage Claim that kept us cool! Funny — people are taking pictures of the fan now. Must be one of the new “sites” to see in Punta Cana!

After telling many people that I didn’t need assistance with my luggage, I walked over to Amstar and was promptly directed to my transfer bus. The driver had water and a cool towel waiting for me — NICE! The bus was clean and cool. Received a brief history of the island in route to my hotel. Amstar does such a great job!

Keep checking back for hotel reviews!

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Apple Vacations sale featuring RIU Hotels & Resorts started today! In addition to the great package pricing we have, here are some highlights of RIU Resorts in Punta Cana, The Bahamas and Costa Rica.

In Punta Cana:
The “new” Riu Bambu re-opens on June 13th, 2010 as a new family focused hotel with a “RiuLand” kids’ club. They will also have family rooms, which are family of 5 friendly. They have special pricing for these rooms: 1st child is free in the family room and the 2nd and 3rd child are 50% off. If you do not need a family room, the regular deluxe room has 2 kids STAY, PLAY & EAT FREE for kids 12 years and under. When they re-open, all the rooms at Riu Bambu will have been refurbished. There will also be a new Asian and Italian restaurant and a sports bar with game tables and flat screen TVs. Sounds like a fun place for families! Also, Riu Bambu has free exchange privileges with Riu Taino & Riu Naiboa.

Riu Palace Macao for July and August arrivals is offering a free upgrade to a Superior Room, where you will receive a better tropical view!

Riu Palace Punta Cana offers free exchange privileges with all 5 of the RIU Resorts in Punta Cana. …Read More>>

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Just because you need to stick to a budget, does not mean you have to sacrifice! I colleague of mine wanted to surprise a friend with a long weekend in the Caribbean. She had a specific budget to stick to and wanted to make it work. I searched around and found 3 nights in Punta Cana at Natura Park for less than $1,000.00 for two people (from Philly). When we added the taxes on it came right in at the budget. They just got back and gave me a review.

Punta Cana was a beautiful Island with friendly people. The Apple Vacations folks could not be nicer or more professional. We were very pleased. The hotel was nice. I wasn’t expecting much since the rate was so good, but we were pleasantly surprised. We booked our tours from the Apple desk so I didn’t worry about that. My room was clean and spacious and our A/C and plumbing were working just fine. The beach was fabulous! It’s in a natural setting next to a nature reserve, something the other hotels don’t have since they are all in a row. I would go back!

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As a follow up to my blog the other day, I wanted to share the following E-Mail I received. I have been E-Mailing people I know, who have recently returned from Punta Cana, Cap Cana La Romana. I have asked them to share their recent experiences from resort. Here is one I’d like to pass on.

I returned last week from Punta Cana and have to say that it remains one of my favorite vacation destinations. The beaches are beautiful, the hotels are terrific and vacation values and service are over-the-top.

The tragic events in Haiti had no impact or effect in Punta Cana; I know because I was in Punta Cana when the earthquake struck Haiti. I didn’t realize this had happened until that evening when I turned on CNN. I spent the following three days inspecting hotels up and down the Punta Cana area coast, and can tell you that there was no effect. The services, facilities and features of Punta Cana are fully functional and it remains one of the best vacations areas.

Bruce Wilson, Apple Vacations’ Senior Sales Manager, New England, Albany and Hudson Valley

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I have heard great feedback on the fantastic new NH Royal that I wanted to share. It’s a new adults only hotel with an amazing beach. The neat thing about this property is that they listened to customer feedback (from surveys from the Eden NH Hotel), and that is how they designed the new NH Royal hotel. From special things like a private jacuzzi on your balcony or terrace, to simple things like bridges so you can walk over the pools

There are a couple of other things that stand out about his hotel that are worth mentioning. First is the wedding area. It is located on the 3rd floor of an ocean-front building looking over the beautiful crystal blue turquoise water, and gorgeous white sand. It is truly a unique wedding venue. Another is the buffet. It is an ocean-front buffet so you get to dine gazing out at the crystal blue water. It is truly exquisite! What better way to eat surf and turf than with ocean-view dining. This new hotel is a real home-run!

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