Vik Hotel Arena Blanca

This place is disgusting. Do not stay here. Air conditioning is not working at the whole building. That’s the excuse we were told, yet there are many separate buildings. Mini fridge doesn’t work. Hair dryer broken. Room dirty. Missing sheets, blankets and pillows for 1 bed, no matter how much we ask, they bring nothing. Ask for things to be resolved and they keep saying someone will come, but no one does. They gave me key for second room, room has big hole in wall. It was dirty and clearly not in use. Garbage on floor, no beds made. Staff are ignorant. Pool is dirty and crumbling. Food is terrible. Flies all over the food. Terrible service in restaurants. Night snack bar is a sandwich and soup. Lame! West Jet should never send anyone here

On the second day of my stay, I felt like having a cold beer even if it was only 11 AM. The restaurant (El mirador) was open I went straight to the self service beer tap. Unfortunately, only foam was coming out of it. As I was returning my empty glass on the counter (without showing any sign if discontent), an older member of the staff came to me and said that alcoholic beverages were only available after 12, looking at me from head to toe with a disgusted look on his face, Then he turned and made a judgmental comment out loud about ne trying to get a beer that early in the day. The last thing you want while vacationing in an all inclusive resort is to be shamed or ridiculed Funny thing, I am a moderate drinker and just felt like indulging for a change. Being judged so openly really made me feel like crap.. Other staff members were nice - but one nasty man is all it takes to sabotage your experience.

CALL AHEAD! This place is under construction and IS NOT what the website says. One of the two pools is closed. It’ll be months. There is NO beach activities. Says water crafts and volleyball etc. None. It says all-inclusive but the “beach bar” closes at 6pm… yes. 6. And there are NO waiters going around the left over pool to take beverage orders. You have to get up or out of the water yourself and walk 200M to the bar. Then it’s watered down (can’t even taste the “drink” part) and in kid’s sized cup. Seriously, check ahead. There are 2 speciality restaurants, but one is open every other day… so not two choices. Look, they are trying, but you’d be better off going somewhere else if you want an “all-inclusive” experience where you can relax all day. You can’t there. They let anyone smoke anywhere, and some cultures still smoke A LOT, same with loud music. Teens with personal speakers blasting poolside. If you want a cool drink and someone to refill it (this isn’t your resort). What you save in money, you’ll spend in steps fetching your own service and wondering if the 5-item menu will change (if won’t). If you see my regular reviews, I almost always say positive things. But this was a real let down, and Apple Vacations lied to us when we asked about the resort, so watch out for that too. Do your homework. This was a $200 value with a $1500 price tag. :(… the pic? That’s the beach. Short and filthy… real bummer.

I was there from the 7 until the 14 of june, i had one of the best time i had there in almost 20 years visiting the DR. First, my room didn't have any issues at all, air conditioner was workingt well, the building i was in was quiet, both the maids were nice and meticulous and not a second without hot water. I'm planning on going back in september and i will ask for the same room (3228), if available. All staff were great, all of them i encountered, the reception guys, the bartenders, especially Ricardo and Cristian at the Lobby's bar where i was every night until midnight, at the restaurant (el Mirador), all of them were nice too, same thing goes for the restaurant supervisors, i even told one that the food there was the best i had in the caribbeans (and it's true) and even though he was happy to hear it, he didn't seem surprised at all since he probably knows as much as i do how tasteful his food is. To conclude, if there is one thing the hotel should tale a closer look at would be to install rubber carpets in buildings because when it's raining or when the floors are wet, it's very slippery and dangerous, accidents can happen fast. As for the rest, don't change anything.

We return to the Vik each year because the previous visit was enjoyable. The Vik is renovating building 5 and that will be good for those who need more upscale accommodations and don't want to pay for the Cayenne Club. We have always been lucky in both the rooms we got and that with a few exceptions everything worked. We have stayed and payed at more upscale locations up the beach and never felt the cost was worth it. The food id good and a variety available. The beach has suffered from storms and rising tide levels but is still not as crowded as many of the larger resorts up the beach. Losing about 15 palapas near the dive shop certainly has caused some problems but many people simply move to the grassy area in front of building five. The large pool is definitely in need of updates but I don't travel to the tropics to sit by a pool. Miles of beautiful beach stretch off in both directions from the Vik. Never attend the evening shows so can't comment there.. we head tot he beach after supper to watch the stars and occasional thunder storms off shore. Our trip was flawless and enjoyable, again, so you will likely find us drinking our coffees and meeting new friends down near the Pelicano Dive Shop next April.

Beautiful place, food and drinks are amazing. But I'm not impressed with the spa. We booked a couples massage on the beach for three only to be told when we got there they couldn't do us cause she was alone, so rebooked at the spa for the next day for four pm. We get there and are told, it would be another ten minutes. No problem, as we were there ten minutes early. But come 4:25 and we were still waiting. Had to leave as we had other things to do. Disappointed we didn't get our massages. I guess the concept of making an appointment is not familiar to some people.