Update 11/26
We loved Live Aqua Punta Cana so much, we booked it again. This is the first resort we have ever revisited. Not because we didn’t like the other places, we love to try new places. Live Aqua Punta Cana changed that trend. This place is perfect for us, and it lived up to the hype on our second visit.
We booked the same room category, Swim Out Garden View. It was just as we remembered. This time, they were not working on the section of the neighboring resort, so we heard very little noise. The room was just as magical. The only two negative differences were the pool and Mamajauna. The swim-out pool was cold, it is their winter, thus we did not spend much time in there. Unlike last time, there was no small bottle of Mamajauna in the room. Both minor things, but worth noting. Other than that, everything was just as perfect. We had a fully stocked mini fridge, plenty of towels, a huge shower, and a comfy king-size bed.
One of the things we were excited about was seeing our staff friends from the last trip. We were pleasantly surprised to see a number of our friends were still there, and just as amazing as before. We also got to meet several new friends. We can go more into the new and old faces later.
Now about the trip.
We had a later flight, just as the sun was going down. They don’t change the clock like in the US, so it was an hour later (Eastern time in November). That made the day feel even longer. However, we always book VIP entry and a private transfer. Those two things save a ton of time, and we can get to the resort faster.
We arrived at Live Aqua after dark, so we were not able to see the full beauty as we pulled up. However, the crew opened the door and greeted us with a warm welcome before the van was even in park. “Welcome Home!” as the door opened. They had our bags in seconds, and we thanked our driver. Another welcome home as we were asked our names. They gave us our luggage tags, and we were off to the VIP lounge.
Being our second trip, we had a better idea of what to expect, a nice plus. Inside the VIP Lounge, we were quickly greeted and led to the sit-and-relax area. We ordered drinks, and the check-in process began. We received our wonderful bracelets, that double as your room key, while being told about the resort. After a quick intro, another second trip benefit, we were told that Alex was our butler and he would be over shortly.
Alex walked in and was a bundle of joy. He said we were about to become best friends and that he was there for us. As with the first trip, a butler was not necessary, but a nice perk. Alex was fantastic. He took us to our room, gave us a quick tour, and we exchanged numbers. He said nothing is too small and to let him know if we need anything.
Since it was late, and we had a long travel day, we were ready for dinner. We knew some of our favorites from last time, so we decided on Sospiro (Italian). Alex messaged ahead to make sure they would have a good table for us. It was just as good as we remembered, a theme for this review. I will go into the restaurants a little later. We ate delicious food, had good drinks, and headed back to the room.
After a fantastic sleep, we were up and ready for the warm sun, beautiful beach, sand, and drinks. My morning duties are to scope out the beach and bring back coffee and tea. Everything was just as I remembered: warm sand, beautiful ocean, warm breeze, and a great view. Next stop is for my coffee and my wife’s tea.
Our next stop was breakfast. Last time, we met Salvador and his fantastic team. I was looking around to see if we would see him again, and to my excitement, he was there. Just as attentive and bubbly as we remembered.
After breakfast, back to the room to get ready for the beach. We couldn’t wait to get our feet in the sand. I think that was one of the fastest we have ever gotten beach-ready. We found a beautiful spot in the front with ample shade, we cannot get fried on the first day. We were home.
A little before 10, when the bars open, one of the beach crew came by to ask for our room number and let us know he would be over soon to take our drink order. Last time, Benjamin was our guy; unfortunately, we did not see him this time around. However, Angelo was just as fantastic. We settled in, ordered drinks, and set off for a day of food, drinks, sun, sand, and relaxation.
Our next stop is lunch at the Wonderpool. We were greeted by our old friend Confesor. So happy to see him. He gave us a warm welcome, as if we had been friends for years. We sat, we had delicious burgers, and drank some water.
Back to the beach for our after-lunch walk. The tide was in and the water a little rough, but we were able to cruise down the beach, taking it all in. With resorts in both directions, we were able to get some good distance without feeling unsafe. Back to our chairs for another Angelo drink and a nap.
With it being late November, the sun goes down early. That meant we didn't get much afternoon pool time, as usual. Also, the pools were a little cold, just like our swim-out pool. However, we sat and went over our dinner options. That is how most of our day is spent, deciding what our next meal will be. We settled on ATL (Mexican).
Back to the room to shower and get ready. Last time, I had some Mamajauna while my wife was getting ready. This time, I had to make a quick run to the Wonderpool bar. Not a big deal, I like to walk. Alex was checking in on us throughout the day and asked what we were thinking for dinner. We let him know ATL and that we would love to sit outside. He said no problem, and he would take care of it.
Once ready, we headed off to dinner. The resort has a beautiful walkway with lovely flowers and lights, a perfect spot for a picture. We snapped a few and made our way to dinner. We got our table and placed our order. As I mentioned in my first review, ATL was not our favorite. That is the case again. While it was good, just not our favorite.
The rest of our time was the same: coffee, breakfast, beach, lunch, pool, dinner, and lots of drinks. Everyone was laid back, friendly, and helpful.
Restaurants:
ATL (Mexican): Good but not our favorite. We loved the chips and salsa, and I loved the churros. But the rest was just okay.
Sospiro (Italian): Just as good as we remembered. We both had the chicken parm, eggplant appetizer, and assorted meats and cheeses from the antipasto bar. The eggplant app was a little different this time. Before, it was rolled up; this time, it was layered. It was still very delicious. The chicken parm was fantastic, much bigger than I remembered. I would consider this to be a larger-than-normal all-inclusive portion. My wife and I could have easily shared one piece. It comes with a side of mashed potatoes, a little odd, but they were delicious. For dessert, tiramisu. It is one of my favorites, and it was terrific.
Chez Rose (French): Simple but elegant. We both had the French Onion soup. It comes in a bread bowl and has a layer of melted cheese. The flavor was terrific, and I found myself scraping the bowl to get more. We each ordered a steak. We had to do a little research to see what cut of meat they had. One was a filet and the other a ribeye. Both were equally delicious. They had a side of mashed potatoes and a lovely sauce. For dessert, Creme Brulee. The Creme Brulee was good, but not my favorite.
Seishin (Asian): We opted for à la carte rather than the show. They had a fantastic menu with good apps and main dishes. We each had a sushi roll. Both were wonderful and well-made. For our meal, I had Sweet and Sour Pork, and my wife had Yakisoba noodles. Portions were again larger than expected and very tasty.
Wonderpool: This was our daily lunch spot. It was where we first met Confesor and where we came every day but once. It is difficult to beat a grilled burger, fries, and drinks while sitting outside. The Wonderpool and Confesor did not disappoint.
One day we had a pizza on the beach. While it was good, we preferred our daily burgers for lunch. This time, we did not get any chips and salsa on the beach. After talking over the trip, that was one thing we missed. We just were not hungry.
Staff:
Alex, our Butler: As I mentioned, we did not really need him. However, he was very attentive. He sent us the daily activities list, asked about our night, and said to let him know if we needed anything. He made a point to stop by throughout our stay. He was always happy, friendly, and welcoming.
Salvador at breakfast: Salvador and his team, Luis, Nathaly, Mariluz, and Miguel, were a pleasure to meet. Salvador was the one who spent the most time with us. He was just as great as the last time. We loved seeing him every morning. He was always asking how our day and night went, if we needed anything to make our stay better, and thanking us for being there.
Rosa at the coffee shop: Rosa was fantastic. She was quick and efficient, and she made sure my drink was to my liking.
Angelo on the beach: This guy could hustle. He made sure our drinks were full, and we were happy. He had big shoes to fill from Benjamin last time, but he was a rockstar. After our first drinks, he knew our order day after day. One day, I was headed up with our cups (pro tip: bring your own insulated cup and straw). He ran over, grabbed them, and said that was his job. He was in a morning meeting, but he made a point to make sure we were taken care of. He was great.
Rosa at ATL: While our meal was not our favorite, our server, Rosa, was great. She offered suggestions and some Spanish lessons.
These are just a few people who stood out. However, everyone we met greeted us with the same family attitude.
This trip, we spent some time in the gym. It was well laid out with plenty of equipment. They had machines, treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, and free weights. It got a little warm and could have used a few fans. Other than that, it was a great gym.
