June 19, 2024
Stephanie's Journey to Secrets Tides Punta Cana
Introduction
Stephanie recently embarked on a FAM trip to Secrets Tides Punta Cana from April 30 to May 3. Her adventure began with a series of flights from Billings to Salt Lake City, then Atlanta, and finally Punta Cana. Despite the red-eye flights, she arrived in Punta Cana feeling relatively refreshed.
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
Upon arrival in Punta Cana, Stephanie found customs easy to navigate. She noted that the airport was modern and reminiscent of those in Cancun or other parts of Mexico, cautioning travelers to avoid timeshare salespeople outside. Amstar, the transfer service, took Stephanie on a 40-minute ride to Uvero Alto, the location of Secrets Tides.
At the resort, she was greeted with champagne and escorted to the Preferred Club Lobby for check-in. Stephanie was pleasantly surprised to learn that her Preferred Club status came with butler service. Her butler, Miguel, showed her around the resort and ensured she was comfortable in her room.
Stephanie had some downtime before the welcome dinner, which she spent relaxing by the pool. The welcome cocktail reception was followed by dinner at Tierra, the South American Fusion restaurant, where she enjoyed good food and conversation with fellow FAM participants.
Day 2: Resort Exploration
Rain disrupted the planned yoga session on the beach, so Stephanie and her group opted for a group breakfast at Seaside Grill, a Preferred Club exclusive restaurant. She emphasized the benefits of upgrading to Preferred Club for clients.
The site inspection revealed that Secrets Tides, opened on January 15, boasts 668 rooms, six a la carte restaurants, a buffet, three Preferred Club lounges, three pools, and three pickleball courts. The beach was particularly impressive. They toured the lobby, preferred club areas, restaurants, and the spa. Stephanie appreciated that reservations were only required at the Teppanyaki restaurant.
Lunch at Oceana, another Preferred Club restaurant, featured delicious dishes like chicken Caesar wraps and shared appetizers. With the rain clearing, the group spent the afternoon by the pool. Dinner at Meraki, a Mediterranean-Asian Fusion restaurant, was enjoyable, but Stephanie preferred the other dining experiences. The evening concluded with a fantastic Rock Show.
Day 3: Leisure and Activities
Stephanie enjoyed a leisurely morning, starting with breakfast at the buffet, which offered a wide variety of options. At 11, she participated in a private mixology class, learning to make a delicious mango margarita. Despite the afternoon rain, the group enjoyed lunch at the buffet and a fun chocolate tasting session, where Stephanie discovered her favorite was the 52% cacao chocolate.
Dinner at Portofino, the Italian restaurant, was a highlight. Stephanie enjoyed a special tasting menu, with burrata as an appetizer and osso bucco for dinner. The evening ended with a nightcap at the Preferred Club Lounge and farewells as some participants had early flights the next day.
Day 4: Departure and Reflections
Stephanie's flight home was at 2:55 pm, with Amstar picking her up at 11:30 am. She appreciated the single connection flight from PUJ to MSP, arriving home around 11 pm with all flights on time.
Reflecting on her trip, Stephanie found the immersive FAM experience beneficial. It allowed her to fully understand the resort as a guest would. She recommended Secrets Tides Punta Cana, particularly the Preferred Club upgrade, for couples, honeymoons, and anniversaries. The butler service was a nice perk, even if she was unsure how to utilize it fully. Overall, Stephanie appreciated the opportunity to explore the new resort and enjoyed the camaraderie with her FAM group.
