All inclusive

ZEL Punta Cana

Punta Cana 5.0

Overview

Zel is a collaborative lifestyle brand from Meliá Hotels International and tennis player Rafael Nadal that blends relaxation, sports & fitness, and social connection

Nestled amongst nature and from spectacular beaches, Zel Punta Cana welcomes guests from around the world with a unique hospitality experience that combines the Mediterranean lifestyle with the island charm of the Caribbean.

 

Check in

3:00 p.m.

Check out

12:00 p.m.

Rooms

ZEL Suite
796 square feet
  • 1 king bed, or 2 double beds
  • No more than 4 guests in the room
ZEL Suite
796 square feet
Featured amenities

ZEL Master Suite
1076 square feet
  • 1 king bed, and 1 sofa bed
  • No more than 4 guests in the room
ZEL Master Suite
1076 square feet
Featured amenities

ZEL Swim Up Suite
807 square feet
  • 1 king bed
  • No more than 4 guests in the room
ZEL Swim Up Suite
807 square feet
Featured amenities
Additional details

Direct access to the pool from the private garden area

ZEL Swim Up Master Suite
1076 square feet
  • 1 king bed
  • No more than 4 guests in the room
ZEL Swim Up Master Suite
1076 square feet
Featured amenities

ZEL Two Bedroom Master Suite
1883 square feet
  • 2 king beds, or 2 double beds
  • No more than 6 guests in the room
ZEL Two Bedroom Master Suite
1883 square feet
Featured amenities

ZEL Two Bedroom Master Suite Swim Upr
1883 square feet
  • 2 king beds, or 2 double beds
  • Pool view
  • No more than 6 guests in the room
ZEL Two Bedroom Master Suite Swim Upr
1883 square feet
Featured amenities

Amenities


Location

Address
Playa de Bavara, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

4.5 Excellent

  • Cleanliness 4.7
  • Location 4.7
  • Rooms 4.7
  • Service 4.6
  • Value 4.3
TripAdvisor users rated this property 5 out of 5

10/10 experience

Maria Belen P on Jun 06, 2025

We did some classical Dominican dolls. The hotel has multiple little events throughout the day that make the experience all the better. After yoga paddle boarding we were taught by yovanny and Priscilla to craft these dolls. 10/10 experience :)

TripAdvisor users rated this property 1 out of 5

Extremely Disappointing Stay – Left After 2 Nights Due to Poor Service and Food Quality

Luis_Gonzalez_Mota (Spain) on Jun 06, 2025

I booked five nights at Zel Punta Cana, drawn in by its attractive concept, beachfront location, and the overwhelmingly positive reviews (which now, frankly, I find hard to understand). Unfortunately, I ended up checking out after just two nights due to the severely poor quality of service, food, and beverage offerings. What Went Wrong: Day 1: • Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by my concierge, Álvaro, who enthusiastically introduced the hotel and its activities. Sadly, the experience that followed did not reflect what was promised. • At the Beach Club, I tried to order a mojito while waiting for my room, but was told they had no soda, no mint, and no lime. • After just four gin tonics, the bar ran out of Amsterdam gin, leaving only the generic house brand. (Worth noting: Amsterdam is one of the cheapest gins available in the country.) • The buffet at Parda had a shockingly limited selection — just tuna and mussels, no beef or chicken, and overall felt more like a poor breakfast than a proper lunch. • Dinner at the steakhouse was more promising in terms of food quality, but after two drinks, the Brugal Leyenda rum ran out — again, a basic local product. Day 2: • Breakfast lacked any real variety — no fresh fruit selection, no cold cuts, and only low-quality cheese and ham. • At Tacorini, there was no beer available (CO2 problem) and no Coca-Cola either. • The room service app didn’t work and the room phone was broken — I reported this three times, with no resolution. • I requested bottled water through the app — it never arrived. • The buffet featured substandard beef and a questionable sweet-and-sour pork dish. Again, no chicken or healthy options. • Back at Tacorini, I ordered a beef gyro and received four chunks of fatty, gristly meat — completely inedible. • The Asian restaurant served a mixed rice dish with only two shrimp and two tiny pieces of meat — this ended up being my first full meal of the day, which says a lot. • The sushi was made with regular rice overcooked into a paste — far from authentic. • I ordered an Aperol Spritz at Parda, only to be told they were making it with white wine because they didn’t have sparkling wine. No Room Service. No Food Availability. No Excuse. Although the hotel claims to offer room service, nothing on the menu was actually available. Staff later admitted this service is simply not enabled — a serious failure for any resort, let alone one under the Meliá brand. This hotel is, quite frankly, not ready to operate at the level its rates and branding suggest. Even the most basic all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana manage to offer decent food, beverages, and consistent service. I have never gone hungry at a hotel in my life — until now. Management Follow-Up? None. At checkout, I was asked to fill out a form to request a refund for my unused nights. Over a week later, I have not received the refund, nor any meaningful follow-up. The Guest Services Manager reached out to ask why I had left early — I replied promptly on June 1st and never heard back. A Word to Mr. Nadal: This property opened with the pride and endorsement of Rafael Nadal in partnership with Meliá. I strongly urge Mr. Nadal to review the current state of this resort. As it stands, even the lowest-tier all-inclusives in the Dominican Republic offer better service, more food availability, and a basic sense of hospitality. Until significant improvements are made, I cannot recommend Zel Punta Cana to anyone — especially not at this price point. If you’re considering booking here, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

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Vacation Offers

  • Save up to $350 with a minimum 7-night stay at select all-inclusive Meliá Hotels & Resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

    Punta Cana, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos

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