If you have been keeping an eye on the latest luxury mega-resorts in the Dominican Republic, the new Moon Palace The Grand in Punta Cana is probably on your radar. The Palace Company poured over a billion dollars into this massive project, promising a true game-changer for Caribbean vacations. With over two thousand rooms, most facing the ocean, and a massive focus on sustainable, vertical design, the hype has been incredibly high. The doors have finally opened this summer, and eager travelers rushed to check it out. But as with any huge resort opening, reality does not always match the glossy brochures right out of the gate.
Recent guests who visited in June and July 2026 have taken to the internet to share their brutally honest experiences. The reviews paint a detailed picture of what it is actually like on the ground right now. Travelers are completely split. Some are loving the incredibly low crowds that come with a soft opening, while others are frustrated by paying full luxury prices for a product that feels unfinished. Before you book that late summer or fall getaway, here is a complete breakdown of what travelers are saying so far.
A Manageable Layout And Stunning Design
Let’s start with the positives. When you hear that a resort has over two thousand rooms, you might picture endless walking, confusing maps, and waiting around for golf carts just to get a cup of coffee. However, the physical design here is actually a huge hit with early guests. Because the developers decided to build tall rather than wide, the property feels surprisingly intimate for its massive size.
Travelers report that you can easily walk from one end of the main towers to the other in less than four minutes. This vertical approach not only preserved a huge amount of natural mangrove forest on the property, but it also means everything you need is right at your fingertips. You get all the perks of a mega-resort without the exhausting daily hikes back to your room.
Realities Of A Live Construction Zone
While the layout is fantastic, the current state of the resort is where the complaints start rolling in. Almost every early review mentions that the property is still very much an active worksite. Guests report seeing construction crews throughout the day, and the sounds of ongoing work are hard to escape.
The unfinished feel of the property is bringing some real growing pains. Travelers have experienced temporary power outages, and some have noted that the common area carpets are constantly covered in construction dust despite the staff’s best cleaning efforts. There are also reports of broken ice machines, unreliable elevators, and even temporary water shutoffs to rooms for maintenance. For many, it simply feels like management opened the doors months before the resort was truly ready for full-paying guests.
Dining Hiccups And Missing Ingredients
Food is a massive part of any all-inclusive vacation, and the dining situation at Moon Palace Punta Cana is currently a mixed bag. The resort heavily advertises nineteen different dining and bar venues. However, early guests report that only about seven sit-down restaurants are actually open right now.
Opening delays and food shortages are very apparent. Reviews point out limited menus, frequently unavailable food items, and bars that are completely missing basic ingredients for popular drinks. Room service has been a particular pain point, with some guests waiting hours for their food to arrive.
On the bright side, when the restaurants are actually running smoothly, the quality of the food receives incredibly high praise. The Lebanese restaurant Habibi and the Brazilian steakhouse Carvao have been consistently singled out by guests as exceptional dining experiences that rival top-tier standalone restaurants.
Fantastic Pools And World-Class Wellness
If your main goal is to lounge by the water or entertain the kids, there is plenty to be excited about. Most of the family spaces are fully functional and receiving rave reviews. The massive waterpark, the FlowRider surf simulator, the bowling alley, and the arcade are completely open and proving to be a huge hit with families.
For the adults, the on-site fitness center and O Spa are being called some of the most impressive, high-end facilities ever seen at an all-inclusive. The spa treatments and hydrotherapy circuits are operating flawlessly.
As for the pools, early guests are loving the uncrowded atmosphere. You do not have to wake up at the crack of dawn to claim a lounge chair right now. However, some guests were a bit annoyed by an early six o’clock evening pool closure. The beach itself features that stunning clear blue water you expect in the Dominican Republic, though the full luxury beach club setup is still a work in progress as well as some of the quiet adult pools.
An Overwhelmed But Incredibly Dedicated Staff
Opening a mega-resort is hard work, and doing it while construction is still happening is even harder. Despite the daily chaos, the service is consistently the highest-rated element of the resort.
Management brought in experienced staff members from their established Cancun properties to help get the Punta Cana location off the ground. While the local staff faces a stressful environment due to the unfinished state of the property, guests repeatedly mention that the workers are incredibly friendly, patient, and doing their absolute best. They are working tirelessly to make sure guests have a great time, even when the property itself throws them curveballs.
The Final Verdict For Travelers
Should you book the new Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana right now? It completely depends on your travel style. If you love the idea of experiencing a brand-new, nearly empty resort and do not mind some construction noise or limited dining options, you might have a fantastic time enjoying the less crowded pools and huge rooms.
Moon Palace Punta Cana
Manageable Layout
Vertical design means everything is close. You get the perks of a mega-resort without the exhausting hikes.
Live Construction
Expect to see crews, hear noise, and deal with construction dust, elevator glitches, and power blips.
Dining Hiccups
Only a fraction of restaurants are open. Expect some missing ingredients, but the open spots are high quality.
Empty Pools & Spa
Enjoy zero crowds at the pool, a fully functional waterpark, and an impressive, flawless luxury spa experience.
Dedicated Staff
Despite the stressful opening chaos, workers are incredibly friendly, patient, and working tirelessly.
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View Expedia PricingHowever, if you are paying top dollar and expect a flawless, five-star luxury experience where every single venue is open and running perfectly, you should absolutely hold off and book for late winter 2027. The general consensus from early travelers is that this property has endless potential and will be incredible down the line, but it needs at least another year to iron out the massive opening kinks. Save your money, wait for the dust to settle, and book for next year when the resort can finally deliver on its massive promises.
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