Rainy Days & Mojitos: My Honest (and Unfiltered) Review of Finest Punta Cana
We were greeted by Hurricane Melissa the moment we landed. Five straight days of rain, wind, and me trying to romanticize the sound of thunder while drinking a passionfruit mojito. And you know what? It was still one of the most peaceful, well-designed resorts I’ve ever stayed at.
I spent a week at Finest Punta Cana, and despite the weather, I left relaxed, sun-kissed (on exactly two days), and weirdly impressed by how much I still enjoyed myself. Here's the full lowdown; room, food, drinks, vibes and what I'd do differently if I went back.
The Room
Let’s start with the suite. I booked the basic Junior Suite and… it was anything but basic. This Junior Suite was a whole apartment. We're talking huge king bed, full living room, indoor jacuzzi overlooking palm trees, balcony with a tanning bed, and a full walk-in closet.
There’s a separate little room for the toilet (European-style), a massive rain shower, double sinks, robes, a stocked mini bar you’re actually allowed to take from (and they refill it daily), and three full-sized bottles of liquor in the room. Like, full bottles. And yes you get to take one home with you. (Guess what I shoved in my suitcase? Exactly.)
It was clean. Like, spotless every day. Housekeeping was always on point.
The Vibe
What I loved most? There’s no loud music blaring constantly. I’ve been to other all-inclusives where it feels like you're trapped in a foam party at all times. This place was the opposite; peaceful, quiet, still lively, but never overwhelming.
There are two sides to the resort: Finest (family-friendly) and Excellence (adults-only). More on that later.
Rainy Day Entertainment
Okay, five out of seven days were straight up rain. But the entertainment staff? Came through. They had:
Catan, Scrabble, and blackjack (yes, I played them all)
Bracelet-making stations for the kids
A silent disco indoors for adults (legit the most fun I had all week)
Live music in the lobby every night — a Beatles cover band, pop hits, great vibe for families
The two days it didn’t rain, they brought out games for the kids and activities on the beach. And again — no constant speaker system or blasting party music. Just relaxed, calm energy.
The Food: The Truth
Let’s be real, the food on the Finest side was fine... but not $600/night fine.
The buffet was the only place I consistently liked. Shoutout to the pasta station guy and omelette guy; you kept us alive. The à la carte restaurants? Beautifully designed but forgettable.
We had a not-so-great experience with a staff member at one of the bars (nothing crazy, just… not it). My fiancé convinced me to mention it to the concierge, and I did; in a super kind “just FYI” way.
And that’s when everything changed. They kindly and unexpectedly gifted us two dinners on the Excellence side of the resort. Newsflash; THAT’s where the good food was hiding.
Suddenly we were eating dishes that tasted like they came out of a high-end Montreal kitchen. Duck confit, foie gras, and tomahawk steak. The cocktails were even better. The service was elevated. It felt like a completely different resort.
Lesson learned. If you care about food? Upgrade to the Excellence Club. Period.
Thank God for the Bar Menu
The drink game at Finest is strong. No sugary, syrupy slush. The cocktails were actually good, and the liquor selection was impressive.
We’re talking Black Label, Jameson, Jack Daniels, Cognac, and Brujal Añejo rum. NO Bacardi (my prayers have been answered). A resort where every drink tastes like a proper cocktail bar, not lighter fluid.
Side note: Order the passionfruit mojito. I had one every day and I stand by it. What’s not to love about fresh passionfruit pulp?
The Beach & Pools
We had one perfect beach day. Would I have enjoyed more, yes, but not in Mother Nature’s plans. The first beach on the Macao strip I’ve been to that was clean, well-maintained, zero seaweed, and all the loungers were shaded (no waking up at 6 AM to fight for a spot.)
The pools? Multiple, a bit noisier, but beautiful. The swim-up bars play some very light music which is a mix of Dominican classic bachatas, Latin America’s favourite salsas and some modern hits.
For family’s Finest has a small hill in the middle of the main pool that’s both a rock climbing wall, a trampoline, and a water slide in one. Plus it’s not just for the kids (I spotted the grown men sliding down too, hard to tell who was having more fun.) In the middle tucked-away corners, clean and peaceful. Exactly what I needed.
The Gym
I did go to the gym (don’t ask me why. Vacation? Who is she). And I was shocked. TRX machines, punching bags, cardio stuff, a legit weight section, and a juice/snack/water bar. 10/10. Better than most city gyms.
Final Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Yes. But with one change.
Next time, I’m going Excellence Club all the way. The rooms were beautiful, the drinks were great, and the vibe was relaxing. But if food matters to you like it does to me? That upgrade is the difference between “meh” and “memorable.”
Even with five days of rain, I left feeling refreshed, rested, and (almost) ready to come home.
Finest Punta Cana, you surprised me. And that passionfruit mojito? Still thinking about it.
