Vik Hotel Arena Blanca

Small resort, had a wonderful 10 days with my sister. We were in bloc 4, rooms 4216 and 4215, view of the ocean, pool and snack bar. The à la carte restaurant was delicious, no reservations needed. The restaurant is the same one but changes menus, Italian, International and Mexican. The buffet had a good variety of food, food was hot and tasty. The beach was cleaned almost daily of seaweeds. Bar service was quick. Two pools, one is deeper which is fun to swim. The only hic at this hotel is that there is no air conditioned restaurant. Site was well lite at night, a good point for when travelling alone. Would go back to this resort. Cleaning lady Franchesca did a wonderful job. [Details]

Did not have a great experience at this resort, although they did try to correct issues when we addressed them. First room had 2 small beds, so had to move to another room. Second room (and I'm NOT one to complain) the bed was way too hard, your knees hit the wall when using the restroom and water dripped on you when you sat on the toilet! We moved rooms again the following day. The bed wasn't as bad and the bathroom was better but water still dropped on you from above the toilet and there was a nice rainforest showerhead…that didn't work. It only dripped cold water on you when you were using the other shower head.
There was no AC in the restaurant (which there was only ONE) and I recommend bug spray because we got tore up by mosquitoes.
The pool was nice, but it was aged too.
I hate to complain but I want to make sure people know what they're getting into. We made the best of it, but wouldn't choose this resort in the future.
One plus was the food was really good! [Details]

The hotel at the first look gives you the impression that is old and need some changes, When you start to know it offers a very clean and well kept area. The resort is safe and family friendly, maybe because we were in the end season some more entertainment would be nice . The food towards the end of our week became poor, the fruits were getting poorer and poorer everyday . In general the staff is very friendly. We did enjoy and had a good time . [Details]

Easy access from the rooms to the beach and restaurants, great for families with small kids.
Rooms are a little dated but clean. Buffet is a bit week on choices but everything is very good and fresh.
The beach is the strong point of this Hotel, very nice and almost no seaweed.
Wood recommend for family with kids or people that dont want to walk to much. [Details]

Hotel / Resort is very small and easy to navigate. This was our first all inclusive so for us this was a bonus. The beach is fantastic although Punta Cana is quite breezy. The resort and rooms are kept very clean. The rooms are dated and there are no dressers to unpack your clothes even though there was plenty of space for more furniture. The bathroom was tight. The water was warm but not hot. The staff are friendly and accommodating. The resort is not busy so finding a recliner on the beach or by the one pool was easy no matter the time of day. Getting a beverage was also a breeze due to the fact that the resort is not busy. The buffet food was OK but not great. The a-la-carte food was better but still not great. Visit limits or reservations for diner were not required at the a-la-carte's so this was a bonus. Entertainment in the evening was great but short. The evenings were generally fairly quiet and low key which is a bonus or not depending on your taste. We found the resort staff in charge of excursions to be annoying as they are standing in key areas you must pass-by throughout the day. They are constantly bugging you trying to book your excursion or trying to sell you an upscale/timeshare to the VIP section of the resort. They were worse than the beach vendors who can be annoying (but courteous) as well. Overall a good vacation but not a resort we would consider returning to. We would return to Punta Cana but just a resort with a higher star rating! [Details]

Everything was perfect. Just having wifi at the rooms would be nice. Great people, food and place plus view. [Details]

The check in time is atrocious . These people move so slowly and they look like they don't know what's going on! The resort itself - lobby has ugly plastic chairs . Wifi is terrible!! Can't even send a photo it's so bad. Room was clean, however looks like the walls and floors are falling apart. Air conditioning worked well. Noise level was great . Food was ok. Most of the choices looked and tasted gross but they had some basic stuff that I could eat. Service at the buffet for napkins and cutlery and the removal of dishes from the tables was really bad! The Italian restaurant—- the service was so terrible !! It took them 15 min to even acknowledge you waiting to enter the restaurant. So many people would just walk past us. Food in the a la cartes was decent. Beach was beautiful and enough chairs pool was great as well. Harassment from the guys for excursions was really bad they stand where you need to get your towels and they're really aggressive! We called it “Harassment Bay”. The worst part is no-one spoke English. I asked for a band aid for my son— no idea what I'm talking about. As for a drink— no idea. Overall wouldn't go back . [Details]

Read the reviews before going and realized this could be hit or miss but budget played a role in our decision. It was ok but not 4 star for sure. Im an avid traveler and usually keep an open mind but this resort definitely needs a lesson in customer service, entertainment and the value in variety of food. We needed a light changed and it took 6 days for them to change the light even if we called everyday and went to front desk. There were aunts in the washroom and again took several days. They did compensate by giving us a late check out but that did not compensate at all for 6 days of frustration. There are tons of people on site constantly trying to sell you something. We would have to go out of our way to avoid them. Theres only wifi in the lobby and beach chairs are set up that you are packed in like sardines. [Details]

the hotel is not maintained front desk area, restaurants, bars, pool etc in very poor condition, broken concrete and sticked steel bars make it very dangerous for kids and adults. [Details]

No locker,no wi-FI in room [Details]

The VIK Arena proved to be a destination, not a vacation, for myself and partner. Disappointing to say the least from the moment we checked in. Not because of WI-FI access only in the lobby and Calypso Bar, or because the main buffet was under renovations during our stay. Poor communication from the front desk, vendors around the pool area selling artwork and jewellery, and poor service from the restaurant and bars resulted in an overall poor experience. We were given the wrong room at first, a double when we ordered a superior, even though we were told that what they had given us was in fact a superior. It wasn't until I had looked up the difference online usin the lobby wifi and showed it to them that we were given the room we paid for. Once settled in the room an unpacked, we went to get towels by the pool and were instantly surrounded by "my friends" selling paintings and artwork. This was from day 1 to day 7 at all times of the day and night. Something never experienced at any other resort, unless your sunbathing on the public beach. They were setup in the main traffic areas, resulting in us carefully planning our travel routes while walking from the lobby to the beach. With the main buffet closed for renovations, the resort made a poor attempt at informing its guests of its substitutions. Although our travel agent had informed us of the renos 3 weeks before our trip( we had booked 2 months in advance) once in the resort it was as if all staff was clueless. Poor signage around the reataurants, no postings of the work being done or the reasons for the substitutions. We met several couples and families during our stay who had no clue about the buffet closure because the front desk never informed them upon check in. Also to note is that if you are expecting for wait staff to bring you a beverage from the bar while lounging on the beach, look elsehwhere. This was not a service provided at this "vacation" destination. On the plus side, the resort is very well kept as well as the rooms. Housekeeping did a phenomenal job, as well as the air conditioning in the rooms. Lounge chairs are overly abundant with a beautiful beach and swimming area. The weather was hot and the drinks were cool, but I believe you can find that at any resort in the Dominican Republic. [Details]

Generally a good value place. Not hyper-luxurious but very nice. Beach is terrific. Food has a lot of variety but quality is only 'fine' [Details]

No shuttle service to malls or shopping..taxi only. [Details]

This was our fourth two weeks stay at the VIK and we would return. Good value for the price. [Details]

Hotel staff not friendly, do not know how to address customers in a customer service fashion. Lack of inofrmation given to us to restaurants, gym, tennis courts and any activities given. You have to ask or figure out on your own. [Details]

Great food.
Hotel is a bit dated and does need some upgrading.
Decent vacation property [Details]

Hotel does not have elevators. The website should have said no elevator buildings. At night lobby is too dark not enough lights. [Details]

our family had a good time, the one reproach is the pushy vendors. staff was 90% perfect and accomadating [Details]

Second visit in five years. Well maintained hotel, beautiful grounds, pool, sandy beach with palm thatched cabanas. Excellent and varied food. Not a lot of specialty restaurants (not missed). We had quiet room facing ocean and pool. A great place to relax and enjoy sun and surf. [Details]

The whole experience is just so so. The first impression was bad. We arrived at 9:00 pm on Dec 25, 2015. The front desk a short man with eyeglasses was busy on the phone and totally ignored us. When we finally got the attention of another front desk Louise, we asked for a room with two double beds because we have a family of three. After a ten minutes search, we were given a room 1124, it's on the second floor in building one. When we opened the door we found out there are only two single beds in the room. We had to drag our two big luggage down back again to ask for another room(there is no elevator in the hotel).That made me felt bad! He knew we had three people but only gave us two single beds! Then the other one with eyeglasses came in and said he will add a bed in the room. We were waited for them to talk on the phone in Spanish, then finally we were given another room. The room was better, at least with two double bed. But after all these back and forth, we missed the Christmas dinner! And there were no food after 10:00pm. We only found some cookies in the sports bar after all.

The other front desk we met after our fourth day was so polite. We got mosquito bites so we asked for a room on the top floor. He gave us a room and sent us chocolate treats. I believe he was on daytime shift. When we wanted to say thank you to him, he was off already. So we had the one we met the first day. We just ask for the towels for the room and confirm the chocolate treat is for us. The eye glasses man said he would send the towels to our room. But, guess what happened? The towels were sent to the room, but the treat was gone!!! So that's why I said it is really depends on who you met when you were there. Try to avoid the club agents if you can. The one we met named Jose was not professional at all.

Other than the front desk, we had no other complains. The beach is nice, ocean is beautiful, weather is good. The food is ok as long as you are not too picky. The good part about food is that the dinner need no reservation, you can go as many times as you want while you stay. It's just the service sometimes get slow.

The cleaning lady works hard and very sweet to give us three towels instead of two. We tipped her good. The gardening boy was also good, chopped the coconut for us.

Overall it was a good hotel except the two bad front desk we met. [Details]

I have travel as a single and I had a very good stay in VIK hotel. I travel a lot and all was as I expected. Hotel is older one but rooms are standard quality. Food was quite good, a la carte restaurants don't need any reservation and it was very easy to get to them. Service much better in them. I do enjoy water sports and I find staff their very helpful and friendly. Shows were everedge quality with an exception Dominican show which was excellent.
I would improve friendliness of some staff in main buffet. Better respond to maintenance of minor problems in the rooms. I was asking for 5 days to fix lampe by the sofa and it was not fix when I was there. The informations on sports deposits should be provide to tour operators so clients would be aware of the rules before arrival. Especially hobie cats where deposit is $150 USD. [Details]

Was not impressed with the hotel it is not a 4star restort rather a 2star.the pictures on the web site are not the same,what you see is not what you get not pleased at all,for the money I spent not worth one penny very poor. [Details]

I really liked this resort. The staff, the service, the room, the pools, the beach, the food! The kids are well taken care of if they join the Mini-club. Short shuttle ride to airport. Beautiful small beach. No shortage of chairs/sunbeds. Good shows. Excellent live music on Christmas Eve / Day. Fun! [Details]

A hidden gem. I can understand the negative reviews from guests who have unrealistic expectations. This was my second visit in 9 months. I loved the care and attention of the staff. Best value for money in the DR.

If you want to party all night and drink yourself silly, this is not the place for you. Go to Cuba.

If you want a dignified hotel where respect given, is returned in spades, go to the VIK. [Details]

Much smaller than other resorts, it is excellent for meeting new people. During spring, I would guess that the place is wild. The pool and beach are close to all the rooms (unlike other hotels). Given how hot and humid the place is, the closeness to beach and pool are a godsend.

The staff are friendly, bunch of people are always trying to sell you stuff, and most vacationers are from Europe. The food is mostly good (with excellent chicken and seafood dishes), but beef is rather lack-lustre.

Overall, would definitely go back. [Details]

Terrible terrible food [Details]

We loved everything about our stay at VIK. The staff were friendly, the food was delicious, the beach was beautiful; got what I paid for. Our room was clean, in good shape and air conditioned. We also had a very nice view of the beach. The reception staff were friendly and quick! If you need to access the Internet, you can buy a username/password for a very good price! Overall, I would love to come back again! [Details]

Pros- Grounds of hotel
- Beach
Cons- Front Desk Staff are truly horrible
-Heavily geared towards French and
German Speaking
-Rooms are musty and outdated
-CONSTANT badgering from Time Share
and Excursion staff [Details]

Nice place, a bit dated, but a good experience overall. Friendly staff, good food and entertainment, beautiful beach. [Details]

I don't feel this is a 4 star. Possibly a 3 star at best. The majority of staff were not a happy group. The front desk staff and Lobby bar staff were fine though. Food was fine but nothing special. We did not have shrimp once. Absolutely ZERO presentation at any food station. Also, no drinks or music upon arrival.
Not enough loungers for the beach. With a continuous flow of people I would expect the entertainment staff to be working hard to get us involved. We were at the beach and pool every day and did not meet or see entertainment staff engaging in a fun manner with guests. Very little interaction. No swim up bar and no restaurant on beach. Timeshare people harassing you every day. Rooms were cleaned every day but not
Once was there a flower or decoration in room. The rooms have very old and worn furniture as well as the mattresses. The refrigerators are not cold and you are only provided with water. No beer or pop in your room. All of the things I have listed would lend to a 4 star. Clearly without them it brings the star rating down to a 3. So, if it was listed as a 3 I would have expected all of the above. [Details]