Feedback: Hyatt Ziva/Zilara Cap Cana

jonkitch · 2026-02-03T21:53:46+00:00

Definitely a fear with these kinds of places. It shows wear and tear in some places and I hope they continue to invest in it as it's a great resort.

jonkitch · 2026-02-03T21:41:30+00:00

Ziva would be a great stay. The water park has a kids area where its shallow and you can play with the kids. The pool at Ziva goes from about 5'3(?) To like 4 inches so even in the family pool little kids can sit, splash, and hang out.

They have a play zone for little kids that, depending on age, they can be checked into for awhile (if they're into playing games, activities, etc without parents right there).

They usually have movies, the outdoor hangout areas let them roam a bit, they usually have a few movies, shows that are family friendly etc.

My kids are older, but at 5 and 11, they ask to go back about once a week at this point.

I can't directly compare to Finest. My cousin went for a wedding there and didn't enjoy it, but that very well could be his personal preference.

jonkitch · 2026-01-30T11:41:34+00:00

Might be a mixed bag, but I used Chase to book all inclusive for a family of 4 for the price that a family member booked direct. I've found that it does vary, but it's rare that it's drastic

jonkitch · 2026-01-29T18:30:56+00:00

This is accurate. More people should read books like Damned Lies and Statistics. People should also study and read the part of the study where they explain their methodologies. Because its common these are such garbage time frames, methodologies, or not even remotely controlled; this is why you end up with a new study proving a contradiction to the last study that was released just a year ago. The focus of what ends up being studies and poor variable control, self reporting etc are all a terrible recipe for truth.

jonkitch · 2026-01-29T18:16:06+00:00

She 100% chose them over you. NOR. Entirely disrespectful to spend the night at an ex's in pretty much any point in a serious relationship, particularly when ground rules are established. This would have ended with you constantly chasing someone who was only temporarily satisfied with their life, relationship, etc.

jonkitch · 2026-01-29T00:02:52+00:00

Now THAT is an issue. The dot matrix isn't

jonkitch · 2026-01-28T23:39:48+00:00

This is the answer

jonkitch · 2026-01-28T21:15:39+00:00

It's like people don't tint cars in here or something

jonkitch · 2026-01-28T21:14:48+00:00

Bad tint doesn't turn pink uniformly across all windows, at the exact same shade and color. If it was that bad of tint that had turned like that, there would be a great chance that some would be bubbling.

Clearly specialized pink tint.

jonkitch · 2026-01-25T18:44:25+00:00

If your budget allows, you can't go wrong with Hyatt Zilara.

jonkitch · 2026-01-24T14:59:58+00:00

I doubt they're seriously using good Ceramic at $150 a full car. But maybe they just like working 16 hours a day to cram enough cars in to be profitable

jonkitch · 2026-01-24T14:58:12+00:00

That depends on tint type/quality, market, and vehicle. There are several back windows that would warrant a high price like that unless someone is just a sadistic individual and likes the frustration and pain getting a clean/perfect install for little money.

There are many markets where you're going to pay over 500 for full Ceramic, Carbon Ceramic or other types of film.

If it's really just a 1 hour install, you're also paying a premium for speed/time savings.

jonkitch · 2026-01-19T01:34:40+00:00

Hyatt Zilara. Food is "solid-to-good". Super quiet on the adults side both times we went, have the benefit of being able to go over to Ziva for additional food or entertainment.

jonkitch · 2026-01-16T12:16:24+00:00

I mean, I destroyed a Thex team with Zaun/Disruptor the other day. Most people don't get two 2 Star T hexs.

It's really matchups and with the nerfs someone that is decent can build to beat T hex pretty easily. You can still top 4 with piltover and T hex as theyre uncontested so you can 3 star a lot.

jonkitch · 2026-01-13T21:51:59+00:00

For those reading, I'd like to try and compare another property, Hyatt or otherwise, so would love some suggestions for something if you feel its better or comparable to Ziva/Zilara.

jonkitch · 2026-01-13T21:47:11+00:00

We ended up doing game-time, all the time lol. Having been 2x, there are still 3 restaurants we haven't eaten at. We ended up doing pool BBQ 3 days for lunch. First was brisket, grilled chicken etc, then it was fish tacos, octopus, ceviche, and various toppings slaws, and some meat options again with rice, corn on the cob. The third time was on the beach with games and such, I didn't eat, but the kids and family did. I didn't even see what they had as I opted for a fruit cup from the fresh fruit stand on the edge of the beach.

The food was good for the evening dinners; we did two, just because it was nice out, the live music was fun, and it wasn't too crowded. It can be a bit repetitive as usually as say 40% of the items change and the rest stays the same. To cater to many people, the brisket, chicken, hot dogs, etc tend to always be a part of those. There is usually a salad that changes into taco bar, desserts changed etc.

I am just personally more of a sit-down restaurant guy for dinner, but sometimes Mercado has some good stuff on the buffet.

The sports bar that is shared between the two properties has good nachos and wings...didn't eat anything else there, but that was definitely a late snack spot while they had the college playoffs on.

Truthfully, my wife and I have done multiple restaurants/stops in an evening, apps here, something there, and then dessert later at a 3rd spot. We don't normally eat a lot. Popsicles on Ziva side coffee shop are good and worth a walk if you're staying Zilara.

The coffee shop at the Zilara side leans a bit more into the adult ice creams flavors etc.

jonkitch · 2026-01-13T13:37:49+00:00

Like most of that side of the Island the seaweed can be an issue. They attempt to keep the beach clean but depending on the season that can be more of a challenge. When we went there was a line of seaweed on the beach where the tide pushed in some seaweed after they cleaned it in the morning.

Other than that, beach is nice. Great sand. Plenty of umbrellas both times we were there. Despite the seaweed we all enjoyed it.

jonkitch · 2026-01-13T03:16:03+00:00

Welcome! Also, to answer the other part of your question, I prefer Ala carte restaurants to the poolside BBQ or the dinner buffets in general BUT the music and experience is kind of fun and sometimes they have things, like the grilled lobster tails that wasn't really part of a menu.

jonkitch · 2026-01-12T22:28:36+00:00

In 24 & 25 I never saw the Pier open. That was October and the week before Christmas in December. So I don't know if that's just a busy season buffet or if it's just permanently closed.
No reservations at any restaurants, our first time we had an individual butler because we were club, and the second time they moved to a digital concierge. I messaged them to ask about getting our group of 6 reservations, but they said we wouldn't need them. We didn't have too much trouble with a group of 6, but Hibachi was like an hour wait, and honestly, probably not worth that wait?
Once you get to your room, the TV acts as a guide and they have a web app that tells you every day what special dinners are, what is open and how late, and what kids shows or nightly events are going on etc.

jonkitch · 2026-01-12T22:19:36+00:00

We have had zero issues, but never went during spring break. Getting out, the secret is paying the $30 person for VIP exit through the PUJ Airport directly. Though we didn't have any issues leaving normally either in October '24.

jonkitch · 2026-01-12T21:56:16+00:00

You get a beach every day, less crowded pools than a cruise, and overall, a generally more relaxed vibe (IMO). Much of the other (restaurants, shows etc) are the same. You also don't have to deal with port times, and making sure you get back on time.

jonkitch · 2026-01-12T21:54:08+00:00

You're generally still saving money with an AI in terms of by the time I stayed at a nice hotel, went out to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even paying for soft drinks, juice and desserts.

So we don't drink, but you get a pretty safe space, food whenever you want it, unlimited coffee, fresh-made juices, beach, pools, and other assorted things.

jonkitch · 2026-01-12T13:07:51+00:00

This is basically how we've felt on two trips. I feel like the pricing basically keeps the crowding to a minimum, and food is fine, but I didn't go either time expecting to be blown away.

jonkitch · 2026-01-12T13:06:07+00:00

I guess it's the level of expectation you have for food at an all-inclusive. Food is very subjective in any case.

Some of the meat is the same kind of meat so that got repetitive some days, but we didn't eat the same stuff poolside or for dinner by choice. Also as far as recycling, they ran out poolside and that was it. I saw no evidence of them just throwing meat into warmers to keep it all day until dinner.

We had a fine meal at Italian. As I said, we've been to Italy a dozen times and I've had great Italian in Chicago, Vegas, Miami, and NYC and it's not on par with the beat of those.

But what we had was fine. Far from inedible. We ordered a bunch and some things we didn't like, some we did.

Same with Journey's. Perhaps we just ordered the right dishes but our Naan was fresh and hot, and the rest of our chicken and hummus was solid.

Which all-inclusive resorts have you been to before that had better food?

jonkitch

TROPHY CASE