I have been to Punta Cana once. I can't help you with specific resorts, because I can't remember the name of the resort. But would feel comfortable in saying that the resorts along the beach were all pretty nice.
We usually pick mid priced resorts, but I think we were at the low end this time and it was great. You are usually pretty safe when you bool through a group like travelzoo.
If you plan to travel away from the resort area, I would make sure you hired your taxi at your resort, not out on the street. It will cost you more but you have a better chance of getting back to the the resort.
Armed guards are everywhere. At one of the hotels out in the country they put down their weapons to take our luggage inside.
Very few vendors on the beach. The beaches were wonderful.
We did spend some time away from the resorts out in the country, and other than driving felt very comfortable. There were no obvious traffic rules, other than using the horn at all cost. It was not uncommon to see four and five people on a motorcycle.
The airport was very small and customs seemed to take forever.
The luggage porters were very aggresive and I had to get forceful with them when they tried to pull bags out of my wifes hand.
I left a book on the plane and never thought I would see it again, but it was waiting for me when we returned.
The food was a little strange because no matter what you ordered, be it a steak or soup, it was seasoned with the same spice. Everything tasted the same but it was good. The fruit was outstanding.
It was a great place to visit. I would say that it was a little more of an adventure than other areas in the caribiean and south america that I have traveled but very relaxing and fun.