Puerto Plata

We purchased the premium package which gave us a separate check-in area away from the long lines. We weren't told this upon our afternoon arrival, so after standing in sweltering heat for a half hour then getting to the counter, we were told to go to the premium check in area. Geesh, put up a sign! or have a rep there to notify newcomers. Our room in Saona building was ok, ground floor, away from pool. AC was noisy and only 1 speed, high. Beach is wide, with soft light brown sand. Ocean is very rocky interspersed with sandy spots. Water was not clear the 7 days we were there. Snorkeling was poor. Along with some sargassum, garbage washed ashore, but the rakers kept it clean. No palapas, they had umbrellas. You needed to move your lounger every hr. or so to be in shade. Beach service in the VIP section was great the first 2 days; an older man made the rounds often, tending to every guest. He was replaced by younger guys who were lazy, rarely made the rounds, and when they did they had their "preferred" people, particularly the couples on each side of us! So I would just go to the bar myself. That ended their tips. The food is good, many choices in the buffet, a la cartes, especially the Ocean and Octopus. Liquor at the Puerto Plata airport is ridiculously high. Cheaper to buy at home. A small bottle of Sprite pop was $6.50 Canadian. Gimmee CUBA baacck please!

CONS: WiFi and Reception (not great) Pool size (small) Buffet size (small) Not enough chairs around the pools Pools are small 3 pools are not for general access (adults only, spa & members only) Seafood restaurant (members only) Coconut Express by the beach is not included (coffee & ice cream) No designated smoking areas Jefferson who works at the front desk was not nice or accommodate the entire week PROS: Beach is very large and clean Pools are clean Grounds are very clean Large rooms Some rooms have a smart TV and some buildings have an elevator Mirela coffee shop is very nice A le carts are good they just lack variety (Italian, Mexican, Dominican) Safe to leave resort and walk to the mall or around the golf course which is really pretty Overall, I have been to the DR 6 times and would not return to this hotel.

The hotel was well maintained and in decent condition. Not super fancy but quite nice and clean.

the overall hotel was very nice and clean the rooms were very clean the food was good the staff was friendly but we were a party of 6 that had requested that we all be in the same building (5 months before the trip) and a few buildings we had liked from the previous year. We didn't get any of the buildings we requested and we were all in seperate buildings. 2 days into the trip the 3 men got violently sick all at the same time 1 day later one of the girls got sick a day later another girl got sick one day later the last girl was sick. We all had severe cramps vomiting and diarehea one of the men got sick the day we were leaving he had a horrible flight home and went for medical attention when we got back home he had Ecoli. Not sure where he got it from but after we ate a certain resturant we all seemed to get sick.We will not be returning here again.

There is no hot water in the showers in the rooms however you can buy a Spa service and get access to the Spas for your entire stay. We always find hot water at one of the spas. They have lovely therapists that do a wonderful job and you can get smoothies only at the spa. You have to walk a lot but there are shuttles running constantly also, it's a good way to work off all that food and drinks which are delicious. This was our second time at this beach, we know what to expect and we enjoy it. There are always activities or events happening.

The resort is beautiful. Most employees are very nice too. But resort has problems and it separates by a person's financial status. Problems are: No hot water Nobody picks up phone at reception Takes min 3 calls to get someone to help My TV didn't work Housekeeping doesn't give new towels Fridge doesn't get filled with water or drinks like promised I upgraded my room when buying purchase, but was given wrong lower class room If you have a basic band, food is limited to 2 buffets, Casablanca food is very bad. Pearl is slight above edible There are no snacks available unless your a VIP They try to upgrade you to a package by tricking you into a resort tour. You see everything you are missing and feel trapped. After you reject the package, service gets worse.

We spent a wonderful week at this hotel. It could not be better located in the middle of a golf course and just a few dozen meters from the ocean. The breakfasts were included in the price and they were amongst the best we ever had in the Caribbean. Great variety of fresh fruit, yogurts, juices, breads, pastries and eggs cooked à la carte. The restaurant in the compound is qualified as one of the best in Playa Dorada. We ate there several times and it never disappointed us. We contacted the hotel before travelling and emails were always promptly answered. Elaine Almonte and Katyusha at the reception were always ready to answer our questions and the breakfast staff was also very attentive to our needs. We had a minor problem and the general manager (Mr. José Maria Spart) took care of it immediately and in a very professional way. We were most impressed and pleased. It is without any hesitation that we recommend this hotel.

We had a great stay. The staff were pleasant. The pool(s) were kept up and the bar service was good. The rooms were always clean. Issues were dealt with quickly ( air conditioning broke down, they offered us another room) and they gave us free late check out.

Check-in, room cleanliness, food quality, drinks and entertainment very good, beach was good, the 3 pools were nice, 1.25 hour bus ride from the airport a little bumpy, quiet resort during my stay, WiFi slow and one had to re-activate such every 24 hours, disco dark/dreary with mostly Spanish music being played, the circus show at the theater was amazing, late check out was available for $35 U.S. until 6pm, left luggage/valuables in the room/safe until departure, weather ok with a few light rain showers during the week, jacuzzi's near pool not working during my stay, low lighting in my room, had to let water run for 5 minutes or more to get hot water to shower

Be prepared to entertain yourself.