JEWEL OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SOUTH COAST: CORAL
JEWEL OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SOUTH COAST: CORAL COSTA CARIBE
Vacation Plan and background leads to "off the beaten trail" Authenticity
After three weeks of shopping and three days to round up stuff and pack, I was off for my pre-summer vacation (first since late January), bound for a new place 1,875 miles from home (12 long hours door to door thanks to a 3 hour flight delay) to the Dominican Republic's south coast, for an extra hour more flying time than my usual go-to-spots of "Cuatro Palmas" and "Sol Palmeras" hotels in Varadero, now effectively shut down thanks to you know who.
Photos I'd seen of my "test resort" looked good, smaller scale (good), not a huge family splash park type place you get in Punta Cana and quieter with a spacious beach area, mostly friendly welcome and air conditioned sports bar and a place you can smoke unlike Mexico who banned smoking even for adults (how crazy?), and based on the great service and food I had at "Bahia Principe, Puerto Plata," my hunch was it be worth the long trek (a 2 hour, 133 - 170 km bus ride in and out of Punta Cana depending on your info source albeit it's on a good highway).
Yet, just after I decided to book, the price jumped by almost $200 which immediately bummed me out and almost ended in me looking elser. However, because I liked the look of the resort and wanted to go then - before the hot summer and fall hurricane season - I swallowed the "single supplement" charge. Surprising, when you think of it. Instead of catering to "solo travelers" and capturing the huge market they represent, this is how it can go even if most hotels never hit capacity, and nowadays, "single people" make up 43% of the Canadian, and 50% of the U.S. populations! Seems marketing staff are behind the times and others "penny wise and pound foolish" with their zeal to double up every room.
As a solo traveller (which isn't easy, wasn't expected but can have its benefits), here's my report. I just hope it doesn't drive up prices. Happens when I write good reviews.
FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE WITH AN A.I. DIRECTED ROOM REQUEST
Well, what can I say. It may have resulted in what I asked for but it didn't work well in getting me what I wanted! So, great for legal research and fact checking, for example, but not spelling out your room request as the people input wasn't good to begin with. As per the robot's instructions I wanted "a quiet room not facing the courtyard and away from the entertainment stage." Although hotel staff deserve "high praise" in responding to my request before I left, and presumably tried finding me what I liked, I ended up with a room at the far corner of the complex, looking out over a desolate space and not much else but homes beyond a wall. "Far from cheery, Mr. Bot!"
But the good news though was ESTEFANY and NICOLAS, pulled off a NEXT DAY (exactly what you want) ROOM CHANGE that was third floor (my ask) with a view of the front courtyard and palm trees (with a glimpse of the ocean in the distance), in a great central location and far enough away from the stage that the evening entertainment was of no consequence. Bravo. Thank you!
CORAL COSTA CARIBE (June 6 - June 13)
The 4 star CORAL COSTA CARIBE RESORT lies about halfway between the more popular tourist spot of Punta Cana and the capital city of Santo Domingo. Unlike the much larger, more splashy tourist hotspots near here, C.C.C. is smaller scale, more compact, and a beautiful tree filled property that combined with the staff (most), has an authentic, unpretentious welcoming Caribbean (Dominican) feel and charm about it. "Paradise," is what my friend said, when he saw my photos.
The hotel's MAIN COURTYARD, embraced by a horseshoe shaped set of three interconnected low rise buildings, is a blessing for those who want to relax with a beer or cocktail in shaded areas at covered tables where you're not far from the courtyard bar, coffee bar and AIR CONDITIONED bathrooms (yahoo, clean as a whistle!) where you can enjoy a cigar or cigarette while socializing in the fresh blowing sea breeze that comes in off the ocean. It's numerous, mature palm trees dance around the area providing that "tropical island feel" you want and much needed shade and escape from the sun.
ROOMS
SUPERIOR ROOMS are either garden (or street) and possibly courtyard view. My experience with the two rooms I slept at are very basic but had good air conditioning and enough closet space for all your clothes albeit should bring extra hangers as there are no dresser drawers for your clothes.
Cable TV features enough choice of channels to offer a restful TV viewing evening inside when needed. Toiletries, soap, toilet paper and clean towels were always stocked while the mini fridge worked well and they start you off with a sampling of small water bottles and soft drinks. The safe is included (good). As you can see from my balcony photo, there's enough space, two chairs and a small table but no ashtray (which there ought to be for a smoking room and in areas not designated smoke free. Keep in mind us smokers always take it out in the balcony)
Other choice rooms not advertised online include direct ocean view rooms and suites (more expensive S block) and pool view rooms (see photos).
SWIMMING POOLS AND BEACH
When you want to soak up the sun, you can do that at your choice of two swimming pools - the main one with a small swim up bar and music and another one off to the other side of the buffer restaurant that's great for those who want quiet
So whereas one reviewer complained about the noise and said reading is impossible, this may be true at the main pool BUT there are places you can have quiet like I mentioned as well as most places on the spacious beach. As for nighttime entertainment, other than having it "turned down a bit," as one guest said, there's not much you can do except get a room far enough away from that area if you go to bed early or like watching TV in your room during the evenings.
And of course, there is Juan Dolio Beach that runs the length of the hotel property stretching down the coastline with ample space for everybody. Shade is under tree top canopies, not parasols, so of the "hundreds" of lounge chairs on the beach, only about a quarter of them are in shaded areas.
And, if you want to really relax and lie down while doing beach time, you can head to the sunbed area surrounded by white sand, that for some reason over my six days here, was always vacant - no complaints.
AMENITIES
The hotel features a great AIR CONDITIONED SPORTS BAR, a newly renovated spa ($), fitness center, disco, various activities and the opportunity to shoot a basketball or play tennis. There's also a "Kids Club" (ages 4 to 12) with children's activities and their own wading pool down by the S block of buildings. There is also a souvenir and tobacco shop but when I asked for prices for a pack of cigarettes, I got three different prices from three different staff members and the cost seemed to keep going up the more I needed them.
A LA CARTE DINING
A la carte restaurants offer Tex Mex, BBQ Grill and Mediterranean food. All are indoors except for the Grill which is outdoors nightly at the snack bar.
The Mediterranean featured good food and great service. The Grill served up a good cut of Angus steak with cheese filled baked potato. The only complaint was the staff tried cutting out my desert even though my full order was placed with staff the moment I arrived and they asked for my order. In the end after a complaint, I got my desert but they turned off the lights before I could finish. If the food wasn't as good as it was, they wouldn't have got my generous tip. As for the second floor Tex Mex restaurant with a view, I never did try it. Reservations are required at all restaurants and can be made just off the lobby area near the courtyard.
BUFFET RESTAURANT
Like your usual buffet, you'II find things you never eat but always find stuff you enjoy. Seating is both indoor and outdoor which is good and service was excellent. In particular, Jose, who was always looking out for me and greeted me with a welcoming smile. If you like a little sparkling wine with breakfast or dinner, you can get it, just ask. Fruit, including pineapple, bananas and fresh ripened tomatoes, my favourites, were always available. Hours of service are good but don't necessarily extend behind the cut off time unless you get your food early enough.
SNACK BAR
Essential for any resort. 24 hours but food is a hit and miss. French fries were good, southern fried chicken great but the burgers are typically burnt. Pizza was hard to find and while I was there available only on two occasions. Hot dogs and fresh buns round out the usual offering. Draft beer and soft drinks are also available.
SPORTS BAR AND DISCO
The air conditioned sports bar, open 24 hours, is my must have. You need a place you can go to to cool off and relax.
There are bar stools for people who like to cozy up at the bar when not working at a table. BARTENDING SERVICE was the best there was where you always felt welcome no matter when you arrived or how long you stayed there. Liliana deserves special praise. There are three TVs and a fourth giant screen TV that they can also fire up.
Just don't expect to hear the games (the sound is off) and come disco time, the adjoining room with very loud music takes over and makes even talking a chore. Again, less volume and bass would be better. Closing the adjoining door helps too. On a sour note, we asked the lady at the door if she could close it so we could watch the game without the noise and she obliged only for another guy from the entertainment staff to come prop it open despite a round of objections. Not good.
Speaking of music, I loved the morning buffet music, easy listening and calming piano music. Hard to leave my table!
CLIENTELE
Mostly a mature clientele but it is not adults only so you will get kids and families. On weekends, you get Dominican families who easily fill up the pool and small swim-up bar. A large contingent of guests arrived by ferry after a 14 hour overnight ride over from nearby Puerto Rico. Their welcome party was as lively as you can get and guests melded in nicely with everyone else. Others I met came from as far away as Barcelona, Spain (a special gal), her friend from Tenerife, a family from Italy the U.K. and Rotterdam, a day visitor from Ireland, and at least 10 Canadians who traveled with me on the bus from the airport (but surely more will come since Cuba now not being offered ). And there was Philip from the Florida Keys who made for good company, he too, a solo traveler. Who is already planning to return and who knows, I may join him?
CLEANLINESS AND BUGS
C.C.C. is kept clean. Bathrooms included. My usual concerns about any tropical resort centres around mosquitoes, no-see-ums, sand fleas, ocean lice and cockroaches but these were not a concern. Hurray! Never saw a single cookaracha while you could sit out at night without having to worry much. The week I was there, I only got two mosquito bites and that was at dusk when I had my shorts on. Mind you, I wore long pants and running shoes evenings but still, nothing was buzzing around my ears thank goodness, despite the periodic, short downpours that did occur a few times.
LOCATION AND CURRENCY
Out of the way but for those who want to visit the historic capital city of Santa Domingo, a good location. Aside from that, most of the area surrounding the resort offers little to see (mostly privatized condo complexes shut off to the public), and do. For tennis enthusiasts, I hear here there are better tennis courts a short ride away but expect to pay a minimum of USD$75 for a day pass. A few tours can be booked from the hotel but I never did any owing to the short time there.
Unfortunately, nobody accepts CANADIAN CASH, everything must be paid for in U.S. currency and by credit card. I must admit I was shocked to find the duty free customs shops also refused Canadian dollars even if though I was willing to pay the exchange rate. So bring DOMINICAN PESOS (I did and was glad I did or Yankee money, ouch!). Even the airport currency booth tried charging me an outrageous exchange rate ($100 bucks for just $45 American) for an exchange rate of 55% when it should only cost about $63 dollars - that's nuts especially if you want more Canadians to come visit!
CONCLUSION
Coral Costa Caribe may be off the beaten trail but for those who prefer a smaller scale, more authentic charming resort hotel with ample beach space, decent food quality and choice in a clean environment with mostly friendly, welcoming staff and management that aims to please, where you can kick back and relax outdoors in a palm treed courtyard or in an air conditioned sports bar, this is the place. Just pack some patience if you are coming from Toronto and don't expect luxury rooms directly facing the ocean unless you upgrade. Canadian money is not accepted so bring your own Dominican Pesos or American cash, lest you are willing to pay through the nose. Hopefully, as the Dominican Republic and it's resorts welcome Canadians looking for a new hot spot to vacation, things will change.
Thanks go out to all who welcomed me. Surely, they haven't seen the last of me.
Steve Anthony of Toronto, Canada
