BookIt.com Verified Traveler B. Ruggeri from Pennsauken, NJ

"Let me start off saying that I initally wanted to bash this resort, but that would be unfair. The Staff were all very kind and accommdating. The resort rooms a little dated but clean. The grounds were beautiful kept. The food was just good, just nothing really get excited about. Entertainment was also very good most nights & the bands were excellent! The beach was nice but weather & rough waters kept us from hanging out too long. Long walks on the beach were interpreted by locals trying to sell something or convincing you to go to their market just off the beach, escorted by them.
So, thats the good part! We arrived on Saturday and it was complete chaos! As we later found out, the locals stay for there on weekends. We go on vacation to enjoy the sun & surroundings but when you have adults & children who have no manners in the pool & dinning areas I was ready to ask to be transfer to another hotel, it was that bad. Yes, by Sunday afternoon it was much better but it just set the tone for our week there. Security needed to be more proactive to controling unrulely people.
I've been to 3 other resorts in Puerto Plata and did not experience this problem.
So will we go back, sorry NO!"

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Rivera-Cruz from New Jersey

"Arriving on a weekend seem alittle busy at first with many local also on vacation, but on sunday evening everything got quite calmer & more enjoyable. Staff was great! Plenty of activities to join in if you wishes to. Evening shows were good & the house band was fantastic as were the dancers."

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Hector Peraza from Hedgesville, WV

"Had a wonderful time. Enjoyed every minute of it. The food was excellent and great variety and abundant. The most enjoyable staff I've ever been in contact with."

Report as Inappropriate

BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jeffrey Williams from S Abington Township, PA

"Rooms were clean and comfortable. Traveled with another couple and booked months in advance. Requested adjoining rooms. Checked in with adjoining rooms but one room had a king size bed, the other 2 doubles. Ended up paying a $100 upgrade fee to get another king size bed...granted it had an ocean view but we did not get what was requested and it should have been provided at no additional charge. Disappointed there was no swim up pool bar. For an all inclusive, food was really quite good. Evening shows were very well produced. Staff was extremely friendly and accommodating and most spoke both English and Spanish. My biggest disappointment was when you left the resort, the locals had their hands out constantly. This is the reason why I would not return or recommend to a friend."

Report as Inappropriate

"My second visit to this resort and luved it , will be going back..."

Report as Inappropriate

"First and foremost, I am going to begin with don't believe every negative review you read. My Vacation to this property was amazing. After reading several reviews from several sites, my wife and I chose this all inclusive resort. It was our first time In Puerto Plata and definitely is not going to be our last.

We just came back from this amazing trip on December 10, 2011 and I couldn't wait to give it a review. We stood their 7 days and wish we couldn't extended.

At first gaze the resort isn't a 5 star resort as the sites claim it to be. The resort is outdated compare to the other resort we have traveled too. Even though we did stay in one of the newly renovated buildings, a lot of the furniture needed to be replaced. The mattress needed to be replace and our mini frig didn't worked.

We had an ocean view second floor balcony and we couldn't ask for anything better. The view of the ocean was perfect and the location soothed our needs. We stood in building one, Room number 1112. We will recommend this room because it away from everyone and it was quiet.

Our cleaning lady was amazing and did a great job with providing us with 5 star services. We had fresh towel everyday and our non-working mini fridge was stock daily. The bathroom was cleaned and stock everyday and the room was garnished with towel animal and flowers.

The resort grounds were beautiful and manicured daily. The beach was beautiful and the resort had enough beach chairs for everyone. We didn't spend any time in the pool area, but the pools were clean and maintained on daily basis.

The entertainment staff did a great job and made sure everyone had a fun time.

Our biggest gripe was the lack of good alcohol; they did not have any type of top shelf liquor.

To add to this, Don't even waste your time setting reservation for the theme restaurant because sadly enough you will be disappointed. My wife and I found the Buffet incredible for breakfast and lunch. My wife biggest gripe for dinner was that they only catered to fish eaters at night and she is not a seafood person. I loved the seafood selection they had and I have no problem with dinner. Our waiters, were outstanding. They earn their tips and they work hard for them, so don't forget to reward them. After the second day, they new us by name and made sure we had everything we needed.

The resort doesn't owned the beach area because it all public land, Because of this we got flooded with people trying to sell us souvenirs, excursions and what not. The hotel staff did great job preventing the vendor's form ruining our stay.

Forget about the excursions; Hire a taxi with a tour guide and experience Puerto Plata for a lot less money than you would have spent on one excursion. Make sure to speak to one of the workers so they can recommend where to go. Make sure you negotiate the price because nothing is set in stone. They do have set rates in the hotel lobby but with a little New York attitude we saved a lot of money. Haggle, Haggle, Haggle and make sure to compare prices before you buy. Everyone makes a commission from taking you to any spot and they do have tourist prices and local prices. Talk to your guide or taxi driver and explain to him %u2013 you are not playing games, you want the best prices.

I recommend you do research on local Exchanged rate for your currency and avoid the hotel at all cost. You will saved a lot more money converting your currency and paying with peso than you will with your currency, Our was dollars.

If after reading you decide to bring your own liquor, Make sure to buy it at the duty free store or in the ocean world compound by the casino there is a liquor store that sell top shelf for cheaper than any local spot but you will need to get a taxi for this, so might as well do the whole tour.


"

Report as Inappropriate