Barcelo Talanquera, Juan Dolio

Advantages: Sun, sandy beaches, wonderful scenery
Disadvantages: a 9 hour flight from the UK

...would be staying at the Barcelo Talanquera Beach Resort in Juan Dolio. The Setting ********** The Caribbean Sea borders the island’s south coast and the Atlantic Ocean in the north. Juan Dolio, in the south, is a relatively new resort about an hour’s drive from the airport at Santo Domingo. This area offers palm-fringed white sandy beaches, edged by shallow turquoise waters and sheltered by a coral reef, plus all year round temperatures ...
...island was badly hit by a hurricane. We were told that a few weeks prior to our arrival, the beachside hotel annex had looked like a building site as this had been badly damaged and work was underway to restore it. The only evidence of the hurricane was a few palm trees that had been struck down by the force of the winds and not yet cleared away. This quiet and less developed area is a delight for holidaymakers seeking relaxation and peaceful sandy ... Read review

Advantages: On the beach, good access for disabled travellers
Disadvantages: Quiet location, not much in way of local shops

Having read the only Ciao site review on this hotel (from 2000) I thought I would take the opportunity to provide an updated opinion. I've read so many poor reviews about this hotel on other sites that I felt it necessary to give as honest and unbiased a review as I possibly could so that anyone planning to travel to this hotel can go without any worries. Its worthwhile getting your tourist visa before you travel if time allows, otherwise you will ...
...your form (remember a pen!) - there is just one long table at Punta Cana airport and it was like a cattle market! Be prepared to hang on to your luggage at the airport after reclaim, as there are plenty of eager hands waiting to load your luggage onto your transfer coach (at a cost, of course, about $1 a bag, although they will try to get more out of you) After a long flight, the lengthy coach transfer to the hotel (from Punta Cana approx 3 hours, ... Read review

Advantages: Your in the Carribbean!!! need i say more?
Disadvantages: All inclusive gets a little boring after two weeks

We visited this hotel as a family of four around three years ago now so i can only give my opinion on what it was like then... Howver i have heard many bad reports on this Hotel on other websites. I do not see why. The sun was amazingly hot all day long, we went in november time so had some showers in the afternoon which we ended up looking forward to as we were so hot all day! The most enjoyable thing about this holiday was alcohol... as much as ...
...not stingy with shots either. Infact they dont even know what 'shots' are they just pour in alcohol until you say stop! (i suppose this is not the kind of holiday to go on if your a recovering alcoholic mind you!) A bad side to the all inclusive factor is that the food can get a little boring after two weeks. Its great food, and its always hot but its always the same place your eating. But that informations coming from a Vegetarian so i cant really ... Read review