This was our first visit to the Dom Rep and at first we were well impressed, the atmosphere at the upon arrival was excellent. The check in service was very professional at reception and the assisting staff were helpful and friendly. Without delay our bags were marked with our room numbers and we were given our magnetic key, security box key, towel cards and a full information guide to the resort.
The food at the resort was brilliant and wherever you went on the resort, everything was kept so clean and tidy, and the grounds men never stopped working. Even the room cleaning was immaculate and nothing was spared, we became quite fond of the lady who cleaned our room, she was so nice to us both throughout our stay and when we left we gave her a $100 tip.
The rooms are really nice and cosy and have an amazing en suite which is all marble and chrome. The best feature was the balcony and the hammock, but in the evening the mosquitoes eat
you alive!
Reading through all the reviews written here I must say we did not have any major problems, the resort must have only experienced teething problems in the beginning. The towel service at the pool was average and often closed early. We always managed to find a great spot near the swim up bar, well us brits love to drink!
The restaurants at the resort were quite varied and catered really well for all types of cuisines and tastes. Italian, Japanese, Mexican, French and a buffet style restaurant which done theme nights through the week. There was always a smiling face to greet you and a cocktail handed to each person while being taken to your table. Our favourite was the French.
The surroundings were absolutely amazing and there were marble carvings and water features everywhere, also a great open-air pool table area next to an Internet café. There were also many types of colourful fish and at night a massive water feature near the main socialising area.
The entertainment at the resort cannot be matched. The nightly shows are done to perfection and throughout the day you can see the dancer’s doing the chorography for evening appearances. At night the resort is lively and they even had a great night club called ‘Cats’ which is open until late, even the dancer’s from the evening entertainment where there and we had some great photos taken with them and the other people we met on holiday.
If you get drunk keep off the Sambuka. Long Story!
I must admit though! Brits at this resort are in a small minority as most guests were Spanish and German with a few American couples. Oh yeah and forgot to say there is a major language barrier and not many people could speak a word of English.
On our flight were a British family who also stayed at the same resort as us and they were so lovely, we became quite attached to them during our stay and we still keep in touch!
Towards the end of our first week we met two other couples that had already had a week at the resort and meeting them turned our holiday around, I have never laughed so much in my life. They were unique people and without them our holiday would have been a nightmare, they rescued us from the holiday from hell. Always carefully choose whom you go on holiday with as we went with a couple that always argued and it was quite humiliating!
The beach was beautiful and snorkels are always free to borrow from the onsite aqua hut, you will love all the fish. The only downside was the amount of sea grass in some areas. The water sports available are mostly free although I was disappointed that there where no jet ski’s for hire, which I would expect at a 5 Star resort. If you love beach volleyball you will be at home.
If you stay at the resort check out the excursions on offer, as they are great fun. My favourite was the ‘outback safari’ we had an amazing experience. The only bad deal was the aqua snorkelling excursion as we only had 15 minutes in the sea, not good value for money.
Warning: If you get a taxi into town agree a price before you leave. Be prepared to be hassled into every shop you pass and always tip your favourite waiters at the resort, they will really look after you.
On the resort though there is a fly market once a week!
During our stay our ‘first choice’ holiday Rep was great and done everything we asked of him, he was gay as you like but had a heart of gold. The only warning though is to get good health insurance because I was almost ripped off big time by the onsite doctor. I had a tooth infection and the doctor tried to charge me £95 for antibiotics, this was reduced to £45 with the help of our Rep.
Overall: We liked the resort although I would only give it a 4 Star Rating. If we ever return to the Dom Rep I think I would look at a different Hotel. Are you planning on getting married? Look elsewhere because I have never seen anything like it. Sunbathers surround you, only palm leafs for effect and the ceremony is extremely tacky. In general though the hotel is worth ‘nearly’ every penny and is in a nice location. You can always take romantic walks down the beachfront and you should leave with good memories. Have a great time!
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We had a great all-inclusive holiday in the Dominican REepublic (sorry can't remember the name of the place though). Excellent food and HUGE mossie bites all included!
christina44 19.05.2003 14:30
Personally,if I go abroad on holiday,I like to live as the locals and not see another brit the whole time!! Nice place..shame there's 5 of us and there is no way we have that kind of money! chrissie xx
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May 19th, 2003
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