Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

Advantages: Very clean, excellent service & lovely weather
Disadvantages: Attracts a lot of kids, not excellent evening entertainment

...finally settled for the 4* Gran Ventana beach resort in Playa Dorada (if you wondered why I keep using the term I it is because my boyfriend doesn't have any part in anything like this as it is my job and he is just lazy!) Neither of us have ever been to the Dominican Republic so it was really like pin the tail on the donkey we had no idea. After reading a few reviews (only moose's on ciao!) I had no clue if I had made the right choice or not as ...
...a 20minute transfer to the Gran Ventana Hotel. The Gran Ventana hotel is situated in the northern region of the Dominican Republic and is well known for it's windy climate. PLAYA DORADA Playa Dorada is the resort the Gran Ventana is situated in. Playa Dorada which is the largest all inclusive complex because it is made up of 20 all inclusive hotels and is surrounded by a huge golf course excellent for golfers and great for people who like to stay ... Read review

Advantages: Thoroughly relaxing, clean, excellent food, friendly staff
Disadvantages: Getting expensive

...hip wiggling!). As the Gran Ventana offers all-inclusive, you also get free watersports on the nearby beach. This ranges from snorkelling to windsurfing. Other 'freebies' include beach volleyball and aqua-aerobics so at least you have the opportunity to burn all those excess calories consumed from the 'eat as much as you want' buffet. This leads nicely onto my next point.... The food. I dread going on holiday for fear of the food - my stomach is ...
...surprised at the fact that I wasn't ill once whilst staying at this resort. The food was amazing; extremely fresh, some prepared to order and they really made the extra effort with presentation. They had made ice and fruit statues and everything was kept in chilled areas. This was self-service (buffet style) but was totally unlike anything I had seen before - and the vegetarian choice was fantastic - much better than in the UK! You could eat at the ... Read review

Advantages: Everything
Disadvantages: Teeny weeny little stomach bug

...Republic before settling on the Gran Ventana Beach Resort in Playa Dorada. This seemed to be the most lively area with nice beaches, and the reviews for the hotel were all very good, so of course our expectations were high. And we weren't disappointed. After a smooth 8 hour flight and 20 minute comfortable transfer, we arrived at the Gran Ventana. We were the 1st drop-off point so we didn't have a chance to see any of the other hotels, but they ...
...as we arrived. The Gran Ventana is split into 3 blocks - we'd heard rumours that one of them was near a road and nightclub and was quite noisy, so we were relieved when we were directed to the Catalina Block. The rooms at the front looked out over the pool, and the back rooms, one of which was ours, looked out onto some trees and we could see the beach to our left. The rooms itself was very spacious, with 2 double beds, a double wardrobe with a ... Read review

Advantages: everything thing you could possibly need in one place
Disadvantages: you have to come home

The Fateful day came, three days before we were due to fly to the Dominican Republic and the Riu Meringue. I had saved for an whole year, this was to be my holiday of a life time. Due to stomach problems at the Meringue, all British guests were advised not to go. We were offered the grand Ventana Beach Resort. I was very suspicious, what if they were trying to palm me off on a cheaper more down market holiday, than the one I had bought and paid ...
...with dread. Upon our arrival, it was dark, Oh my gosh I thought, where on earth have they sent us? Bus loads of us seamed to arrive at the Ventana at the same time. At reception we were told to go to our room and the bell boy would bring our luggage to us. We changed one of our travellers cheques to tip the bell boy, but he never came!! (I know now we were looking for faults.) We went looking for our luggage. Alas it had gone. It was out side ... Read review

Advantages: Clean. Friendly. Excellent Food & Service. Excellent Beach with plenty of shade.
Disadvantages: Too much loud music around the pool area.

...Food at the Gran Ventana is good. There is a wealth of choice in the day to day buffet restaurant and if you can't find something you like then you have to be a really fussy person. If you help yourself to a meal and you don't like it, you can just leave it and go and chose something else. There are three a la carte restaurants and you can eat in each one once a week. We really liked these and found the food and service excellent. There is entertainment ... Read review