Occidental Grand Flamenco, Puerto Plata

The Dominican Republic has been a place I have wanted to visit for a long time, and when I finally went, I was not disappointed. It was a great holiday and the resort made it that as I hardly left it. From the moment I arrived at the resort, the staff were friendly, entertaining and always willing to help. After a few days it was like you were friends with them.

== The Resort ==
The resort has a lot to offer and it is located ...
...resort has everything you need if you just want to go there to relax and unwind, it has a swimming pool (with a swim-up bar), fitness suite, basketball courts, massage parlour, small shops and lots more. You can book excursions through the resort and from the front you are able to get taxis to wherever you want to go (prices vary), you can even go on a tour and the driver and guide will take you to all the best locations in the area. This I recommend, ... more

The Dominican Republic has been a place I have wanted to visit for a long time, and when I finally went, I was not disappointed. It was a great holiday and the resort made it that as I hardly left it. From the moment I arrived at the resort, the staff were friendly, entertaining and always willing to help. After a few days it was like you were friends with them.

The Resort

The resort has a lot to offer and it is located by the beach with rooms all over the resort. The resort has everything you need if you just want to go there to relax and unwind, it has a swimming pool (with a swim-up bar), fitness suite, basketball courts, massage parlour, small shops and lots more. You can book excursions through the resort and from the front you are able to get taxis to wherever you want to go (prices vary), you can even go on a tour and the driver and guide will take you to all the best locations in the area. This I recommend, as you are able to find out about the local area where you are staying and the Dominican Republic.

The resort is only a 3 star resort, but when I was there, I found that it didn't feel like a 3 star resort, it felt better than that. It has a lot to offer with friendly staff on hand willing to help with whatever you need help with. It does have a private members area if you choose to join their club.

Rooms

Rooms vary depends on the type of holiday you have chosen. Some have an option of a balcony, and you can choose to be located near the beach if you wish to be. The rooms come with a bathroom, a tv, air conditioning system, hair dryer and some complimentory bath soaps. Your towels are changed every day and you beds are made for you.

Families

This is a perfect place for families, couple and friends. There is a children's swimming pool and entertainment is provided to children if you choose to go with any.

Staff

The reps are very friendly and polite, and they remember you which is always a nice bonus. The reps are located around the resort doing different things but in the evening they provide evening entertainment, which ranges from karaoke to comedy shows, and these are enjoyable. After the shows, the reps take you to clubs, casinos and other locations on different nights.

Food

Breakfast is served in the same room every morning, with the same options. Omelettes are made to your taste and in front of you and so are your fried eggs. Everything else, you can just help yourself to and tea and coffee is served to you by staff.

For lunch there are a few places you can go, there is one located by the swimming pool area and another located by the beach, so you can get lunch from wherever you are. The lunch menu does vary a little on different days but there is food for everyone, including vegetarians.

There is a range of food available for dinner, though for a lot of them you have to make reservations. These are for Italian, Mexican, and Chinese. Definitely worth trying out. For those who do not make reservations or are unable to get reservations there is a buffet, and a pizzeria, both serving delicious food, so not to worry, you will be able to find a place to eat.

Alcohol

There are a number of bars around the resort. You have one next to the beach, a swim-up bar, one by the main hall and one near the main reception. They serve a range of different drinks (mainly rum) but there is something for everyone. Be careful of the cocktails such as Pina Colarda as this is made out of the local coconuts and are a local laxative.

Resort Shops

There are a number of shops located on the resort. You are able to by necessities there if you happen to run out and you can by souvenirs as well as phone cards, these are recommended if you choose to call home. Amongst the shops there is a cigar shop and a hair salon, where you can get you hair cut, coloured or even braided for a small cost.

Beach

You are able to do water sports on the beach, jet skiing, water-skiing, kayaking, etc. The water is perfect for a swim and there are allocated swimming areas. The sand on the beach does get rather hot and burns your feet if you don't wear anything on your feet, so that is something to be aware of. Sun lounges are located on the beach, and you are able to help yourself to them. Sometimes the reps will come out onto the beach and play some beach sports such as beach volleyball.

A fresh beach towel is available for everyone and can be collected everyday (as long as it is returned).

There are not many downfalls for going on a holiday here, it is the perfect stop. The only thing I noticed and found quite annoying were the beach sellers, they would come up to you when you are sun bathing to try and sell you stuff. The best way I found to avoid them was to pretend you were sleeping, as then they would just walk straight past you. There were a number of beach sellers, all selling different items so you can imagine how annoying that would get if you just wanted to relax.

Excursions

There are a number of excursions you can choose from. There is one that takes you into Haiti (The country next to the Dominican Republic), one that takes you on a jungle tour, one that takes you on a catamaran, and a few others. You are also able to book you scuba diving lessons, courses or one off sessions and the local scuba diving centre will come and pick you up and drop you back. All the excursions are for the day; they will pick you up in the morning, and drop you back late afternoon, evening time. Alcohol is provided on a lot of the excursions and meals are provided on some. These are for everyone, so you can go as a family.

Surrounding Area

About 5 minutes walk away from the resort is a local shopping area. This is open until late so you can go whenever you want. The shop owners there are friendly and the items a re fairly priced. Great place to pick up something as a reminder of your holiday or something for someone back home. You are also able to by the basics here, for example, sun tan lotion, bathing suit, tooth paste, etc. There is also a restaurant near by if you choose to eat out. 

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