Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

...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 ...

gemax2 25.09.2005 (28.09.2005) · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

...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 ...

moose 19.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

...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 ...

LittleHB 31.08.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

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 ...

micheledog 02.08.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

...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 ...

victeranpen 13.01.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

as a family business our family dont get much family time and with me at the age of 19 and my little brother at the age of 11 we decided to take the time out to spend with each other on holiday but then the problem was where we gonna go we like going on holiday alot and seen many places and as a last family holiday we desided to go some where we have never been before and our friends have just got back from dominican rep. the grand vantarna resort. ...
...it. we booked it and in the nov of 2006 we were on our way. when we got there we were very shocked to see the way people lived you seen it on the news and in the paper but not in sight it was upsetting but the people were so happy. we arrived at the hotal and arrived on to the playa dorada complex it was fab. we checked it to the hotal and straight down to the pool. meeting the entertainment crue they were all lovely/ the rep charlotte and mark where ...

sarahluvs 27.12.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

...liked the look of the Gran Ventana as it had good ratings in the Thomson brochure and had a large pool and it was near the beach. The hotel was really nice the rooms where a bit dated but other than that the rooms were very spacious with two double beds and most rooms either looked over the pool or the sea, we looked over the pool and it was a nice view. The food was a buffet and this was nice, they also had thre a la carete resturants that you ...
...these though, the italian was really nice we both enjoyed that, the octupose was nice too they did fish and meat and that was nice but very 5 star posh like. There was also another a la carte but we couldn't go to that because the first week we couldn't get in and then i was ill the night we were going to go, typical! The entertainment staff were very good worked all day and evening in the heat and never complained, they really wanted you to have ...

Vicky_1985 14.02.2007 (15.02.2007) · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

We went here on honeymoon over the Christmas period. We spent a week in the resort (the journey was rather tiring for a week). The resort is generally very pleasant and a relaxing place to stay, however we had a room in the 'quiet' block which is away from the main pool area. Sadly a neighboring hotel played very loud music from midnight to 4am most nights, meaning that while it was very quiet and relaxing during the day we didn't get the best night's ...

QueenieH 26.01.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

Overall a great experience. Upon arrival a good check in smooth , but needed to get roooms changed as we requested 2 rooms to be on the second floor and beside each other. Stayed in the Catelina , rooms were noisey from the bar next door. Hotel was clean but not a 4 star by Canadian status. Meals were good , buffet had a great change of menu every day. Al la carte restaurants were so so, Ocean Front Grill was a good choice. Very nice pool bar and swim up bar, all staff were friendly , willing to help. Rating from 1 to 10 on overall , i would say a 7. Good value for your money if you are a big eater and drinker. Entertainment was a bit low key but good for a pleasant evening. ...

cc2f4 07.04.2008 (06.04.2008)
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

Over all our family holiday we had in the Dominican Republic was excellent and we really enjoyed it. The service in the restaurants was fantastic and the food at the hotel was good. However if you have got teenagers then there is nothing for them to do there during the day or at night. At night time the entertainment isn't very good, unless u enjoy drinking. Also the swim-up bar is adults only so children and teenagers can't get served. We had a ...
...and the bar man wouldn't serve them, I then asked for two soft drinks for them and he gave the drinks straight to the girls. Another thing is that when the hotel is busy then you can strugle to find a free sunbed. Overall though the holiday and the hotel was good, and we really had a good time. ...

shealy2 13.08.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata